Policy for the Support and Professional Development of Staff in Distance Education

The policy for the support, development, and evaluation of staff of the Joint International Master’s Programme “Humanitarian Action and Inclusive Management of Public and One Health Challenges” of the University of Thessaly aims to enhance the quality of teaching, research, and support services through the continuous professional development and evaluation of academic and administrative staff. This policy ensures that staff possess the necessary qualifications and receive appropriate support for their professional advancement, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of the study programme and the provision of high-quality education and services to students. Taking into account the rapid development of distance education, the policy is regularly updated to address the needs of digital learning and the pedagogical empowerment of staff within both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments.

1.  Staff Support

The Joint International Master’s Programme “Humanitarian Action and Inclusive Management of Public and One Health Challenges” of the University of Thessaly ensures the continuous support of its staff through procedures that include:

  • Training and Professional Development: Through the Teaching and Learning Support Centre (KEDIMA), regular training programmes are organized to support the continuous professional development of academic staff, covering modern teaching tools, instructional methods, and educational technologies. These programmes include dedicated modules on distance education, such as the pedagogical use of digital learning platforms (e.g., Moodle, MS Teams), the design of asynchronous educational materials, synchronous teaching techniques, and the use of interactive learning tools.
  • Advisory Support and Mentoring: Support is provided to newly appointed academic and administrative staff through mentoring programmes involving experienced colleagues. Specialized mentoring is also offered in collaboration with the Teaching and Learning Support Centre (KEDIMA) to facilitate the transition from face-to-face teaching to distance or blended learning environments.
  • Provision of Resources: The Programme ensures the availability of the necessary resources (technical infrastructure, educational tools, access to libraries and research databases) to support staff in their academic and professional activities. Particular attention is given to the provision of technical equipment and software supporting distance education, as well as to the operation of a Helpdesk service that provides immediate technical

2. Staff Development

To promote staff development, the Joint International Master’s Programme “Humanitarian Action and Inclusive Management of Public and One Health Challenges” implements actions aimed at strengthening staff competencies and capabilities, enabling them to meet the programme’s requirements and contribute to academic and research excellence.

These actions include:

  • Continuous Professional Development: Developing strategies for the continuous professiona l advancement of staff by encouraging participation in international conferences, seminars, workshops, and other educational activities. Particular emphasis is placed on professional development initiatives related to digital pedagogy, artificial intelligence in education, and emerging learning technologies.
  • Research Capacity Building: Supporting staff research activities through participation in research networks, involvement in funded research projects, and the integration of research outcomes into educational Academic staff are encouraged to incorporate research findings and case studies into distance-learning activities, strengthening the connection between research and teaching within digital learning environments.
  • Administrative Staff Development: Providing administrative staff with training in academic administration, communication, and student support services. This includes training in the use of digital management and communication tools to ensure effective support for students and academic staff operating within a distance-learning framework.

3.  Staff Evaluation

Staff evaluation is essential for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of academic activities. The evaluation process includes:

  • Teaching Evaluation: Teaching performance is evaluated through student questionnaires administered each semester. The results are used to support the continuous improvement of teaching quality, the student learning experience, and staff professional Special questionnaires designed by the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) for distance education are utilized to systematically collect student feedback regarding course organization and delivery, educational materials, support provided for distance learning, and assessment procedures.
  • Research Activity Evaluation: Research performance is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of publications, participation in research projects, and collaborations with other research institutions and
  • Administrative Competence Evaluation: Administrative competencies are assessed based on the effectiveness of managing academic and administrative processes, communication with students and stakeholders, and contributions to supporting the academic community. The ability to support digital infrastructures and distance-learning procedures is also taken into consideration.

Evaluation is conducted at regular intervals and incorporates feedback from all relevant stakeholders, including students, academic staff, and administrative personnel. Furthermore, evaluation outcomes are used to recognize achievements, identify areas for improvement, and develop appropriate strategies for the continuous enhancement of staff performance.

4.  Recognition and Incentives

The coordinating and collaborating departments recognize the crucial role of staff in achieving institutional and programme objectives and provide incentives for excellence in teaching, research, and administrative activities. These incentives include:

  • Providing opportunities for professional advancement based on performance evaluation
  • Recognizing staff members who demonstrate excellence in teaching quality, research achievements, or administrative effectiveness through awards and distinctions for
  • Providing special recognition for the development of innovative digital courses, the effective use of modern technologies, and the implementation of best practices in distance education.
  • Providing financial support for research projects, conferences, and staff development activities. Funding may also be allocated for participation in international conferences on distance education and for the development of high-quality digital educational

Through this policy of support, development, and evaluation, the coordinating department and the collaborating departments ensure the continuous improvement of educat ional quality, research excellence, and staff professional well-being, thereby contributing to the achievement of the strategic objectives of the Joint International Master’s Programme. The integration of distance education into staff policy constitutes a strategic choice aimed at responding to contemporary educational demands and enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Joint International Master’s Programme “Humanitarian Action and Inclusive Management of Public and One Health Challenges.”