Aims of the Academic Advising System

Academic advising at PolyU aims to help students make informed and intelligent academic decisions/choices about their studies at PolyU that suit their intellectual, professional and personal goals. It is instrumental to promoting student success, and plays a vital role in enhancing students’ overall learning experience at PolyU.

Academic Advising @ AP

(a) Arrangement

Every undergraduate and higher diploma student admitted to our department will be assigned to one academic staff member who will act as his/her Academic Advisor throughout his/her course of study at PolyU. The teaching team will introduce the Academic Advising System and the academic advisors to new students during the induction meetings.

(b) Roles of Academic Advisor

The main responsibilities of an Academic Advisor include:

1. Building rapport with the students;
2. Being accessible, available and responsive;
3. Helping students to clarify their intellectual, professional and personal goals;
4. Helping students to develop an appropriate study plan;
5. Alerting students to academic regulations and requirements, particularly those relating to one’s Major;
6. Providing early identification of students with special learning needs or signs of learning problems and making necessary referrals; and
7. Contacting with students regularly and have at least one face-to-face meeting (individually or in small groups) during the academic year. Students are expected to consult the advisors before subject registration.

(c) Responsibilities of Students in Academic Advising

The advisee is an equal partner in the advising process. As advisees students are ultimately responsible for their educational choices and decisions. They are expected to:

1. Clarify personal abilities, interests, and goals for academics and life.
2. Contact and schedule regular appointments with their Departmental Academic Advisor and the Academic Advising Officer each year as required or when in need of assistance.
3. Prepare for advising sessions. Understand and review their academic progress before meeting their Academic Advisor/Academic Advising Officer. Study the Programme Document (PD).
4. Become knowledgeable and adhere to institutional policies, procedures, and requirements.
5. Have an open mind and be ready to consider advice given by teachers, Academic Advisors/ Academic Advising Officers and other staff.
6. Read their PolyU e-mails and other important communications from the University and their Academic Advisor and Academic Advising Officer.
7. Access and use eStudent for academic updates, information updating, registration, and other purposes.
8. Accept final responsibilityfor all decisions made and their graduation requirements.