According to the Decision of the Senate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, no. 78656/23.06.2023, “Approval of the Regulations of Postgraduate Study Programmes of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.)” (Government Gazette – FEK 4084/B-23.06.2023), the following apply:
Article 10 – Practical Training (Internship)
Postgraduate study programmes may include practical training for students, either as a mandatory or optional educational activity within the programme, aimed at the practical application of the theoretical scientific knowledge acquired through successful completion of the programme and familiarising students with potential workplaces.
Student internships are conducted in public services, legal entities governed by public law, Local Government Organisations of first and second degree, legal entities governed by private law, and businesses (hereinafter referred to as “host organisations”), under the supervision of a faculty member of the study programme. Internships may also be carried out in foreign organisations, provided supervision of the educational process is feasible, in accordance with the programme regulations.
A practical training agreement is concluded between A.U.Th. and the host organisation. Successful completion of the internship results in the awarding of the corresponding number of European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, as determined by a decision of the Department Assembly.
The following are appointed by decision of the Department Assembly or the competent body for the Postgraduate Study Programmes (P.S.P.) each academic year:
a) The Internship Coordinator, selected from the faculty (Teaching and Research Staff – D.E.P.) or Laboratory Teaching Staff (E.DI.P.), Special Educational Staff (E.E.P.) or Special Technical Laboratory Staff (E.T.E.P.) of the Department, responsible for the overall supervision of the educational process of the internship within the programme, coordinating the Internship Supervisors and the host organisations.
b) The Internship Committee, composed of members of D.E.P., E.DI.P., E.E.P., or E.T.E.P. of the Department, chaired by the Internship Coordinator, responsible for evaluating applications of students wishing to undertake an internship if it is optional, coordinating all activities related to the student internship, resolving issues, assigning a Supervisor to each student, drafting and submitting an annual report on the implementation and evaluation of the internship programme to the Department Assembly, and submitting recommendations for modifications to the study programme regarding internships. The Coordinator and the Committee may serve all or several programmes of the same Department.
The Supervisor is responsible for guiding and supporting students throughout their internship, liaising with the host organisation to achieve the intended learning outcomes, and keeping the Coordinator and the Internship Committee informed. Supervisors may be faculty members of the programme.
Postgraduate students undertaking an internship are mandatorily insured under the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services (E.O.P.Y.Y.) via the Electronic National Social Security Entity (e-EFKA) (formerly Social Insurance Institute – I.K.A. – E.T.A.M.), in accordance with paragraph 10 of Article 15 of Law 3232/2004 (A’ 48) only for the accident branch, the cost of which is borne exclusively by the host organisation.
The monthly remuneration for internships in private sector organisations is set at eighty percent (80%) of the statutory minimum basic wage, provided the internship corresponds to a full-time educational activity of forty (40) hours per week.
If the internship involves fewer weekly hours, the monthly remuneration is proportionally adjusted according to the total weekly hours. Remuneration may be paid either monthly or upon completion of the internship.
The cost of remuneration and insurance for students is primarily borne by the host organisations. Exceptionally, these costs may be partially or fully covered by the budget of co-financed programmes or projects funded from own or private resources managed by the Special Accounts for Research Funds (E.L.K.E.) of Higher Education Institutions. Specifically, for postgraduate students undertaking a mandatory internship for the successful completion of their programme in schools or other public sector organisations, remuneration and insurance costs may be lower than those specified above and may be covered exclusively by co-financed programme resources or the own resources of the E.L.K.E. of the Higher Education Institution. The exact amount of such remuneration is determined by a joint decision of the Ministers of Finance and Education and Religious Affairs.
Payment of remuneration for internships does not constitute grounds for suspension of other financial benefits, special allowances, or pensions received or entitled to be received by students of the Higher Education Institution for other reasons.
The Department Assembly determines the details regarding the implementation of the internship, including whether it is mandatory for degree award, the total number of hours, its duration in calendar months, the period of execution according to the needs and requirements of the programme, as well as the minimum academic progress requirements to be met prior to the commencement of the internship.
If the internship is not mandatory for successful completion of the programme, the internal regulations of the programme may specify the conditions and selection criteria if the number of available internship positions is insufficient to accommodate all interested students.
Note: The terms “student”, “students”, “professor”, and “professors” refer to all genders.