Regulation

The administration of the IPPS is carried out by 1. The Special Inter-Institutional Committee, 2. The Postgraduate Studies Committee, 3. The Steering Committee (S.E.) of the IPPS, and 4. The Director of the IPPS.

• The Special Inter-Institutional Committee (SIC), is composed of Teaching and Reasearch Academic Staff (TRAS) of the two collaborating Departments of the three Universities who are elected by the Assembly of each Department and the Senate for a two-year term. The total number of SIC members is nine (9). In detail, in the SIC of the IPPS "Digital Health and Analytics" participate: 

• • 3 TRAS members from the Department of Informatics and Telematics at Harokopio University of Athens 
  • 2 TRAS members from the Department of Digital Systems of University of Piraeus
  • 2 TRAS members from the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University
  • 2 student representatives who are elected for annual term by the IPPS students

• The Graduate Studies Committee is established in each Institution, consisting of the Vice rector for Academic Affairs, who shall act as the president and the Deans of the Foundation as members and has the powers provided for in paragraph 5 of article 32 of the law 4485/2017. 

• The Steering Committee (SC) of the IPPS board shall be composed of five (5) TRAS members of the Cooperating Departments and elected by the SIC for a two-year term office. The President is elected by the 5 members and the office term of the President of the SC it may be renewed once. The SC is responsible for monitoring and coordinating the operation of the program.

• The Director and Deputy Director of the DPMS comes from the Department of Informatics and Telematics of Harokopio University and is necessarily a member of the SIC. They are elected by the SIC for a two-year term with the possibility of renewal. The Director and the Deputy Director belong to the rank of Professor or Deputy Professor, are of the same or corresponding academic subject as the subject of the IPPS and exercise the duties defined by the current legislation.

• The meetings of the SIC and SC will be held in Kallithea, headquarters of Harokopio University. The members of the SIC can participate in the meetings either through video conference or through physical presence. In the second case, the travel expenses (transportation, hotel, etc.) and the daily allowance are borne by the IPPS budget.

• The IPPS degree (Graduate Diploma - Master's Degree) is a public document. Its form is defined by a decision of the Senate and is signed by the Rector of Harokopio University, the President of the Department of Informatics and the Secretary of Harokopio University. The name of the University, the Faculty and the Department and any additional information defined by the current legislation are mentioned in the IPPS degree.
• The Diploma degree is characterized as follows: from 5 to 6.49 GOOD, from 6.50 to 8.49 VERY GOOD and from 8.50 to 10 HONORS.
• A Diploma Supplement in Greek and English is attached to the IPPS in accordance with the written provisions. The book of graduate students is signed by the President of the Department, the Secretary of the Department of Informatics, the Secretary of Harokopio University and the Rector of Harokopio University.
• As long as the student has fulfilled all his obligations, he is declared a IPPS graduate. Before the award date, the Department Secretariat may grant the student a certificate of completion of his studies at the IPPS , following his written request.

• For the operation of the IPPS, primarily are used the building facilities and the logistical infrastructure of the Harokopio University as well as of the participating Institutions in the IPPS, such as classrooms, library and laboratories. By decision of the SIC, following a proposal by the SC, a part of the revenue of the IPPS can be allocated for upgrading the logistical infrastructure of the Department to support postgraduate education and research.
• In exceptional cases, building facilities and logistical infrastructure outside Harokopio University may be used, by decision of the Director of the IPPS.

• Holders of a domestic university degree or diploma or an equivalent foreign degree recognized by DOATAP can apply to the IPPS. 
• Foreign candidates should have sufficient knowledge of the Greek and English languages.

• Every graduate student who enrolls in IPPS is obliged to pay tuition fees for the entire duration of his/her compulsory studies. The tuition fees for the IPPS amount to 4,500 euros.
• The tuition payment procedure for the IPPS is done through the Special Research Account of Harokopio University. Tuition fees are used by IPPS for all expenses required for the education of postgraduate students and in general for the operation of the IPPS Any expenditure is carried out after the approval of the SIC.
• The SC, after a proposal from the SIC, can adjust the tuition fees of the IPPS. Decisions of the SIC regulate cases of non-payment of tuition fees. 
• In case of permanent withdrawal or deletion of a student from the IPPS, the tuition fees paid are not refunded.
• The provisions of this article apply to all citizens of the European Union.

• The date of announcement of each study cycle of the IPPS is proposed by the SC and decided by the SIC.
• The call is published at least on the website of the Department. The call states:
• • The candidate evaluation process
  • The deadline, place and times for submitting applications 
  • The necessary supporting documents of the candidates.
• The application form for the IPPS and the letter of recommendation form as well as useful relevant information material are available in MS-WORD file format on the website of the of Informatics and Telematics Department. The completed and signed application form can be submitted together with the necessary supporting documents within the predetermined deadline either by mail or in person.  
• Each file must contain the following necessary supporting documents: 
  • Application form.
  • Detailed curriculum vitae.
  • Copies of diplomas or other items (e.x. certificate of completion) to show that they have graduated.
  • Transcript of Studies (one for each degree).
  • Recognition by DOATAP for those who hold degrees from foreign universities.
  • Proof of good knowledge of the English language.
  • Evidence of sufficient knowledge of the Greek language (in the case of foreign candidates).
  • Certificates and other evidence of professional and research activity (if any).
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation.
  • Photocopies of any scientific work and publications (in three [3] copies).
  • Photocopy of both sides of the identity card.
  • One (1) photo.
• Candidates can attach any forms of social, financial and family status to their application so that they can be evaluated by the SIC, based on the provisions of Law 4485/2017 (article 35, par. 2).
• Exceptionally, applications are accepted from candidates who do not have one or more of the mentioned degrees or study certificates by the deadline for submitting applications. If selected, these candidates must provide either a certificate of successful completion of studies or a certified copy of their degree (or certificate) before enrolling in IPPS. Otherwise, they are not registered in the IPPS. The same applies to the English language certificate.

• The selection of those admitted to the IPPS is made in accordance with the provisions of Law 4485/2017 and the regulations of this Postgraduate Studies Regulation.
• The evaluation of the IPPS candidates is done by a corresponding Candidate Evaluation Committee (CEC) which consists of TRAS Members of the Department who teach at the IPPS. CECs have at least two members and are set up by decision of the Department Assembly following a proposal from the SIC.
• The Department's Secretariat, to which the files with the necessary supporting documents for each nomination are submitted, files the files with a protocol number, checks whether they contain all the necessary supporting documents, sorts them according to the direction of the IPPS and delivers them to the corresponding CEC. 
• The evaluation criteria for candidates are as follows:
  • Qualifications
  • Scores of qualifications and courses that are relevant to the subject matter of the direction of selection of the IPPS
  • Adequate knowledge of the English language
  • Scope and duration of work and research experience.
  • Letters of recommendation Interview & Additional criteria

Any additional criteria, the coefficients of the selection criteria and the minimum total score of the selection criteria that each candidate must obtain in order to be called for an interview are determined by a decision of the SIC before the start date of the submission of nominations. Unless additional criteria are specified, selection is made on the basis of criteria (i) – (vi). Candidates who, despite being called, did not attend the scheduled interview are excluded from further evaluation.  

• Applicants who have not received their undergraduate degree by the application deadline are judged by the CEC based on their most recent comprehensive score. 
• If a certificate of good knowledge of the English language is not presented, it can be certified in another way which is decided by the SIC following a proposal by the SC.
• The CEC of each direction carries out the following process of evaluating the candidates:
  • It evaluates the files of the candidates and compiles a table of them in descending order of evaluation based on the above criteria, except for the interview criterion. 
  • Rejects candidates who do not meet the minimum overall score of the selection criteria and draws up a shortlist of candidates.
  • Calls shortlisted candidates for interviews. 
  • Conducts any internal examinations to assess the knowledge of the candidates.
  • Draws up a ranking table of the candidates in descending order and submits it to the SIC.
• Admitted students are informed by the Department's Secretariat and asked to answer whether or not they accept their admission to the IPPS. 
• In the last stage, the SIC formulates the final tables of admitted and runner-up candidates per specialization of the IPPS, taking into account the preferences of the candidates for the IPPS specializations and issues of operation of the IPPS. 
• The number of admitted students may not exceed forty (40) students per study cycle, except in cases of a tie in the final ranking, in which all candidates with the same grade are accepted. The final tables of the admitted and runners-up of the IPPS are approved by the SIC following the proposal of the SC.

TRAS (Teaching and Reasearch Academic Staff) members will be employed in the IPPS and SST (Special Scientific Staff), LTS (Laboratory Teaching Staff) and STLS (Special Technical Laboratory Staff) or retired members of TRAS of the Department of Informatics and Telematics of Harokopio University, the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus and the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University or lecturers according to p.d. 407/1980 (A'112) or article 19 of law 1404/1983 (A' 173) or par. 7 of article 29 of law 4009/2011., members of TRAS of other Departments of the same higher education institute or other higher education institutes or researchers from research centers of the country, as well as renowned scientists from abroad who have a position or qualifications as a professor or researcher in a research center, or scientists of recognized prestige with specialized knowledge or relevant experience in the knowledge subject of the IPPS, to meet the educational needs of the IPPS in accordance with the written provisions.

1. • In particular, seminar and teaching assistant work may be assigned to other members of the teaching staff and to doctoral candidates of the 3 departments or other Departments of the 3 Universities or other HEIs (Higher Education Institutes).
   • The selection of teachers and the assignments for the execution of the teaching work are made by decision of the SIC following a proposal by the SC. In the case of more than one teacher of a course, one of the teachers may be designated, by the same decision, as the coordinator of the course. 
   • It is not mandatory to assign teaching to all the TRAS Members of the 3 departments, nor is it mandatory to provide services to the IPPS by TRAS Members of the 3 Departments who cover their legal obligations in the undergraduate programs studies of the Department of Informatics and Telematics of the Harokopio University, the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus and the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University. 
   • It is possible to set a maximum number of hours of teaching at the IPPS for the TRAS Members of the Department by decision of the SIC following a proposal by the SC.
   • The IPPS can offer supplementary teaching of the seminar/laboratory/tutorial type, optional attendance for students in the 3rd semester of studies (thesis semester) and in special topics of current technology. The times, days and subjects of teaching as well as the lecturers will be determined by a decision of the SIC. The relevant costs will be charged to the budget of the IPPS.
   • The teaching language of the courses is Greek. In order to facilitate the internationalization of IPPS (e.g. inviting foreign teachers and attracting foreign students) part, or all, of the courses may be taught in English.

• The MDT (Master Diploma Thesis) is prepared under the supervision of a lecturer at the IPPS (supervisor) who is a TRAS Member at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor or Assistant Professor or Lecturer of the same or another University of the country or a similar University abroad and is part of the subject of the IPPS course followed by the student. 
• Each MDT must demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills, critical thinking, ability to analyze and formulate problems and research ability of the student. It can refer to empirical, theoretical or applied topics and be carried out in collaboration with a private or public institution in Greece or abroad that deals with related subjects. 
•  During the month of April, the lecturers of the IPPS submit to the IPPS Secretariat lists of thematic areas for postgraduate diploma theses which are made public to the students under the responsibility of the Director of the IPPS. 
• The students choose a subject area and a supervising Member of the TRAS of Education and, with their approval, submit a relevant application to the Secretariat of the IPPS. The deadlines within which the applications for MDT preparation are submitted by the students are defined by the SIC 
•  The SIC makes an effort for, as far as possible, the equal distribution of the MDTs among the Members of the TRAS and appoints three-member examination committees of the MDTs consisting of the supervising TRAS Member and other TRAS Members of the IPPS. The members of the examination committees are appointed by the SIC following the proposal of the SC and, preferably, they must have a related subject to the subject of the MDT. The supervising TRAS Member is designated as the coordinator of each examination committee.
• The MDT can be written, in addition to Greek, in English as well, upon request by the interested party. In this case, there should be a broad summary of it in the Greek language as well.
• The MDT is submitted by the student for examination: 
  • after the completion of the third semester of his studies, 
  • since the student has been successfully examined in all the courses of the following IPPS course, and 
  • at least thirty (30) days before the examination date.

In case of violation of at least one of the above conditions, the MDT examination is postponed under the responsibility of the supervising TRAS Member.

• The examination of each MDT includes its brief presentation and the demonstration of any systems that may have been developed in the context of it before the respective examination committee. The examining committee scores the MDT on a special form which is also signed by its members and is delivered under the responsibility of the supervising TRAS Member to the Secretariat of the IPPS where it is kept.
• After the successful examination of the MDT, the student must submit a copy of the MDT, formatted according to the relevant standard approved by the SIC, in electronic format to the Harokopio University Library. The granting of certificates of completion of studies by the IPPS Secretariat requires the certification of the submission of the above copy of the MDT to the University Library. Postgraduate theses, once approved by the examination committee, must be posted on the IPPS website. Also, electronic deposit of the thesis is made by the student himself, in the Institutional Repository of the Library of Harokopio University.
• In the event of an unsuccessful examination of the MDT, the examination committee may resend it once (1). The re-examination of the MDT can take place within a period of one (1) to three (3) months from the date of the failed examination and referral. In this case, the duration of studies is extended by three (3) months.
• It is allowed to change the thematic area and/or the supervising TRAS Member of the MDT following the student's application, which refers to the new thematic area of ​​the MDT and/or the new supervising Member of the Faculty of Education. The application is examined by the SIC as mentioned above. 

• The rating scale for evaluating student performance is defined from zero (0) to ten (10): Honors from eight and fifty (8.50) to ten (10), Very Good from six and fifty (6.50 ) to eight forty-nine (8.49), Good from five (5) to six forty-nine (6.49). A grade of five (5) is the basis of success in each assessment.
• Student performance in each course is assessed by examinations which may be written, oral, laboratory, assignments, multiple choice questions or any combination thereof. It is the responsibility of the coordinator of each course to communicate to the students the way of evaluating their performance in the course. The duration of the written exams is determined by the coordinator of each course and cannot exceed three (3) hours. 
• The program of the written examinations of each examination period is drawn up by the Director of the IPPS and approved by the SIC.
• Students who fail a course exam are deemed to have failed all independent subjects taught within the course (possibly by different instructors).
• The grade of each student's master's degree results from the grades the student received in the IPPS courses and in the MDT (Master Diploma Thesis). Each course is assigned a factor of one (1) and the master thesis is assigned a factor of four (4). The grade of the MDT results from the sum of the products of the score of each course and the MDT times the corresponding coefficient, divided by the sum of the coefficients. Under the responsibility of the IPPS Secretariat, the MDT grade is registered in the student's individual file.

• At the beginning of each semester, drafts of the academic calendar, timetables and exams (written and oral) are delivered to the relevant Service of Harokopio University, for processing and publication.
• At the beginning of each semester, students are notified:
  • The deadline for registrations or renewals of their registrations.
  • The six-month academic calendar of the DPMS, which includes the start and end dates of the teaching period, the examination periods of courses and postgraduate theses, holidays, etc.
  • The timetable of the teaching period of the semester, which includes the days and hours of teaching the courses, the dates of other events or obligations, etc.

• Among the duties of the teachers at IPPS are the following:
  • Adherence to the timetable for teaching the courses and conducting the workshops, taking care to inform the students in time in the event of an obstacle.
  • Determining the contents of the courses or the cognitive fields taught within the courses in accordance with current scientific developments.
  • Submission before the start of each semester to the Director of the IPPS of descriptions of the courses they teach in the predetermined structure as well as relevant bibliography.
  • Cooperation with the Director of the IPPS and the teachers of the Department for the coordination of the material to avoid overlaps between courses, as well as the coordination of the students' workload.
  • Preparation and delivery to the students of the educational material they use during the teaching of the course. The educational material is intended for the exclusive use of the students of the course. Use of the educational material for any other purpose is not permitted without the written consent of the instructor.
  • Care for the consolidation of the theoretical part of each course with high-level practical training. 
  • Taking care of the organization within the course of educational visits, lectures by invited speakers or other events in cooperation with local, regional or national social, cultural and productive bodies. 
  • Checking the attendance of students in all kinds of educational activities of the course and certifying it by keeping an attendance record and handing it over to the IPPS Secretariat. 
  • Care for the transparent and objective evaluation of student performance in the courses they teach, as well as delivery of the score within the prescribed deadlines.
  • Undertake supervision of diploma theses, if possible, according to the students' choices.  
  • Updating the course website on the Department's website. 
  • Maintaining adequate office hours and/or accepting e-mail communication so that it is easier for students to communicate with them about matters related to their studies and the courses they teach. 
  • Adherence to the procedures provided for by the IPPS Teaching Project Quality Assurance Plan.
• The coordinator of each course determines, in cooperation with the other teachers of the course:
  • The teaching sequence of the taught knowledge areas of the course, 
  • The way to evaluate student performance in each teachable independent field of knowledge of the course and 
  • The weight of each taught independent cognitive field in the final grade of the course. 

It is the responsibility of the coordinator or the teacher of each course (as long as no coordinator has been appointed) that the score report of the course examination is delivered to the Department Secretariat.

• Each student is entitled to one academic semester in addition to their intended duration of study in order to complete their postgraduate studies. In case the student joins an internship program of one academic semester, the additional semester begins after the end of the internship.    
• Students are required to:
  • Attend and participate in all the activities of each course, as defined in the relevant syllabus and sign the relevant attendance register.
  • To be provided in time with the necessary books, scientific material via the internet and photocopies of scientific articles that cover the curriculum.
  • To respond consistently to all the prescribed performance evaluation tests that have been planned in the context of each course (appearing for exams, submitting assignments within the prescribed dates, etc.).
  • To participate in the evaluation process of the IPPS.
  • To undertake postgraduate diploma theses to be prepared within the time frame determined by the decision of the SIC.
• Failure to comply with one or more of the above obligations of the students may result in the suspension of their studies upon recommendation of the SC and decision of the SIC.

• In exceptional cases, it is possible to grant suspension of studies to a student after the passage of at least one (1) semester of studies and after their application, proposal of the SC and decision of the SIC . In their application, the student must state the reasons, the period of time of the requested suspension of studies and attach the relevant supporting documents.
• The suspension of study is granted for exactly one (1) academic year (two academic semesters) starting from the start date of the academic semester for which the application is submitted.
• At the end of the suspension period, the student attends the courses of the semester in which he would have studied if he had not been granted suspension. The studies are extended for the academic semesters the suspension lasted.
• If during the period of suspension of studies of each student the program or the duration of studies of the IPPS is modified, then:
  • The student will follow a study program with the same number of credit units he had when he enrolled at IPPS. 
  • The student will attend courses according to the correspondences between new and old courses made by the SIC following a proposal by the SC.

• It is possible to delete a student from the IPPS by decision of the SIC following a proposal by the SC. Reasons for expelling a student include the following:
  • Copying in exams or writing assignments or solving exercises, inappropriate behavior and other misdemeanors that are not consistent with the status of a student.
  • Use of ideas, methods and results of other scientists without reference to them in the master's thesis or other works.
  • Plagiarism from the work of other scientists.
  • Exceeding the absence limit in at least one (1) lesson. This limit amounts to 25% of the total number of teaching hours per subject. 
  • Failing an exam in at least one (1) course during the repeat exam period.
  • Unsuccessful revision of the master's thesis he prepared. 
  • Non-observance of any of the obligations referred to in Article 20 of this, without real justification. 
  • Elapse of a period of one (1) academic semester after the end of the specified duration of the student's studies to obtain the master's degree without a successful examination or re-examination of the master's thesis he undertook to prepare, with the exception of the case of inclusion in an internship program according to paragraph 1 of article 20 hereof.   
  • Refusal of the student to pay the prescribed tuition fees for the semester or failure to pay the tuition fees within the deadlines defined in these Regulations. 
  • Self-justice at the request of the students
• By decision of the SIC following a proposal by the SC, an extension of the prescribed time limit of (vii) may be granted upon application by the interested party and only for serious, unwarranted reasons, such as official, social and health reasons. In any case, the interested party's application must be accompanied by the relevant supporting documents.

• Harokopio University has entrusted the management of the financial resources of all IPPS to the Special Research Funds Account (ELKE / SRFA), which is managed by the Research Committee of Harokopio University, in accordance with the existing legislation.
•  Each study cycle of the IPPS, or its subdivision, is a quasi-separate project implemented by ELKE in accordance with the latter's legal framework. 
• The Director of the IPPS is the Scientific Manager of the IPPS quasi-projects implemented by ELKE and has the duties and responsibilities defined in the ELKE Management & Funding Guide approved by the Senate. 
•   The financial management of the IPPS is carried out by ELKE based on the budget drawn up by the Director of DPMS, strictly following the corresponding accounting plan of ELKE, and is subject to an approval, in order, control by the SC, the SIC and its Research Committee Harokopio University. Each budget amendment is subject to the same approval checks.
• For the preparation and execution of the budgets, the Director of the IPPS is assisted by administrative staff appointed by ELKE as well as by administrative and financial support staff of the IPPS. 
• The overall budget of the IPPS is drawn up in accordance with the written provisions. Particularly: 
  • All staff employed at the IPPS may be remunerated for the provision of their services (teaching, research, administrative-financial and technical) within the IPPS. To this end, the budget includes special categories of expenses for staff fees in relation to the provision of teaching work (main, assisting, seminar, tutorial, laboratory and auxiliary), research work and administrative, financial and technical support of the IPPS. These fees are listed nominally.  
  • It is possible to provide the administrative-financial and technical support of the IPPS by members of the administrative and technical staff of Harokopio University, the University of Piraeus and the Ionian University, regardless of the employment relationship, and by members of STTS and STS members of Harokopio University, the University of Piraeus and of the Ionian University, who support the IPPS outside of their working hours, as well as from external partners who are assigned work related to the IPPS.The teachers of the IPPS whose seat is not Kallithea may be compensated for travel expenses (transportation, hotel, etc.) and for the daily allowance, in addition to their fees for teaching the courses, according to the written provisions. The relevant costs are charged to the budget of the MSc. 
  • It is possible to reimburse the teachers and students or graduates of the IPPS (up to one year after receiving the master's degree) for scientific trips regarding educational and/or research activities for purposes related to those of the IPPS (scientific conferences, scientific meetings, scientific presentations, lectures, scientific and technological exhibitions, etc.). In addition to off-site compensation, where provided for, the following indicative categories of expenses are also covered: travel, accommodation, catering, conference registrations and the purchase of printed and electronic materials from conferences. 
  • TRAS members and students or graduates of the IPPS may be reimbursed (up to one year after receiving the master's degree) for the costs of publishing their research papers in scientific journals regarding the objects of the IPPS. 
  • Legal fees of all kinds paid by TRAS Members may be covered of the Department of Informatics and Telematics of the Harokopio University, the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus and the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University (regardless of the grade), as well as all kinds of compensation and court costs, including compensation of natural and legal persons, exclusively for matters that are related to the IPPS and based on corresponding documents.
  • Fees of all kinds may be covered to natural or legal persons for the provision of knowledge certification services in relation to the knowledge subjects of the IPPS or certification services of the IPPS or some of its directions based on corresponding documents.
  • All types of operating expenses of the IPPS are covered. Indicatively mentioned are the costs for the supply of all kinds of equipment, software and consumables, the costs for the maintenance of equipment and facilities, the costs for the promotion and advertising of the IPPS, the costs for scientific events, subscriptions, printed materials and books, the costs for express transports and telecommunications, and the costs of performing work and providing services. 
• The Director of the IPPS, as the scientific manager of the respective project, co-signs the project assignment contracts and signs the payment orders according to the approved budget of the IPPS. 

• The provisions of these Operating Regulations can be amended by a decision of the SIC following a proposal by the SC and approval of the Senate of Harokopio University.  
• Any issue that arises during the operation of the IPPS and is not regulated by the applicable legislation, the decision to establish the IPPS and these Operating Regulations is resolved by a decision of the SIC or, if required by the written provisions, by a decision of another body of Harokopio University.

• The present Operating Regulations apply to IPPS students admitted during the 2021-2022 academic year and thereafter. 
• The present Operating Regulations are published on the website of the "Digital Health and Analytics" of the Department of Informatics and Telematics of Harokopio University, the Department of Digital Systems of the University of Piraeus and the Department of Informatics of the Ionian University.