DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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INTERNAL EVALUATION
REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS AND
COSMETOLOGY
FACULTY OF HEALTH AND CARING
PROFESSIONS
TEI OF ATHENS
ACADEMIC YEAR:2009-2010
WINTER AND SPRING SEMESTER 2009-10
ST. SPYRIDONOS, STR. – EGALEO
ATHENS
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
3
1
The Internal Evaluation Process
5
2
Presentation of the Department
9
3
Undergraduate Curriculum
24
4
Postgraduate Studies Program
38
5
Doctoral Studies Program
41
6
Teaching Work
42
7
Research Work
75
8
Relations with social/cultural/production (SCP) organizations
82
9
Academic Development Strategy
85
10
Administrative Services and Facilities
89
11
Conclusions
99
12
Improvement plans
106
13
Tables
124
14
Appendices
159
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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Foreword
This Internal Evaluation concerns the winter and spring semesters 2009-2010,
and it is the first evaluation undertaken by the Department of Aesthetics and
Cosmetology.
The aim of this Internal Evaluation is to form and present a critical view of the
Department with regard to the quality of the work performed based on objective criteria
and indicators of common consent and general acceptance. Its objectives are the
following:
1. To provide a fully documented indication of the Department’s achievements
2. To highlight the points where improvement is required
3. To identify actions for improvement
4. To facilitate initiatives for independent action within the Department, wherever
possible
5. To facilitate decisions for independent actions within the Institute, wherever
possible.
This is a self-evaluation process signifying the identity of the Department,
reflecting and revealing all the aspects of its operation, either positive or negative, and
recording its aspirations. The Internal Evaluation process includes the recording of the
most significant findings resulting from the compilation of data which was collected with
the participation of all members of the Department regarding the existing and desired
level of quality and ways to achieve it.
The Internal Evaluation process is completed with the preparation of this Internal
Evaluation Report (IER), submitted by the General Assembly to the Department for
approval and subsequently transmitted through the Departmental Committee for Quality
Assurance (MODIP) to the Hellenic Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
(HQAA) in order to commence the External Evaluation process. The Internal Evaluation
Group (IEG), designated by the Department for the duration of the Internal and External
Evaluation, is in charge of the preparation of the Internal Evaluation Report.
The IER was based on the data collected by the Department and is normally
included in its Annual Internal Reports. However, since this is the first evaluation
undertaken by the Department, the IER coincides with the Annual Internal Report. Our
goal is to ensure that the Internal Evaluation Report is not limited to the mere listing of
this data, but enters into its critical analysis and evaluation with a view to drawing useful
conclusions and making recommendations that will lead to the improvement of the
quality of education provided by the Department.
The IER was based on the standard structure and content, and fully
corresponds to the main sections of the criteria detailed in the H.Q.A.A. form entitled
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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"Quality Assurance in Higher Education: Analysis of Academic Unit Quality Assurance
criteria" Version 2.0, July 2007, H.Q.A.A., Athens, with any changes deemed necessary
in order to better encapsulate the particularities of the Department.
The sections which follow are:
1. Internal evaluation process
2. Presentation of the Department
3. Undergraduate Curriculum
4. Postgraduate Studies Program
5. Doctoral Studies Program
6. Teaching work
7. Research work
8. Relations with social, cultural and production institutions
9. Academic development strategy
10. Administrative services and facilities
11. Conclusions
12. Improvement plans
13. Tables.
14. Appendices
The preparation of the Internal Evaluation Report in accordance with the
proposed Standard Form and the Tables that accompany it, requires a collection of
data recorded by all members of the Department in the special summary sheets
(Semester Course Summary Sheet and Personal Teaching Staff Member Summary
Sheet, Student Questionnaire, etc.), as supplied with instructions for completion and
published on the H.Q.A.A.’s website (www.adip.gr).
In this first implementation of the quality assurance system, the Department has
made every effort to give an opinion on as many of the issues in the report as possible.
As noted in the H.Q.A.A.’s instructions, the Departments may add or specify specific
criteria and indicators which reflect their individual circumstances. Therefore, where
there are variations, attempts are made to make clear why this has occurred, always
based on the specificities of the Department.
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INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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1. The internal evaluation process
This Section provides a brief description, analysis and critical overview of the
internal evaluation process and contingent recommendations for its improvement.
1.1. Description and analysis of the internal evaluation process within the
Department.
1.1.1 Composition of the Internal Evaluation Group (IEG).
The Internal Evaluation Group was appointed by decision of the Department’s
General Assembly (1/6-3-2008) and, for reasons of flexibility, is composed of only three
members of the Department’s academic staff:
Evangelia Protopapa, Professor,
Kefala Vassiliki, Professor,
Kintziou Eleni, Professor,
and one student representative (in sequential order):
Demagkou Aikaterini (21/3/08),
Kolntiri Elpida (10/3/09),
Kelaidi Artemis (22/6/10).
1.1.2 How and with whom did the IEG cooperate in order to draft the report?
The objective of the IEG members was to coordinate and allocate project tasks
to other Teaching Staff members, Special Technical Staff members, Administrative
Staff members, contract scientific and laboratory associates, and students. Thus, by
assigning responsibility for specific thematic sections to individual persons or
committees, all members of Department staff and students were involved in the
preparation of the Analysis of Academic Unit Quality Assurance Criteria Report and this
Report.
Specifically, tasks were assigned as follows:
1. Internal evaluation process (IEG: KEFALA, KINTZIOU, PROTOPAPA)
2. Presentation of the Department (KEFALA – GARDIKI)
3. Undergraduate Curriculum (KEFALA – Departmental Administrative Staff)
4. Postgraduate Studies Program (PROTOPAPA)
5. Doctoral Studies Program (-)
6. Teaching work (KEFALA)
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7. Research work (KINTZIOU)
8. Relations with social, cultural and production organizations (KEFALA –
GARDIKI)
9. Academic development strategy (KEFALA)
10. Administrative services and facilities (KEFALA – Departmental Administrative Staff)
11. Conclusions (KEFALA)
10. Improvement plans (KEFALA)
11. Tables (GARDIKI)
12. Appendices (GARDIKI – Departmental Administrative Staff)
The Department Faculty members undertook to hand out the student
questionnaires in each theoretical or laboratory course of the curriculum, between the
6th and the 8th week of the semester, together with files indicating the course, semester,
date, etc. Faculty members were informed about this process by the IEG in advance, in
order to give the necessary instructions to students present and ensure the proper and
objective completion of the questionnaire.
The entry of data (questionnaires and summary sheets) and the analysis and
creation of charts were undertaken by Mr Gardiki, Special Technical Staff member.
Following its preparation, the Report was handed over to the Department to be
distributed to all members for comments and feedback, and subsequent ratification by
the Department’s General Assembly.
1.1.3 Which resources and procedures were used to obtain information?
A. Resources
The archives of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology containing
records of statistical data, student grades etc.
Decisions of the Department’s General Assemblies or Councils.
The summary sheet reports for all courses in each semester and the
individual summary sheet reports of professors (Faculty members, contract
academic laboratory and scientific associates).
The questionnaires completed by students expressing their opinions of the
courses taught.
The records of the Department’s Faculty members specifically related to the
grades of unsuccessful students.
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B. Procedures
To ensure that the data collected from these resources was representative,
objective and reliable, special emphasis was placed on the proper information of
Faculty members, Special Technical Staff members, Administrative Staff members,
contract scientific and laboratory associates and student representatives by the IEG in
various meetings. In addition, Faculty members also informed students in the
classrooms about the proper completion of questionnaires. Further information was
also made available to Special Technical Staff members who undertook the task of
distributing questionnaires in course classrooms and laboratories.
1.1.4 How and to what extent was the report discussed within the Department?
The Department’s General Assembly (1/19/2011), which discussed the subject
of the evaluation at length, emphasized the importance of the evaluation to the
continuous improvement of the Department and its capacity to remain informed of new
developments in the labor market and the educational system as a whole.
Faculty members agreed with the entire process and the Department has
accepted the evaluation. All Faculty members were participants in the process and
were involved in its preparation; the evaluation was then approved by the Subject
Groups and subsequently by the Department Council. In this manner, the report was
disclosed to members, and any problems, questions and difficulties arising from the
evaluation could be discussed. After the main body of the Report was drafted, the
Report was sent to Faculty members and the procedure described above was followed.
1.2. Analysis of the positive aspects and difficulties arising during the
Internal Evaluation process.
Faculty members understand and agree with the evaluation process, which is an
integral part of the effort to improve the academic community as carried out worldwide.
The positive aspects and benefits of the process are several:
Positive aspects:
To improve specific areas in the educational system, even at the cellular
level, which is the basic academic unit, meaning the Department, it is first
necessary to explore, identify and record the basic operations of the
educational process, which is the primary task of the evaluation process.
Involvement of all members of the Department, either permanent Faculty or
contract academic staff, promoting a collective spirit.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Through exploration of the existing capabilities of the Department and the
identification of weaknesses or deficiencies in each area, each member
becomes part of both the positive and the negative aspects of the problem,
thus stimulating their determination to improve.
Motivating students themselves who, as part of a broader process of
involvement, are able to take initiatives.
Problems:
The lack of previous experience in evaluation resulted in the procedure
being carried out at a relatively slow pace.
The assistance provided by the central institution of Greece where the
evaluation is carried out, i.e. the H.Q.A.A., is deemed rather satisfactory
with the provision of all the necessary instructions and explanation son its
website. However, the group faced many difficulties, related to the
procedure for extraction of mainly statistical conclusions from the indexing
of student questionnaires and course summaries or individual summary
sheets. A computer program could have been provided for easier import
and export of findings and statistics.
1.3. Suggestions for improvement of the process
The most important improvement would be full computerization and direct data
entry to an appropriate computer program. In this way, data recording and extraction of
conclusions would be much easier and, of course, much faster. The external evaluation
process would also be facilitated by this, making it easier, more objective and
representative.
Regardless of the method used, the provision to the Departments of a report by
another Department which is considered to be correctly and fully completed, as an
example, even with the specific statistical date deleted, would be of great help.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
INTERNAL EVALUATION REPORT
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2. Presentation of the Department
This section presents the Department and its key operating parameters in brief.
2.1. Geographical location of the Department (e.g. in the capital, a large
city, a small town, centralized, distributed over more than one location in a city,
etc.).
The Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology is located at the
Technological Educational Institute of Athens, at Agios Spyridon Street, Aegaleo, and is
housed in the Faculty of Health and Caring Professions.
2.2. Background to the establishment of the Department
The first public higher education school of Aesthetics was founded by the state
in 1978 within the former Centres for Higher Technical and Vocational Education
(KATEE) and formed part of the then existing School of Health and Social Welfare
Workers. To attend ΚΑΤΕΕ Centers, prospective students took part in Pan-Hellenic
university admission exams, as was the case for all other Universities and Higher
Education Institutions. Attendance exceeded three years of study, including internship.
This integration added special significance to Aesthetic Sciences because the state
recognized the close affinity of Aesthetics with other branches in the health professions.
With the establishment of TEI Institutes (L.1404/83), KATEE Centers were
abolished and Aesthetics Studies were integrated into the Faculty of Health and Caring
Professions of the TEI of Athens. A respective Department was also later established at
the TEI of Thessaloniki.
Studies in the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology are now adapted to
current scientific and technological developments in the industry and are designed to
prepare graduates to follow the dynamic progress of the profession and its technology,
as it evolves in both Greek and international markets.
Students are admitted to the Department following the procedures of Pan-
Hellenic university admission exams or in accordance with the provisions applicable to
transfers and special categories of student.
Today, the student intake is 85 and the number of students enrolled in all the
semesters is approximately 750.
Studies in the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, in accordance with
the new revised Curriculum in place since the winter semester of the academic year
2009-2010, are completed in eight (8) semesters, during which students attend
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theoretical and laboratory courses. During the last semester, students undertake their
internship in organizations in the private or public sector (ERT) and prepare their
dissertation.
The academic year runs from September 1 until July 6, and is divided in two
semesters. The registration of 1st year students in the Department is carried out within a
period set by ministerial decision and is based on the lists of admitted students sent to
the TEI Institute by the Ministry of Education. Each student is required to renew his/her
registration every six months. Upon the first-time registration of each student, the
Department Secretariat assigns a registration number (Reg. No.), which remains the
same until the course of studies is completed. Students must know their registration
number and, when requested, be able to provide it to the Secretariat. Students
attending intermediate semesters are enrolled on the dates as announced by the
Secretariat. Together with the supporting documents required for enrollment, each
student submits a declaration of courses to be attended to the Department. Each
renewal of enrollment is followed by a new course declaration.
The winter semester begins in late September and the spring semester in late
February. The exact start and end dates are determined each time by decision of the
TEI Council and announced at the beginning of the year. Each academic semester is
followed by an exam period which is two weeks long.
2.2.1 Staffing of the Department by Faculty, administrative and laboratory staff
over the last five years.
Professors
Dr. Vassiliki Kefala Aesthetician – Cosmetologist -
Pharmacist
Dr. Eleni Kintziou Pharmacist
Dr. Evangelia Protopapa Aesthetician – Cosmetologist -
Pharmacist
Associate Professors
Efthimios Tsirivas Chemist – Cosmetologist - MSc
Assistant Professors
Dr. Athanasia Varvaresou Pharmacist – Cosmetologist
Ioanna Nikolopoulou – Craig Aesthetician – Cosmetologist - MSc
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Dr. Alexandra Tsigonia Aesthetician – Cosmetologist
Maria Tsikli – Riga Aesthetician – Cosmetologist -
Physical Therapist
Laboratory Professors
Eleni Dikeoulia Aesthetician – Cosmetologist - MSc
Spyros Papageorgiou Chemist – Cosmetologist - MSc
Irini Soulioti Aesthetician – Cosmetologist - MSc
Eleana Tsaoula Aesthetician – Cosmetologist – Food
Technologist
MSc
Maria Dialyna Aesthetician – Cosmetologist – MSc
Administrative Staff
Dr. Ioanna Giareni Head of Secretariat
Eleni Giannakopoulou Secretary
Aikaterini Papanikolaou Secretary
Special Technical Staff
Aikaterini Dilaveri Aesthetician – Chemistry Supervisor
Vassiliki Gardiki Aesthetician – Cosmetologist - MSc
2.2.2 Number and breakdown of students by level of studies (undergraduate,
postgraduate, doctoral) over the last five years.
In recent years, the student intake has steadily decreased, in line with the
recommendations of the Department, to ensure their more effective training according
to the Department’s educational resources, building facilities and teaching staff.
Despite the downward trend in the number of students admitted, this number reached
85 over the past two academic years. The Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
accepts transfers only from the equivalent Department located in Thessaloniki. In
addition, the number of students is further increased due to the enrollment of students
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in special categories, such as special priority rankings, Muslim minorities, persons with
special needs.
The breakdown of students over the last five years is presented in the following
table.
There have been Postgraduate students in the Department since the academic
year 2004-2005, when the postgraduate program started. Since then, three official
invitations to apply to our Department’s Postgraduate Studies Program have been
made. A total of 16 graduates have taken the course of studies.
At present, there are no doctoral candidates, as there is no such program.
2.3. Purpose and objectives of the Department.
2.3.1 What are the Department’s objectives and purposes according to the
Government Gazette announcement of its establishment?
The curriculum content of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
covers the subject of the application of scientific and technological knowledge in the
field of prevention and treatment of dermatological and endocrinological disorders
(following treatment by the respective medical specialty) as well as the strengthening of
personal mental equilibrium. It refers to scientific theoretical and laboratory skills
enabling the improvement of the appearance of an individual’s face and body.
Admitted Students Enrollerd Students
Graduate Students
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The purpose of the Department is the sound education and the creation of high
quality aesthetics professionals, capable of efficiently and effectively implementing their
knowledge and of offering safe and effective aesthetic services. With the evolution of
technology, aesthetics becomes more effective, but demands high-level professional
training. Our Department’s Studies Program is organized in such a way as to provide
the appropriate education to students who will be dealing with human health as
scientific professionals.
The ordinary person who has to seek Aesthetic treatment should feel secure
and this can only be achieved if Aestheticians are fully scientifically informed and
responsible.
The Department's mission is to promote the development and dissemination of
scientific and applied knowledge. Through teaching and application in actual, and
indeed very realistic situations (simulation with actual cases using subjects who attend
laboratories for treatment), it equips students with the necessary skills, ensuring their
sound training for their scientific and professional career and development.
As part of its mission, the Department:
a) Monitors international developments in science and education.
b) Develops international collaborations with higher education institutions in
Greece and abroad.
c) Collaborates with private and public sector organizations in its field.
d) Uses modern technologies in education.
e) Conducts research.
f) Helps students develop the abilities and skills that will enable them to be
competitive at national and international level.
g) Prepares itself to be receptive to the changing educational, economic and
social conditions at regional, national and international level.
h) Prepares itself to be able to safeguard and improve the quality of the
educational standards in the Department.
i) Collaborates with domestic universities and participates in the organization of
Postgraduate Studies.
Graduates of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
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After completing their studies, graduates will have acquired the necessary
scientific and technological knowledge, abilities and skills to work as responsible
Aestheticians in their areas of competence; they are able to:
Undertake the organization and operation of an aesthetics services treatment
unit and provide safe services.
Choose the appropriate devices and instruments to equip their treatment
centers and to implement all stipulated hygiene and safety rules.
Being well informed about modern materials and equipment, they will be able to
select these as appropriate based on current scientific requirements, and to determine
the subsequent treatment process according to the specific case before them.
Work for companies which manufacture cosmetics, participating in the
development and production of new cosmetic products and quality performance from
an aesthetic point of view.
Cooperate with dermatological or endocrinological clinics or doctor’s surgeries,
as well as with aesthetic surgeons, making significant contributions based on their
knowledge in dealing with problems within their area of expertise.
Carry out research studies and participate in research teams.
Undertake employment in education at various levels, in accordance with
current legislation.
The professional prerogatives of graduates of the Department of Aesthetics and
Cosmetology, TEI of Athens are as follows (according to Presidential Decree No 83 GG
3717-2-1989 Article 1):
1. Graduates of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the Faculty of
Health and Caring Professions (SEYP) at the Technological Educational Institutes,
based on the specialized scientific and technical knowledge acquired, may be
employed in the private and public sector, as stipulated by currently applicable
provisions, either by collaborating with other scientists or independently, and offer their
services to persons interested in face and body aesthetics.
2. More specifically, the above mentioned graduates may offer their services
either as employees or self-employed, in the following organizations and activities:
a) Theaters, cinema and television.
b) Companies which manufacture cosmetics, participating in the development and
production of new cosmetic products and the quality performance from an aesthetics
point of view.
c) Cosmetics retailers (pharmacies, cosmetics retail stores), as managers.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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d) Hospitals with dermatological or endocrinological or neurological clinics, where they
may cooperate with physicians in their area of expertise (cleansing, depilation,
slimming, etc.).
e) Any other business activity emerging with the evolution of technology which proves
to be covered by their area of expertise.
3. Graduates of the Department in question may establish and operate aesthetic
treatment centers (face and body treatment, depilation, massage, gymnastics, artistic
gymnastics), in accordance with currently applicable legislation.
4. Graduates of the Department in question may also be employed at all levels
of aesthetics education and training. They may also work as members of research
teams in their area of expertise.
5. The above mentioned graduates may practice their profession within the
context of these professional prerogatives after obtaining a license to practice issued by
the competent departments of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
2.3.2 How does the academic community of the Department perceive its
purposes and objectives?
The Department’s Faculty members, in accordance with applicable legislation,
have the specializations of Aesthetician-Cosmetologist, Pharmacist and Chemist, and
are higher education graduates. Professionally speaking, these are collaborating and
interdependent professions. Most members of the Faculty have also worked as free-
lance professionals for a substantial period time. This fact contributes to their extensive
knowledge of the needs of the profession and the market. They also remain up to date
with the latest scientific and technological developments on an ongoing basis. They are
thus able to adapt the course curriculum and syllabuses through the revision process.
The Department’s aims and objectives are redefined according to the current needs
and developments in science and technology and the market.
2.3.3 Is there any divergence between the Department’s officially stated
objectives (in the Government Gazette pertaining to establishment) and those
which the Department believes should be pursued today?
The science of Aesthetics and Cosmetology has a long history and, therefore,
its mission was essentially determined a long time ago. Individual needs and
objectives may change from time to time to ensure that the Department is up-to-date,
but the main objective, which is the application of scientific and technological
knowledge for the prevention and treatment of dermatological and endocrinological
disorders to enhance the mental balance of individuals and to improve the external
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appearance of the face and body, remains constant as defined by the officially stated
objectives for the establishment of the Department.
2.3.4 Are the objectives which the Department currently sees fit to pursue being
met? If not, which factors impede or obstruct this effort?
The objectives pursued by the Department are achieved in accordance with the
Department’s curriculum and mission:
Graduate of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
After completing their studies, graduates will have acquired the necessary
scientific and technological knowledge, abilities and skills to work as responsible
Aestheticians in their areas of competence, including:
• Undertaking the organization and operation of an aesthetics services treatment
unit and provide safe services.
• Choosing the appropriate devices and instruments to equip their treatment centers
and implementing all stipulated hygiene and safety rules.
• Working for companies which manufacture cosmetics, participating in the
development and production of new cosmetic products and quality performance from
an aesthetic point of view.
• Being well informed about modern materials and equipment, they are able to
select these as appropriate based on current scientific requirements, and to determine
the subsequent treatment process according to the specific case before them.
• Cooperating with dermatological or endocrinological clinics or doctor’s surgeries,
as well as with aesthetic surgeons, making significant contributions based on their
knowledge in dealing with problems within their area of expertise.
• Carrying out research studies and participating in research teams.
• Undertaking employment in education at various levels, in accordance with current
legislation.
Factors impeding this effort:
a) The resources available to the Department. The resources available to the
Department are insufficient to meet its actual needs. Given that the Department’s
budget in consumables remains steady at 70,000-80,000 Euros, but for the current
semester ... ... .... Euros were committed, it is clear that the Department barely
manages to cover its minimum needs and certainly not to the extent required to meet
the standards of "Higher" education.
b) The institution of "internship" is a requirement for completion of the education
of students in the Department, and is particularly important in the case of an applied
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science and technology such as that of “Aesthetics – Cosmetology”. Funding of this
training is problematic because though half the money is covered by the Manpower
Employment Organization (OAED), the rest is covered by the aesthetics facility with
which the Department enters into a contract. However, aesthetics facilities often fail to
meet their obligations or to accept students to do their internship, because they believe
that, as trainees, they should not be paid. If funding was entirely undertaken by the
Manpower Employment Organization or another agency, it would be easier for students
to find aesthetics facilities and the Department could propose specific aesthetics
facilities that meet all requirements for the training of students.
c) The size of the student intake. Although there is a decline in student intake,
as already mentioned, this number is higher by 25% than the number of students the
Department believes it can effectively train.
d) Lack of space in terms of building facilities for the education of students, and
in terms of Faculty Staff offices.
e) Lack of high-caliber students. Despite the fact that the students admitted
have obtained good grade point ratings (equivalent to that of many Higher Education
Institutions), there are weaknesses in the basic educational level of students due to
gaps and poor secondary education.
2.3.5 Do you believe that there is reason to review the Department’s officially
stated objectives (as published in the Government Gazette pertaining to its
establishment)?
Given current market needs and the international and national circumstances,
there is no reason to change the Department’s officially stated objectives.
2.4. Department Management (academic year 2009-2010).
The Department’s administrative bodies are the following:
• THE DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The Department’s meeting is attended by all Faculty members and student
representatives with equivalence to 40% of all Faculty members. It is also
attended by a Special Technical Staff representative with equivalence to 50% of
Faculty members.
• THE DEPARTMENT COUNCIL
The Department Council is composed of the Head of the Department, the Heads
of the First and Second Subject Groups, one student representative, and a
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Special Technical Staff member, when issues relating to Special Technical Staff
are discussed.
• HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
The Head of Department was Mr. Efthimios Tsirivas.
Mr. Tsirivas retired and was replaced by Mrs. Alexandra Tsigonia, by decision No
13497/12-11-2009 issued by the President of the TEI of Athens.
Deputy Head: Dr. Eleni Kintziou.
• SUBJECT GROUP GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
The Department has 2 Subject Groups, as follows:
(1st) Aesthetics Subject Group
Head of the Subject Group: Dr. Eleni Kintziou
Deputy Head of the Subject Group: Alexandra Tsigonia
Members:
Dr. Athanasia Varvaresou
Dr. Vassiliki Kefala
Irini Soulioti
Eleni Dikeoulia
Student Representatives:
- Artemis Kelaidi
Nikolaos Schinas (deputy)
- Kiriaki Lionaki
Elpida Kolntiri (deputy)
(2nd) Depilation Subject Group
Head of the Subject Group: Alexandra Tsigonia
Following the nomination of Mrs. Tsigonia as Head of Department, Mrs. Ioanna
Craig was nominated Head of the Depilation Subject Group by decision No
13497/12-11-2009 issued by the President of the TEI of Athens.
Deputy Head of the Subject Group: Ioanna Craig
Following the nomination of Mrs. Craig as the Head of the Depilation Subject
Group, Mrs. Maria Dialina was nominated Deputy Head of the Subject Group by
decision No 13497/12-11-2009 issued by the President of the TEI of Athens.
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Members:
Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
Eleana Tsaoula
Maria Dialyna (retired after the evaluation)
Student Representatives:
- Elpida Kolntiri
Hafize Husmen (deputy)
- Raphaela Kapetaniou
Pavlina Balala (deputy)
DEPARTMENT SECRETARIAT: The Secretariat is an administrative body of the
Department and is staffed as follows:
Dr. Ioanna Giareni Head of the Secretariat
Eleni Giannakopoulou Secretary
Aikaterini Papanikolaou Secretary
Institutionalized committees operating within the Department and positions
held in various areas
The Department has the following committees:
1. INTERNSHIP COMMITTEE
Efthimios Tsirivas
Maria Dialyna
Eleana Tsaoula
2. DISSERTATION ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE
(Decision of the Department Council 4/16-3-2010)
Dr. Eleni Kintziou
Ioanna Craig
Eleana Tsaoula
3. COMMITTEE FOR FAST-TRACK GRADUATE ADMISSIONS (Decision of
the Department Council 18/12-11-2009)
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Alexandra Tsigonia, Assistant Professor of the Department of Aesthetics and
Cosmetology
Francesca Anthouli, Professor of the General Department of Basic Medical
Studies
Eleni Eftichidou, Professor of the General Department of Basic Medical Studies
Dimitrios Vatis, Professor of the General Department of Physics, Chemistry and
Materials Technology
Dimitrios Raptis, Professor of the General Department of Physics, Chemistry and
Materials Technology
Maria Kosmadaki, Scientific Associate of the Department of Aesthetics &
Cosmetology
Frangiskos Chaniotis, Professor of the General Department of Basic Medical
Studies
4. WEEKLY TIMETABLE PLANNING COMMITTEE (Decision of the
Department Council 10/16-6-2009)
Alexandra Tsigonia
Maria Dialyna
Irini Soulioti
5. EXAMINATION TIMETABLE PLANNING COMMITTEE (Decision of the
Department Council 10/16-6-2009)
Athanasia Varvaresou
Eleni Dikeoulia
Irini Soulioti
6. PROCUREMENTS COMMITTEE (For Educational Fixed Equipment -
Consumables through ordinary – extraordinary tenders and direct
assignment (Department Council decision 10/16-6-2009) :
Irini Soulioti
Eleana Tsaoula
Eleni Dikeoulia
Vassiliki Kefala (Deputy Member)
7. ACADEMIC HEAD OF EUROPEAN SOCRATES & ERASMUS PROGRAMS:
Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
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8. HEAD OF LEONARDO PROGRAMS: Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
9. ECTS REPRESENTATIVE: Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
10. DEPARTMENT WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR: Maria Dialyna
11. REPRESENTATIVE ON THE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH COMMITTEE:
Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
12. PROFESSIONAL APTITUDE TEST COMMITTEE (In accordance with the
provisions of P.D. 231/98) (Document 12623/3-12-2007 issued by the
President of the TEI of Athens):
Dr. Evangelia Protopapa
Dr. Eleni Kintziou
Efthimios Tsirivas
Dr. Vassiliki Kefala (Deputy Member)
13. STUDENT TRANSFERS COMMITTEE (Decision of the Department’s
Council No 16/29-10-2009):
Dr. Kefala Vassiliki
Ioanna Craig
Irini Soulioti
2.4.1 What internal regulations (e.g., internal operating regulation for the
Postgraduate Studies Course) does the Department have?
The Department operates in accordance with the Internal Operating Regulation
of the TEI (Ministerial Decision E5 1585/84 Government Gazette 191/27-03-84 v. B)
and the new Regulation under P.D.160/2008 Government Gazette 220 v. B 03.11.2008.
Moreover, the Postgraduate Studies Program is subject to an internal operating
regulation, as set out in the Appendices.
2.4.2 Is the Department structured into Subject Groups? What are they? Does
this structure reflect the Department’s current view of its mission?
The Department covers 2 separate Subject Groups which reflect the
Department’s current structural approach to the discipline, as follows:
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(1st) Aesthetics Subject Group and
(2nd) Depilation Subject Group
BREAKDOWN OF SUBJECT GROUPS BY COURSES
1st SUBJECT GROUP
Make-up Techniques for Artists
Cosmetology Ι, ΙΙ, ΙΙΙ
Special Cosmetology
Techniques of Aesthetic Prosthetic Make-up
Laser Applications
Body Aesthetics Ι, ΙΙ
Special Shading and Permanent Make-up
Aesthetic Electrotherapy
Stress Management
Facial Aesthetics Ι, ΙΙ
Facial Analysis - Facial Make-up
2nd SUBJECT GROUP
Methods of Temporary Depilation
Methods of Laser Electric Depilation
Enzymic Depilation
Dermatology Ι, ΙΙ, ΙΙΙ
Aesthetic Surgery
Endocrine Gland Pathology
Management of Small Companies & Business Administration
Professional Ethics
Environmental Effects in Aesthetics
Computer Science - Bibliographical Research Methods
2.5 Department’s Website (http://www.teiath.gr/seyp/aesthetics/ )
The Department’s website is a modern means of presentation of the department
and an information resource for all interested parties. It operates based on the structure
determined by the Institute. It is an electronic study guide and much more than this. It
provides information on the Department’s members, the Secretariat, etc. and features a
bulletin board where various issues are posted and updated regularly, such as weekly
timetables, exam timetables and any types of information that need to be immediately
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notified to the students. The person in charge of editing and updating the website is
Mrs. Maria Dialyna, Laboratory Professor.
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3. Undergraduate Curriculum
The Undergraduate Curriculum is presented in the Student Handbook attached
in the Appendices and on the Department’s website.
3.1 Responsiveness of the Undergraduate Curriculum to the Department’s
objectives and societal demands.
3.1.1 Procedures for checking responsiveness & effectiveness of implementation
In current times which are dominated by rapid technological evolution in the field
of aesthetics equipment and cosmetics, there must be a constant vigilance with respect
to the education in Aesthetics and Cosmetology offered at the Higher Technological
Education Institutes. Such concerns should be evidenced through the adaptation of
educational disciplines to the current requirements of the labor market and targeting of
the new specialized knowledge required by graduates of Higher Technological
Education Institutes.
An important factor in the design and establishment of the Curriculum of the
Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology are the subject fields and areas of future
professional employment for the Department’s graduates.
Within this context, the Department’s Faculty members, who keep themselves
up to date with the latest scientific developments, carry out coordinated research in the
disciplines of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, and are in regular contact with the
competent professional bodies and the respective Ministries of Health, Education and
Employment, endeavour to create an interactive system between the Department
providing the education and the labor market. Despite the considerable progress made
so far in this direction, the implementation of a systematic process for the recording and
processing of data, such that the objectives of the curriculum with respect to its
responsiveness to the requirements and challenges of modern society are met to the
fullest extent, still remains to be introduced. The new Curriculum which has already
been in force since the academic year 2009-2010 to meet current business
requirements and scientific challenges which will be faced by the Department’s
graduates should be further strengthened with the establishment of an independent
post-graduate course (for the moment, the department's postgraduate course is
conducted in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens). This would provide an
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opportunity for the Undergraduate Studies Program to focus more on the consolidation
and integration of essential basic knowledge, which comprises the solid foundation that
all graduates of the Department should have in order to be immediately and
productively absorbed in their field of expertise.
Furthermore, the existence of an independent Postgraduate Studies Program
would enable graduates who have the inclination and ability to expand their knowledge,
with a view to faster progress and establishment within their scientific and professional
field.
3.1.2 Are there any established Curriculum evaluation and revision procedures?
How effective is their application?
During the last few years, the Department has undertaken initiatives for the
ongoing evaluation of the Curriculum through the collective administrative bodies of the
Faculty members in the Department with a view to updating it. The new revised
Curriculum, already in force from the current academic year, was approved in 2009.
The drafting of the new revised Curriculum was based on its capacity to meet
specific criteria, such as:
• Its capacity to offer integrated education in the subject field of Aesthetics and
Cosmetology
• Comprehensive coverage of the subject fields within the specialization.
• Modernization of the syllabus in the subject fields taught.
• Balance between primary and supplementary subject fields.
• Avoidance of duplication of syllabuses across courses.
• Avoidance of excessive weight being given to some courses over others.
• Introduction of new courses and innovative teaching methods which would
significantly contribute to the preparation of graduates to meet current
professional challenges.
• Focus on development of research methodology.
3.1.3 Publication of the Curriculum.
The Curriculum of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the TEI of
Athens is initially approved by the Department’s General Assembly, forwarded to the
Faculty Council and then forwarded for approval to the TEI Council after having been
reviewed and discussed by the relevant committee designated by the TEI. It is then
posted on the Department’s website and published in the Study Guide which is
distributed to students of the Department upon registration.
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3.1.4 Is there an effective procedure for monitoring the professional development of
graduates?
There is no monitoring procedure in place at the Department level to monitor the
professional development of graduates.
As the professional development of graduates is indicative of the effectiveness
of a course and the current trends in the labor market, not only quantitatively but also
qualitatively, it would be desirable to introduce a permanent systematized procedure for
recording the relevant data, with a view to ensuring, as far as possible, that the
Curriculum responds to the requirements of the labor market in Greece. Even though it
would be difficult to establish such a database at a Departmental level (shortage of
staff, computer facilities, etc.), perhaps this capability could be developed at a central
level (TEI).
3.2 Undergraduate Curriculum structure, cohesion and functionality
The Undergraduate Curriculum is eight (8) semesters long, including one (1)
semester of internship.
The detailed curriculum shows the compulsory courses of the department by
semester. Teaching hours for theoretical courses is indicated by "TH", teaching hours
for practical exercises taught in laboratories by "L", total teaching hours are shown
under "Total", the workload of each course under “W”, and the international teaching
units corresponding to each course under "ECTS".
Each standard teaching semester includes 5 to 6 compulsory courses with 26
teaching hours per week, equivalent to 30 ECTS international teaching units.
The curriculum, comprised of seven basic semesters, includes 40 compulsory
courses. The compulsory courses of the Curriculum are divided into General Structure
courses marked "CGS", Expertise Structure courses marked "CES", Expertise courses
marked "EC" and Management, Economy, Legislation and Humanitarian Studies
courses marked "MELH".
Based on this structure, the Curriculum offers a total of 43 independent courses
and each student is required to take 40. Specifically in the first 4 semesters, there are
no elective courses.
The 5th, 6th and 7th semester also includes a pair of elective courses and
students must select one course from each pair. (See Appendices)
3.2.1 Percentage ratio of Core (Basis), Specialization (Expertise) and Subject
Stream Orientation courses to total courses.
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The percentage ratio of basis to expertise courses in all courses is 30% / 70%.
The Undergraduate Studies Program does not include subject stream orientation
courses.
3.2.2 Percentage ratio of compulsory courses / compulsory elective courses / free
elective courses to total courses.
The percentage of compulsory courses to total courses is 93% and the
percentage of compulsory elective courses to total courses is 7%.
3.2.3 Percentage of foundation courses, specific scientific field courses, general
knowledge courses and skills development courses in relation to the total number
of courses.
CGS 22.5%
EC 40%
CES 30%
MELH 7.5%
3.2.4 Distribution of time between theoretical instruction, practical exercises,
laboratories and other activities.
60% of total time is allocated to theoretical teaching and 40% to practical
laboratory exercises and other activities.
3.2.5 Organization and coordination of teaching material between courses.
Teaching material overlaps and gaps. Rational extent of teaching material.
Reassessment, adjustment and updating of teaching material.
In cooperation with the Faculty at the Subject Group level and in cooperation
with the Contract Scientific and Laboratory Staff, the teaching material of courses is
organized and coordinated in accordance with the approved curriculum and syllabus for
each course. There are overlaps between courses only to the extent needed so that
there is coherent connection and understanding by the student of the sequence of
subjects.
The extent of the course material is rationally distributed and reassessed,
adjusted and updated as part of the process of Curriculum revision at regular intervals,
depending on the relevant needs and with the cooperation of the Department’s Faculty.
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There are no gaps in the teaching material and courses in both theoretical and
laboratory levels cover all areas of activity of modern Aestheticians/Cosmetologists.
3.2.6 Prerequisite course System. Functionality, percentages of courses included
within the system.
A system of prerequisite courses is in operation, which is functionally structured
in terms of teaching and comprehension of material, and aims at gradual familiarization
of students with the subject fields of the curriculum, ensuring their proper preparation
and gradual development from general knowledge courses to specialized courses. The
new curriculum provides for semester courses which students must successfully pass
to proceed to the next semester course
These courses are listed as basis courses in the curriculum, to avoid confusion
with prerequisite courses under the old curriculum. In this way, with progressive
completion of each semester, students will have sufficient continuity in order to avoid
gaps and unanswered questions, which will enable them to proceed to more and more
specialized courses.
The percentage of courses included in the basis course system is about 50% of
the total courses taught.
3.2.7 Courses taught under other course curriculums.
All courses taught are part of the respective curriculum of the Department of
Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the TEI of Athens.
None of the courses taught are made available to other programs of studies.
On the other hand, within the structure of the TEI of Athens, courses within the
Department are taught by other Departments.
Specifically:
The courses “Anatomy”, “Physiology”, “First Aid”, “Endocrine Gland Pathology”,
“Stress Management”, “Nosology”, “Nutrition”, “Nutrition-Dietetics”, and "Pharmacology"
are taught by the Department of Basic Medical Studies.
The courses "Physics" and "Chemistry" and "Laser Principles” are taught by the
Department of Physics, Chemistry and Materials Technology.
The courses "Foreign Terminology" and "Aesthetic Gymnastics I & II" are taught
by the Center for Foreign Languages and Physical Education.
The course in Special Microbiology is taught by the Department of Medical
Laboratories and the course in Hygiene by the Public Health Department.
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3.2.8 Foreign languages taught at the Department.
In collaboration with the Department of Foreign Languages, students in the 7th
Semester are taught English or French terminology. The course includes laboratory
teaching in all fields of the Department, in order to familiarize students with the
terminology of the various specialized courses.
3.2.9 Proposals for improvement of the curriculum
In the Department’s opinion, as expressed at the General Assembly on the
revision of the old program, the new curriculum meets the current needs of the
department.
What has not yet been implemented within the program, but would be of most
assistance is the integration of modern technology into the educational system.
We refer here to the creation of an electronic platform which would serve the
Department’s educational needs with multiple purposes and outcomes.
More specifically, students would be able to find the following in such a platform:
• Instructions on each laboratory, as given at the beginning of the semester. The
difference here is that instead of putting together a folder of documents, which is a
cumbersome process, students could immediately and easily access the information
they need.
• Teaching aids could be in electronic form, and thus students could process
and study them more easily. In addition to the basic study aids, it would be possible to
provide additional information on multiple bibliographical sources and general aids for
database searches.
• Educational videos for specific assignments, either created by the Department,
or supplied by companies working in the industry.
• The e-learning platform combined with our Department’s modern website could
offer many advantages to the educational process for students and make them active
participants in modern technology.
3.3 Examination system
3.3.1 Methods and means of evaluating students.
The main examination method for evaluating the performance of students in
theoretical courses or the theoretical part of combined courses are written exams
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carried out during the two official examination periods at the end of each academic
semester.
Because studies are structured in semesters, the regulations of TEI Institutes provide
for two examination periods at the end of the semester in question.
After the end of the winter semester (January), there are two examination periods, the
first from 20/1 to 5/2 and the second from 6/2 to 20/2. These dates may vary as
necessary.
Respectively, after the end of spring semester (June), there is a first examination period
from 20/6 to 5/7 and a second from 1/9 to 15/9. As part of these written exams in the
courses, students are required to answer a series of questions to determine whether
they have adequately assimilated the required knowledge. In addition to the written
exam, several courses require coursework assignments (usually literature reviews)
which is prepared by students individually or in groups. Coursework is presented at the
end of the semester by students. In this way, students are familiarized with the
collection and processing of information, as well as with the preparation and
presentation of a report.
In this coursework, students are evaluated and their performance affects the final grade
together with the written examination.
The Department’s policy is, in general, to ask questions of escalating difficulty in the
written exams. A percentage of questions are relatively easy, so that they can be
answered by most students who are adequately prepared.
Another section of questions is more difficult and a few questions (1-2) require critical
analysis and response by students to receive a grade of "Excellent". Emphasis is also
placed on strict supervision during exams to avoid students copying from each others
papers, which may alter the true picture of their abilities.
Assessment of students in the laboratory part of the course is performed in two ways:
by evaluation of the overall performance of students in the laboratory course throughout
the duration of the semester with partial grades in various exercises (grade grades
entered on student cards), on the one hand, and by carrying out a brief laboratory test
of students related to the subject of the laboratory towards the end of the semester, on
the other.
In addition to the semester exams in the theoretical and laboratory courses,
students also prepare an individual dissertation in the final semester of their studies,
which is assessed and has a heavy weighting in the final grade.
The topics of dissertations are provided by the Faculty and approved by the
Department Council. They are then distributed by the drawing of lots to students
eligible to undertake a dissertation topic. When students finish their dissertation, with
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the consent of the supervising professor who monitors and advises them throughout the
preparation of their dissertation, they must then submit 4 copies to the Department
Secretariat. Subsequently, a presentation date is set and students are notified several
days in advance so that they may be prepared.
3.3.2 Transparency in the student evaluation process.
Transparency in the evaluation of students is ensured through the cooperation
of the permanent Faculty and contract academic staff, as well as through the
establishment of specific evaluation criteria, which are common and acceptable to all.
Grades are notified by posting them on the Department’s announcement boards. In
addition, students are entitled to have access to their paper and discuss their grade
with the examiner if they think it is unreasonable, in order to fully understand any
mistakes which may have led to the particular grade.
3.3.3 Student evaluation procedures and criteria.
The Department’s Teaching Staff has repeatedly discussed the issue of student
grading at staff meetings on various issues. As far as written exams are concerned, it is
generally believed that all questions must be easy to understand and clear to students
who have studied the subject, and free of traps or ambiguous concepts. Furthermore,
the professor in charge is always present at the exams to provide the necessary
clarifications to students’ questions. Also, professors apply common procedures when
grading the papers, such as noting the individual partial grades on each question and
highlighting errors or deficiencies.
In laboratory courses, the final grade is the average of individual grades as
mentioned above. Specifically in laboratory courses, however, students are graded
jointly by the respective Faculty members and contract academic staff (laboratory
associates).
3.3.4 Transparency and efficiency of the process of assigning, preparing and
evaluating the dissertation
The transparency and efficiency of the assignment, preparation and evaluation
of dissertations is ensured as follows: topics are proposed by all permanent and
temporary teaching staff, they are approved by the Department’s Council, they are
assigned randomly by the drawing of lots by students, and each student's dissertation is
ultimately assessed by three members of the Department Faculty. The committee
consists of the designated supervisor and two other members. With regard to the
evaluation by the three-member committee, the supervising professor has the leading
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role and presents the details of his/her collaboration with the student during the
preparation of the dissertation to the other members of the committee. Then, the paper
and its presentation by the student are graded. The final grade is the average of the
grades assigned by the committee members.
3.3.5 Quality specifications for the dissertation.
So far, the dissertation has essentially been a review of literature.
Unfortunately, it has not been possible up to the present to incorporate an
experimental-research part, which would be ideal. By organizing a research laboratory,
as described in the Internal Report’s section on research, it will certainly be possible to
conduct research studies in the future.
As far as the as a review of the literature is concerned, there are certain
specifications for writing dissertations, based on international standards, which are
presented in a special handbook prepared by the Faculty of the Department and
approved by the Department Council, which is distributed to the students assigned with
the preparation of the dissertation. These standards set out the structure, content and
method of presenting the bibliography in a dissertation. Moreover, students collaborate
with the respective supervisor at regular intervals and the progress of their work is
monitored. The instructions to students are included in the Appendices.
3.4 International aspect of the Undergraduate Curriculum
3.4.1 Participation of teaching staff from abroad.
There is no participation of teaching staff from abroad in the teaching of the
Department’s courses on a regular or permanent basis. Occasionally, seminars are
held on specific and specialized topics.
3.4.2 International collaborative educational programs (e.g. ERASMUS,
LEONARDO, TEMPUS, ALPHA) at an undergraduate level in which the Department
participates
The Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the TEI of Athens
participates in the Program LEONARDO DA VINCI (ERASMUS LLP) as part of an
international educational collaboration in undergraduate studies, offering the possibility
for students to do their internships abroad.
3.4.3 Bilateral agreements with overseas organizations and institutes.
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There are no bilateral agreements for collaboration with overseas organizations
and institutes.
Nevertheless, the need for contacts and exchanges between members of the
Faculty of the Department and the corresponding teaching and research staff of similar
foreign Technological and University Institutes has occasionally been noted, with the
purpose of:
3.4.4 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
The studies program is organized based on the ECTS credits system, with all
the advantages of such system (transfer of credits, Diploma Supplements, etc.)
3.5 Student internships
3.5.1 The institution of student internships
The internship must be carried out by all students of the Department in the 8th
semester of their studies, in order to complete their studies and be awarded their
degree. The internship starts in two periods set out in the internal operating regulation
of the Institute, in April and October each year, and lasts six months.
3.5.2 Motivation of students.
Students are informed by the internship committee of the importance of the
institution, as well as all details concerning the duration of the internship, its manner
and place of conduct, the rights and obligations of trainees, as well as the obligations of
collaborating organizations. Regarding the importance of the institution, students
receive appropriate information and efforts are made such they understand that, at
undergraduate level, it is impossible to complete their education and gain experience
and skills solely by attending the theoretical and laboratory courses during their studies.
Given that this is an applied science and technology, this gap is filled by the
institution of internship conducted in business units. As part of their internship in partner
organizations, which are in practice aesthetics treatment facilities, students have the
opportunity to work on all treatments and practices related to our profession.
They also gain experience the organization of aesthetics treatment facilities and
in purely professional and collusive issues that concern them. They can make
comparisons with the knowledge they have obtained from the Department and can
better plan their future. Having been informed of all issues relating to the internship,
students will apply for internship with any collaborating institution.
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3.5.3 Organization of the Department’s student internships.Internal operating
regulation
The internal operating regulation governing internships or vocational training is
common to all departments of the TEI, pursuant to its establishment under Law
1404/83, a detailed version of which is available in the publication of the Ministry of
Education and Religious Affairs (The Institution of Vocational Training in TEI Institutes,
OEDB 1988), Presidential Decrees and ministerial decisions (Ε5/1797/20- 03-86- GG
183/Issue B/ 14-4-86 as amended by Ε5/4825/16-6-86 GG 453/Issue B/16-7- 86) laying
down the details of the contract with collaborating institutions. They also determine the
details of the term of the internship, its time of commencement, the procedure by which
students are taken on by the various institutions, the rights and obligations of both
students and collaborating organizations and, finally, the monitoring of the internship by
the Department, through the three-member Faculty committee. This three-member
committee is appointed by the Department Council as required. There is a specific
contract in paper form, which is accepted by the person in charge of the organization
where the internship will be conducted, the trainee and the Department, and after
having been signed by all three parties, one copy is provided to the internship
committee, another to the person in charge of the internship and another to the trainee.
The members of the committee monitor student internships at regular intervals
and resolve any problems that may arise during its conduct.
3.5.4 Main difficulties faced by the Department with respect to the organization
of student internships
The problems faced by the Department as far as internship is concerned are the
following:
• Absorption of students. The main problem is the absorption of students by
collaborating organizations. The main cause of the problem is funding of student
internships. With the currently applicable provisions of law, the wage for internship in
the private sector amounts to 80% of the basic wage of an unskilled worker.
The aesthetics treatment facility where the internship is performed is subsidized
to 50% by the Manpower Employment Organization. However, a large percentage of
employment organizations refuse to pay a wage to trainees, on the grounds that they
are students and do not provide services. In this case, students must either be
relocated elsewhere or accept arrangements that do not comply with the law.
• Finding an employment organization. The responsibility for finding an
employment organization lies solely with the student. The Internship Committee keeps
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a register of organizations which have voluntarily agreed to accept trainees. This
register, however, is limited and does not cover all students.
• Bureaucracy. The signing of contracts between the parties often creates
problems and delays.
• Certification of internship organizations. The main condition to be met as
provided by law is that the aesthetics treatment facility accepting a student must be
providing services in all areas of Aesthetics and Cosmetology and must employ an
Aesthetician holding a degree from a TEI Institute, who is prepared to undertake
supervision of the student and will evaluate him/her at the end of the semester.
Therefore, aesthetics treatment facilities which do not meet this requirement are
excluded, and rightly so.
It is known, without this having been officially demonstrated by any study or
formal classification (a major disadvantage), that some of the existing aesthetics
treatment facilities do meet the most advanced operating and quality standards, having
latest technology equipment and applying the most advanced practices, but others
have lower standards, and many others are lacking basic operating and quality
standards. In their effort to find an aesthetics treatment facility which will accept them, it
is natural for students to ignore the quality of the internship they will be able to carry
out.
• Supervision of students and organizations. Effectively, there is no formal
provision for the supervision of students or employment organizations. A (cursory)
check is performed by the members of the internship committee. Ideally, students
should be supervised in all respects, from their physical presence up to their
performance in the work they undertake. Moreover, internship providers should be
monitored to verify whether they permit and encourage students to work in all positions
and gain experience in all Aesthetics and Cosmetology techniques. It is common
practice that students perform ancillary tasks only.
3.5.5 Knowledge application skills to be acquired through internship. Results
and familiarization of trainees with the work environment of the internship provider.
The internship aims to cover the entire range of both theoretical and laboratory
skills taught to students throughout their studies. In practice, it is the last opportunity for
students to identify any gaps, resolve any questions, and most importantly, to become
familiar with the actual working conditions of the profession before entering the job
market either to look for work as an employee or to create their own business
undertaking.
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We must say that the results are considered to be very satisfactory, though this
opinion is purely experiential, given that to date there has been no way to evaluate
outcomes objectively. Familiarization of trainees with the work environment of the
internship provider, based on the data so far, is deemed to be successful.
With few exceptions, there have been no problems between trainees and
internship providers. Any problems which may arise during internship are usually
resolved successfully, after consultation between the committee and the internship
providers.
3.5.6 Connection of the internship to the preparation of the dissertation
The internship covers the entire range of knowledge a student must have. On
the other hand, the dissertation covers a limited area of the subject field of Aesthetics
and Cosmetology, except that in this case students extend their knowledge in depth as
far as possible and present any issues arising, new data, etc. Accordingly, the
internship is not essentially related to the dissertation.
3.5.7 Creation of opportunities for future employment of students through the
internship
It is common for students to continue to work in the undertaking where they
performed their internship after graduation, if such undertaking deems that they meet
the requirements of good cooperation and efficiency in their work. There are no official
data and statistics. This task could be undertaken by the Career Services Office of the
TEI of Athens, together with the tracking of graduates.
3.5.8 Public relations network of the Department with social, cultural or
productive institutions developed with the purpose of securing student internships
There is no official public relations network in the strictest sense of the term.
However, the Department has developed cooperation with professional bodies in
relation to internships. More specifically, efforts are made to improve issues such as
education, financing of students, working conditions in aesthetic treatment facilities, etc.
Due to this cooperation, assistance is always available to students who have been
unable to find an aesthetics treatment facility for their internship.
Certainly, if a closer cooperation is developed with professional bodies and
conditions and requirements are established, as mentioned before and is referred to in
the Department’s proposals for improving internship, it will become easier to extract
internship figures and vacancies.
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3.5.9 Initiatives taken by the Department for the creation of jobs for students (on
a local, national and European level).
At a national level, efforts to find internship positions for students are mainly
made through collective associations, which are the main channels of recruitment for
our Department’s graduates. This is, however, carried out at an individual level and is
based on the personal relationships of Faculty members with such bodies.
At a European level, assistance is offered by the Department only if student
themselves have found and secured an internship positions abroad.
3.5.10 Collaboration and contact between the Departmental teaching staff/
supervisors and the representatives of the internship provider
During the internship, the three-member committee of the Department Faculty
members, appointed by the Department Council, has contact with the employing
organization mainly in cases where there are problems in cooperation. Monitoring by
the committee is performed by checking the internship notebook completed by the
student. It is recommended that there should be contact with the employing
organization at regular intervals, so that there is closer supervision and monitoring of
students and their internship, which requires an institutional arrangement, more Faculty
Staff and probably additional funds, since such monitoring could not be performed
during the hours that Faculty members are occupied in the Department in educational
or administrative work.
3.5.11 Specific conditions and requirements regarding the collaboration of the
Department with the organizations where the internship is carried out
There are specific conditions and requirements regarding the collaboration of
the Department with the institutions where the internship is carried out which are
covered by the relevant contract signed between the Department, the student and the
organization where the internship is carried out. These conditions relate to standard
cooperation issues, such as working hours, safety issues etc.
It is essential that the conditions and requirements pertaining to employing
organizations be defined with the exclusive purpose of securing the better education of
students.
3.5.12 Trainee supervision, monitoring and support
There is no effective monitoring of student progress during their internship.
Typically, each member of the three-party committee takes responsibility for 1/3 of
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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students as they carry out their internship and is responsible for monitoring their
performance. Students indicate the work carried out in specific parts of the internship
notebook, and then sign it. Also, the person in charge of the employing organization
evaluates the performance of students in a particular section of the notebook, and signs
it.
As noted above, it would be ideal to have contact with the organization at
regular intervals and ensure effective control and updates on any problems or
deficiencies and thereby closer monitoring of student internships.
Of course, the committee is at the disposal of students who report any problems
concerning the internship and is responsible for resolving them.
4. Postgraduate Studies Program
4.1 Postgraduate Studies Program title and overview
The Medical School of the Athens University, in collaboration with the
Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the Faculty of Health and Caring
Professions of the TEI of Athens, and in collaboration with the National Research
Foundation, has organized and operated, since the academic year 2004-2005, a
Postgraduate Studies Program (PSP) entitled "Environment and Health. Capacity
building for decision making”), in accordance with the provisions of Articles 10 to 12 of
Law 2083/92.
The following candidates, in order of priority, are eligible for acceptance to the
PSP, provided that they meet the necessary requirements for successful attendance of
the course:
a) Holders of a TEI degree from the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
of the Faculty of Health and Caring Professions or equivalent corresponding
Departments abroad.
b) Holders of a Technological Education Institute or a Higher Education
Institution (University) Degree from other Departments in related subject fields, either
Greek or recognized equivalent departments abroad.
4.2 Departments and Institutes participating in the Postgraduate Studies
Program
The Medical School of the University of Athens, in collaboration with the
Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology of the Faculty of Health and Caring
Professions of the TEI of Athens, and the National Research Foundation.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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4.3 Postgraduate Studies Program purposes and degree of
responsiveness to the Department’s objectives and societal demands.
The program focuses on the environmental impacts on health and particularly
on the ways of addressing them. The impact of the environment on health has been
recognized worldwide and the need to develop a strategy to address it has led the EU
to develop a common Environment - Health – Research strategy. The knowledge
required to manage health problems related to the environment (including food crises,
effects on the skin such as chloracne, endocrine disorders, genetically modified foods,
effects of chemical substances contained in cosmetics), which have occurred in recent
years because of uncontrolled pollution of breathable air, food and water, has led to an
increase of skin and endocrine diseases, are all relevant to our area of expertise.
During their training, graduate students examine the scientific aspects in depth
with relation to causes, risk assessment etc. and also develop capacities for decision
making.
Given the evolution of research and technology, and the new requirements set
by the European Union through programs such as REACH, the knowledge level of
professionals aiming to maintain a high level of professional services is increasingly
demanding.
4.4 How do you view the structure, coherence and functionality of the
Postgraduate Studies Program?
The Postgraduate Studies Program is divided into four semesters, during which
postgraduate students take 8 basis courses which constitute 40% of all courses and 15
elective courses, 12 of which are compulsory, and constitute 60% of all courses. All
courses of the postgraduate studies program are mandatory. The major part of courses
is theoretical.
A supervisor is appointed in the fourth semester, who will guide the student in
the preparation of his/her dissertation, make an assessment and submit his/her
recommendation to the Special Interdepartmental Committee which has approved the
topic of the dissertation. The preparation and presentation of the defense of the
dissertation is carried out by students before a committee, in the presence of the
supervisor and other postgraduate students, and is open to everyone.
At the end of each semester, an evaluation of the program and the teaching
staff is carried out.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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4.5 How do you view the examination system?
Postgraduate student evaluation is determined by assignments prepared in
each semester under the supervision of the teaching staff, as well as by the written
examinations conducted at the end of each semester.
The examination system is deemed satisfactory and effective, given that
evaluation of students depends on assignments prepared during each semester, and
not only on the final examination at the end of the courses.
4.6 How do you view the selection procedure for postgraduate students?
The following criteria are taken into consideration for candidates to be eligible
for acceptance to the postgraduate studies program:
The overall degree grade
The relevance of the undergraduate degree to the content of the PSP
The professional utilization of the postgraduate degree
Any research activity carried out by the prospective student
Scientific publications and presentations at conferences
Computer knowledge and use
Proficiency in English language and terminology. Knowledge of another foreign
language is considered an asset.
Interview
Any scholarships
The criteria for selection of postgraduate students are deemed satisfactory.
4.7 How do you view the financing of the Postgraduate Studies Program?
The program is self-financed.
4.8 How do you view the international dimension of the Postgraduate
Studies Program?
It would be desirable for the specific postgraduate program to also be aimed at
graduates of equivalent foreign institutions, for which there are no current provisions.
However, there are similar PSP operating in European countries (including Belgium)
and professors from these Universities teach 10% of the Department’s courses.
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5. Doctoral Studies Program (-)
The Department and the TEI in general, does not offer a Ph.D. program at this
time. On one hand, this is not possible due to currently applicable legislation, and, on
the other, there are practical difficulties in organizing such a process. Certainly,
following the organization of the postgraduate program in collaboration with the Medical
School of Athens, we believe that in the future, after all legal, bureaucratic and
procedural issues are taken care of, the Department will be able to guide graduates
towards this direction.
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6. Teaching
6.1. Effectiveness of the Faculty
6.1.1. Procedure for the evaluation of the Faculty by students.
Professors are evaluated every six months by students through questionnaires,
based on the standard questionnaires of the H.Q.A.A. A description of the evaluation
process and its implementation is provided below.
Procedure for the evaluation of the Faculty by students:
The relevant questionnaire is the same for all courses and concerns their
theoretical and laboratory part. It is anonymous. The questionnaires are distributed for
completion by students during classes between the 8th and 10th academic week.
Implementation of the procedure:
Members of the Department Faculty hand out questionnaires together with the
appropriate envelopes showing the respective course (theoretical or laboratory), the
semester, the professor in charge and the date. They briefly explain the purpose and
the process, answer any clarifying questions and leave the room. They return after 15
minutes and ask 1 or 2 students to collect the questionnaires. These students collect all
the questionnaires from all students and put them in an envelope which is then sealed.
The same students submit the envelope to the secretariat.
After collecting the questionnaires from all courses, the Department enters the
answers of students in a spreadsheet. Once data entry is completed, the relevant
sheets are delivered to an associate of the Department for processing. The processing
is limited to calculating the frequency of responses to each question as a whole for the
entire department.
The entry of data, the analysis of questionnaires and the creation of charts were
performed by Mrs. Vassiliki Gardiki, Special Technical Staff member of the
Department.
The results of data processing as far as the quality and effectiveness of the
Department’s Teaching Staff are concerned, are as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Organization and presentation of the course syllabus
QUESTION 22
0,923,82
16,17
36,27
42,81
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Department has an excellent profile in terms of presentation and
organization of course syllabus. In most courses, members of the Faculty of the
Department arrange for the issue of papers or course notes.
Lectures are well organized in modules and presentations are made, wherever
possible using the most advanced technological methods to stimulate the interest of
students.
Stimulation of student interest in the subject of the course
QUESTION 23
2,495,99
32,29
41,27
19,3
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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The Department has an excellent profile in this area, since more than 70% of
students answered by marking the categories 'good' and 'very good'.
Analysis and presentation of course concepts in a simple and understandable way.
Use of examples.
QUESTION 24
1,95,43
31,07
44,64
19,3
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The specialization of Aesthetics is intertwined with applied practice, and
therefore courses are presented with examples and concepts are analyzed in a lively
way. The Department’s overall profile here is again deemed excellent.
Encouragement of students to formulate questions and queries in order to develop their
own judgment.
QUESTION 25
2,07 4,33
14,07
28,86
50,66
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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When the course is taught using advanced teaching methods (lecture and
dialogue) by the professor, students have to participate actively throughout the course.
Moreover, students are constantly asked whether they have understood the concepts
being taught. In general, the view of the Department, as illustrated by the chart, is that
the Faculty respects students and makes every effort to educate them effectively.
Consistency with which the Faculty meets their obligations (attendance of classes,
timely evaluation of assignments or laboratory reports, time spent with students outside
classes).
QUESTION 26
1,44 3,49
11,77
26,8
56,49
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Faculty of the Department is distinguished for its professionalism and the
seriousness with which it takes its obligations. This is reflected in the very high level
(83%) of student ratings at a level above "satisfactory." Although the workload of the
Faculty in addition to its educational tasks, such as administrative work, participation in
committees, etc., is relatively high, they fulfill their obligations conscientiously.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Professor/student relations
QUESTION 27
1,66 3,03
13,06
28,7
53,54
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Generally, there are no disputes. It should be noted that a very small percentage
(<5%) of students believe that their relationships with the Faculty are bad.
Contribution of teaching staff to the optimum understanding of the course material
QUESTION 28
1,444,56
22,06
41,73
30,21
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Regarding the contribution of contract academic staff to the better
understanding of the course material, the highest percentage appears in categories 4
and 5, but there is also a percentage (~ 1 / 4) in category 3. In this respect, it could be
assumed that students consider that the understanding of the course material concerns
the theory part which is mostly taught by permanent Faculty.
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6.1.2. Utilization of the results of Faculty student evaluations
The results are submitted to the Head of Department, who then distributes them
to the respective professors. Moreover, the overall results report is prepared, as is
shown in this report, containing statistical analysis (frequencies) of the data, is also
distributed to professors and is an extremely useful tool for comparing their personal
results with respect to Departmental averages. This enables professors to identify any
problems and try to improve them. The aim of every professor should be to improve
their course in accordance with the currently available data. By making their course
more attractive, the attendance of students on their course will be greater and teaching
of the course will be more effective.
6.1.3. Average weekly teaching workload of the Department’s academic staff.
Most expertise courses, at least in the theoretical part, are taught by permanent
Faculty members. However, for the teaching of the full course curriculum (theoretical
and laboratory parts) of the Department, an adequate number of scientific and
laboratory staff with the appropriate academic qualifications are hired on a contract
basis.
The estimated weekly teaching workload of permanent Faculty members is
shown below:
Grade Teaching Hours / Week
Professors 10
Associate Professors 12
Assistant Professors 14
Laboratory Professors 16
With regard to contract academic staff the maximum workload limit for scientific
associates is 12 teaching hours per week, and the limit for laboratory associates is 15
teaching hours per week.
It is noted that, at times, Faculty members voluntarily offer more hours than
those stipulated in the weekly schedule to meet the Department’s educational needs.
6.1.4. Members of the Department’s academic staff teaching in the
Postgraduate Studies Program.
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The following table presents the academic staff participating in the Postgraduate
Studies Program of the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, where it
participates as an associate Department.
The Department’s professors cover some of the subjects taught in this
postgraduate studies program. The rest is covered by the teaching staff of the Medical
School of the Athens University and by other departments of the TEI of Athens.
GRADE:
Professors: Evagelia Protopapa, Vassiliki Kefala, Eleni Kintziou
Assistant Professor: Athanasia Varvaresou
6.1.5 Contribution of postgraduate students in the teaching work of the
Department.
The Department’s Teaching Staff includes professors who have completed the
Postgraduate Studies Program and are employed as permanent Faculty or as contract
laboratory associates.
6.2 Quality and effectiveness of the teaching process
6.2.1 Methods used
A mixed teaching model is already followed for the majority of courses, which
promotes, whenever possible, the use of student-oriented and team-building methods,
including:
Synchronous, face-to-face teaching with the use of the Department’s physical
facilities and implementation of teaching methods including lectures, practical
laboratory exercises, assignment-based learning.
Support of the educational process through the utilization of modern technology
and the internet.
6.2.2 Procedure for revising course syllabuses and teaching methods
Updating of the content of courses is implemented by the Faculty at regular
intervals. This procedure is implemented when the undergraduate curriculum
undergoes revision by the relevant committee, following recommendations from the
Faculty members who have identified such a need through their research activities
and/or cooperation with other institutions. In any event, the Curriculum Committee will
present the recommendations for the revised syllabuses. Any change in the curriculum,
having followed the prescribed procedures (approval by the General Assembly of the
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Department and TEI), is published in the student guide and on the Department’s
website, a modern tool where the activities of the Department are presented.
Also, at course level, each professor occasionally modifies the course notes for
distribution or reissues updated written texts. New books and course notes are currently
distributed at the Department.
6.2.3 Average degree grade
Graduation Year
Average Grade
(All graduates)
2005-2006 7.2
2006-2007 7.1
2007-2008 7.01
2008-2009 6.98
2009-2010 7.1
6.2.4 Monitoring of the educational progress of students
Admission year
Duration of studies (years)
Κ=4 Κ+1 Κ+2 Κ+3 Κ+4 Κ+5 Κ+6
Not
graduate
d
Total
2003-20041 59 41 13 2 1 47 163
2004-2005 41 48 8 73 170
2005-2006 43 8 76 127
2006-2007 1 21 73 95
2007-2008 87 87
2008-2009 83 83
2009-2010 97 97
As mentioned in several parts of this Report, one of the objectives of the
educational process is to make the course attractive to students and stimulate their
interest to continue to follow the teaching of knowledge offered to them regardless of its
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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form or source. In this respect, it is believed that there is an increasing lack of interest
among students in general.
Frequency of attendance of lectures
QUESTION 33
6,72 6,15
13,53
22,88
50,71
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Attendance of lectures is shown by students to be at a very good level, reaching
70% on aggregate. However, the Faculty members present a picture of medium
attendance in their summary sheets. It is possible that the students’ answers reflect
what they think should be happening.
Frequency of attendance of laboratory sessions
QUESTION 34
0,48 0,19 2,83
13,88
82,61
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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The overall impression is that there is almost universal attendance of laboratory
courses. The reason is obvious, since laboratory courses are compulsory and
attendance is recorded. Students with attendance of a laboratory course less than that
prescribed by the regulation are required to repeat the laboratory. Moreover, the large
volume of work which students have to carry out requires their continuous attendance
in order to be able to complete the exercises, successfully too, since they are graded.
The difference between this and the previous question and the graph is obvious.
Frequency of response to written assignments/exercises
QUESTION 35
1,1 0,786,91
23,71
67,49
1 2 3 4 5
Grade
Ra
tes
%
As in the previous question, students need to be conscientious with regard to
examinations, since they are the means by which they proceed to the next semester,
and together with the institution of prerequisite courses, this raises the rate of
participation.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Systematic homework study for curriculum syllabuses
QUESTION 36
2,76
8,98
31,56 32,75
23,95
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The impression given by the chart is mixed. Students are far from being
considered extremely diligent, as one would expect on the basis of the previous two
graphs. However, systematic homework studying for the curriculum is at a moderate to
satisfactory level. The categories “none” or “a little” account for about 12%.
Hours of study per week for each course: 1= <2 hours, 2=2-4 hours, 3=4-6 hours, 4=6-8
hours, 5= >8 hours
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QUESTION 37 31,33 31,23
20,42
10,52
6,49
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Unfortunately, the overall impression is disappointing. It is obvious that the
majority of students spend very few hours studying their courses during the semester.
Also considering that in their answers, students have overestimated their effort during
the week, maybe the actual picture is even worse.
6.3. Teaching work planning and implementation.
6.3.1. Notification of the curriculum to students at the beginning of each semester.
The detailed syllabuses for all courses are included in the Department student
guide, which is handed to students on their registration. It is also possible to find the
relevant information on the Department’s website. Moreover, the first lesson in the
classroom usually focuses on getting to know students and providing information about
the course, such as the theme of the course and an initial introduction to the subject,
teaching methods, books to be studied, methods of evaluation, etc.
Particularly in the case of laboratory courses, when students are welcomed to
the laboratory at the beginning of each semester, Faculty members and contract
associates will present course content in detail, and answer students’ questions to help
them get oriented.
6.3.2. Description of course learning objectives and expected outcomes.
The learning objectives and expected outcomes are an integral part of the
description of the course and are made available to students under the aforementioned
procedures, but also at the initial sessions of the courses.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Clarity of course objectives
QUESTION 1
0,72,9
37,07
44,39
14,93
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Department’s profile is excellent. Students understand the objectives of the
courses, with a percentage rating of almost 83%.
Structure and presentation of the course syllabus
QUESTION 2
0,42,67
43,37
34,26
19,3
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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QUESTION 3
1,21
7,07
35,35 34,85
21,51
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The picture is quite good as in the previous question, given that questions 2 and
3 relate to the same topic.
Recognition of the need for a system of prerequisite courses
QUESTION 8
3,526,73
27,67
31,9430,13
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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Students seem to have answered this question quite maturely in the sense that
they understand the value of prerequisite courses for their education, despite the fact
that prerequisite courses may delay them in obtaining their degree.
Use of knowledge from or linked to other courses
QUESTION 9
3,16
7,91
27,85
32,91
28,16
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
From this aspect, the profile of the Department is very good, although linking
between courses is maybe the greatest problem currently faced by the educational
system with respect to its actual structure.
Difficulty level of courses depending on the year of study
QUESTION 10
4,758,44
35,86 34,6
16,35
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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The theoretical or laboratory courses offered at the Department require a great
deal of study, perseverance, effort and attention. It is natural that many answers are in
the 'medium' and 'very much' categories.
Need for and quality evaluation of extra tutorials
QUESTION 11
47,71
16,54 15,9
9,92 9,92
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
QUESTION 12 41,5
15,0218,58
13,24 11,66
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Most students consider that the level of education provided by the Department
is adequate (this can also be seen in other answers of students), so there is no urgent
need for tutorials.
DEPARTMENT OF AESTHETICS & COSMETOLOGY
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Number of teaching units in relation to workload
QUESTION 13
3,56
9,14
43,11
30,4
13,78
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The responses to this question must be given less weight, because the
institution of teaching units is relatively new and means little to students. This is the
reason why there is a normal distribution bell curve around the average.
Transparency of grading criteria
QUESTION 14
3,35,85
31,51 32,65
26,68
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Department’s profile is very good. The majority of students consider that
their evaluation by the Department’s teaching staff is fair.
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Preparation of assignments as part of the course
QUESTION 15
3,225,16
27,4229,35
34,84
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
QUESTION 16
1,624,22
23,38
36,3634,41
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
In some courses, assignments are given to students, which may be prepared on
a compulsory or voluntary basis depending on the professor. These assignments are
presented at the end of the semester and are submitted in hard copy to the relevant
professor. They are graded and their grade affects the final grade for the course.
The picture that emerges from the questions about whether the topic was
promptly given (question 15) and whether the preparation time was sufficient (question
16) is very good.
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Guidance on the preparation of assignments and quality of supervisor's comments
QUESTION 18
3,757,19
16,25
33,75
39,06
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
QUESTION 19
5,13 5,45
29,49 30,45 29,49
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The profile which emerges is good, as approximately 90% of students
responded positively that supervisors provide effective guidance and comments.
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Potential for improving assignments
QUESTION 20
5,13 5,45
29,49 30,45 29,49
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The profile which emerges is good. The potential for improving assignments is
very limited in the case of semester courses due to the tight deadlines and workload of
students. However, there is time to improve the dissertation and the only actual
restriction is the time availability of each student.
Outcome of assignments for understanding of the subject
QUESTION 21
2,625,9
27,21
33,7730,49
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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The profile which emerges is very good. The subjects given are obviously well-
aimed, the assistance offered by teaching staff is satisfactory, and the emphasis on
presentation and evaluation of the assignment is good.
6.3.3. Procedure for measuring the achievement of learning objectives for
courses
Achievement of learning objectives is measured in the following ways:
special activities organized by each professor in the class
statistics from satisfaction surveys and educational work evaluation
questionnaires.
6.3.4. Level of compliance with the course timetable
The final certified course timetable is posted on the bulletin board and the
website of the Department and is strictly adhered to throughout the semester, given
also that the lack of facilities does not easily permit its amendment.
The only exception is in case of illness or absence of the Teaching Staff. In such
case, courses are rescheduled and students are notified in writing, through the
Secretariat and by means of the online student notification system (posting on the
website).
6.3.5. Rationality of the planning and structure of course class timetables
During the planning of the courses’ class timetable an effort is made to satisfy
the following criteria:
Teaching theory courses preferably in the morning.
Combining laboratory and theory courses each day, depending on their weight
and level of difficulty, to ensure the least tiring timetable for students.
Teaching laboratory courses both in the morning and in the afternoon so as to
facilitate working students.
Avoiding large gaps in the daily class timetable each semester, to ensure that
student class attendance is continuous and that they have enough free time for
studying and other activities.
Theory and laboratory courses in the same semester should not be scheduled
to be taught at the same time. However, this is not possible for courses in different
semesters, because of the limited number of classrooms.
6.3.6. Basis introductory courses taught by Faculty members from the two
higher grades
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All introductory courses are taught by Faculty members from other Departments
(e.g. Department of General Medical Studies, etc.) most of whom are in senior grades.
6.3.7. Members of the Department Faculty teaching courses outside their
narrow or broader field of knowledge.
All members of the Department’s academic staff are teaching courses within
their narrow or broader field of knowledge. If the research - scientific field in which they
are specialized is relevant to the lesson taught, then it is considered to be within their
narrow field of knowledge.
6.3.8. Organization and effectiveness of laboratories
The study and analysis of the results of student questionnaires on the quality
and effectiveness of the educational process in laboratories is as follows:
Adequacy of notes for laboratory exercises.
QUESTION 30
6,8510,51
26,02
33,5
23,11
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Clearly the majority of students find that the notes distributed for laboratory
exercises are moderately satisfactory.
The students’ views on this question are directly related to question 31 (below).
Both the picture and the explanations are similar.
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Explanation of the basic principles of exercises
QUESTION 31
2,516,06
22,3
36,2532,87
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
A great number of students do not seem to fully understand the basic principles
behind the exercises. This is due both to the large number of students in laboratories,
the low professor/student ratio (1/25-30) and the uncertainty and anxiety experienced
by students towards something both new and difficult.
Another significant cause is, however, the fact that the majority of students do
not attend theory classes, and therefore, the background knowledge required when
attending laboratory courses is inadequate.
Adequacy of laboratory equipment
QUESTION 32
6,1
9,38
20,48
33,0231,02
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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The picture of the adequacy of laboratory equipment is satisfactory. We believe
that the Department’s equipment meets the needs of the laboratory sessions. What
could be improved is the maintenance of equipment.
Difficulty level of the laboratory over the year
QUESTION 29
4,52
8,54
35,7 35,43
15,81
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The picture that emerges from the question regarding the level of difficulty may
explain the previous three questions related to the laboratory. It also confirms the
attempt to interpret the results. The majority of students say that the difficulty level is
moderate and about 50% believe that the difficulty is at a level above moderate.
This can be explained by the fact that the majority of students do not follow the
teaching of theoretical courses and thus experience difficulty in understanding the
laboratory exercises where theory is put into practice.
6.4 Educational aids
6.4.1 Types and number of aids (e.g. books, notes, material in websites, etc.)
that are distributed to students.
The educational process is supported by the following various types of
educational material which are distributed to students:
Books selected as the main texts for each course and distributed by the TEI
Institute.
Professor’s notes in hard copy, for courses where there is no similar book or
where provided as a supplement to the main book (eg, laboratory guides, etc.).
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Online literature and international databases, where students can find
information on their subject of study and, generally, on any specialized topic they are
interested in which is not covered by printed aids.
Literature is proposed for all courses and is mainly available in the institute’s
library.
The aids distributed to students in various forms cover the entire curriculum.
6.4.2 Procedure for the update of aids.
The process of updating the lists of distributed printed books and notes is
started before the end of each academic year, in order to plan supplies for the following
year. As part of this process, professors may modify the educational aids and update
the notes they hand out.
6.4.3 Exactly how and when are aids handed out?
QUESTION 5
18,6617,48
23,13
19,321,43
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The satisfaction profile reflected by students’ responses to question 5 of the
questionnaire is mixed. Students are fairly evenly split between all of the 5 ratings. It is
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clear that the percentage from "moderate" and below is greater than 50% and gives the
worst picture of all questions in the questionnaire. It is however noted that the
Department does not operate autonomously and that books are handed out centrally by
the Institute. Notes are always handed out promptly, since the Department keeps a
stock with an adequate number of copies each time.
6.4.4 Percentage of curriculum covered by the aids.
Most of the curriculum is covered by the aids. When the main textbook is not
sufficient, additional notes are handed out by the teaching staff. In addition, the
proposed bibliographical literature which students can access for additional information
more than covers educational needs in every subject field. Obviously all educational
institutions are constantly renewing their bibliographical literature to meet new needs.
Assessment of the main textbook or notes
QUESTION 6
8,4611,74
29,68 30,25
19,86
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
Student responses indicate that the main textbook and the notes are quite
satisfactory. Most textbooks and notes handed out at the department are relatively new.
6.4.5 Bibliographical support beyond distributed textbooks.
As stated above, in addition to distributed textbooks, students are provided with
suggested bibliography from easily accessible sources, such as the Library of the TEI
of Athens. Support is thus provided by the central library with the collaboration of the
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Department Faculty for ordering and enriching the library with new books. Students are
also guided in finding information in libraries of other departments or schools on
relevant topics. Furthermore, students’ efforts are significantly supported by the Internet
and the participation of the Institute in the Healink network, as well as through the use
of public and free access Internet sources of professors themselves.
Availability of bibliographical literature in the Institute library
QUESTION 7
4,62
9,68
29,35 29,89
26,45
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Department seeks to renew library books regularly, in accordance with
available funds.
Existence of relevant research material in the library
QUESTION 17
4,52
11,93
34,84
26,77
21,93
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
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Here the picture is the same as that related to the availability of books in the
library (question 7), although most answers to the question on relevant research
material for the preparation of assignments are “moderate”. This is explained by the fact
that the subject area covers a vast research field that cannot be adequately covered by
one department. However, the TEI library has an adequate number of high-level titles.
6.5 Quality of educational aids
Effectiveness of educational aids in better understanding of the course taught
The impression made by the Department is fairly good. Only a small proportion
of <15% consider that educational aids are inadequate. It would be quite interesting if
this percentage of students could explain the reasons why they consider it inadequate.
QUESTION 4
3,56
8,37
33,26
29,5
25,31
1 2 3 4 5
Rating
Perc
en
tag
e %
The Department should focus on informing students from the very first days of
their attendance, of the ongoing effort to provide information which is not under any
circumstances limited only to a classroom or a book.
6.6 Available facilities
The TEI of Athens has a well-known problem with lack of space, with severe
shortages in all types of facilities, offices, classrooms, laboratories, etc. The problem is
made worse by the large number of departments and students. This is the reason why
several areas are of mixed use (classrooms and laboratories), creating difficulties which
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downgrade the quality of education. There is an urgent need to relocate some
departments or the entire TEI Institute to somewhere with more spacious facilities.
6.6.1 Classrooms
(a) Number and capacity
The Department has two classrooms (45, 46) with seating capacity for 70
students. For teaching purposes, it also uses certain laboratories when they are free,
which have an average capacity of 25 students.
(b) Adequacy, appropriateness and quality
The number of classrooms and seating capacity is relatively satisfactory.
However, the use of laboratories presents some technical problems:
• Difficulty after the end of each course in arranging and delivering the
classroom for use by the next class.
• Highly unsafe hygiene conditions
(c) Level of use
At the maximum, throughout the day and week.
(d) Adequacy and quality of supporting equipment.
The supporting equipment available is adequate. The classrooms have a video
projector, slide projector, data projector, etc. There is an air conditioning and ventilation
system.
6.6.2 Laboratories
(a) Number and capacity
Six classrooms, four of which have a seating capacity of 25, one a capacity of
20, and one of 15. The seating capacity here is deemed inadequate.
(b) Adequacy and appropriateness of available space
The space is designed in accordance with the requirements of a modern
laboratory, with workstations equipped with the necessary equipment and it is deemed
satisfactory. The problems which often arise are due to the large number of students.
(c) Level of use
They are used to the extent required to meet teaching needs. Because of the
excessive number of students, laboratories are in operation during both morning and
evening hours, with two different groups of students.
(d) Adequacy, appropriateness and quality of laboratory equipment
The equipment used is adequate and appropriate, though adequacy also
depends on the number of students. The overall impression of the Department is
illustrated by question 32, commented on above. The large number of students leads to
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delays in completing the exercises, and downgrades of the quality of work and
performance of students.
(e) Adequacy of storage facilities (laboratory equipment, reagents, etc.)
There are no separate storage areas.
Storage space for materials, equipment, student work, etc. in laboratories is
limited, thus creating problems in the operation of the laboratory.
6.6.3 Special Technical Staff (STS).
(a) Number and expertise
The Department employs 2 STS members in charge of maintaining and storing
the equipment, supervising the laboratories, preparing the laboratory exercises, and
generally carrying out support tasks for the proper functioning of the department.
These members are:
1) Aikaterini Dilaveri
2) Vassiliki Gardiki
6.7 Degree of utilization of information and communications technologies
6.7.1 Use of information and communications technologies in theoretical
teaching
Classrooms are equipped with computers and data projectors. Teaching staff
have all necessary the necessary electronic equipment available to deliver their subject
matter, and make use of all available methods.
Classrooms also feature a phone line and Internet access, so that the subject
matter can be studied in real time, in the presence of both professors and students.
6.7.2 Use of information and communications technologies in laboratory
teaching
The same applies as far as equipment for laboratory teaching is concerned. In
general, the Department has adequate computer equipment to support the educational
process.
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6.8 What do you think of the professor/student ratio and their collaboration?
6.8.1 Professor/student ratio in courses.
In a standard semester, the professor/student ratio in courses is about 1/45-50
6.8.2 Professor/student ratio in laboratory courses.
In laboratory courses, if the number of students is large, they are divided into
groups of not more than 22-25 persons. Therefore, most of the time, this ratio reaches
approximately 1/25. In some laboratories, efforts are made to have 2 teachers, but this
is not always possible and depends on the following factors:
• Number of Faculty members. Not enough to have two in each laboratory. To
this end, the government must ensure, through the competent ministry, an increase in
the stipulated number of permanent positions, by posting new job vacancies for
permanent Faculty to meet the needs of the Department.
• Number of contract scientific and laboratory associates, which depends on the
TEI’s budget and is generally declining.
• Student intake, which, although reduced compared with the past, is still
considered high.
6.8.3 Cooperation between Faculty and students.
The cooperation of the Department’s Faculty with students is very good.
Problems are rarely created, and are handled in the most amicable fashion. This
positive climate is also ensured by the scientific training and general education of the
Department’s Faculty members, and by the relatively high caliber of Department’s
students due to base admission scores in the Pan-Hellenic University Admission
Examinations.
Cooperation is not limited to educational issues alone, merely answering
questions or providing guidance in the preparation of exercises and dissertations, but
also involves consultation on a variety of problems faced by students, the most
important of which is their professional orientation after graduation or admittance to a
postgraduate studies program.
This is why the Department has introduced the institution of Professorial
Advisor.
Before the start of each academic semester, professors communicate to the
their office hours to the Subject Group General Assembly, indicating when they can be
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reached by students and a summary document is forwarded to the Head of
Department.
Adherence to this timetable is mandatory for professors and is part of their
weekly teaching obligations.
Professors’ office hours are also posted outside their office and in the
Secretariat.
In case of absence, professors must notify students by written notice on the
Department’s bulletin board.
6.9 How do you view the extent to which teaching is linked to research?
6.9.1 How is the education of students approached in the research process
(e.g., search and use of the literature)?
Within the scope of many of the assignments prepared by students during their
studies in the Department, especially for the needs of their dissertation, it is necessary
for them to undertake bibliographical searches of the literature and scientific articles
and make use of them. To this end, professors inform students about the use of the
Institute’s Library and the associated online libraries.
In addition, we recommend searching for articles and online sources via the
Internet, with an emphasis on reference capturing using international systems.
6.9.2 Do students have the opportunity to participate in research projects?
At the present time, no.
However, as part of the organization of the research laboratory which is
mentioned in the chapter on research work, one of the Department’s objectives is to
involve students.
6.10 How do you view collaborations with educational centers in the country and
abroad, and with the community?
6.10.1 Educational centers within the country with which the Department
collaborates
The Department works closely with the Medical School of Athens in the joint
organization of the Department’s Postgraduate Studies Program. Also, the library of
the Medical School features a great number of textbooks, theses, dissertations and
journals, and provides access to online databases, which is an excellent information
source for our students.
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6.10.2 Educational collaborations with local, regional or national social
institutions
The Department has developed regular collaborations with different
organizations for the conduct of many student internships.
It also works closely with professional associations to resolve a range of issues,
such as improving the institution of internship, organizing Pan-Hellenic Conferences,
issues concerning the industry, etc.
6.11 How do you view the mobility of Faculty members and students?
6.11.1 Strategic Planning for mobility of academic community members
The Department supports and facilitates the mobility of the Department’s Faculty
members, either in terms of research activity or attendance at conferences, etc, always
by agreement with the Institute, and ensures the timely replacement of absent
members in the educational process.
6.11.2 How many and which agreements have been concluded to enhance the
foreign exchange of teaching staff?
Currently, there is no applicable agreement for cooperation with foreign
institutions to facilitate the foreign exchange of teaching staff, and therefore mobility is
limited to individual attendance at conferences where papers are presented.
6.11.3 How satisfactory is the operation and staffing of the Central Office of
International/European Programs and their connections?
The Office of International and European Programs is regulated by the TEI. Its
operation and staffing are satisfactory.
At the Department level, specific Faculty members are in charge of offering
guidance to interested students.
The outcomes of this institution are probably not worthy of its potential and
importance, due to its limited promotion, but mainly due to the limited interest of
students.
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6.11.4 What actions does the Department take to inform the academic
community about the exchange programs it undertakes?
Announcements, Internet, information of first-year students at orientation.
6.11.5 How are incoming students supported?
Through the Student Welfare Office of the TEI of Athens.
6.11.6 Is there any additional financial assistance provided (by the Department
and/or the Institute) to students and academic staff members who take part in
exchange programs?
As mentioned above, there are no exchange agreements for students. Financial
assistance is however provided to professors participating in conferences in Greece or
abroad and, for example, may reach the amount of 1,200 Euros for overseas travel.
6.11.7 How is the quality (and not merely the quantity) of the mobility of
academic staff monitored?
Through the usual publications of research work.
7. Research work
7.1 Promoting research within the Department
7.1.1 Specific research policy of the Department
Research currently carried out involves the research interests of the Department
Faculty and is undertaken either on an individual basis or jointly with other Faculty or
Research Staff members or as part of research project proposals that are occasionally
submitted to the TEI of Athens.
There is no unified research policy with the Department and there is no
Research Committee designated within the Department to coordinate and monitor the
progress of the Department’s research programs to completion and publication of
results. However, one of the Department’s main future priorities is to establish a
Committee to take charge of planning the Department’s research policy in cooperation
with the Faculty members concerned. In any event though, this will not be sufficient to
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support research carried out in the Department. A determining factor is the active
involvement of each member Faculty member in the research work carried out, and the
provision of incentives by both the state and the Technological Educational Institute
mainly through the funding of research proposals.
7.1.2 Monitoring of implementation of the Department’s research policy
There is no unified monitoring policy, since this has not been fully developed
within the Department. The research project proposals submitted to the TEI of Athens,
if funded by the TEI, are subject to the procedure prescribed by the relevant program
(e.g. Thalis) and the execution of research work is monitored as part of this process.
If the proposal is self-funded (i.e. supported by the Department and the Faculty
members involved in the research), interim reports on the progress of research project
are submitted to the TEI’s Research Committee, until research is fully completed.
7.1.3 Publication of an implementation report on the Department’s research
policy
The publication of the results of research proposals which are ultimately
undertaken is made by the Faculty submitting the proposals in the first place, and may
be in the form of publication in prestigious scientific journals or presentations of papers
at a scientific conference.
7.1.4 Research incentives offered to the academic community
Generally speaking, the view could be taken that there are no research
incentives provided. Even the inclusion of a research proposal to a European
Community program could not be considered a financial incentive for the TEI’s teaching
staff, because their salaries are low compared to the workload required to complete the
project. In most cases, no fees are provided to third parties who may have performed
part of the study at the request of researchers.
A disincentive to the conduct of research is also the exclusion of secretarial
support as eligible costs, which greatly increases the workload (paperwork) for the
Faculty, whose administrative and educational work is already substantial.
Another disincentive to the conduct of research is the fact that a number of the
Department’s professors are in an older age group (over fifty years of age) with little or
no future career ambitions or potential for promotion to a higher grade. If these
professors had prospects for development or personal ambition, they might be more
motivated to take part in research work as an important element affecting promotion
decisions.
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7.1.5 Information of academic staff regarding research funding opportunities
The staff is informed through the Research Committee notifications posted on
the homepage of the TEI of Athens, and through e-mails sent to each professor.
7.1.6 Support for the research process
Research proposals submitted by professors (collective or individual) are either
self-funded (supported by the infrastructure of the Department and participating Faculty
members) or subject to European research projects funded by the European
Community. Research projects are occasionally funded by the Special Account of the
TEI Institute. As mentioned above, funding is limited and this is a very strong
disincentive for conducting research. Besides the lack of funds, there is also a lack of
support for the research process centrally (at the TEI level), which could be provided
through the creation of a research laboratory with the necessary facilities, secretarial
support, technical staff etc. Accordingly most attempted research is made on the
initiative of Teaching Staff members demanding great efforts, time and, certainly, cost.
7.1.7 Dissemination of research results within the Department and the Greek
and international academic and scientific community
Copies of published scientific papers or presentations at conferences are
distributed to the Faculty and students of the Department on the initiative of the Faculty
members who performed the research. The results of research efforts are disclosed to
the research community through publications both in Greek and foreign scientific
journals and presentations at conferences in Greece and abroad.
7.1.8 Dissemination of research results within the national and local community
Research results are reported to companies or industrial facilities which may be
interested and the possibility of cooperation with these companies or industrial facilities
in joint research projects is examined on a case-by-case basis.
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7.2 Research programs and projects performed at the Department
7.2.1 Research projects and activities completed or in progress during the last
five years
There are three research programs under the Archimedes I Operational Program for
Education and Primary Vocational Training
Archimedes II Research Operational Program for Education and Primary
Vocational Training
Athina Research Program
Thalis Research program
7.2.2 Percentage of Faculty members involved in research initiatives
Approximately 30% of all permanent Faculty staff
7.3 Research facilities
7.3.1 Number and capacity of research laboratories
There is no available research laboratory for research program development.
Research work is carried out in the Cosmetology and Aesthetics Laboratory and the
Facial Aesthetics Laboratory, which is also used for the regular training of
undergraduate students, and in the School of Pharmacy of the University of Athens. It is
necessary to find space for research work by undergraduate and postgraduate
students, as well as for Faculty members who wish to carry out research projects.
7.3.2 Adequacy, appropriateness and quality of research laboratories
Adequacy: The Cosmetology Laboratory, which is also used for research
purposes, covers an area of approximately 100 m2, but is occupied from Monday to
Thursday, 6 hours per day, by 20-25 undergraduate students. Essentially, there is not
enough space for research project development.
Appropriateness: The facility is appropriate, but insufficient for the training of
undergraduate students at the same time as conducting research work.
Quality: Satisfactory.
The Facial Aesthetics laboratory is deemed adequate and appropriate for
carrying out high level research.
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7.3.3. Adequacy, appropriateness and quality of laboratory equipment
Laboratory equipment has been renewed during the last three years, but more
space is needed, as is the procurement of more equipment. The quality of the existing
equipment is excellent.
7.3.4 Available research facilities and needs
The existing facilities do not meet research needs. New equipment needs to be
procured and existing equipment needs to be upgraded. This may not be possible at
Department level. The Institute could equip and organize a joint research center which
could be open, with proper planning, to all departments.
7.3.5 Research subjects not covered by existing facilities
Facilities for study of the following are not available: percutaneous absorption,
skin ultrasound, lipophilicity, microbial loads in cosmetics, sunscreen effectiveness, hair
care product effectiveness, predictive molecular modeling of percutaneous absorption,
cosmetic products analysis, stability of active substances in cosmetics by liquid
chromatography
7.3.6. Use of research facilities
Research facilities are used wherever necessary. This means that the
equipment is used when an experimental study is carried out.
7.3.7 Renewal, age and operating condition of existing equipment
Over the last three years, the equipment has been regularly renewed. It is
necessary however to purchase new, additional equipment, such as a percutaneous
absorption device, a sun protection factor analysis system, HPLC, a system for the
study of lipophilic active ingredients, molecular modeling programs for predicting
percutaneous absorption and others.
7.3.8 Financing of supply, maintenance and renewal of research facilities
New and more up-to-date equipment is purchased as part of new EU programs,
from the funds of the Special Account of the TEI, or funds allocated for the procurement
of permanent equipment by the Department.
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7.4 Scientific publications of Department Faculty over the last five years
7.4.1 Books/monographs published by the Department Faculty Members
During the last five years, 8 books have been published by the Department Faculty.
7.4.2 Papers published by the Department Faculty members
A total of 33 papers were published in scientific journals with peer-review and 17
papers in scientific journals without peer-review.
7.5 Acknowledgement of research performed in the Department by third parties
7.5.1 Citations of publications authored by the Department’s Faculty
The total number of citation references to publications authored by the
Department’s Faculty is 198.
7.5.2 Participation of Department Faculty in scientific conference committees
during the last five years
The number of participations by Department Faculty in scientific conference
committees during the last five years is 15.
7.5.3 Invitations of Department Faculty members from other academic / research
institutions to give lectures/presentations, etc. over the last five years
The number of invitations received by Department Faculty members from
other academic/research institutions to give lectures/presentations, etc. over the
last five years, is 16.
7.5.4 Department Faculty members acting as referees in scientific journals
Four Faculty members act as referees for both Greek and International
journals.
7.5.5 Practical use (e.g. industrial applications) of the results of the research
carried out by the Department teaching staff
The results of research carried out at the Department are communicated to
companies and industries involved with the subject of research and are applied in
production, or joint research studies are conducted to confirm or expand the results.
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7.6 Research collaborations of the Department
Research collaborations between members of the Department, or with members
of other departments of the TEI, or Academic Research staff members of Greek or
foreign universities are so far developed under individual initiatives, without the
Department’s involvement.
7.7 Student participation in research. Participation of undergraduate or
postgraduate students in the Department’s scientific activities.
So far, there is no student participation in research conducted in the
Department. As noted above, research is organized by Faculty members on an
individual basis. But as part of the organization of a research laboratory within the
department, we hope to ensure the involvement of students trained in the laboratory.
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8. Relations with social/cultural/productive (SCP) players
8.1 Department collaboration with SCP organizations
8.1.1 Which collaborations with SCP organizations are or have been
implemented by the Department over the last five years?
The Department participates with Faculty members in work groups to improve
legislation and to establish professional prerogatives for various groups in the
Aesthetics-Cosmetology sector.
The Department also collaborates with other organizations in its participation
and organization of conferences. Members of the Department participate in Aesthetics
and Cosmetology conferences, medical conferences (dermatological, endocrinological)
and pharmaceutical conferences.
The Department also works closely with business organizations, such as owners
of aesthetics treatment facilities and other organizations (e.g. cosmetics manufacturers)
where students of the Department are accepted to conduct their internship. Department
Faculty members also cooperate with these organizations to improve the institution of
internship.
8.1.2 How many of the Department’s Faculty members have participated in such
activities?
There is no fixed number of Teaching Staff members participating in the
organization of conferences. Participation is arranged according to requirements.
There is a three-member committee in charge of arranging student internships, which is
periodically renewed.
8.1.3 How is the Department’s scientific collaboration with SCP organizations
acknowledged and communicated?
The Department’s scientific collaboration with SCP organizations is
communicated through conferences either as members of organizing committees or by
means of announcements and presentations of scientific papers.
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8.2 Departmental activity with regard to the development of collaborations with
SCP organizations
8.2.1 Are there any mechanisms and procedures for developing collaborations?
How effective do you think they are?
The Department cooperates with the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity,
and with clubs and associations in the industry of Aesthetics and Cosmetology. These
collaborations are developed on an as-needed basis. There are mechanisms and
procedures for developing collaborations, but they need to be further improved and a
strategy needs to be developed.
8.2.2. How do Faculty members of the Department view the development of
such collaborations?
The Department’s teaching staff members view all these forms of collaboration
positively and contribute substantially to them. Every collaboration with SCP
organizations helps in the upgrading and openness of the Department.
8.2.3 How do SCP organizations view the development of such collaborations?
All organizations which have collaborated with the Department took a positive
view and expressed interest in consolidating and improving cooperation. This is
confirmed by the repeated contacts that were made and continue to be made.
8.2.4 Does the Department have officially accredited laboratories certified to
provide services?
Without specific certification, the Department has very good laboratory facilities
able to provide services as required by the specific collaborations. Moreover, it is able
to rely on the initiatives of its Faculty members to ensure the flexibility required for
organizing collaboration.
8.2.5 Are the Department's laboratory facilities used in collaborations with SCP
organizations?
As reported, they have been used to a certain extent. However, much more
could be done to improve the Department’s ability to collaborate with respect to its
laboratory facilities and its collaborations with SCP organizations.
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8.3 Department activities towards the development and strengthening of
collaborations with SCP organizations.
8.3.1 Are the results of collaborative projects announced in specific magazines
or the press?
The results of collaborative projects are communicated in specific Greek and
foreign journals and the magazine of the TEI of Athens.
8.3.2 Does the Department organize or participate in events to inform SCP
organizations about the purpose, scope and work of the Department?
The Department regularly organizes and participates in conferences to inform
SCP organizations about the purpose, scope and work of the Department.
8.3.3 Is there contact and cooperation with graduates of the Department who
are employed by SCP organizations?
It is natural for the Department to collaborate more effectively with graduates
working in productive organizations with which it has a well-developed collaboration.
Occasionally, the Department cooperates with graduates who work for or are
members of collective institutions, aimed at informing and discussing issues related to
the industry. In this way, it is able to participate in the strategic policy making process.
These efforts, of course, are undertaken on a voluntary basis by both parties. The
ambition of the Department is, with the help of the public relations office of the TEI, to
establish this on an institutionalized basis.
8.4 Linking collaboration with SCP organizations to the teaching process
The performance of internship in aesthetics treatment facilities and companies is
part of the educational process. Moreover, visits of students to production facilities or
demonstrations of materials and equipment in organizations are on occasion scheduled
as part of the educational experience.
The participation of the Department’s students in conferences, often 100%
subsidized by productive or collective organizations, helps to develop connections with
these organizations and forms part of the educational process in the broadest sense of
the term.
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9. Academic development strategy
9.1 Procedure for formulation of a specific short to medium term (e.g. 5 year)
development plan. Effectiveness of the procedure.
The Department, based on opinions formed at the level of the Subject Groups or
the Council, considers that the prospects for development and improvement in the
future involve the following areas:
A. Improving educational facilities with currently available means and resources
(funding by the Institute, Community support frameworks, etc.)
B. Upgrading of the curriculum, where necessary, following proposals submitted
by the Subject Groups and ratified by the General Assembly. The upgrading of the
curriculum is a process that increases the Department’s flexibility in focusing the
education of students on the real needs of the labor market.
C. Links to the production process. It specifically invests in the development of
collaborations with organizations involved in the industry (associations, federations,
etc.) both at the level of undergraduate studies (internship) and at the level of
professional career advancement.
D. Postgraduate studies programs. The Department jointly organizes a
Postgraduate Studies Program entitled “Environment and Health. Capacity building for
decision making" with the Medical School of Athens, under the applicable Law 2083/92.
The Department’s intention is to also co-organize a doctoral program.
It further advises its graduates on the selection of postgraduate programs
abroad.
The purpose of this is to create worthy associates and new teaching staff who
are graduates of the Department itself and who will be able to channel back advanced
knowledge to the educational system.
The Department’s intention is to create an autonomous postgraduate program,
once establishment of such a program in the T.E.I’s is consolidated by legislation.
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9.2 Development plan monitoring process
There is no development plan evaluation process currently in place. At the
present time, the department is focusing on its future design.
9.3 Participation of the academic community in planning and monitoring the
realization of development strategies and making strategic outcomes known to
the public
The Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology belongs to the Faculty of
Health and Caring Professions of the TEI of Athens. Thus, every activity of the
Department is communicated to the competent bodies, is evaluated and various
activities are made public either in periodical journals or on the Institute’s website.
9.4 Collection and use by the Department of the information and indicators
required for the effective planning of its academic development
Through the evaluation process, of which the present document is also a part,
the Department collects all the necessary information for analysis and subsequent use
for the better planning of its academic development.
Also, the Department plans to collect information from the Career Services
Office of the TEI regarding the professional career development of graduates and to
keep in contact with them. This would lead to a more rational planning of courses
based on the actual needs of the profession and developments in the field of Aesthetics
and Cosmetology.
9.5 Process of publication of the development plan and its outcomes
The Department aims to include the results of its specific development plan, the
process of its definition, its outcomes and method of publication in its next evaluation.
9.6 The Department’s efforts to attract high-caliber academic staff.
Following amendment of the legislation pertaining to the recruitment of teaching
staff with higher educational qualifications, equivalent to those required for universities,
the caliber of members Faculty staff recruited has been significantly upgraded. Apart
from this, the Department's strategy to attract members with high academic
qualifications includes:
A. Upgrading of the studies programs in line with international standards;
B. Promotion and advertisement of the Department’s academic work, through
the participation of its current members in scientific conferences;
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C. Provision of support to collective and professional bodies (associations,
federation, etc.) at all levels and forms of collaboration. This outward-looking approach
creates a modern image of a progressively developing academic unit.
9.7 Planning for recruitment and development of academic staff under the
Department’s academic development plan
By recruiting high-caliber Faculty members, the Department aims to promote its
academic standards. Whenever it undertakes to fill vacancies, it aims to remain at the
forefront of developments and maintain the contemporary level of knowledge it offers.
9.8 The Department’s annual student acceptance rate. Students actually enrolled
each year, with a breakdown by origin, admission process (university admission
exams, transfers, special categories, etc.).
The number of students accepted by the Department is ……. The number of
students enrolled every year is 85. This number is increased by transfers from the
equivalent Department in Thessaloniki and special categories. The percentage of
persons with special needs enrolled is 3% and there are 2 more persons enrolled
through graduate student admission exams.
Based on the number of places available in laboratories, it is necessary to
create afternoon classes and to employ extraordinary contract staff, with all that this
entails for the proper functioning and quality of the educational process.
9.9 Department’s efforts to attract high-caliber students.
To be admitted to the Department, students must have taken "Scientific
Direction" core subjects in High School, which anyway tend to attract higher caliber
students. Many of the students admitted have simply failed to gain admission to
Schools of Medicine or other Health related Sciences.
Teaching staff have experienced students expressing their desire to continue
after their graduation at these schools.
Some of them succeed in doing so. As part of this effort, they are struggling for
high grades, which tends to raise the overall average grade. Certainly, the
Department’s professors often help students to plan their future, by trying to impress
upon them that the profession of Aesthetician-Cosmetologist is at a reasonably high
level compared with certain other professions in terms of professional career
opportunities.
So, by helping students at undergraduate level, encouraging them to take
postgraduate courses, creating a postgraduate program, assisting them in finding a job
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after graduation, which currently works on an individual level, the Department creates a
climate of confidence for prospective students. The fact that the Department’s
graduates, if they do not choose to start their own business (aesthetics treatment
facility), are absorbed in jobs and with good prospects, is a strong incentive for
candidates to select the Department.
9.10 Process for developing the Department’s academic development strategy
The process for developing a strategy in this respect, though efforts have been
made, is inadequate, for two main reasons:
a) lack of resources that could help in this direction,
b) efforts have been primarily made by Teaching Staff members at a personal
level, and are not institutionalized such that they can be planned, continued and
evaluated.
It is clear that long-term planning needs capable people, who are supported by
the necessary resources and are able to devote much time and thought to preparation
of a proper and effective development plan for the future.
Nevertheless, the department hopes to present a specific development plan in
its future evaluation report.
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10. Administrative services and facilities
10.1 Efficiency of administrative and technical services.
The administrative support of Departments is provided both at central level (TEI
of Athens) and at Department level through the Department Secretariats. There is also
an interim administrative structure, at the School Secretariat level, but its main role is the
processing of documents.
At central level, the administrative structure is as follows:
A) Administrative Directorate, which deals with all administrative matters relating
to the TEI. It supports the offices of the President and Vice-Presidents, the TEI Institute’s
Council and works with both the Legal Department and the other departments as listed
below.
B) Financial Directorate, which deals with all issues of a financial nature relating
to the institute (e.g., payroll, budgets, costs, European programs, supplies, property,
etc.).
C) Studies Coordination and Student Welfare Directorate, which deals with all
student issues such as student assistance, library, internship, student career guidance,
etc.
The effectiveness of these services is deemed adequate, but needs further
improvement particularly in terms of responsiveness.
Technically, the Department is supported by the technical services of the TEI
and, in particular, by the IT and Technical Services Directorate. This service is in charge
of carrying out construction and repair works at the Institute, setting specifications,
procurements and supervision of works, and for inspecting the Institute’s building,
electrical, cable, telephone, air conditioning and plumbing infrastructure. These services
are deemed moderate and this is mainly due to the processing time and the quality of
facilities. They need to be reorganized; their structure needs to be more flexible and
more qualified personnel need to be recruited.
Part of this service is also the Network Management Centre, whose task is to
ensure the connectivity of the entire Institute and individual users with network services.
It is responsible for the design, installation, proper operation, maintenance, repair and
upgrade of network services in accordance with the current technological developments.
These services are currently deemed fully adequate.
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10.1.1 How is the Secretariat of the Department and Subject Groups staffed and
organized?
The Secretariat of the Department is staffed by three permanent employees,
one of whom is holder of a university degree in Business - Economics and handles the
Department’s administrative issues, and two others who are holders of secondary
education diplomas in Business – Accounting, who handle student issues. Due to the
large total number of students (about 750) and the workload of the Department, the
number of three employees in the secretariat is deemed woefully inadequate.
There is no separate secretariat for the Subject Groups.
10.1.2 How effective do you think the services and opening hours of the
Department’s Secretariat are in relation to serving the needs of the Faculty and
students?
The services of the Secretariat are quite effective, although often processing of
requests depends upon the extra hard work of the staff. To be improved, mainly in
terms of processing time, the number of staff needs to be increased. Opening hours are
quite convenient for both students and professors. In general, and regardless of other
changes, an increase of the Secretariat’s staff is necessary to meet this deficiency.
10.1.3 How effective is the cooperation of the Departmental administrative
services with those of the Institute’s central administration?
The cooperation with the central administration is very effective, although
sometimes there are delays due to workload and communication in the traditional,
“bureaucratic”, way. It would be appropriate to use the existing computerized facilities to
make cooperation more flexible.
How satisfactory to the needs of the Department is/are
(a) The organization and opening hours of the Library?
The organization of the library, although centralized (for the entire TEI), with the
introduction of all aids (textbooks, electronic databases, etc.) in an electronic platform
where one can easily find information resources, has significantly improved the
effectiveness of the library. The opening hours of the library meets the needs of the
Department very satisfactorily.
What could be significantly improved are the services of the library’s reading
room, which should be equipped with all necessary technological means and supported
by additional staff, and also in terms of the custody of books and maintenance of
equipment.
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(b) Information Services?
Information services in both educational and provision of information levels, e.g.
notifications, are deemed satisfactory. The introduction of the new computerized system
for the secretariats of the Departments, whereby students are able to follow their
progress, select courses, apply for different activities, etc. has in general significantly
improved the promptness of information delivery. At a Department level, the
Department's website provides information to students and anyone interested in the
studies program, Departmental organization, Faculty members, instructions on various
issues which the Department considers clarifications to be necessary, announcements,
etc.
What is probably missing and would be of help to many students, primarily
graduates, would be the provision of information about careers, job vacancies, etc., and
the maintenance of contact with graduates regarding their future integration in the labor
market, services that could only be effective if provided centrally by the TEI.
10.1.4 How are the Laboratories and/or Reading Rooms of the Department
staffed and organized?
No support is provided to individual laboratories or reading rooms at Department
level.
10.1.5 How are the Department’s IT and telecommunication infrastructures and
services supported? How effective are they?
The Department’s IT and telecommunication infrastructures and services are
supported by the Technical Services and Network Management Center of the TEI of
Athens, namely at central level. Regarding the Technical Service, it has been observed
that there are delays in the repair of faults and that, in general, there is a difficulty in the
effective handling of issues, due to lack of sufficient and well qualified staff. However,
network and IT services are deemed very good.
10.2 Student welfare services
Student welfare is effectively ensured by the TEI of Athens through the Student
Welfare Office providing the following services:
Accommodation: Given that the TEI of Athens has no hall of residence,
accommodation is provided to beneficiaries in the form of leased hotels and rent
subsidy of up to €200 per person for 10 months. The conditions and options are set out
on the Institute’s website (http://www.teiath.gr/merimna).
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Board: Free board is provided to the following students
(http://www.teiath.gr/merimna):
• Greek students
• Cypriot students
• Students who are children of expatriates
• Students attending under scientific cooperation bilateral agreements of the TEI
of Athens with equivalent institutions in other countries
• Foreign students who are political refugees
• Foreign students with mobility scholarships under Programs of the European
Union
• Foreign students
• Postgraduate students
Student Loans: The TEI of Athens grants interest-free loans to students to
continuing their studies or for arranging personal economic issues. The conditions are
laid down on the Institute’s website (http://www.teiath.gr/merimna).
Medical and hospital care: If students are not covered by any other public social
security organization, they are entitled to medical and hospital care from enrollment
onwards and for the entire period of their studies plus half of this period. The conditions
and options are laid down on the Institute’s website (http://www.teiath.gr/merimna).
Assistance Fund: A group of material, social and financial benefits are provided
to deprived students, as defined on the Institute’s website
(http://www.teiath.gr/merimna).
European health insurance card: Specifically when traveling in European Union
countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, a special health insurance
card is provided (http://www.teiath.gr/merimna).
At Department level, student welfare also comprises any type of support
provided to students:
Professorial Advisor
The institution of Professorial Advisor involves the supervision of studies
undertaken by students, either studies on individual courses or dissertations or any
problems faced by students in which they need assistance. For this purpose, the
Department Faculty arrange specific hours, two days a week, when they do not have
classes, to meet with students and discuss any of their educational problems.
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NAME GRADE CONTACT DAYS AND HOURS
VASSILIKI KEFALA Professor Monday 08:00 – 09:00 &
Wednesday 08:00 – 09:00
ELENI KINTZIOU -//- Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00
EVANGELIA PROTOPAPA -//- Monday 10:00 – 11:00
ATHANASIA VARVARESOU Assistant Professor Wednesday 13:00 – 14:00 &
Thursday 13:00 – 14:00
IOANNA CRAIG -//- Tuesday 09:00 – 10:00
MARIA RIGA -//- Friday 14:00 – 16:00
ALEXANDRA TSIGONIA -//- Tuesday 14:00 – 15:00 &
Thursday 14:00 – 15:00
ELENI DIKEOULIA Laboratory Professor Thursday 10:00 – 12:00
SPYROS PAPAGEORGIOU -//- Monday 11:00 – 12:00 &
Tuesday 11:00 – 12:00
IRINI SOULIOTI -//- Tuesday 13:00 – 14:00 &
Wednesday 14:00 – 15:00
ELEANA TSAOULA -//- Monday 10:00 – 11:00 &
Thursday 09:00 – 10:00
Access of the members of the academic community to information and communication
technologies
All offices, classrooms and laboratories are equipped with computers and most
of them are provided with internet access. Modern technology is thus utilized and both
professors and students can have access, even during classes, to necessary
information through educational software or the Internet.
Support for weaker students and those who do not complete their studies in time
There is no support service for weaker students and those who do not complete
their studies in time. However, care is taken on a personal level, meaning that every
professor or laboratory officer helps weak students to advance through the educational
process. This is achieved either through consulting or through additional exercises.
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Scholarships for excellent students or students in special categories
No scholarship at Department level is provided for, with the exception of
scholarships from the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), which is a broader
institution. However, excellent students enjoy some special privileges involving benefits
offered by the Institute in general, such as student loans (student welfare benefits).
Department policy for the smooth integration of new students to the Department
In the first semester of studies, students are welcomed and informed about the
science of Aesthetics and Cosmetology by the Head of the Department. Clarifications
are given about the profession and the opportunities for finding work in aesthetics
treatment facilities or commercial cosmetics and equipment companies. Also, a brief
presentation is made of the opportunities to attend postgraduate studies programs in
Greece or abroad. New students are guided through the various laboratories of the
Department and first contact with the tools, machinery and equipment used, which
helps them overcome any initial uncertainties or anxieties they may naturally have.
10.3 Evaluation of all types of facilities used by the Department.
10.3.1 Sufficiency and quality standards of library items.
There are several textbooks on Aesthetics and Cosmetology, the most important
of which exist in more than one copy to serve a greater number of students. The
catalogue of books is restocked at regular intervals with orders for new editions.
In addition to textbooks, and as required by the modern means of information,
students have computer access through which they can perform literature searches in
international databases. The TEI of Athens has subscriptions to specific databases
which give students access to full articles in their field of interest.
Overall, the library’s items are excellent in both adequacy and quality.
10.3.2 Adequacy and quality of shared equipment
There is no shared equipment used by the departments and no such equipment
is provided for. Each Department has its own equipment, depending on their needs.
The Department’s equipment is evaluated below.
10.3.3 Adequacy and quality of reading room premises and equipment.
No reading rooms are provided for at Department level. Students are served by
the main library as mentioned above. It should be mentioned again that the quality of
premises is satisfactory. Its adequacy is however deemed moderate, because of the
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limited number of workstations available (for the entire TEI). It also needs to be
improved in terms of maintenance and technical support because the equipment is put
to the test on a daily basis (high number of inexperienced users).
10.3.4 Adequacy and quality of Faculty office facilities
The lack of premises and overcrowding of departments, offices and laboratories
at the TEI of Athens is a well-known problem. Given this, the office facilities provided
for the Department’s Faculty are minimal. Some Faculty members do not have their
own office, or even their own workstation (computer), and several workstations are
shared. As a result, when an office with two workstations is shared by 4 professors,
there are delays in the educational and administrative process and reduction in the
quality of outcomes. We consider there to be an immediate need to expand the
premises.
10.3.5 Adequacy and quality of the Secretariat of the Department and Subject
Groups
As mentioned above, there is no provision for a separate Secretariat for Subject
Groups. Instead, the already crowded Faculty members’ offices are used to deal with
Subject Group administrative matters.
The premises of the Secretariat are deemed barely adequate. There is an
information desk for students on the outer window and students have to reach the
secretariat from the TEI courtyard. Because of the difficulties in the functioning of this
desk, students tend to enter and leave through the main area of the Secretariat,
causing significant delays in the work of the Secretariat and in particular with staff
having to deal with non-education related issues. Also, the Secretariat is not well
ventilated.
10.3.6 Adequacy and quality of other premises and facilities
As mentioned above, there is a general shortage of premises leading to
overcrowding or shortcomings in the provision of services. There are no meeting room
facilities. Classrooms are used for this purpose, and therefore the timing of meetings
(e.g. Subject Group General Assemblies, etc.) depends on the classroom timetable.
Also, there is no provision or facilities for persons with special needs or, at least,
for all categories of needs.
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10.4 Level of utilization of new technologies by the Department services
(excluding education & research work).
10.4.1 Functions of the Department supported by Information &
Communications Technologies (ICT).
The Secretariat uses ICT to connect to the TEI network.
More specifically, following the introduction and implementation by the
Department’s Secretariat of systems for
• online student registration, where every student has the opportunity to select
and register for semester courses using personal passwords & user ids,
• submitting online applications to the Secretariat in respect of other student
issues (e.g., grades, etc.) and for the online issue of certifications, which has eliminated
the need for students to go to the Secretariat for these purposes, has reduced the
Secretariat’s workload, and has also speeded up the process,
• informing students about the curriculum through the course syllabuses posted
on the Department’s website,
• notification of students about various issues, including weekly timetables,
exam timetables and all types of information which need immediate notification of
students through the Department’s website. The process has been further simplified
and speeded up.
Of course, being relatively new, the computer system needs to be substantially
improved and supplemented. In particular, it needs to provide specific data through
simple procedures (e.g. numbers of students, average grades of degrees or courses,
statistics, etc.). Faculty members would have the tools to be able to greatly improve
their performance if they had access to the statistics they needed.
10.4.2 Members of the Department’s Faculty with Internet web pages
Faculty members may (on a voluntary basis) post a short biography on the
Department’s website at
(http://www.teiath.gr/seyp/dental_technology/training_staff.html).
10.4.3 Updating of the Department’s website
The Department’s website is updated almost daily, and contains information on
the revised curriculum, course syllabuses, announcements or exam timetables, etc.
The Department’s website is a modern means of presentation of the Department and
an information source on the Department’s activities for all interested parties. The
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person in charge of editing and updating the website is Mrs. Athanasia Varvaresou,
Assistant Professor.
A screenshot of the website is presented below:
10.5 Transparency and efficiency in the use of infrastructures and equipment.
10.5.1 Are the available facilities and equipment of the Department properly
used? How is this ensured?
The available facilities and equipment of the Department are used properly and
with great success and effectiveness. Its proper use is ensured by the fact that the
workload is so large so that the facilities and equipment are used exclusively for their
intended purpose, without any allowance for subnormal capacity or improper use.
Moreover, the smooth operation of the Department and the facilities is monitored daily
by the persons in charge (Subject Group Heads, Head of Department).
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10.6. Transparency and efficiency level of the financial resources management.
10.6.1 Is there a process for preparing and implementing the Department’s
budget? How effectively is it implemented?
The needs of the Department are integrated and categorized according to the
internal operating regulation of the TEI of Athens. Therefore, costs are entered into
categories with specific codes from which funds are allocated to the department,
whenever they are available. For example, there are different cost codes for fixed
assets, supplies, teaching aids, etc. The Department keeps a database of its own
requirements, separately for each category, so that any shortage can be easily
identified in advance. In this way, needs can be identified at all times, facilitating the
drafting of the budget for each financial year.
Of course, the funds that are ultimately allocated by the TEI do not meet the
actual needs of the Department, which falls within the broader problem of education
under-financing. So, depending on the ultimate funds available, these are allocated
through the prioritization of needs. The drafting of the budget is reasonably satisfactory
and this is demonstrated by the fact that no significant disruptions are caused to the
educational process, despite the problem of under-financing. Thus, needs are made
public at the beginning of each semester and the funds are absorbed progressively to
ensure that any contingencies are also covered.
Transparency in the drafting of the budget and the allocation of funds is
guaranteed by the fact that recommendations are made separately by each Subject
Group, but the final decisions are made by the Department Council.
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11. Conclusions
11.1. In your opinion, what are the main positive and negative aspects of the
Department as they arise from the Internal Evaluation Report?
The structure of the Internal Evaluation Report is based on the
recommendations of the H.Q.A.A. The chapters contained herein, and listed below, may
be used as a guide to draw the appropriate conclusions and give the appropriate
dimensions to the positive and negative aspects that were objectively identified:
1. Evaluation procedure
2. Presentation of the Department
3. Undergraduate Curriculum
4. Postgraduate Studies Program
5. Doctoral Studies Program
6. Teaching work
7. Research work
8. Relations with social/cultural/production (SCP) organizations
9. Academic development strategy
10. Administration services and infrastructures
Positive aspects
1. The first issue that should be noted is the decision of our Department to
participate in the evaluation process following the H.Q.A.A.’s standards with slight
variations due to certain specificities of our Department. All staff members participated
in the evaluation process, although the number of Faculty members, Special Technical
Staff and Administrative Staff members is relatively small compared to the workload of
the evaluation process and relative lack of experience.
The aspects covered, whether positive or negative, will be the compass for the
improvement and further development of our Department.
2. Our Department has traversed a course of 32 years, during 26 years of which
it was operating as a Department of the TEI of Athens and 6 years as a Department of
K.A.T.E.E. Over the course of its operation - which coincides with reversals in
scientific, research, technological and educational level - our Department has followed
the dictates and developments at the above levels, and is classed as part of the field of
health professions and assists in dealing effectively with serious health issues. During
its 32 years of operation, our Department has been renamed and evolved from a
Department of Aesthetics into a Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology, with all
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that this involves in terms of the realities of scientific and research approaches.
Moreover, it is the only establishment in the field – apart from the equivalent
department of the TEI of Thessaloniki – which offers a Higher Education Undergraduate
Curriculum in the country. Although the number of Department Faculty members is very
small (following the retirement of three colleagues, it could be considered inadequate),
it has high-caliber academic staff, of which 5 hold doctoral degrees, and 5 hold
postgraduate degrees. The Department’s Faculty members have produced a significant
body of published scientific and research work.
The Secretariat is staffed by 3 officers. It also has 2 Special Technical Staff
members (of which one holds a Masters degree) involved in the functioning and
maintenance of the Department’s laboratories. This number could be considered
inadequate, due to the large number of laboratories used for the Department’s
undergraduate program.
The Department has also established operating committees and assigned
responsibilities to cover various issues, either educational or administrative, in order to
ensure the smooth operation of the Department and serve student needs.
3. The latest revision of the undergraduate program in 2009 is based on credits
in accordance with Greek and European standards.
New courses were added in accordance with current market needs and others
were merged. The previous revision was made in 2000 and its implementation
coincides with the transformation – renaming of the Department from the Department of
Aesthetics to the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology. The highly qualified
Faculty of the Department is closely monitoring developments and has significant
experience both in the labor market of the Aesthetics treatment field, and in the industry
of cosmetics and development of new products, which gives them the advantage of an
influential role in the development of the science and the market. This important role
and the broader recognition of the international scientific and research community have
been demonstrated in many ways. Examples include the granting of a patent which has
entered production with the manufacture of a finished product by a member of our
Department’s Faculty. All subjects taught in the fields of Aesthetics and Cosmetology
are based on widely accepted practice and are taught to our undergraduate students in
a manner which meets the purposes and objectives of the department.
Courses are divided into semesters and are characterized as "basis courses"
whose syllabus is structured with the necessary sequence and without any overlaps.
The examination system is structured according to Greek and European
standards, and is consistent with them both in terms of topics and in terms of the
grading system. The final grade is based on the grade for the final exam and the grade
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for the overall progress of students during the semester, including during their
attendance in the classes and performance in the assignments and projects assigned
by Faculty staff. The grading system is transparent, allowing students to review their
papers and to express any objections. The preparation of dissertations is based on
reviews of the literature of the last five years, involving contemporary issues and
subjects of interest and the dissertations presented at the Department are the outcome
of the high caliber of our students and the support given them by the Department
Faculty. The instructions for preparing a dissertation are clear (dissertation handbook)
and its preparation is secured through sound cooperation with professorial advisors. As
far the internship is concerned, teaching staff members in charge are constantly striving
to ensure the best possible use of the training time at the learning level. Reliable
undertakings are always selected (aesthetics treatment facilities, cosmetics
manufacturers, ERT) in order to ensure that students are trained in all areas of modern
Aesthetics and Cosmetology. However, there is scope for intervention to improve the
institution of internship.
4. In 2004 the Department undertook the initiative to design, create and operate
a postgraduate studies program in cooperation with the Medical School of the
University of Athens and the National Hellenic Research Foundation. This creates the
opportunity for the Department to create and select its "future professors" from a pool of
candidates who are graduates of the department (they are aware of its needs) and are
scientifically trained, having completed a master's degree tailored to the requirements
of the Department.
5. A Doctoral Program is not currently envisaged, given the current legislative
framework.
6. The teaching work is carried out by the Department’s Faculty based on the
established and approved curriculum (course syllabuses) and primarily based on the
objectives of the Department as reflected in the founding law of Technological
Educational Institutes No 1404/83, as amended, supplemented and currently in force,
and in the Presidential Decree No. 83 GG 3717-2-1989, Article 1, on the Professional
Prerogatives of Graduates.
As emerges from the analysis of student questionnaires covering the courses,
organization of the curriculum, teaching aids, and their general effectiveness in
education, the Department's image could be described as excellent. The profile that
Faculty staff present in all graphs (questions 22-27) is characterized as 'good' and 'very
good'. Teaching aids – either textbooks or notes, which are handed out to students are
deemed satisfactory and effective. They are up-to-date; most of them have been
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created by the Department Faculty and they accurately cover all aspects of the
disciplinary field.
Within the Department, advanced technological methods are used as
educational aids, including computers, projectors and network facilities in all
classrooms and laboratories. Education is linked to research, to a lesser extent through
in vitro studies and, to a greater extent, by means of in vivo studies. This could be
considered a negative aspect of the Department and efforts should be made by the
Faculty to help students become familiar with literature searches and understand
research methodology, in order to broaden their thinking and learn how to write a paper
or to prepare a protocol.
Although there is room for improvement, the teaching work offered by the
Department meets the highest standards of higher education.
7. Research in the field of Aesthetics and Cosmetology presents difficulties
because of the required specialized equipment and the cost of reagents. However,
research is performed by many Faculty members who have participated and continue
to participate in research programs either of the Ministry of Education (EPEAEK), of
other ministries and agencies or the Research Committees of TEI Institutes and
Universities. Publications made during the last five years by Faculty members can be
found in the curricula vitae provided in the appendix to the Report. Members
participating in the aforementioned research projects collaborate with other
departments or other faculties of the University in Greece and abroad. The results of
the research activity of the Department’s Faculty members are published in prestigious
international and Greek professional magazines or presented at international or Greek
conferences.
The research equipment available in the Department is housed in various areas
of the department. Moreover, a separate space has been allocated to serve as a
research laboratory, all the existing equipped premises will continue to exist and
ongoing efforts to upgrade our research facilities will continue with the supply of
equipment and instruments of latest technology.
8. The Department develops collaborations with social / cultural / productive
(SCP) organizations to promote and safeguard the rights, better education and
professional career of its graduates.
9. The Department has a clear orientation and goals. We identify educational
needs, as required by the realities of current education, and we modify and adopt the
practices of the future in Aesthetics and Cosmetology. In this way, we ensure future
development with high academic standards.
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10. Administrative services depend to a great extent on the Institute’s
administrative structure. Although, at the Department level, the number of staff
members employed in the secretariat is limited, these services are very good.
Student welfare services are mainly provided at the Institute level and are
deemed satisfactory, although there is always room for improvement provided that the
state allocates more funds to the Institute. At the Department level, professorial
advisors always provide students with the help they need at all levels.
The available facilities, from textbooks to modern facilities, are deemed
generally sufficient and satisfactory. This does not apply, however to the available
space dedicated to students and staff. In terms of advanced equipment, the
Department is constantly reequipped with devices and instruments of the latest
technology, thus facilitating the effective training of students. One problem is the high
cost of consumables for our Department’s laboratories. Due to this we are required to
use them in a limited way and to restrict ourselves to what is absolutely necessary. We
could say that we have 1/3 of consumables required. The budget, expenditure
approval and procurement of consumables are subject to rules and falls under the
Institute’s control.
Negative aspects
1. The evaluation process meant a significant increase of the workload for the
very small number of Department Faculty members. The workload of the people who
work in the Secretariat was also increased, although their willingness and contribution
was significant and worthwhile. Special Technical Staff members, and particularly Mrs.
Gardiki, for whom there are not enough words of praise, played a catalytic role in the
process. Students also played their in this difficult endeavour, which was unfamiliar to
them. In the absence of electronic design and planning, standardization and
computerization on the part of the H.Q.A.A. in the proposed project, there were
difficulties, delays and definitely omissions. The announcements made on the future of
postgraduate and research programs proved to be overwhelming, perhaps to the
detriment of the evaluation itself. There is hope that things will better in future
evaluations.
2. The small number of permanent Faculty is critical to all problems,
dysfunctions, shortcomings, etc. which have been identified and affect all Department
activities. At this stage, their number reaches 10. It should also be noted that last year 2
Teaching Staff members retired. One professor was recently appointed and the
Recommendation Committee is to submit the Recommendation Report for a position at
the rank of Assistant Professor, while the appointment of one Laboratory Professor and
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one Special Technical Staff is still pending. Another negative aspect is the assignment
of teaching hours to contract laboratory and scientific associates, who, as known, do
not undertake administrative work, and despite the fact that they are qualified, as
stipulated by the applicable legislation, they continue to be "temporary" staff, and thus
the entire workload of the Department’s operation is borne by permanent members.
The educational and administrative workload which is ultimately delegated to each staff
member of the department is excessively burdensome.
Furthermore, there is a notable lack of premises, which is a well-known and
general problem of the TEI of Athens. There are two offices for staff and some
members use the laboratories for office purposes. The reception of students is carried
out at premises where other activities are also carried out and are already limited in
space, creating further difficulties for teaching and administrative work.
3. Several courses of the undergraduate curriculum are taught by other
departments. Indeed, given the shortage of classrooms, these courses take place in
other halls of the departments, which leads to additional problems. The department
should be able to provide such courses without burdening the colleagues in other
departments in any way. The Department’s curriculum has a limited international
dimension for its students. Part of this responsibility is attributable to the Department
Faculty who are not actively involved enough in raising student awareness of
developing collaborations with equivalent foreign departments and of the difficulty in
developing such collaborations in this field. A great part of the responsibility is also
attributable to students themselves who are reluctant to take part in the process.
4. Another negative aspect is that the courses of the Postgraduate Studies
Program offered by the department and its members are few, and that the scientific
committee of the postgraduate program has two Faculty members who do not belong to
the Department. A major problem is that, under the applicable law, the TEI is not
permitted to create independent postgraduate studies programs. This does not mean
however that the Department, even if provided for by the law, would be able at the
given to meet the needs of an independent postgraduate program due to lack of
facilities and, primarily, lack of staff.
5. A Doctoral Program is not provided for under applicable legislation.
6. The average degree grade has tended to rise from 2001 onwards, which is
quite encouraging with respect to the quality of students attracted and the effectiveness
of the Department’s educational work. However, it still remains at a moderate level (6-
7), and is something that could be improved.
Laboratories are well equipped with state-of-the-art devices.
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A both negative and worrying aspect is that students do not regularly attend
theory courses and they spend little time studying outside classes during the semester.
They tend to study a little more before examinations.
This may be due to the process of distribution of textbooks and might be
resolved with the implementation of the new system "Evdoxos". A negative aspect is
the fact that a small number of our students are trained and participate in research, and
they usually undertake assignments which are classified as literature reviews. In the
future, they should be provided with the opportunity to be trained in experimental
research methodology as well.
The mobility of our staff and students is considered limited. Professors, often at
their own initiative and costs travel to other departments in Greece or abroad as part of
any collaboration they have developed and are invited to conferences to attend or give
presentations on research studies carried out.
The funds allocated by the Institute are "minimal". The low mobility of students
is due to the heavy schedule that leaves little time for anything else and to financial
reasons.
7. The research conducted within the Department is limited, because the
opportunities offered either by the state in the form of EEC support schemes or by the
TEI of Athens, are essentially inadequate and this is largely due to the small number of
permanent Faculty members. The remuneration is small compared to the volume of
work, and fees are rarely able to be paid to third parties or for secretarial support. The
number of students participating in research projects is unsatisfactory.
8. The collaborations developed will need to be further organized, and acquire a
group and institutionalized dimension.
9. A negative aspect - in terms of strategic development - is that so far no
qualified Faculty has been involved in suggesting comprehensive future improvements
to the Department, and therefore suggestions for improvement are made at the level of
Subject Groups and the Council. Considering the limited number of Faculty members,
this has not been possible at least at the present time.
10. The fact that the services provided are satisfactory should be attributed to
the zeal, diligence and fortitude of the members employed in the Secretariat. A
negative aspect is the lack of adequate space - (18m2) accommodate 3 members – as
well as the lack of computerization and administrative support. Students, professors
and graduates are admitted to the area of the Secretariat. The Secretariat is also the
place where the department’s files and documents are kept (i.e. it also serves as a file
storage room). Last, the magnitude of the problem is further shown by the fact that the
Secretariat serves as an exchange and general information center for students,
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teaching staff, particularly contract temporary staff or staff from other departments, and
even family members of students. Members working in the secretariat many times
undertake to resolve issues and problems which are irrelevant to their work. As far as
computerization is concerned, an issue which is the responsibility of the Institute, this is
an aspect which is still in an early stage of development, causing many problems and
shortcomings. Many of the existing problems were revealed during the present
evaluation, where much of the requested information could be easily provided through
the system and not burden the Secretariat (time, effort, accuracy).
Even if the other facilities available to the Department are adequate, they are
possibly not effectively used due to lack of suitable premises, which according to this
report is a major problem.
Budgets are properly prepared on an annual basis, according to the needs of
the department. The amounts ultimately approved and allocated are "minimal", and this
is why pressure should be put on the state to increase funding.
In conclusion, the Department of Aesthetics and Cosmetology can be said to
constitute a modernized educational unit of the TEI of Athens. Despite all difficulties
and drawbacks, it provides advanced knowledge in the field of Aesthetics and
Cosmetology and it is the only higher education faculty, apart from the Department of
the TEI of Thessaloniki, with this expertise.
The weaknesses identified and listed in this report do not create a negative
profile of the department. On the contrary, they form the grounds for its future
improvement.
11.2 Do you see any opportunities for utilizing the positive aspects, as well as
any dangers arising from the negative aspects?
The department is attempting to make improvements at all levels, whether in
terms of its educational process, or in terms of administration, facilities, etc. With
awareness of its weaknesses, it looks for ways of improvement and addresses
problems and failures whenever they arise.
12. Improvement plans
At this point, the Department should develop an action plan to eliminate its
weaknesses and highlight its strengths, as well as prioritizing its needs based on its
existing capabilities.
12.1. Describe the Department’s short-term action plan for eliminating
weaknesses and promoting strengths.
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Short-term action plan:
Provision of educational work. Education can and must become more efficient.
This is one of the responsibilities of all Faculty members and all other members of the
Department (STS, contract scientific and laboratory associates, administrative staff,
etc.).
In the "information society", modernization and replacement of “conventional”
books with electronic books, using the possibilities offered by the latest technology, is
an imperative and achievable goal. The creation of laboratory guides for laboratories (in
those where there are none yet) is required.
The teaching process in laboratories should also be updated. Classrooms used
for theory courses have already been equipped with audiovisual equipment (computers,
data projectors, cameras, etc.).
The examination system should be improved, in terms of transparency, by also
communicating sample answers on the Department’s website. A common policy for
education and the examination system should be implemented by Faculty members.
The method of selecting contract scientific and laboratory associates is a tipping point,
because associates who have the qualifications as stipulated by the law are often
unsuitable for the task assigned to them. This is either due to incompetence, reasons
of expediency, or because of the individual or lack of consistency.
It is necessary to increase student exchanges with similar institutions abroad
and to create new inter-university collaborations.
2. Undergraduate Curriculum The curriculum currently in place has recently
been revised and was introduced in the winter semester of the academic year 2009-
2010.
The Curriculum Committee should continue to monitor its implementation to
evaluate its effectiveness and to identify any weaknesses for improvement in the next
revision.
The role of Subject Groups should be strengthened so that recommendations
can be made regarding the Department equipment necessary for the implementation of
the curriculum (new courses, changes in course syllabuses, etc.) but also for the overall
improvement of the program.
3. Research activity In order to improve the training provided and upgrade the
curriculum, the Department teaching staff members need to be active and act as a
team in their research activities. Only through teamwork can science be promoted,
opportunities identified and international developments monitored. It is necessary
however, to make a clear definition of roles and to allocate specific duties to each role
and job depending on the member’s grade and subject area or specialization. The
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benefits resulting from these activities will have a positive impact on the education
provided.
A committee could be created within the Department, which would be concerned
with research activity and whose task would be to study, design and make suggestions.
Students should be gradually be introduced to this process through a "Research
Methodology" course by preparing simple research protocols (at first) or case analysis.
They would first prepare assignments as part of their courses, then prepare their
dissertation and finally be able to present data which could be published in peer-
reviewed journals or presented at conferences. The Department plans to create a
Scientific Society for Aesthetics and Cosmetology so that research achievements are
centralized and communicated to participants through scientific seminars.
4. Administrative services. Administrative services are under the Institute’s
control. However there could be improvements in the computer system to upgrade the
services provided and facilitate the persons using them.
5. Evaluation. Drawing on experience from this first evaluation, the Department
should standardize its processes such that they become routine processes,
characterized by accuracy, reliability and simplicity. The H.Q.A.A. or the Quality
Assurance Unit of the TEI should introduce an appropriate computer system for data
entry and extraction of conclusions.
6. Collaborations The Department should work at strengthening existing
collaborations and developing new ones with social / cultural / productive organizations.
Such an outward-looking approach will attract higher caliber students and Faculty staff,
and contribute to the professional career development of graduates.
12.2. Describe the Department’s mid-term action plan for the elimination of the
negative aspects and the promotion of the positive aspects.
Mid/Long-term action plan:
1. Increase of staff. The Department must fully assess its needs and apply to
recruit new Faculty, Special Technical and Administrative staff. This need is apparent
from the large number of vacant positions.
2. Improvement of internship conditions. The institution of internship is
fundamental to the education of the Department’s students. Because of the change in
the ratio of theoretical to laboratory courses in Department’s effort to meet the
requirements and acquire the requisite academic profile, laboratory staff has been
reduced. Exercising the profession of Aesthetician-Cosmetologist requires a high level
of internship in all the subject fields of the science. It is the right time to improve the
conditions in which internship is carried out so that graduates can acquire the skills they
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need to claim a deserved place in the labor market. We could make suggestions and
determine the standards that an internship laboratory facility should meet. The ideal
would be to create an internship laboratory within the Department itself.
3. Development of collaborations with equivalent foreign Departments. By
carrying out their internship abroad, students could have the opportunity to find a job or
apply for postgraduate studies abroad.
12.3. Proposals for action by the Institute’s Administration
1. Finding more premises: The area and capacity of the premises already in use
is inadequate, with all that this implies. We are even forced to borrow classrooms from
other departments to secure premises to hold examinations and meet other purposes.
Even if some Departments have the capacity to lend their premises, this is done as a
secondary stage priority and after having prioritized their other needs.
2. Distribution of textbooks: Problems will be probably resolved with the
implementation of the 'Evdoxos' system. This is however something that we currently
cannot be sure of. In the past, the way in which textbooks were handed out has proved
to be unsatisfactory and subject to delays.
3. Study Regulation: The curriculum provides for a different number of hours per
week (24-26) than the one provided for in the Study Regulation (45 hours or even more
for final year students). Given the abandonment of the chain of courses for final year
students, we have to deal with an uncontrollable number of courses declared, which
adversely affects quality of education. As already noted, the low turnout of students in
theory courses has a negative impact on completion. We need to find a way to resolve
this problem with the active contribution of the Institute as a whole.
4. Library: Library services are more than satisfactory. There is also access for
remote users. However, access to more online databases should also be provided.
5. Creation of a certified laboratory for third party services: The rates offered
for the provision of Aesthetics services would of course need to be reasonably
competitive in the market. The laboratories would receive cases referred from university
clinics. The provision of Cosmetology services could include quality control of
cosmetics by cosmetics manufacturers or individuals who wish to evaluate the reliability
of a cosmetic product. Furthermore, a cosmetics production unit could be operated to
meet the needs of Aesthetics and Makeup laboratories and to save money from the
purchase of consumables. These amounts could then be allocated to the procurement
of raw materials for the cosmetics manufactured. Among the most ambitious dreams of
the department is to produce and place cosmetics on the market under the brand name
of the Department and the Institute. Moreover, in several countries, educational
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institutes provide services to third parties against a fee. This will enable our students to
carry out their internship with full control and supervision and, especially, with certified
quality as dictated by the requirements of contemporary aesthetics and cosmetology.
6. Compliance with objective criteria according to the actual needs of each
department.
7. Financing of internship: As already pointed out, internship is partly financed
by the Manpower Employment Organization and partly by the employer who owns the
premises where the internship is carried out, given that our students carry out their
internship in private institutions only. If the part currently payable by the employer was
financed by the Institute, it would be much easier to find internship vacancies.
12.4. Proposals for action by the State
1. Reduction of the student intake: This is a long-standing request of the
department. If educational conditions are not improved (premises, staff, etc.), the
number of admissions should be reduced to 60, which is the number of persons that the
Department considers it can adequately educate with the existing facilities. The
number of admissions is exclusively determined by the state (Ministry of Education).
2. Increase of funds for education.
3. Financing of internship: Our student internships are carried out in the private
sector and are partly financed by the Manpower Employment Organization and partly
by the employer who owns the premises where the internship is carried out. However, a
large percentage of employment organizations refuse to pay a wage to trainees, on the
grounds that they are students and do not provide services. In this case, students must
either be relocated elsewhere or accept arrangements that do not comply with the law.
If internship was totally financed by the state, it would be much easier to find internship
vacancies.
4. Acceleration of the process for filling vacant positions.
5. Strengthening of research activity: The state should consider increasing funds
for research either to TEI Institutes in general or through specific programs.
6. Creation of autonomous postgraduate programs: A necessary condition for
ensuring the autonomy of Institutes and upgrading the education they provide. The
creation of autonomous postgraduate programs is crucial because only the
Departments themselves are aware of the ongoing scientific and research priorities on
which the development of innovative postgraduate programs should be based, without
being tied to the scientific and research pursuits and interests of other Departments.
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