The institution of the Academic Advisor is established by Article 35 (Law 4009_2011 Government Gazette A 195), which states that “The academic advisor guides and supports students in their study programmes. The Internal Regulation of each institution defines the rotation of the assignment of duties of study advisor to professors and regulates the specific issues involved”. 

According to Art. 12 of the Operating Regulations of the MSc “Industrial and Environmental Applications in Micropalaeontology” (Government Gazette B’ Number 4003/17/9/2018), “Each newly registered MSc is assigned a Study Advisor [Academic Advisor], whose duty and responsibility is the academic assistance of the MSc through supervising, advising, coordinating and controlling the progress of the MSc’s studies”. 

Appointment of an Academic Advisor 

According to the decision of the Departmental Assembly, the duties of the Academic Advisor of the incoming postgraduate students are assigned to the members of the Coordinating Committee of the MSc ” Industrial and Environmental Applications in Micropaleontology”. The allocation of students to the Academic Advisors shall be made by drawing lots. The appointed Academic Advisor supports the new students during their studies during the MSc, and until they are assigned a MSc dissertation, in which case his/her duties are transferred to their dissertation Supervisor. 

Interaction with Students 

1. At the beginning of the academic year, newly admitted students are notified of the name and status of their Academic Advisor and a meeting with the Academic Advisor. The meeting may be held either in person or by videoconference and provides information about the institution of the Academic Advisor and the support it can provide. 
2. Subsequent meetings between Academic Advisor and students may take place at regular intervals if so agreed between Academic Advisor and students, or at the initiative of the student or Academic Advisor whenever they both consider it necessary to offer advice, guidance or support. 
3. Academic Advisors shall accept students for cooperation and guidance at specific times, which shall be announced at the first meeting between them. 
4. Communication between Academic Advisor and students is achieved through the usual means (face-to-face contact, telephone contact, e-mail) and meetings may be face-to-face or group meetings, either by physical presence or by videoconference. 
5. The content of the discussions is confidential and the personal data of the Students are protected by the Academic Advisor. 

Duties of the Academic Advisor 

1. The task of the Academic Advisor is to advise and support students in their study programme and in personal problems related to their studies, and to suggest ways to achieve their individual goals. 
2. The Academic Advisor offers advice, without the advice and proposals being of a compulsory or binding nature.
3. The Academic Advisor helps, supports and guides students to form the best possible understanding of their studies, the prospects and options they may have as graduates of the MSc “Industrial and Environmental Applications in Micropaleontology”, and their potential career development and advancement. 
4. The Academic Advisor also supports students in resolving issues that create delays in the completion of their studies (e.g. communicating and working with relevant faculty members to provide additional educational material, etc.).