University of Macedonia

Department of Applied Informatics and Democritus University of Thrace Law School

Inter-institutional Post-graduate Program "Law and Informatics"

M5.4 Published policy for the support and development of the IPPS staff

December 2023

Opportunities provided through legislation and the Institution for the support and development of IPPS staff

The support and development policy for IPPS staff is published on the IPPS website at the following link: [https://www.uom.gr/assets/site/public/nodes/16638/27697-22707-m-5-4-4-site.pdf]

Sabbaticals – Parallel Employment

Sabbaticals (Scientific Leaves) for Faculty members (DEP) are provided for in Art. 157 of Law 4957/2022 (A 141), as follows:

1. By act of the Dean of the School, issued following a recommendation by the Department Assembly and a request by the Faculty member (DEP), and posted on the "DIAVGEIA" (Transparency) program, the granting of the following leaves is approved:

   • a) Sabbatical (Scientific leave) with full pay, for a maximum of up to one (1) academic year for every six (6) years of continuous service or up to one (1) academic semester for every three (3) years of continuous service.

   • b) Leave for filing a patent application, with pay, for a maximum of up to three (3) months per three (3) academic years.

   • c) Leave without pay, which may not exceed a total of three (3) academic years throughout their active service. Faculty members of any rank who have completed three (3) years of actual service since the date of their initial appointment have the right to request the leaves under paragraph 1.

When granting leaves under paragraph 1, the educational needs of the Department's study programs are taken into account, especially those related to the scientific field of the Faculty member requesting the leave, the non-obstruction of the smooth operation of the Department's programs, and the possibility of replacing teaching duties by another instructor for leaves under paragraph 3.

The Faculty member’s request for leave under cases (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 is accompanied by the proposed scientific activity program. Upon the expiration of the leave, the Faculty member is required to submit a report to the Dean regarding the scientific work conducted during the granted leave. Specifically, Faculty members who receive a sabbatical for the purpose of unpaid collaboration with institutions or research organizations abroad receive their full salaries increased by eighty percent (80%) during their leave. Leaves under cases (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 may not be granted to Faculty members who are less than two (2) years away from retirement.

Conferences

For the participation of Faculty members in conferences, there is a relevant provision in Art. 155 of Law 4957/2022 (A 141). According to the aforementioned article, participation is part of the obligations of Faculty members and does not require the granting of leave.

Parallel employment of Faculty members in Higher Education Institutions (Article 158 of Law 4957/2022)

Faculty members of domestic HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) have the possibility to be employed or appointed to a professor position at foreign universities included in the Register of Foreign Institutions under Article 304, without the obligation to resign from their position at the domestic HEI, provided they inform the Head of the Department where they serve. For parallel employment at a university abroad, an act by the Dean is required, following a recommendation by the Department Assembly.

Faculty members of domestic HEIs may receive leave, regardless of the existing leave provisions, to be employed in Chairs of Greek Studies at foreign HEIs for a period of up to three (3) academic years. The relevant leave is issued by act of the Rector, following a recommendation by the Department Assembly, provided that the smooth operation of the Department or the Single-Department School is not hindered.

Faculty Training – Institution

Regarding the support of teaching staff, the University of Macedonia has established the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) ([https://ctl.uom.gr/]).

The CTL of the University of Macedonia was founded by decision of the Senate (Government Gazette 6251/21.12.2021 and renaming 7082/31.12.2022) to serve as a focal point for gathering and redistributing best practices and educational material. Combined with the use of new ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), it contributes to ensuring academic quality in the educational process, which is a strategic goal of the Institution.

The mission of the CTL includes:

1. Organizing seminars/workshops and learning cycles to inform and support all teaching staff on innovative educational practices and exchange expertise regarding modern educational trends/approaches.

2. Training and supporting all teaching staff in utilizing new ICT.

3. Creating a focal point for gathering and redistributing supportive educational material, in both print and electronic form.

4. Creating a common space for communication among all teaching staff to exchange views on successful practices and problems arising during teaching.

5. Conducting studies regarding the creation of innovative educational material, publishing scientific journals, etc., and developing communication with domestic and foreign institutions and educational bodies on educational services.

Teaching Staff Support – Special Account for Research Funds (ELKE) ([https://elke.uom.gr/])

In line with its strategy to strengthen the connection between education and research, the University develops actions through ELKE such as:

• Basic Research

• Funding for PhD candidates to participate in conferences/artistic events

• Funding for the organization of conferences/artistic events

• Research awards

• Innovative and entrepreneurial ideas

• Promotion of research output

• Gender and equality policies

Furthermore, funding is provided for the procurement of research equipment through projects. Additionally, via the Technology Transfer Office, the following actions are undertaken:

• Provision of support services for creating technology-based startups (spin-offs).

• Provision of support services for concluding technology transfer contracts and/or exploiting research results.

In a later phase, funding from the Research Committee is planned for protecting researchers' intellectual and industrial property (patents, etc.). Currently, intellectual property protection is funded through the SPIRA network.

Training of Regular Staff (Administrative)

 Article 59 of Law 3528/2007 provides for leaves for training or scientific reasons as follows:

1. Short-term leaves are compulsorily granted, upon request, to employees participating in competitions for scholarships, admission to the National School of Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA), or for selection in postgraduate study cycles on subjects of interest to the service.

2. Similar leaves may be granted for participation in conferences, conventions, seminars, and all types of scientific meetings, domestically or abroad, provided that participation is deemed beneficial for the service.

   The leaves mentioned above are granted by the relevant Minister or the administration of the respective legal entity under public law, following the opinion of the employee's immediate supervisor, with full pay for the duration of the competition or other activities, including the necessary travel days.