Internship

The Internship

constitutes a significant activity of Higher Education, as it represents a fundamental means of linking theory with practice and actively contributes both to the application and consolidation of the knowledge, competencies, and skills acquired within the framework of Study Programmes, as well as to the smooth integration of students into the labor market.

The Student Internship may be conducted in public services, Legal Entities under Public Law (L.E.P.L.), Local Government Organizations (first and second degree), Legal Entities under Private Law (L.E.P.R.L.), and private enterprises, hereinafter referred to as “Host Institutions”, under the guidance of a designated Supervisor from the Host Institution and the academic supervision of a faculty member from the relevant Study Programme. Through the placement of students in Host Institutions, the aim is to establish and strengthen collaboration between Academic Units and the operational environment. The Internship may also take place in Host Institutions abroad, provided that the supervision of the educational process is feasible, in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Internal Internship Regulation of the Department’s Study Programme.

Successful completion of the Internship entails the award of the number of European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, as determined by a decision of the General Assembly of the respective Department.

The Internship is conducted exclusively at the premises or service locations of the Host Institution where the student is physically present. In the event that the student is required to move outside these designated areas as part of the Internship, any transportation and accommodation expenses incurred shall be covered by the Host Institution.

The Internship Regulation defines matters related to the coordination, operation, organization, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of the Internship for each Study Programme; the responsibilities of the Internship Coordinator, the Internship Committee, the Institutional Appeals Committee for Internships, and the Internship Supervisors; the cases in which an Internship may be discontinued or a Host Institution changed; the standard Internship agreement including minimum required content; provisions for facilitating the participation of students with disabilities or special educational needs; as well as any other matters deemed necessary for the implementation of the Internship programme.

Organizational Structure of Internship Implementation

The following contribute to the proper implementation of the Internship:

  • the Institutional Internship Manager,
  • the University Internship Office,
  • the Internship Manager of the Study Program,
  • the Internship Committee,
  • the Institutional Internship Appeals Committee,
  • the Internship Supervisors and
  • the Supervisor of the Host Institution.

ATLAS Collaborating Entities

The registration and allocation of Internship positions for students of the 10th semester undergraduate study program leading to the award of a single and indivisible postgraduate degree (integrated master) awarded by the Department of Animal Science, is supported by the ATLAS Information System of the public limited company of the Greek State under the name “National Network of Technology and Research Infrastructures S.A.” (EDYTE S.A.). For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU L 119) and Law 4624/2019 (A’ 137), the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs act as Data Controllers and E.D.Y.T.E. S.A. as Data Processor. Each Internship position that concerns first-cycle students of the University is mandatorily published and recorded in the ATLAS Information System.

Key Points of the Internship Programme

  • The Internship is mandatory for the award of the degree.
  • The number of Credit Units (ECTS) that the Internship receives is 10 ECTS.
  • The evaluation of the Internship is in the form of “pass/fail”.
  • The duration of the Internship (the student’s presence at the Host Institution) is set at at least two (2) calendar months of full-time employment, and can be implemented continuously.
  • The implementation period of the internship is set at the 10th semester of the Department’s Curriculum and can start from the beginning of the 10th semester whenever the student wishes. Graduate students can implement the Internship. throughout the year.
  • The Internship aims to expand academic knowledge through the acquisition of experience, offering engagement and familiarization with problems and scientific data from the real work environment. It focuses on cutting-edge areas of Animal Production Science, enhancing the professional prospects and future integration of students into the labor market.
  • The minimum requirements for academic progress before the start of the Internship are that the student has completed nine (9) academic semesters of study.
  • The evaluation of students’ applications for their inclusion in funding programs (Erasmus+, NSRF) and only in the case that the funded available Internship positions are fewer than the students’ applications and when the budget is not sufficient to cover all students for the conduct of the co-funded Internship, which is covered by the budget of the co-funded programs or projects financed from own or private resources managed by the Specialist Research Funds Account (ELKE) GPA is made with objective – academic criteria. The criterion for ranking the students of the Department is the highest grade point average while also owing the fewest courses. Priority will be given to interested students who accumulate a higher grade point average while also owing the fewest courses. In the event of a tie in the last selection position, the order will be determined after a public draw, which will be open to the entire university community and to any other interested party. Students in the category of disabled people may be selected as an exception to the above rule at a rate of 5% according to the Institutional Internship Regulation.
  • The supporting documents submitted at the end of the Internship by the student and the Supervisor of the Host Institution include: a) Evaluation sheet-certificate of the execution of the Internship by the Institution (the supervisor of the internship institution evaluates the performance, the overall presence of the student and the final summary report of the student’s activities), b) Evaluation report of the Internship by the student, c) Scientific written report of the content of the Internship by the student and d) Grading of the student’s final report of activities by the supervisor body.
  • At the end of the internship and necessarily for the recognition of credit units, the following must be submitted to the Internship Secretariat: i) “Internship Diary” (which will include the above supporting documents b, c and d) and ii) “Internship Certificate” (supporting document a)
  • The “Annual Report on the Implementation of the Department’s Internship” is prepared and submitted by the Department’s Internship Manager to the P.P.S. Assembly. of the Department.
  • The Department’s Internship website is constantly updated for the timely and valid posting of all necessary information and files.
  • It is possible to extend the duration of the Internship up to six (6) months at the same Host Institution, with terms and conditions that include at least the consent of the Internship Manager, the student and the Host Institution. The cost of compensation and insurance for the additional Internship period is borne exclusively by the Host Institution, in accordance with applicable legislation.
  • The hours of employment of the P.A. student at the employment institution are determined in accordance with the no. 5473/2024 Joint Ministerial Decision

More information can be found in the Internship Regulation.

Internship Initiation Procedure – Funding

The procedure followed for the start of the student’s internship depends on the method of implementation and is divided into the following categories:

  • A. Financing of the internship through the University’s Research Funding Account from co-financed programs
  • B. Financing of the internship through the University’s Research Funding Account from programs financed from own or private resources
  • C. Financing of the internship by a Host Organization
  • D. Coverage of only the student’s insurance contribution
  • E. Funding through Erasmus+

More information can be found in the Internship Regulation.

Training via IAESTE or European Programs

Students who will be interning abroad through the International Association for Student Exchange (IAESTE) or through European Programs will consult with the relevant competent Offices dealing with these issues, as well as with the head of their Department.

Transitional Provisions for the Internship

  • Students of the Department of Animal Science who are in the 10th semester during the academic year 2024-25 as well as students of higher semesters who have not completed their internship are required to complete a four-month internship.
  • Students of the Department of Animal Science of the 8th Semester during the academic year 2024-2025 who have already completed part of the internship since the implementation of the provisions of Law 5128/2024 (A’ 118) are not required to complete an internship exceeding 2 months.
  • Students of the 8th semester who have not completed the two-month internship (in the 6th) and have submitted their applications for a two-month P.A. until February 28, 2025, they will have the opportunity to carry it out in the summer of 2025 if there are available places. If the places are not sufficient, then the Department’s selection criteria will be applied. In any case, they will be able to do their internship in the 10th semester.
  • For students of the Department of Animal Science who have a performance contract with the Agency implementing their internship beyond two months and up to four months, the Internship Agency must compensate for the additional internship, which will also include insurance coverage. In case of a written refusal by the Agency for this compensation, it will be covered by University resources through the ELKE.
  • Students who have a few days of internship remaining can complete their internship with a part-time job of less than 20 hours per week without pay in order to complete the ECTS of the Internship.
  • The insurance contributions of 1% against professional risk on the imputed daily wage of the 12th insurance class of the Electronic National Social Security Agency (e-EFKA) are paid to the student intern in accordance with paragraph 1 of article 10 of law 2217/1994 (A’ 83) only for the risk of accident. The exclusive responsibility for the payment of social security contributions lies with the Special Research Fund Account (SRA) of the GPA through the budget of projects financed by own or private resources managed by the SRA.
  • For special cases, such as students working in organizations with a related subject to the studies of the Department, the Department’s Internship Committee is convened to recognize or not the work as a student’s Internship.

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