ACADEMIC ADVISOR
The Academic Advisor provides the students of the School of Law with information for the better organization of their studies. The Master's Programme appoints one Academic Advisor for each student enrolled in the Programme. The institution is mandatory, as academic advising contributes significantly to the successful completion of students' studies. Academic Advisors are members of the Programme's teaching staff and monitor the students assigned to them from the beginning until the completion of their studies.
Procedure
The name of the Academic Advisor is communicated to students upon their registration with the Secretariat. The first meeting between the Academic Advisor and the students should take place as early as possible, at the beginning of their studies, and in any case before the end of the calendar year in which their studies commence. In the event that the Academic Advisor is absent on educational or other leave, the relevant file and the advising responsibilities shall be temporarily assumed by his or her designated substitute.
Academic Advisors receive students for consultation and guidance during specific office hours, which are announced at the beginning of each semester. Extraordinary meetings may be held if requested by a student or if requested by the Academic Advisor, should a major issue arise. The content of the discussions is confidential, and the personal data of the students are protected.
In exceptional cases, a student may request a change of Academic Advisor by explaining the reasons to the Coordinating Committee of the Master's Programme. The outgoing Advisor is obliged to hand over all relevant records and to provide the new Advisor with comprehensive information concerning each of his or her students.
Duties of the Academic Advisor
- Creation of a Temporary Student File
During the first introductory meeting, the Academic Advisor records, in addition to the student's personal details, other information such as particular abilities, any learning difficulties, etc., provided that the student requests this. Each file is considered a confidential document, the custody and responsibility for which rest exclusively with the Academic Advisor. Upon the completion of the student's studies, the file created for that student shall be destroyed under the responsibility of the Academic Advisor.
- Advisory Responsibilities
The Academic Advisor communicates with each student assigned to him or her twice (2) during each semester in order to discuss any problems they may have encountered during the academic year. The Academic Advisor provides advice, without his or her recommendations being binding upon the student.
The role of the Academic Advisor is to support students in the timely completion of their studies. The Academic Advisor guides students throughout their programme of studies and recommends the optimal way of achieving their individual objectives at every stage of their studies. In addition, the Academic Advisor facilitates communication between students and the teaching staff, while also supporting and assisting students with any problems they encounter concerning the completion of their studies. Finally, the Academic Advisor may invite a student to a meeting if requested by another member of the Programme's teaching staff, where the latter has identified problems affecting the student's academic progress.
For the further improvement of the institution, as well as for raising awareness among Faculty members, it is required that, at the end of the academic year, each Faculty member submit, in coded form (anonymous with respect to the identity of the student), the results concerning the students under his or her supervision. The collection and evaluation of these results shall be carried out by a designated member of the Coordinating Committee of the Master's Programme, and the report shall be communicated to the members of the Coordinating Committee and to the Director of the Master's Programme. The participation of each Faculty member in the overall Academic Advisor process may be certified and recognised as an additional qualification in the administrative procedures of the School.