Entry to the profession of academic staff

Academic staff positions at the public universities of Cyprus are open to any applicant who has the necessary qualifications for the post. Academic staff positions are those of the Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor and Lecturer. In addition, there also exist the following posts: Professor Emeritus, Visiting Professors, Postgraduate Research Associates and Specialist Teaching Staff. Ten percent of the number of posts for academic staff are held for the purpose of inviting Visiting Professors or recalling Professors.
The posts of Professor and Associate Professor are filled either by advertisement, call or upgrading. The post of Assistant Professor is recruited by means of advertisement or upgrading and Lecturer posts are filled by advertisement.
Vacancies for positions are announced in the Official Gazette of the Republic, in local
newspapers and the overseas press.
In the case of private universities, Law 109(I)/2005 provides that the way of selection of academic staff shall be prescribed in the Charter of each private university and shall correspond to international standards and anything applicable at the University of Cyprus. The teaching-research staff shall be graded hierarchically as Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors and Lecturers. Professors emeriti, Visiting Professors and postgraduate associates may also serve at the university. In each university department, specialist teaching staff may serve to a percentage not exceeding that of 30% of the Faculty's teaching research staff.
Teaching posts at public institutions of Higher Education are filled either by appointment after vacancies have been announced publicly or by promotion, according to conditions provided by the relevant regulations. Once a vacant position has been announced, any qualified individual who is a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus or the European Union may apply. The procedure followed for appointment may either be based on the provisions made by the laws governing the Civil Service, or on special legislation passed for a specific institution. Some applicants may be
appointed to the permanent staff of the institution and others on a contractual basis,
according to needs.

Professional status

Academic staff at the university level are accountable to the governing bodies of the Universities. Teaching personnel at public institutions of Higher Education are public servants with a permanent, temporary or on probation position. Teaching staff at the private institutions of Higher Education are accountable to the governing bodies of the Institutions.

Salaries

Academic and special educational staff at the public universities are placed on salary scales that are approved by the University Council. They receive a Cost-of- Living Allowance and any other benefits which are approved by the Council.
Salaries for academic staff at public institutions of Higher Education are determined on the basis of the scales relating to the job. Benefits for teaching staff in this sector include an annual salary increase of basic salary, a thirteenth monthly salary and free medical care.
Salaries for academic staff at private universities are prescribed in the Charter of each institution. Salaries at the private institutions of Higher Education are set by the owners of the institutions.

Working Time and Holidays

Public Universities

The academic staff at the three public universities have not set working hours.
Instead, the universities regulate the courses to be taught and the academic activities according to the needs at the time. The academic staff take the public service holidays. Sick leave, maternity leave and other types of leave are governed by the regulations proposed by the Senate and approved by the University Council of each university. Academic staff are entitled to pay sabbatical leave for one semester for three years of service, and a year’s sabbatical for every six years of service. It is possible for members of the academic staff to be granted unpaid leave for one year to conduct research or work at another university, subject to the recommendation of the Senate and after approval by the University Council.

Public Institutions of Higher Education

The academic year at public institutions of Higher Education begins on September 1st and ends on June 30th. Each institution decides its own weekly work schedule, which varies from that followed by the Civil Service. The weekly teaching load depends on the teaching position.
Permanent members of the academic staff are public servants and are, therefore, entitled to all public holidays as well as a holiday period that ranges from four to six weeks, depending on the number of years of service. There may also be additional special arrangements in individual institutions at the discretion of the Director. Leave is granted in accordance with the rules and regulations in effect for public servants.

Private universities and private institutions of Higher Education

Teaching time and holidays of the academic staff at the private universities are prescribed in the Charter of each university, while at the private institutions of Higher Education they are set by the owners of the institutions.

Promotion, Advancement

Academic staff in public universities may be promoted to the positions of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor. To gain promotion, one must apply when there is a vacancy, if they satisfy the minimum criteria set for the position.
Academic staff in public universities may also be elected to the position of Rector, Vice Rector, Faculty Dean and the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of a Department.
Promotion and advancement procedures of the academic staff at the private universities shall be prescribed in the Charter of each University.
At the public institutions of Higher Education there are appointments and promotion positions indicated in the schemes of service applying to each institution. When there is a vacant position, usually there is open recruitment, and the post is advertised in the press.

Retirement

Academic staff of all three public universities are required to retire at the end of the academic year, in which they become sixty-seven years of age. Retirement age of men and women are, in all cases, the same.