Research Profile and Strategy

Alexander College Research Policy

Alexander College promotes research and research quality as an important component of its mission. Research, learning & teaching at Alexander College take account of the national context, the institutional context and our strategic approach. It is based on the perspective that research is an exciting quest and adds value to skills generated by Higher Education. We make research fit our teaching and learning. We encourage scholarly activity to strengthen the link between education and research through a series of means:

  • Through Curriculum which encourages students to explore existing and discover new knowledge
  • Through Facilities which offer incentives to apply and seek knowledge
  • Through enhancing Research development of academics and structured cooperation with Organizations

Vision

To foster research culture and activity in the academic and student community of Alexander College.

To develop socially beneficial research activity which will embrace the academic community, the economy and the society.

To form consortiums of cooperation with organizations and services designing research.

Regulations and procedures of research work

Forms

Alexander Research Centre

Research Centre, affiliated to the Institution plays a pivotal role in enhancing research culture.

Vision

  • To foster research culture and activity in the academic and student community of Alexander College
  • To develop socially beneficial research activity which will encompass the academic community, the economy and the society
  • To form consortiums of cooperation with organizations and services designing research proposals

Aims & Objectives

  • The promotion of research, innovation and critical studies in connection with the educational mission of Alexander College
  • The dedication in the fields of economy, design, law, arts and culture, education, information technology, international and European relations and the cooperation between the Cypriot communities.
  • The conduct of surveys and research, seminars, conferences, symposiums, training, publications, partnerships and collaborations with other organizations to promote the above objectives.
  • The promotion of interdisciplinary research, cooperation among peers and other institutions, academics and generally people of letters and arts

Gold for Research at the Cyprus Education Leaders Awards 2021 for a pioneer project engaging Faculty and Students and Bronze under the same category in years 2022-23.

Faculty Development Programs (FDP)

Alexander College faculty development program is a structured plan to enhance support to the professional growth and effectiveness of faculty members. The objectives of the Program are to promote:

  1. Innovative teaching/pedagogical approaches-techniques, learning strategies; emerging trends in education and in the related industry sectors; technology integration skills.
  2. Job satisfaction, staff retainment and quality staff attraction through personal growth support.
  3. A higher sense of community via collaborations, idea sharing and networking.
  4. Academic excellence (as per the Academic Excellence Framework).

FDP will cooperate with external stakeholders, the Canterbury Christ Church (School of Teacher Education) established Associations and Organisations and leading professionals which will transfer related know-how and expertise, overall contributing to the continuous improvement of the quality of education provided at Alexander College.

Academic Career Pathways orientations and Workload at Alexander College

Alexander College embraces Academic Career Pathways under which a broad workload of activities is expected as well as progression and reward of contribution.

The College recognizes that each academic career pathway is a long – term demonstration of academic activity to qualify the individual staff to reach full participation and allocation of an annual workload.

The Teaching and Research academic career pathway includes roles that involve teaching and scholarship of teaching, research, administration, academic leadership / service to the College. Undertakes teaching and scholarship of teaching including scholarly activities, research, and other activities. In the workload allocation for teaching, the number of face-to-face hours (or equivalent delivery) will not exceed 336 hours. The research component will not be less than 20% and not exceed 50% of the total workload allocation. Other activities will not normally exceed 30%.

Allocation of research time between the range of 40%-50% of workload. To encourage productivity and enhance high quality research across  Programmes and the College, the Academic Board has made the following decision focusing more to the Teaching – Research Pathway:

  1. To Allocate more research time based on individual performance metrics (from minimum 20% to 40%+ of the workload). For Business (field) including the MBA, performance metrics will take into consideration a non-exhaustive list of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
  2. Under the guidance of the Academic Board, an individual plan (with role expectations, discussion of envisaged development opportunities and career planning) is formulated for each member of the faculty. Identified targets and key performance indicators will be monitored annually for a period of three years of development (when the review and assessment takes place). List of evidence.

The Teaching – focused academic career pathway involves a higher proportion of teaching related activities and may also include contributions in research, administration, and academic leadership / service. Undertakes teaching and scholarship of teaching including scholarly activities and other activities. In the workload allocation for teaching, the number of face-to-face hours (or equivalent delivery) will not exceed 420 hours. Other activities will not normally exceed 30% of the total workload allocation.

For more info see https://alexander.ac.cy/academic-career-development-at-alexander-college/