Innovative technologies and contemporary, integrated healthcare in aging

Hellenic Mediterranean University

Publicized policy for staff support and development of the Postgraduate Study Programme (PSP)

 

Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) and the Lisbon School of Medicine (FMUL) support and encourage the continuous upgrading of their teaching staff’s knowledge and skills in research and teaching. One of the main objectives of the Postgraduate Study Program (PSP) is to support instructors in effectively integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into teaching and learning, promoting the adoption of contemporary and effective pedagogical practices, including assessment methods, strengthening student support skills, and enhancing research and academic activities.

These objectives are achieved through multiple mechanisms, both within the institutions and through external opportunities that promote mobility and professional development. Such practices include the provision of scientific leaves, Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, funding for conference participation, organization of training activities, seminars, and scientific events, as well as the development of academic and research collaborations with faculty members from other departments or institutions in Greece and abroad. The services of both institutions (e.g., Teaching and Learning Support Center of Hellenic Mediterranean University) and collaborations with other universities (e.g., ATHENA European University Alliance) also contribute to this direction.

Scientific Leaves – Parallel Employment

The HMU and the FMUL encourage the professional and scientific development of their teaching staff by approving relevant leaves (applicable to all academic ranks) for scientific or educational purposes.

According to Article 157 of Law 4957/2022:

  • “(a) Scientific leave with full salary, up to a maximum of one (1) academic year for every six (6) years of continuous service or up to one (1) academic semester for every three (3) years of continuous service.”

According to Article 158 of Law 4957/2022:

  • “Faculty members of Greek Higher Education Institutions may be employed or appointed as professors in foreign universities included in the Registry of Foreign Institutions under Article 304, without being required to resign from their position in the Greek institution, provided that they inform the Head of the Department where they Parallel

employment in a foreign university requires an act issued by the Dean, following the recommendation of the Department Assembly.”

  • “Faculty members of Greek Higher Education Institutions may obtain leave, regardless of other leave regulations, in order to work in Chairs of Greek Studies in foreign Higher Education Institutions for a period of up to three (3) academic years. The relevant leave is issued by the Rector following the recommendation of the Department Assembly, provided that the smooth operation of the Department or the Single-Department School is not hindered. Faculty members may also participate in conferences or other research and educational activities.”

Mobility of Faculty Members through Erasmus+

The HMU and the FMUL encourage staff mobility, emphasizing the European and international dimension of education and training. The International Relations Office of HMU promotes and organizes staff mobility activities (https://iro.hmu.gr/), with particular emphasis on Erasmus+ programs and bilateral agreements with foreign universities to enhance faculty mobility, especially for short-term academic visits to universities and research centers abroad for teaching and research collaboration.

Mobility includes staff exchanges with other higher education institutions, both inside and outside the EU, for teaching (STA) and/or training (STT). Applications are submitted during predefined periods following the wide publication of the call.

Participation in programs such as Erasmus+ enables teaching staff to conduct research, teaching, and training activities abroad, facilitating their awareness of international scientific developments. Mobility also contributes to staff training in modern teaching methods, including distance education, the use of digital learning environments, and the exchange of good practices in e-learning at the international level.

Scientific Lectures

Faculty members of the HMU have the opportunity to participate in the ATHENA Talks organized within the framework of the ATHENA European University Alliance (https://athenauni.eu/colloquial talks and https://iro.hmu.gr/category/talks-and-lectures/), where distinguished scientists from all scientific disciplines are invited to share their.

The talks are organized as part of the European university initiative funded by Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020, aiming to establish the new European University “ATHENA” (Advanced Technology Higher Education Network Alliance). As a member of the ATHENA consortium, the HMU actively participates in these lectures.

Support for Digital Teaching Skills

HMU and FMUL actively support the use of digital technologies in teaching, promoting distance and blended learning, and providing teaching staff with structured training opportunities and access to modern digital tools.

Within the framework of relevant online events and training activities of the ATHENA European University Alliance (e.g., ATHENA Talks), special emphasis is placed on strengthening instructors' digital and pedagogical skills.

Participation in ATHENA Talks aims to develop innovative, high-quality international education and research with emphasis on technological development and digital modernization, such as training in the use of social robots (SR) like NAO and Pepper Social Robots as educational tools in higher education2.

Additionally, a series of online seminars titled “How to Use AI for Teaching Purposes” is organized within the framework of the IMPACT Project (https://eve-impact.eu/). This online course started in November 2025 and is held every Monday from 15:00 to 16:00 CET. It focuses on the pedagogical use of emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence in higher education. The course includes synchronous and asynchronous sessions, podcasts, roundtable discussions, and suggested tasks for participants to implement. The aim is to promote and disseminate good practices in distance and hybrid teaching with the use of modern technological tools such as AI, strengthen the digital and teaching skills of teaching staff, and create a community for learning and sharing experiences.

Various other workshops are organized periodically (e.g., “From Connection to Collaboration: Facilitating Inclusive, Interactive Virtual Exchange”).

Strategy for Research Activities and Strengthening the Education–Research Link

The promotion of basic and applied research and interdisciplinary collaboration in the fields covered by the Departments, either independently or in cooperation with other research organizations in Greece and abroad, constitutes one of the main strategic objectives. In the field of research, the formation of joint research groups on priority issues, the co-supervision of doctoral theses by faculty members of the collaborating departments, as well as the utilization of research laboratory infrastructures, is also promoted.

Research activities of faculty members cover a wide range of research areas reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the Program.

The link between education and research is achieved mainly through thesis work and doctoral dissertations with original and research-oriented topics, such as programs offered by:

Student training in research methodology is carried out under the supervision of faculty members and research collaborators. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to participate in research through three institutionalized laboratories of the Department of Social Work (https://sw.hmu.gr/en/research/laboratories/), one laboratory of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics (https://nds.hmu.gr/erevna/thesmothethmeno-ereynhtiko-ergasthrio-diaithtikhs-kai-systashs-swmatos-toy-anthrwpoy/), and seven laboratories of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (https://ece.hmu.gr/en/research-laboratories/).

These laboratories have participated in or coordinated numerous research projects, demonstrating the international impact of faculty research, such as projects and publications of the respective departments. Research infrastructures are continuously improved through faculty efforts to secure funding from national and European sources.

Faculty members also actively participate in international scientific conferences and research meetings in collaboration with colleagues from other institutions and research centers in Greece and abroad. For example, three faculty members of the Department of Social Work have also participated in ATHENA activities, two of which in the project “Virtual physiotherapist for upper limb motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease”, in collaboration with the University of Orléans (France) and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Lithuania), and one faculty member in the international workshop “Technology-based multidisciplinary cooperation and its applications for improving well-being (TEMUCO 2023)”

 Reference to the performance of teaching staff in scientific research work is made in "D6.2. Summary report of the performance of teaching staff in scientific-research and teaching work".

 Teaching and Learning Support Center (KEDIMA in Greek)

The Teaching and Learning Support Centre of the HMU plays an important role in supporting the Programme's staff development. It aims to provide services that support, empower and continuously improve teaching work across the academic community in accordance with modern pedagogical trends and the use of information and communication technologies. It offers comprehensive support to teaching staff of all study cycles and focuses on teaching and learning, as a process of interaction between students, teachers and the content of knowledge. KEDIMA organizes annual lecture series and seminars focusing on contemporary educational trends and teaching techniques.

Examples of KEDIMA activities for academic staff include:

  • Organization of lectures, learning circles, and seminars (e.g., “Reconsidering Teaching and Learning at the University”) to strengthen pedagogical and digital skills of faculty members, including doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Example: (1) A series of lectures and seminars on modern educational trends and teaching techniques, repeated every year; (2) A seminar on creating accessible content for people with disabilities; (3) A talk on the use of ICT in education; (4) A talk on the principles of Moodle and the effective use of learning management systems in higher
  • Creation of dialogue spaces for sharing pedagogical experiences and tools among faculty, EDIP, and technical staff.
  • Seminar on 13/03/2024 via Zoom titled “Initiating Dialogue on University Pedagogy and Student-Centered Learning”. Example: A seminar on 13 March 2024 via the Zoom platform, focusing on the topic of 'Starting the dialogue on university pedagogy and student-centred learning'.

Additional Support Actions for Staff

Staff support is strengthened through specific measures, including:

  • Funding for the development of digital courses and procurement of technological equipment for distance teaching.
  • Financial support for research groups participating in international projects, including online or blended learning initiatives.
  • Financial support for young researchers and research
  • Funding through the Research Committee or the regular budget for organizing scientific workshops and conferences.
  • Organization of seminars  on research proposal
  • Dissemination of research achievements of faculty members through events and newsletters.
  • Organization of events and other means to publicise and promote the particular research achievements of faculty members (e.g. newsletters)
  • Provision of intellectual property protection and legal support for researchers through the Legal Support Office and the Technology Transfer Office of the Research
  • Legal support and technology transfer services provided by the Research

The publicized policy for staff support and development is publicly available through the official website of the Department of Social Work