Student Welfare Services

Philips University places great importance on the emotional, psychological and social maturity of students, arising from the strong belief that students should be provided with ample opportunities to develop such attributes.

All students are encouraged to participate actively in sports and related physical education activities. This approach rests on the belief that such activities help students become good team players. Social relationships are thus developed through play and interaction.

To help students fulfil the above objectives, the University encourages them to use the available sport facilities either to exercise on their own or to train in a more formal way as members of the University teams, who participate in various national tournaments. Physical education activities are guided by qualified staff. On several occasions, Philips sports teams have competed in Europe against other national champions.

In pursuit of implementing its philosophy, the University encourages students to participate in a variety of social and other creative extra-curricular activities which aim to help students develop their overall personality. Such activities cover, amongst other things, music, dancing, theatre and shows. All these activities culminate in a public show at the end of the Spring semester which is open to the community for viewing.

The University provides an extensive space of 477m2 for housing a modern cafeteria offering facilities for students to enjoy the consumption of beverages and snacks.

The University offers amateurs and professionals two multi-purpose open courts and outstanding sports opportunities for playing and training in football, basketball, volleyball, handball and tennis.

A limited number of International Sports Scholarships may be available for outstanding athletes.

Other Activities –
Students are encouraged to use their initiative and to develop relationships with organizations outside the University. In this way students can contribute in a wider sphere, thus not limiting the benefits of their contribution only to the University. Such relationships span social welfare organizations and other related bodies. During national celebrations students participate actively with non-University bodies to ensure the success of such activities.

Social activities with a more direct educational component are also encouraged. These include the organizing of lectures and presentation by external speakers at the invitation of the students. Panel discussions and debates feature strongly in these kinds of social activities. Students participate actively in debates either as individuals or as members of teams.

All such activities are spearheaded by the representatives of the students under the guidance of staff members who possess experience and interest in the development of such activities. To help students adjust to the academic and social life of the University, orientation programs are set up for new students. Such programs, though developed by the University, rely heavily on the participation of third and fourth-year students who act as mentors to younger students, helping them to adjust as quickly as possible. This approach rests on the belief that peer support is critical to speedy adjustment.

Students are also encouraged to involve themselves in writing and publication. In this regard, they publish their own paper and contribute articles to the University journal, which has a national circulation. Students also contribute articles to external publications and or conferences.

An academic advisor monitors students’ progress and guides students through their course until they graduate. The methods of studying at university level may be very different from previous educational experience. Our Learning Enhancement Tutors can help students improve their study skills, such as note-taking, essay-writing, time-management and exam technique. Special care is taken so that students improve their IT and communication skills and abilities. This is done by familiarizing students with state-of-the-art systems.

Apart from attending lectures and seminars, students need to work on their own, studying and researching in the library or carrying out practical work or projects. A reading list will be available for each module, but students are responsible for planning their own reading and private study.

Entrance Scholarships –
Entrance scholarships are awarded to home and overseas students who have obtained an average of “A” on their High School Leaving Certificate. University entrance scholarships apply only for the first semester.

Sports Scholarships –
Scholarships up to €2,000 are awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in a sporting activity, and will represent the University at a high level in their chosen sport.

Scholarships to Families –
These scholarships are awarded to families with four or more children, in the form of a reduction in fees.

Dean’s Scholarships –
Scholarships up to €3,000 are awarded to home and overseas students based on academic merit.

Enterprise Scholarships –
These scholarships up to €2,000 are available to students who demonstrate excellence in enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Prizes –
The University may award prizes at the end of each academic year to students who obtain outstanding academic results or who have demonstrated that they have made profound progress during the year.

All awards are conditional on the candidates fulfilling the semester of their offer. In addition, exceptional candidates may be awarded an enhanced scholarship.

Working while studying –
Students can work part-time to supplement their income during their studies. However, the University emphasises that students’ academic life is their main priority.

International students who require a visa are normally permitted to work for up to 20 hours per week during the semester period and full-time during the vacation period. This restriction applies to voluntary as well as to paid employment.

Student Card –
A student card is provided to all students, upon enrolment. The card is valid throughout the academic year. By presenting this card, students are entitled to discounts on urban and suburban means of transport.

We provide a highly confidential service offering individual personal counselling. Our counsellors are all professionally qualified and adhere to the code of ethics and conduct of the Cyprus Association for Counselling and Psychologists.

In addition to individual counselling, the University runs workshops on subjects related to listening skills, stress-management, unlocking writer’s block, procrastination and creativity.

The University Counselling Services were established some years ago, aiming to provide counselling to students of the Philips College, which belongs to the Founder of Philips University.

The Counselling Services are confidential services addressing a variety of problems which students can share with counsellors. Problems may include academic, social and emotional issues. Counselling need not be centred solely on problems; it can also explore ways of building on strengths and reaching one’s full potential.

Counsellors are also available for group sessions and workshops which focus on developing particular skills. Counsellors are happy to arrange workshops at the request of particular groups; i.e., mature students, female students etc.

Some undergraduates and postgraduates wish to pursue a chosen career, while others seek new opportunities. Whatever the student’s preference may be, the Career Office is at the disposal of students after registration.

Our resources include:
• Individual and confidential consultation with a specialist Careers Advisor;
• Quick advice desk;
• Specialist Careers Advisor for international students;
• A relevant website with details of job vacancies, study options and careers events;
• Resource and Information Room with details of occupations, employers, vacation work and study opportunities;
• A Careers website with a related job vacancies pages;
• Employer drop-in sessions and presentations;
• Careers management skills course;
• Organization of an annual job fair.

Cooperation with other Universities and Businesses –
The University, aiming at the better utilization of its personnel and its facilities, and in order to further its achievements, seeks to co-operate at an educational and research level with other Higher Education institutions and businesses in Cyprus and abroad.

The specific agreements for co-operation between the University and other Higher Education institutions and businesses are approved by the Senate and a special protocol is signed by the Rector and the representatives of the corresponding Higher Education institution and businesses.

Co-operation agreements cannot infringe upon the principles of operation of the University.

For the development of relations between universities and businesses, the necessary administrative support is provided by the respective International Relations Departments.

Links with Professional Bodies and Industry –
Philips University programs are highly appreciated by employers and professional bodies. The University offers specialized short courses for industry, “in house” courses to individual organisations and consulting services. A number of the University’s programs have been accredited by prominent professional bodies in the form of professional examinations, exemptions and requirements for membership. Philips University has links with the following bodies:
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), U.K.
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), U.K.
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), U.K.
• The Association of International Accountants (AIA), U.K.
• The Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Ireland.
• The Chartered Institute of Insurance (CII), U.K.
• BCS, The Chartered Institute for Information Technology, U.K.
• The Institution of Analysts and Programmers (IAP), U.K.
• The Chartered Management Institute, (CMI), U.K.
• The Association of Business Executives, (ABE), U.K.
• The Certified Public Accountants (CPA), Australia.

European Exchanges –
Students from Philips University have the opportunity to spend a full-academic year or semester as part of their degree either as a study or work placement among universities across Europe. Erasmus+ is the European Union’s funding program for education and training, youth and sport. Philips University is an active participant in the European Commission’s Erasmus+ Program and has links with a number of institutions.

The fundamental condition for the exchange of students from Philips University and students from other universities abroad is the existence of approved protocols of co-operation between the relevant departments of Philips University and the respective universities from abroad.

The number of students who can be abroad at the same time cannot exceed 10% of the number of students in the Department.

Each Department appoints an official Exchange Co-ordinator who is responsible for all the categories of student exchanges, including the exchanges carried out in the context of the Socrates Program. The Exchange Co-ordinators communicate to the students about the Program of Studies abroad which participate in exchanges and the maximum number of students who can engage in the exchange. This communication takes place, at the latest, in the sixth week from the beginning of the semester which precedes the semester of the proposed exchange.

Students who are interested in participating in exchanges must declare their interest to the Exchange Co-ordinator by the end of the 8th week of the semester which precedes the semester of the proposed exchange.

Philips University participates in the Erasmus+ Program, which encourages students and staff mobility for studies and work, and promotes cooperation between universities. It also implements the rules set by the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which allows the mutual recognition of the programs of study involved.

Erasmus students are not required to pay any university fees to the partner university they are attending. Erasmus funding is available for students and staff.

For more information, students may apply to the Erasmus+ University Office.

The Students’ Union –
The Students’ Union, to which all students automatically become members, is run by the students and operates for the benefit of the students. It exists to promote the social, cultural, academic and athletic life of the student body. The Union aims to represent the views of the students, internally and externally of the University. Representatives of the Students Union attend the University Council and the Senate.

Clubs and Societies –
A variety of opportunities are provided for students in their spare time and take the form of physical, social, cultural and other events. Clubs and societies are formed according to the interests of the students, i.e. Dance, Music, Theatre, Photography, Fine Arts etc. The Clubs and societies organise social events such as:

 Theatrical Performances;
 Photography Classes, Excursions and Exhibitions;
 Fine Arts Exhibitions;
 Concerts and Music Performances.

The functions of the clubs and societies are coordinated by the Student Activities Office.

The words «Philips University» must be used in the official designation of any club or society consisting of students and the club or society shall be affiliated to the Students Union.

The Council of the Students Union may fund an affiliated club or society, provided that:
(i) The constitution of the club or society, including the membership subscription rate, have been approved by the Council of the Students Union, and
(ii) The club or society submits annually, before the 1st of May, its accounts for the previous year as well as its estimates of expenditure for the following year. Affiliated clubs and societies must receive four weeks’ notice regarding this requirement.

Any affiliated club or society which does not apply to the Council of the Students’ Union for a grant has to submit a copy of its annual budget no later than 1st of May of each year.

Prizes –
Full-time students who make an outstanding contribution to clubs and societies of the University are eligible for special University awards.

The Gerry Fowler Cultural Centre –
The Gerry Fowler Cultural Centre operates under the auspices of Philips University. The Centre has multi-purpose rooms with a seating capacity for 200 people. The rooms are used for meetings, conferences and other events organized by the University or other cultural organizations in Nicosia.

The Students’ Centre of Philips University –
The Students’ Centre of Philips University is situated in the University.

Its main purpose is to provide a suitable place for the promotion and encouragement of the students’ academic social activities as well as a range of other cultural activities.

Use of Facilities and Resources –
All undergraduate and postgraduate students have the right to use the facilities and resources of the University in the context of completing their program of studies. After the time allocated for the use of facilities and resources by the students, according to the program of studies, the students are obliged to return the facilities and resources in the same good condition that they were given to them.

All undergraduate and postgraduate students have the right to use the Library of the University, where the presentation of a Student Identity Card will allow them to borrow books for a specific period of time. The return of borrowed books, journals, etc, is a prerequisite for the awarding of their degree, unless the Rector’s Council decides otherwise.

The use of the facilities of Philips University by student clubs and groups of students for assemblies or meetings constitutes one of the rights of students, unless the educational process is obstructed. The Chair of the relevant Department must approve the right to use a specific room. Student events in venues which fall under the responsibility of the Dean or the Rector require prior written approval by the respective body.

The Student and Academic Services Unit will contribute to the mission of the University by working together with the University community to provide high-quality research and teaching, as well as innovative and accessible services.

The Unit will achieve its mission by fostering a caring, positive, unique student experience and campus environment. Student and Academic Services Division staff will strive to provide quality co-ordinated services which are student-focused and are integrated with those of the wider University community. This will be achieved through recognition of diversity, being culturally sensitive, responsive to change and by investing in the specialized skills and knowledge of its community of people.

Outstanding Student Experiences –
Outstanding student experiences will be achieved by:
• Supporting a safe and stimulating learning environment;
• Developing, in partnership with academic staff, an environment that improves student retention and achievement;
• Recognizing and celebrating the diversity of the University community;
• Improving recruitment, retention, achievement and future employment of international students through the provision of responsive services;
• Supporting a healthy campus environment;
• Outstanding and safe campus environments;
• Strengthening engagement;
• Developing and sustaining individual capability.

The Philips University Information Technology Centre –
The Philips University Information Centre provides services to all University students and develops and maintains programs for a wide range of applications. The Information Technology personnel provide training, information, advice and assistance to users on campus.