The role of the Academic Advisor, which exists for the Department of Biology’s graduate Programme, in the MSc Programme it has been replaced by the Student Affairs Committee, as outlined in Article 4 of the Updated Postgraduate Studies Regulation of the Department (Greek Government Gazette 5807/04.10.2023). The Student Affairs Committee was established by a decision of the Department Staff Assembly and it operated for the first time in the academic year 2023-2024.

The purpose of the Student Affairs Committee is to provide advisory support to the postgraduate students during their studies on academic matters, in a personalised manner, and to assist them in completing their studies. This includes leveraging their particular skills and interests within the context of the educational and research process (in accordance with Article 17, Issue B of the Greek Law 4272/03.07.2023), as well as investigating any complaints and appeals they may submit.

The Student Affairs Committee of the Master’s Programme is appointed by a decision of the Staff Assembly of the Department of Biology, following a proposal from the Director of the Programme. It consists of three members, and the duration of their term is one year. The members of the Committee belong to the Department, are members of the Department Staff Assembly, and teach in the Programme.

The Student Affairs Committee is responsible for the policy regarding the management of complaints and appeals, aiming at resolving disagreements or issues such as, but not limited to:

  • Issues related to studies and attendance,
  • Matters concerning the collaboration between postgraduate students and their supervising professor (e.g., problematic collaboration or communication, insufficient guidance or evaluation by academic staff, research progress, delays in fulfilling obligations),
  • Intellectual property and copyright,
  • Inappropriate or offensive behaviour by academic or administrative staff (particularly in matters of equality, racial discrimination, and harassment),
  • The legality and propriety that should generally govern the academic environment,
  • Insufficient information provided to students by academic or administrative staff,
  • Protection of student personal data.

The Committee is committed to following the current policy of the Institution. Committee members are required to maintain strict confidentiality regarding any information they become aware of during the performance of their duties that concerns any kind of personal data of members of the academic community. Committee members must take all necessary measures to ensure an appropriate level of security when processing personal data.

Issues related to gender discrimination are to be referred immediately, following notification of the Director of the Programme by the Student Affairs Committee, to the Institution’s Gender Equality Committee (https://isotita.upatras.gr/).

Issues relating to the protection of personal data must be immediately referred by the Committee to the Data Protection Officer of the Institution (https://dpo.upatras.gr/).