Academic advising is considered as a developmental process through which students are assisted, guided, supported and empowered to identify their academic and personal goals, develop plans and strategies to achieve them, and evaluate the outcomes of their own planning. It helps students connect to the university community and utilize the expertise and resources available for academic, professional and personal success.
Let’s see how our Academic Advisors enjoy their role in academic advising.
- Provide an overview of the student’s progress and assistance provided
- Refresh Advisor’s memory prior to return visit and help when planning next steps
- Increases Advisor’s efficiency by focusing on key issues rather than revisiting the all the information
- Communicate information to other University personnel if necessary
- Issues raised
- Goals and outcomes of the meeting
- Advice/Recommendations made
- Agreed follow up actions
- Use general and objective language based on facts
- Be as clear, concise, complete, and professional as far as possible
- Avoid using acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon as far as possible
- Do not evaluate, judge or include your personal opinion or assumption
- Consult a supervisor or colleague(s) when you are not sure about what information to include in advising record
- There will be regular training workshops/briefing sessions for Academic Advisors to facilitate the implementation of academic advising at PolyU.
- The e-learning course, “Theory and Practice of Academic Advising”, contains informative contents including the concepts, values, goals and importance of academic advising and the necessary knowledge and skills for conducting academic advising for students. Academic Advisors can access the course on Blackboard.
Under LTC42/A4, all new Academic Advisors should attend the “Introduction of Academic Advising Training Workshop” and at least 50% of Academic Advisors within each School/ Department should complete the e-learning course “Theory and Practice of Academic Advising” on Blackboard in an academic year
To prepare and support Academic Advisors in playing their advising role, four videos on major advising issues are available:
- Advising First-Year Students
- Advising Non-local Students
- Advising SEN Students
- Advising Students on Academic Probation
These videos aim to serve as a reference for Academic Advisors to understand major advising issues and prepare for advising students.
If you have any questions about the videos, please feel free to contact us at 3400 8203 or email at ous.enq@polyu.edu.hk
Academic Advisors may refer to the following documents to learn more about the academic advising system in PolyU and information on advising students
- Operation Manual for Academic Advisors
- Guidance Notes - General University Requirements (For students admitted from 2022/23)
- GUR Subjects Library
- LTC/42/A4 (Revised in June 2024)
- PolyU Student Support Services and Resources
- Guidelines on Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs
- Guidelines for Supporting Students Admitted via Special Talents Admission and Recognition Scheme (STARS) (Except OSRS and SALSA)
- Guidelines for Supporting Students Admitted via Outstanding Sportsmen Recommendation Scheme (OSRS) and Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA Scheme)
Staff are welcome to contact the designated Undergraduate Studies Support Officers for information on GUR and student advising.
Undergraduate Studies Support Officer | Telephone | Department / School | |
Ms Christine Chan | christinec.chan@polyu.edu.hk | 3400 8239 | APSS, BEEE, BRE, CEE, ISE, LMS, LSGI |
Ms Rhonda Cheung | rhonda.cheung@polyu.edu.hk | 3400 8205 | AF, CBS, CC, ENGL, HTI, ME, SO |
Ms Polly Chiu | polly.chiu@polyu.edu.hk | 3400 8183 | AAE, BME, COMP, DSAI ,MM, RS, SD, SHTM |
Miss Janet Lam | janetts.lam@polyu.edu.hk | 3400 8244 | ABCT, AMA, AP, EEE, FSN, SFT, SN |