The Ethics Committee of the UoC
The Ethics Committee consists of the University Deans and the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, who chairs the Committee. It has the following responsibilities:
- to prepare a "Code of Ethics and good practice" for academic, administrative and research issues,
- to ensure that all members of the University abide by this code of Ethics
- to investigate ex officio cases of violation of the Code, either by order of the Rector, or after a written report or complaint by any member of the University community
- to prepare and submit an annual report to the Rector and to the Senate of the University at the beginning of each academic year on matters within its remit.
(https://www.uoc.gr/university/administration/epitropes.html)
Research Ethics Committee (REC)
The remit of the REC of the University of Crete is:
- to devise a University policy for approval by the Senate for the consideration and approval of research projects involving human participants or personal data, including the establishment of specialist sub-committees, where appropriate, to cover specific areas
- to monitor the implementation of this policy, establish associated procedures, and recommend to the Board any changes that are considered necessary in the light of experience;
- to consider and decide on any application for approval of research involving human participation or personal data which is referred to the Committee by one of its sub-committees or by any other relevant body
- to establish, implement, and keep under review a procedure for considering appeals against decisions made by sub-committees to withhold, suspend or withdraw approval of a research project which it considers to contravene University policies or procedures on research involving human participants or personal data
- To consider and advise on training provision for those involved in considering applications for research projects involving human participants or personal data and for those undertaking such research
- To review reports from Divisions, Departments and Schools of the University Research Ethics Committees
- To advise the Vice Rector of Research on the development and implementation of policy and procedures related to research integrity
- To report annually to the Senate on matters within its remit
(https://www.ehde.uoc.gr/index.php/el/)
The Student Counselling Center (SCS)
The professional staff at SCC, which includes psychologists, sociologists and social workers, offers students the opportunity to discuss personal concerns in a confidential and respectful context.
The SCC provides free services to undergraduate and postgraduate students of both campuses (Heraklion and Rethymnon). The services include:
- Personal and group psychological support and counselling
Personal psychological support and counselling is offered on a short -term basis of 10 sessions. The personal counselling service provides students with professional help for emotional and interpersonal problems.
For more information and/or appointments, students must contact by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Heraklion, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Rethymnon), or by calling 2810 394886 for Heraklion, and 28310 77979 for Rethymnon (tel. hours from Monday to Friday 9.00-14.00).
Group support is offered by SCC and involves workshops on specific topics such as overcoming anxiety, study skills, exam stress. They are announced each semester at the university and departmental sites. Pre-registration is necessary.
- Support to students with special educational needs
All students with a permanent or temporal difficulty (diagnosed by a certified professional or Institution) that can affect their ability to fully participate in education, such as dyslexia, ADHD, physical or mental health problems, can contact the SCC and apply for special educational adjustments. The SCC staff collect all relevant information and conduct interview with the students in order to decide on the most appropriate and reasonable solutions, such as changes in duration and place of exams or use of braille books or digital technology for lectures, etc. The proposed adjustments are sent to the department for the final decision.
For more information and/or appointments, students may contact by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Heraklion, and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for Rethymnon) or by calling 2810 394880 for Heraklion, and 28310 77979 for Rethymnon (tel. hours from Monday to Friday 9.00-14.00).
Student Ombudsman
The Student Ombudsman acts as a student advocate. The Ombudsman represents the interests of students by addressing issues of maladministration or violation of rights and attempting to resolve them through mediation between students and faculty or administrative services of the University.
The Ombudsman investigates cases, acting either on his/her own initiative or upon a student complaint, and mediates with the appropriate bodies of the University to resolve such cases in accordance with the principles of academic freedom and the proper functioning of the University. The Ombudsman is entitled to ask the University services to provide information, documents or other evidence relevant to the case, interview persons, conduct inspections or commission expertise. If the Ombudsman establishes that a specific case does not comply with the law or that the proper functioning of the University may be disrupted, s/he will take all appropriate steps to resolve the issue. The Student Ombudsman has, however, no jurisdiction in student examinations or grading issues.
At present Professor Emeritus Evgenios Dafnis holds the position of Student Ombudsman at the University of Crete.
Students wishing to contact Prof. Dafnis should send an email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.