Academic Advising

Academic advising is a major focus in the educational process, as it provides many facilities for students, and the counseling process is the first supporter of the student’s journey during university life.

Most higher education institutions rely on the experiences of faculty members in guiding students in academic matters such as choosing a major, providing students with suggestions and advice that contribute to improving their educational attainment, helping them overcome their academic and administrative problems, knowing their tendencies, developing the special abilities of each of them, and benefiting from the experiences available at the university.

Academic advising is one of the important services that positively affect the student’s cognitive, academic and professional development. In light of the changes in the university environment, the university student needs guidance and counseling services that help him adapt, and provide him with information and skills that enable him to improve his educational attainment and give him the ability to progress.

Academic advisor:

He is a faculty member who guides and assists the student to solve his academic problems and improve his academic achievement.

Academic advisor role:

1- Introducing students to the university educational institution in which they study, and its academic and student systems.

2- Helping students to choose the majors that suit their abilities and potentials and match their tendencies and desires.

3- Supporting students and helping them get better results in their educational journey.

4- Helping students to solve their academic and personal problems.

5- Directing students to benefit from the services and capabilities provided by the educational institution.

6- Guiding stumbling students to help them overcome their stumbles and achieve the desired success, and help them overcome the obstacles and problems they face.

7- Taking care of male and female students who excel in their studies and the talented ones, and to enhance their abilities.

Academic advisor goals:

The concept of academic advising in its broad framework is not just about registration. The academic advisor must build a continuous relationship with the student. He is a responsible interface that represents the college at a certain level. Therefore, he is the most knowledgeable about students’ needs. Academic advising has several goals:

1- Directing students to know the value of the university experience.

2- Providing students with correct information about the college, educational policy, resources and study programs.

3- Determining educational goals and defining an educational plan that matches the needs of students.

4- Adapting of students to the university atmosphere.

5- Strengthening the capabilities of students with regard to their main fields.

6- Preparing a list of eligible courses during the required time period (study plan).

7- Helping students to expand their information base through courses outside the main field of specialization.

8- Considering main job opportunities available.

9- Following -up and evaluating of students' reports during their studies.

10- Helping students to improve their academic skills to overcome the academic difficulties they encounter.

11- When necessary, helping students deal with their own problems.

12- Helping students prepare to enter the labor market.

Duties of Academic Advisor:

1- Introducing the student to the vocabulary of the study plan in the college (levels, specializations, compulsory and optional courses for the college and the university) and introducing the student to the transitional provisions.

2- Introducing the student to the names of the courses, their symbols, their previous requirements, the equivalent courses and their sequence, and guiding the students to the best ways to benefit from them.

3- Introducing the new student to the system of courses, levels, transfer, success and failure.

4- Providing academic advice and assisting the student in the process of registering courses and selecting the appropriate ones.

5- Introducing students to the academic systems at the university in general (credit hours, registration, grades, warnings, academic probation.....) and explaining the meaning of the point equivalent (numerical), the literal equivalent of the mark, the semester grade point average, the general cumulative grade point average, and how to calculate them .

6- Encouraging and supporting the gifted and talented and helping the stumbled to advance and improve their educational level.

7- Developing the student's own capabilities in solving his problems and correcting his academic career.

8- Encouraging the student to play a positive role in the educational process, such as participating in college and university activities.

9- Ensuring that students know the dates of registration of courses, deletion, addition, and change of sections according to the regular procedures.

10- Helping each student (on his own) to register the study hours that are compatible with his abilities and consistent with the university system within their upper and lower limits.

11- Assisting the student in filling out university forms in the correct manner, submitting them at the appropriate dates, and ensuring that all required data are filled out.

12- Directing the student on how to benefit from the summer semesters, the proposed courses to be registered, and the implementation of study projects and plans.

13- Introducing the new student to the university’s facilities, tasks and administrative hierarchy.

14- Preparing a special file for each student that includes his university life.

15- Emphasizing the importance of attending theoretical and practical lectures, explaining the dangers of absence and its repercussions, and making the student understand that he exceeds the permissible percentage (15%) as an absence in any course will expose him to deprivation from the exam at the end of the semester.

16 - Explanting of the examination systems for the student and his awareness.

17- Explanting of disciplinary penalties in cases of confusion and cheating in university exams.

18- Explanting of graduation requirements (the number of credit hours, the required average for graduation (2) points (4), the percentage rate, the point average, and graduation estimates, the number of permitted conditional success courses.....).

19- Explanting of the meaning of the assessment is incomplete (in complete=I) in cases where the student is unable to complete the work required of him for reasons beyond his control and the assessment of deprivation (Z) is a denial of entry to the exam as a result of absences or penalties.

20- Explanting of the meaning of the grade (W) in the event the student wishes to withdraw one of the courses and it is not included in the calculation of the student’s cumulative average.

Student responsibilities towards the academic advisor:

1- The student is responsible for meeting with the academic advisor during the add and drop period to assist him in preparing the schedule and selecting the appropriate courses according to the academic plan.

2- The student must review the university brochure (student guide) and know the academic regulations and all the requirements of the academic program.

3- Following the study plan prepared by the college is the safest way to ensure the completion of all requirements on time.

4- The student should consult the academic advisor and develop an alternative study plan if circumstances arise (such as withdrawal, failure, change of major) to ensure the completion of all graduation requirements.

5- The student is supposed to communicate permanently with his academic advisor, particularly during the registration period.

6- The student must review his academic advisor and the rules and regulations in all matters related to the academic career, particularly in cases: registration, adding courses, withdrawing from the university and making academic decisions. The academic advisor directs the student to the relevant office.

7- The student must have a high degree of academic awareness that makes him worthy of taking responsibility and respecting university norms.