7 – Support structures and services for MDEP students

With regard to the supporting structures and services provided to students, in consultation with the University of Thessaly, provision has been made to support the administrative care in every aspect of their student and social functioning. Also, for the past twenty years, the University of Thessaly has identified student support as a core priority, giving particular importance to those facing difficulties, by forming several diverse Committees and competent services. In particular, the Disabled Access Office was established with the aim of ensuring accessibility to all University campuses, buildings and establishments. In this manner, a variety of improvements have taken place, including the construction of new accessible sanitary facilities, the installation of ramps, elevators, stairs and a number of small accessibility interventions performed by the Technical Office of the University of Thessaly.

All support structures and services offered to students are delivered by administrative staff trained at a high level, who are also provided with opportunities to develop new skills through participation in training programs (such as e.g. the Erasmus+ programme).

Provision was also made for assuring the health insurance of students, through the cooperation with an insurance company (offers have already been submitted). In parallel, the civil liability coverage of the foreign students (in cases of operations suspension due to force majeure, natural phenomena, occupation of buildings, pandemic). Accordingly, there is agreement with the University of Thessaly for the organization and staffing of a Foreign Student Support Unit (FSU).

Finally, the psychological support of students has also been considered, in collaboration with the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Hospital of Larissa. The service has a similar structure to the one provided for the all students of the University of Thessaly.

In line with practices used at other foreign universities, one administrative staff is dedicated as International Student Officers, with the aim to provide assistance in other aspects of the transition to Greek life, including cultural issues, visas, or legal assistance. The administrator will have proven professional experience, including the ability to build relationships with the families of each of the international students and ensure that both students and their loved ones feel comfortable and content throughout the duration of their studies.