Policy on the Recruitment, Support and Development of Staff in Distance Education
Decision of the General Assembly of the Department of Product and Systems Design Engineering, University of the Aegean: 13/11.05.2026/Item 1.1
Departmental Measures to Ensure the Quality of Teaching Staff
Ensuring the high quality of teaching and research staff and attracting new members with potential or international recognition are key objectives of the Master’s Programme. To this end, substantial infrastructure and technical support is provided to all faculty members through transparent procedures, with the aim of continuously developing and improving their teaching and research activities.
Within this framework, the Master’s Programme follows specific procedures and implements practices such as advertising new academic positions across the broadest possible range of disciplines in order to attract a large number of qualified candidates. The descriptions of academic fields are formulated to align with the research profile of the Master’s Programme and to cover areas required by international developments.
In recruiting new staff, efforts are often made to attract early-career candidates who are motivated to contribute to research and teaching. In other cases, the aim is to attract established academics with internationally recognised research achievements. Appointment procedures at all academic ranks are governed by the legislation in force, ensuring transparency and merit-based selection.
Members of the Master’s Programme are offered financial support to participate in international conferences and publish in highly regarded scientific journals. Faculty members of the Department are also provided with access to databases to support their research. In parallel, they are encouraged to participate in Erasmus+ mobility programmes for training and teaching.
Educational leave is also granted for visits to institutions abroad, with the aim of facilitating teaching and research activities.
Regarding teaching quality, at the end of each semester students are encouraged to evaluate teaching staff and course content by completing questionnaires. Teaching staff have access to their evaluation results so that they can improve their teaching in areas where weaknesses are identified. Student evaluation data are also used by the Department’s Internal Evaluation Group and the University’s Quality Assurance Unit.
Student evaluations are also a criterion that must be taken into account in the appointment and promotion procedures for faculty members.
The Department also evaluates the teaching workload of its staff, which is set at a minimum of six hours per week, excluding teaching in postgraduate programmes.
To improve teaching quality, all faculty members are provided with equipment such as computers, scanners and printers, while modern technological equipment has been installed in all teaching rooms.
Finally, the Department makes annual use of teaching fellowship schemes, research associates and the provisions of Presidential Decree 407/1980 to attract new researchers.
Support and Development of Staff Skills in Distance Education by the University of the Aegean Centre for Teaching and Learning Support (KEDIMA)
The University of the Aegean operates an institutional Centre for Teaching and Learning Support, established under Government Gazette 3933/B/15.09.2020, as amended by Government Gazettes 1001/B/23.02.2023 and 6126/B/23.10.2023, as applicable.
The Centre’s principal role is to provide services that support, empower and continuously improve the teaching and learning experience, in accordance with contemporary pedagogical approaches. It also promotes the use of new technologies in teaching and the development of distance education, with the aim of continuously ensuring high-quality teaching for the benefit of the student population.
Through innovative activities organised by the Centre, teaching staff are encouraged to exchange and develop good teaching and learning practices, attend relevant seminars organised by KEDIMA, identify their needs and engage in reflective practice.
The aim is to develop modern and effective teaching methods, making use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in university courses, in order to create learning environments that facilitate and support the educational process as effectively as possible.
As part of this policy, a Guide to Good Practices in Distance Education was prepared and published in the Centre’s digital repository.
Hybrid seminars and professional development workshops for teaching staff were organised on the topic “Distance Education: Basic Principles, Design Methodology and Practical Advice”, delivered by Professor Alivisos Sofos of the University of the Aegean.
Educational material covering a range of topics has also been prepared and made available through the Centre’s repository, where it is continuously updated.
Innovation in Teaching Methods – New Technologies
All necessary infrastructure and equipment are provided to facilitate the teaching activities of the Master’s Programme staff.
All teaching rooms are equipped with computers and video projectors, while videoconferencing facilities are also available, including for the participation of guest speakers.
Teaching activities may also be supported electronically through the e-class and Moodle learning platforms.
Through its existing infrastructure and technological equipment, the Master’s Programme aims to enable innovative teaching methods, including interactive teaching, educational visits, laboratory exercises, the presentation of videos and other audiovisual materials, and student presentations.
Legislation Governing the Appointment and Promotion of Teaching Staff
The appointment and promotion of teaching staff are carried out in accordance with the legislation in force, currently described in Law 5094/2024, Chapter XII, particularly Articles 75–80.
A prerequisite for appointment at any academic rank is the possession of a doctoral degree relevant to the subject of the position, together with relevant teaching and research experience, a significant part of which must have been undertaken during the preceding five years.
For promotion to the next academic rank, the overall contribution of faculty members to the Department’s research, teaching and administrative activities is also taken into account.
Departmental Measures to Ensure the Quality of Administrative Staff
Administrative employees working in the University’s services, including the Secretariats of Master’s Programmes and other administrative units, are provided with opportunities to develop their skills, as described below.
Administrative Staff of Departmental Secretariats and Other Services
Administrative staff of the University of the Aegean working in the Secretariats of Master’s Programmes and other University services have the opportunity to:
- Participate in Erasmus+ mobility, visiting partner institutions in Programme Countries and Partner Countries. This provides opportunities to exchange expertise and administrative practices with institutions operating in different regulatory environments through training programmes, job shadowing and staff weeks.
- Participate in professional development programmes of their choice offered by the Institute of Training, which designs and implements training programmes for public administration and local government personnel. These programmes contribute to effective administration, improved organisation and efficiency of public services, and effective implementation of public policies, ultimately ensuring a high standard of services to citizens.
- Attend internal University training seminars on the use and operation of information systems, such as the student records system, the Quality Assurance Unit’s information system and the electronic document management and circulation platform (DocuTracks). Notably, the University of the Aegean Quality Assurance Unit organised seminars between November 2022 and February 2023, allowing administrative staff to participate in different thematic areas according to their responsibilities.
- Attend a Master’s Programme without paying the corresponding tuition fees, where eligible. In accordance with Article 8 of the Regulation on Postgraduate and Doctoral Study Programmes (Government Gazette 4551/B/17.07.2023), the University of the Aegean provides this opportunity to a number of employees working in its administrative services.
- Attend free Chinese-language courses. Since 2020, University employees and all members of the University community have had the opportunity to attend free Chinese-language courses through the University of the Aegean’s cooperation with Henan University and the Chinese Embassy. The courses are delivered in English through a dedicated platform, with the necessary educational and multimedia tools provided.
- Attend free English-language courses, entitled “General English for All”, offered voluntarily by a member of the academic teaching staff of the School of Social Sciences. The courses take place on Saturdays, outside working hours, both in person at the University’s facilities in Mytilene and online.
Erasmus Office and International Student Support Unit
Administrative staff of the University of the Aegean working in the Erasmus Office have access to all the opportunities available to Departmental Secretariat staff, as well as the following:
- The University enables Erasmus Office staff to participate in information and training events organised by the relevant Erasmus bodies and the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). These events strengthen staff knowledge of Erasmus mobility matters.
- Erasmus Office staff participate in online seminars organised by European Union bodies, ensuring their continued professional development in areas related to the Erasmus Programme.
KEDIMA – Centre for Teaching and Learning Support
Staff supporting KEDIMA participate, through the Network of University Centres for Teaching and Learning Support, in meetings involving representatives of participating higher education institutions, as well as conferences concerning the development and operation of such centres.
For example: https://ctlconference.org/
Good practices are also exchanged through the repositories of the Centres for Teaching and Learning Support.
Examples:
https://www.ltcnetwork.net/index.php/el/good-practices-menu-gr
https://ctl-repo.aegean.gr/?lang=el
Library Services
Administrative staff of the University of the Aegean working in the University Library have access to all the opportunities available to Departmental Secretariat staff, as well as additional professional development opportunities.
Through the Library’s participation in library networks, such as geographical library networks and maritime library networks, staff develop specialised expertise in managing matters relating to special document collections.
Information and Communication Technology Services
Administrative staff of the University of the Aegean working in Information and Communication Technology Services have access to all the opportunities available to Departmental Secretariat staff.
They may also participate in conferences, information events and professional development seminars organised by public and/or private organisations.
Particular emphasis is placed on seminars organised by software and technology providers, such as Cisco and GUNET, as well as other Greek or international training activities in Information and Communication Technologies.
Technical Services
Administrative staff of the University of the Aegean working in Technical Services have access to all the opportunities available to Departmental Secretariat staff, as well as the following:
- Participation in information events and seminars organised by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) and/or the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Graduate Engineers in the Public Sector (POEMDYDAS), intended for engineers.
- Participation in information events organised by other public-sector bodies, addressing topics such as the seismic safety of building infrastructure and the energy performance of buildings.
Policy and Projects for the Support and Development of Teaching Staff in Distance Learning: Université Paris 8
1. Institutional Digital-Learning Policy Framework
Université Paris 8 supports the development of distance learning through its Digital Master Plan 2024–2030, which emphasises accessibility, innovation, service quality, secure digital infrastructure and continuous improvement of digital environments. Digital learning is treated as part of the University’s academic model and as a tool for access, pedagogical innovation and international outreach.
The University’s Distance Learning Institute (Institut d’Enseignement à Distance, IED), created in 1997, provides long-standing institutional experience in fully online degree programmes from Bachelor’s to Master’s level. The IED supports a diverse student population and contributes to the development of structured digital learning environments and continuous academic supervision.
2. Digital Tools, Moodle and Remote Assessment
Distance-learning programmes at Université Paris 8 rely on structured digital learning environments, notably Moodle. These environments support course organisation, access to learning material, academic supervision, communication and the implementation of online teaching activities.
The University has also deployed remote assessment solutions since 2025. These solutions are part of the institutional development of digital learning and contribute to the reliability and continuity of distance-learning programmes.
Digital practices are governed by the Digital Tools Usage Charter and Right to Disconnect. This policy framework supports responsible use of technologies, protection of users’ working conditions and a balanced approach to digital communication and work.
3. Staff Support and Digital Pedagogy
The institutional quality framework of Université Paris 8 includes support for academic staff in digital pedagogy. Governance and support are provided through institutional bodies, digital infrastructure and services, training for academic staff in digital pedagogy, and institutional policies governing responsible use of digital tools.
This framework supports teaching staff in designing and delivering distance-learning activities, using digital learning environments, updating teaching materials, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning, and integrating feedback and assessment into digital course organisation.
Within the DTDM programmes, scheduled teaching is delivered synchronously, while asynchronous learning materials provide supplementary support and do not replace scheduled teaching activities.
4. International and Innovative Pedagogical Practices
Université Paris 8 supports international and digitally mediated pedagogical innovation through initiatives such as BloomHub and COIL.
BloomHub, an Erasmus+ co-funded initiative, supports the sharing of Moodle-hosted course content with European partner institutions, the co-creation of teaching materials and the dissemination of innovative pedagogical practices across the European academic network.
COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) supports virtual exchanges between students and teaching teams from different countries, collaborative and intercultural learning environments, and the integration of project-based and cross-border pedagogies.
These initiatives contribute to staff development and programme quality by embedding internationalisation at curriculum level, supporting student engagement and intercultural competences, and strengthening digital and hybrid pedagogical models.
Institutional References
- Université Paris 8 reference documents: https://www.univ-paris8.fr/-Documents-de-reference-
- Digital Master Plan 2024–2030:
schema-directeur-numerique-systeme-information-2024-2030.pdf, available through the Université Paris 8 reference documents page. - Digital Tools Usage Charter and Right to Disconnect:
charte-usage-outils-nume_riques-droit_de_connexion.pdf, available through the Université Paris 8 reference documents page. - Distance Learning Institute (IED): https://ied.univ-paris8.fr/
