Internal Regulations of the ΜΒΑ
General Provisions
The Department of Economics of the School of Economics of the University of Western Macedonia co-organizes with the Department of Economics of Chiang Mai University (CMU), Thailand and operates from the academic year 2025-2026 a Inter-institutional Postgraduate Program entitled "MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence". The Department responsible for the administation of the Programme is the Department of Economics of the University of Western Macedonia.
The structure, organization and operation of the MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence is governed by the provisions of the current legislation on higher education institutions and postgraduate studies (the provisions of Law 4957/2022 (Government Gazette 141 A) "New Horizons in Higher Education Institutions: Strengthening the quality, functionality and connection of higher education institutions with society and other provisions" and in particular articles 79-85 and 455, the clarifying circular of the Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs with number 13557/Z1/1-11-2022. 4957/2022 "New Horizons in Higher Education Institutions: Strengthening the quality, functionality and connectivity of higher education institutions. Quality, Quality, Functionality and Functionality of Higher Education Institutions, Improvement of Quality, Functionality and Integration of Higher Education Institutions with Society and Other Provisions", the Ministerial Decisions referred to in the above-mentioned paragraphs: (a) 108990/Z1/8-9-2022 "Regulation of the issues related to the procedure of enrolment in a Postgraduate Studies Programme with enrolment fees" (B' 4899) and (b) 18137/Z1/16-2-2023 "Determination of the conditions and procedure for the organization of Postgraduate Studies Programmes with Distance Education Methods in Higher Educational Institutions (A. E.I.)" (B/1079), the provisions of Law 3374/2005 and in particular Articles 14 and 15 (Government Gazette 189/T.A./2.8.2005) "Quality assurance in higher education. System of transfer and accumulation of credits. Diploma Supplement", as amended and in force, the Special Protocol of Cooperation between the Departments of Economics of the ΜΒΑ and CMU as well as the present Internal Regulations of the I.P.M.S.
The provisions of the Regulations of the MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence, as detailed below, specify and complement the legislative framework governing postgraduate studies and regulate the operation of this MBA, which are not regulated by the existing legislation, the Special Protocol of Cooperation, but are either authorized by law, or regulated by decisions of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the University of Western Macedonia and the Curriculum Committee (CPC) of the ΜΒΑ.
For the settlement of any organizational, administrative, student, educational or academic issue of the ΜΒΑ, the regulation of which is not provided for by the legislation or by the decisions of the above competent bodies, the Special Protocol of Cooperation and the present Rules of Operation of the specific ΜΒΑ, the Coordinating Committee of the ΜΒΑ is responsible to settle it, based on Article 11 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation.
The Programme awards a Diploma of Postgraduate Studies (Master of Science) "MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence".
The title of the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies is issued and awarded in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation.
The objective of the ΜΒΑ, which operates in the facilities of the Department of Economics, UOWM (responsible for the administation of the Programme) and in those of the Department of Economics, CMU, is the study of managerial decision making using artificial intelligence methods while providing specialization in Management Economics. Course deliveries, examinations as well as all other learning processes are carried out using synchronous and/or asynchronous tele-education without the physical presence of the students in the departments that organize the ΜΒΑ.
It is addressed to university graduates who want to make a career as managers of companies and organizations using artificial intelligence methods for making administrative decisions while providing expertise in the fields of economy and business, so that they can meet the growing needs of an economy, as they evolve and are formed within the European Union and internationally.
The main objectives of the ΜΒΑ are the following:
- the cultivation and promotion of scientific knowledge and research in the above fields.
- to satisfy the educational, research, social and developmental needs of the country in the above fields
- the integration of advanced technologies in strategic business decision-making
- the development of critical and research skills required for doctoral studies.
The ultimate goal of the ΜΒΑ is to ensure the quality and continuous improvement of every aspect of the Programme, the educational and research process and to promote collaborations with relevant Programmes and Centres at home and abroad.
Admission of Postgraduate Students
5.1 Number of Admissions
The number of students admitted to the ΜΒΑ is defined in Article 6 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation. In addition, members of the categories R.E.P., R.D.I.P. and R.T.E.P., if they meet the requirements of the first paragraph of par. 1 of article 34 of Law 4485/17, can be registered as supernumerary and only one per year per ΜΒΑ, organized in Departments of the Institution they serve, which is relevant to the degree and the work they perform in the Institution concerned.
5.2 Selection criteria and procedure
Graduates of higher education institutions of the domestic and/or recognized similar institutions of foreign countries are admitted to the ΜΒΑ, in accordance with Article 5 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation.
The call for expressions of interest for the submission of applications for the ΜΒΑ is published on the website of the ΜΒΑ, the Department and the Institution or in any other mass media and contains all information on how to submit applications, the necessary qualifications, the required documents and the selection criteria.
The Director of the ΜΒΑ, on dates set by the AC, shall advertise positions by open procedure (call for expressions of interest) for the admission of graduates to the ΜΒΑ.
The invitation shall specify the admission requirements, the categories of graduates and number of admission, the admission procedure, the deadlines for submitting applications and the supporting documents required. Applications together with the necessary supporting documents are to be submitted to the Secretariat of the Department in question in paper or electronic form.
Applications are valid if they are submitted electronically to the secretariat of the ΜΒΑ. within the deadline.
Candidates must submit the following documents to the secretariat of the ΜΒΑ:
The application form is provided by the Secretariat of the Department of Economics of the University of Western Macedonia in Kastoria and can be found in electronic form on the website of the Department of Economics (mandatory).
Photocopy of the degree (obligatory).
Photocopy of the analytical score (compulsory).
Photocopy of your identity card (both sides) or passport (obligatory).
One recent photograph, which must be attached to the candidate's application form (compulsory).
A detailed curriculum vitae (compulsory).
Two letters of recommendation from either the academic or professional world (mandatory).
Evidence of work experience (optional).
Certificate of English language skills (compulsory)
Certificate of knowledge of other languages (optional).
Photocopy of another postgraduate degree or second degree from a higher education institution or equivalent in a foreign country (optional).
Scientific publications (optional).
Anything that may support the candidature for the specific field of study (optional).
5.3 Procedure for the evaluation of applications
The selection board will evaluate applications which are both submitted within the deadlines and complete with the required supporting documents. The evaluation will be carried out in three (3) stages:
The first stage involves the selection board checking the formal qualifications of candidates who have submitted all the required supporting documents (1-7) in good time.
The second stage involves the evaluation of those who were successful in the first stage and involves the marking procedure.
The selection of candidates for admission to the ΜΒΑ is made by the Board on the basis of the following criteria, on a scale of 0 to 100:
Degree of basic qualification. Maximum number of points 25. e.g. a degree of 8 is equivalent to 20 points
Proven work experience relevant to the broader subject matter of the ΜΒΑ. Maximum number of points 25.
0 months = 0 points
Up to 2 months = 2 points
More than 2 months and up to 12 months = 10 points
More than 12 months and up to 36 months = 20 points
More than 36 months = 25 points
Knowledge of a second foreign language. Maximum number of points 10.
Good knowledge (B2) = 5 points
Very good (C1/C1)=7,5 points
Excellent knowledge (C2/C2)= 10 points
Other information to be included in your CV. Maximum number of points 10.
The third stage involves an interview with the candidates proposed by the Evaluation Committee, with a maximum of 30 points. In the third stage, the Board draws up a list with detailed marks of the successful and successful candidates of the ΜΒΑ, which is submitted to the Departmental Assembly for validation. In the case of a tie between the candidates, the rules and regulations of the University of Western Macedonia's postgraduate studies will be followed.
After the validation of the list of successful and runner-up candidates by the Board of Directors and within ten (10) working days the results of the selection of candidates for the Master's degree programme, i.e. the list of successful and runner-up candidates, in descending order of ranking, are posted on the tables of the responsible Department and announced on its website.
With the announcement of the results on the website of the Department, the Director or Deputy Director of the Department will announce the list of the shortlisted candidates. The letter of acceptance states that within ten (10) working days from the announcement of the results, the successful candidates are invited to reply with a Declaration of Acceptance, in accordance with the law, to the Secretariat of the Department. In the event of a non-timely response by a selected candidate within the prescribed deadline, the candidate will be deemed to have withdrawn from the candidature. If there are any resignations, the Secretariat will inform the next runners-up in the order of the evaluation list.
Any objections by candidates shall be lodged with the secretariat of the ΜΒΑ within five (5) working days from the date of the announcement of the results. Objections will be examined by the selection board, which will ultimately decide whether or not to accept them and whether or not to amend the list of successful candidates and runners-up.
Duration of Studies
In accordance with Article 4 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation, the regular cycle of studies of the ΜΒΑ has a duration of three (3) semesters, each of which includes at least thirteen weeks and two (2) weeks of examinations.
The maximum duration for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma of Studies (M.Sc.) is six (6) semesters.
In case the postgraduate student is at an advanced stage of his/her studies and in particular in the writing of the Master's Thesis which he/she has not completed within the maximum duration of studies, he/she is entitled to submit a one-time justified request for an extension of his/her studies to the Board of the Master's Degree Programme, which decides upon the relevant recommendation of the supervisor/supervising professor/supervisor. The extension may not exceed two (2) consecutive academic semesters.
If the postgraduate student does not successfully complete the obligations arising from the study of the Master's degree within the maximum duration of study provided for by these Internal Regulations, and possibly also the extension granted, he/she will be removed from the Master's degree by decision of the Committee following the recommendation of the Board of Directors. The removal will be communicated to the student concerned by the Secretariat of the supervising Department.
The postgraduate student is entitled to request the suspension of his/her studies once and with a reasoned request from the EPC, for proven serious reasons. The Committee decides, after a relevant oral recommendation of the Director of the Master's degree programme, to approve or reject the relevant application.
The maximum duration of the suspension of studies that may be approved by the Committeeis up to two (2) semesters, and is not counted in the duration of the postgraduate student's studies.
The suspension may be discontinued upon the graduate student's request to the Committee for re-registration.
The possibility of part-time attendance is not available for postgraduate students of the ΜΒΑ.
Examinations and Evaluation of Students of ΜΒΑ
The postgraduate student has the right to take the courses in which he/she has failed in the September examination and in case of failure to transfer the courses in which he/she has failed to the corresponding examinations of the following academic year.
All postgraduate students are required, upon submission of their dissertations to the open-class, to also submit to the Registrar's Office an affidavit stating that, with knowledge of the consequences of the plagiarism law, they have not copied in any way or means. The plagiarism check is carried out using specialised software (Turnitin) under the responsibility of the supervising teacher/supervisor. If the postgraduate student is found to have copied, apart from the self-evident zeroing of the thesis, the disciplinary penalty of reprimand is automatically imposed on him/her by the Board, is recorded in his/her file, and in case of repetition, he/she is removed from the ΜΒΑ, by a decision of the Board, to which the Director of the ΜΒΑ makes a recommendation.
As far as the rules/procedures of the distance examinations are concerned, the Regulations for Distance Examinations of the University of Western Macedonia apply.
7.2 Grading of Graduate Student Examinations
The final assessment and grading in the individual courses of the ΜΒΑ is determined by the lecturer, who may, at his/her discretion, organise written or oral examinations or rely on assignments or laboratory exercises. Grading is on a scale of 0-10: the student is considered to be from 0 to 4.99 failing and from 5 to 10 passing. The grade of the Diploma is marked as follows: from 5 to 6.49 GOOD, from 6.50 to 8.49 VERY GOOD and from 8.50 to 10 EXCELLENT.
The final grade of the Diploma "MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence" is determined as the weighted average of the grades of the 12 courses of the MBA and the grade of the thesis, weighted by the corresponding credits, to the second decimal place.
The grades of the postgraduate students in the courses of each semester shall be submitted to the electronic secretariat of the Department within a reasonable period of time after the end of the examination period.
A postgraduate student who misses the examinations of one or more courses, without a particularly serious reason, for three (3) consecutive semesters, by decision of the Board of Trustees, shall be removed from the ΜΒΑ upon recommendation of the Board of Trustees, through the Director.
Diploma Thesis
During the third (C') semester, the postgraduate students propose the topic of their thesis and their supervisor to the Committee.The list of theses with the supervisors is approved by the Committee upon request of the students to the secretariat.
The preparation of the thesis is compulsory for postgraduate students and is evaluated by a three-member examination committee. The three-member examination committee consists of the supervisor of the thesis, Professor, and two other members of the teaching staff of the ΜΒΑ.
The topic of the thesis shall be within the broader fields of knowledge of the taught courses.
The types of thesis may be: (a) a structured literature review of a current topic with a corresponding discussion, which leads to the establishment of research hypotheses for future research or policy proposals, or (b) empirical research which requires a brief literature review, with or without verification of theory, or (c) development of a new model, or possibly (d) some limited combination of the above. In all cases, the thesis must be distinguished by its scientific excellence and be based on valid Greek and international literature (relevant scientific journals, from the well-known international bibliographic databases-Publishers, e.g. Elsevier, Emerald, Taylor & Francis, Springer, Blackwell, etc.), while it is required to present elements of originality.
The structure of the Master's thesis follows that of the published articles in the above bibliographic databases. The total indicative length may not be less than 20,000 words in Greek or English. Simultaneously with the submission of the thesis, the Abstract is submitted, which cannot exceed 300 words (with reference to (a) the Universities of Western Macedonia and Chiang Mai, Schools of Economics, Departments of Economics, MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence, (b) important keywords, (c) author and supervisor/supervising professor/lecturer in Greek and English.
The grade of the thesis is given as the average numerical grade of those of the three-member examination committee.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees amount to 3.600€ and can be redefined in future time by decision of the Committee. The fees are paid in three equal instalments.
Payment of tuition fees shall be made on fixed dates, notified in good time. In the event of interruption of studies, the tuition fees paid will not be refunded.
The students of the ΜΒΑ are exempted from tuition fees according to the terms and conditions provided by the legislation in force. The number of scholarships up to 5% of the number of enrolled students who can receive a scholarship based on academic criteria shall be determined by decision of the Board. Specialisation may be made by decision of the Board.
Scholarships for postgraduate studies are also provided by other bodies, such as the ICF, the Ministry of Education, the DGET, the European Union, foundations and public or private organisations. In case a student receives a scholarship or a grant from another institution, he/she is not entitled to a scholarship from the ΜΒΑ Scholarship holders shall submit an affidavit that they do not receive a scholarship or grant from another public or private institution.
Eligibility for free study - Scholarships
Within ten (10) days of the announcement of the result of the admission of a student to the ΜΒΑ, successful candidates may apply for exemption from tuition fees by attaching the supporting documents required by the relevant law. Failure to submit the relevant application by the selected candidate within the prescribed deadline shall be equivalent to a waiver of the right to exemption from tuition fees. The Board shall draw up the list of students exempted from tuition fees and decide on any objections that may be lodged.
Scholarships for postgraduate students
The number of scholarships up to 5% of the number of enrolled students eligible for scholarships based on academic criteria shall be determined by decision of the Board. The specialisation may be made by decision of the Assembly of the Department following a recommendation of the Committee.
Scholarships for postgraduate studies are also provided by other bodies, such as the ICF, the Ministry of Education, the General Secretariat for Education, the European Union, foundations and public or private organisations. In case a student receives a scholarship or a grant from another institution, he/she is not entitled to a scholarship from the ΜΒΑ. Scholarship holders shall submit a solemn declaration that they do not receive a scholarship or grant from another public or private body.
Award of Diplomas
The MBA in Business Economics and Artificial Intelligence awards a Master's Degree (M.Sc.) to the postgraduate students who successfully complete the course and the general obligations registered within the framework of the programme.
The procedure for issuing the M.Sc. is described in Article 8 of the Special Protocol of Cooperation.
The award of the M.Sc. is made by the Director of the postgraduate programme. The graduate of the ΜΒΑ is issued, if requested, with a certificate of completion of studies before the award.
Only one (1) original Diploma is issued, provided that the postgraduate student pays a fee, the amount of which is determined by the University of Western Macedonia and cannot be replaced in case of loss or destruction for any reason. The holder of the M.Sc. degree is entitled to receive free of charge as many Certificates/Copies of Diploma as he/she wishes.
The award of the diploma. is made by way of a public ceremony. The ritual of the award shall be regulated by a decision of the Committee.
For reasons of force majeure and by application to the ΜΒΑ's. Secretariat, the graduate may request the award of the degree without participating in the degree ceremony or request to participate in a subsequent degree ceremony.
