Establishment

A Laboratory entitled “Social Policy and Lifelong Learning” is established within the School of Social and Human Sciences of the University of Western Macedonia. The Laboratory serves educational and research needs in the following academic fields:

• Educational Policy
• Political Sociology
• Social Policy – Policy of Rights
• Social Inequality

The operation of the Laboratory is governed by this Internal Regulation, as described in the following articles.

The Social Policy and Lifelong Learning Laboratory has the following mission:

1. To meet the teaching and research needs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels of the departments of the School of Social and Human Sciences, as well as other departments of the University, in areas that fall within the academic fields of the Laboratory, as specified in Article 1 of this decision.
2. To conduct research in the scientific areas of the Laboratory, as specified in Article 1 of this decision.
3. To promote research, collaboration, and the exchange of scientific knowledge with other laboratories of the Institution, as well as with laboratories of other academic and research institutions in Greece and abroad, provided that their scientific goals coincide or complement those of the Laboratory.
4. To collaborate with public bodies, local government organizations, scientific and social institutions, and international organizations, contributing to the study, submission of proposals, and development of alternative or innovative methods for addressing issues related to the Laboratory’s research interests.
5. To produce modern pedagogical and research material in printed and electronic form, including articles, journals, books, and collective volumes.
6. To organize seminars, workshops, symposia, conferences, lectures, and other scientific events, and to invite distinguished scholars from Greece and abroad.
7. To produce knowledge that can be transformed into services and products, which may be utilized by public and private organizations.
8. To undertake research, training, and development projects, actions, and studies commissioned by public or private entities.
9. To provide services in accordance with Presidential Decree 159/1984 “Conditions for the provision of services by university laboratories to private individuals and organizations of any legal form” (Government Gazette A’ 53).

The Social Policy and Lifelong Learning Laboratory is staffed by:

1. Faculty members of the School of Social and Human Sciences whose academic expertise is related to the scientific fields of the Laboratory, as defined in Article 1.
2. Teaching and Laboratory staff of the School and its academic units, as defined in Article 29 of Law 4009/2011, whose academic expertise is related to the scientific areas of the Laboratory.
3. Visiting professors from other higher education institutions in Greece or abroad, and specialized researchers from other universities or research centers collaborating with the Laboratory.
4. Postdoctoral researchers, PhD holders, PhD candidates, and postgraduate students participating in the implementation of projects and services offered by the Laboratory.

The Laboratory is directed by the Director, who is a member of the Teaching and Research Faculty of the School of Social and Human Sciences, with academic expertise corresponding to the scientific field of the Laboratory.

The Director is elected for a three-year term, renewable, by the General Assembly of the School of Social and Human Sciences of the University of Western Macedonia.

The Director may hold the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor and is elected according to Article 29 of Law 4485/2017 (Government Gazette A’ 114).

In case of absence or impediment, the Director is replaced by a faculty member of the same Laboratory, starting with the most senior member from the highest academic rank down to the Assistant Professor level.

The Director performs the duties assigned by current legislation and, additionally:

• Represents the Laboratory in the University’s collective bodies.
• Coordinates and supervises the teaching and research work of the Laboratory.
• Submits to the School’s General Assembly the annual operational plan and the annual and triennial activity reports of the Laboratory.
• Ensures compliance with the Internal Regulation, staff adequacy, financial management of Laboratory resources, and allocation of Laboratory space.
• Proposes to the competent bodies: (a) the appointment of persons responsible for consumables and movable equipment, and (b) the procurement of necessary Laboratory equipment.
• Signs all administrative documents concerning the Laboratory’s operation and is generally responsible for its smooth and efficient functioning.

1. The Laboratory is housed and operates in premises of the School of Social and Human Sciences allocated by decision of the Dean, for the purpose of conducting its research, teaching, and development activities. A sign indicating the title of the Laboratory and the Director’s details is placed at the site.
2. The Director is responsible for the overall operation of the Laboratory, the use of its instruments and materials, the presence of personnel, students, and visitors within its premises, and the protection of its equipment and installations.
3. The Laboratory complies with all safety and health regulations, as provided by current legislation.

1. The Laboratory operates on working days and hours, in accordance with the Internal Regulations of the University of Western Macedonia. The working hours of the staff are determined according to the applicable institutional framework and regulations for each staff category.
2. The Director is informed before any research activity is carried out within the Laboratory in the framework of research programs or other projects, and determines priority in the use of facilities and equipment when necessary.
3. When the appointment of scientists in the Laboratory’s teaching and research activities is permitted by current legislation, such appointments are made upon the Director’s recommendation to the competent bodies of the School and the University.
4. Laboratory equipment made available for educational or research purposes must be returned in the condition in which it was received.

The Laboratory operates solely through its own resources and does not burden the regular budget or state funding of the University. Specifically, its revenues derive from:

• Paid participation in national, European, or international research programs.
• The implementation of research and development programs, studies, and services provided to public, social, and private organizations.
• The distribution of research or scientific and artistic outputs.
• The provision of services in accordance with Presidential Decree 159/1984 (Government Gazette A’ 53).
• Bequests, donations, grants, and other financial contributions from individuals or organizations in Greece or abroad, provided they do not conflict with the founding objectives of the Laboratory and the University of Western Macedonia.
• The organization of conferences and educational seminars.
• Any other lawful source of funding.

For its operation, the Laboratory maintains, in electronic or printed form, the following records and documents:

• Register of incoming and outgoing correspondence.
• Asset register detailing equipment, software, and materials belonging to the Laboratory.
• File of administrative and financial documents per calendar year.
• Archive of scientific books, journals, and other relevant material.
• Archive of educational and research programs in which the Laboratory has participated or independently implemented.
• Activity report archive, including scientific publications, organization of conferences, seminars, and lectures, and staff participation in scientific activities.
  By decision of the Director, additional books or records may be maintained, as required by law or deemed necessary for the Laboratory’s operation.

1. The title of the Laboratory is “Social Policy and Lifelong Learning Laboratory” and is indicated on all its official documents.
2. For communication with international educational and research institutions, the English title “Social Policy and Lifelong Learning Laboratory” is used.
3. The Laboratory uses a seal identical to that of the School of Social and Human Sciences, with the addition of its title and logo.
4. A corresponding seal in English is used for foreign correspondence.

1. The Laboratory may be renamed, merged, abolished, or otherwise modified, and its Internal Regulation may be amended, by decision of the Rector following a resolution of the University Senate, taken after a proposal by the Dean’s Office of the School of Social and Human Sciences. The proposal must be accompanied by the Internal Regulation of the unit to be established.
2. The Rector’s decision, including the Internal Regulation, shall be published in the Government Gazette.

For any matters not regulated in this Internal Regulation, the competent authority is the Dean’s Office of the School of Social and Human Sciences of the University of Western Macedonia.

This decision shall take effect upon its publication in the Government Gazette.
This decision shall be published in the Government Gazette.