hese guidelines assume and acknowledge that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars.
The University can expect that students will:
- Act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive.
- Make themselves aware of University rules and regulations, including disciplinary regulations, pertaining to their rights and responsibilities as a student and with health and safety procedures particularly in respect of laboratories and field trips.
- Respect University property.
- Be familiar with course information made available to them and raise any queries in an appropriate manner with the academic staff member concerned.
- Fulfill their responsibility to participate actively and positively in the educational environment including:
- preparing for and attending classes as required;
- participating in class discussions and other activities;
- maintaining steady progress within the course;
- and submitting required work on time.
- Show commitment to the ideals of a university with special reference to achieving personal excellence in performance and allowing freedom of expression.
- Not cheat, plagiarise, fabricate or falsify data. Students are also expected to be aware of their individual rights and responsibilities regarding the proper use of copyright material, the ethical responsibilities of researchers with regards to animal and human subjects, and intellectual property rights.
- Familiarize themselves with the requirements they must meet to complete their academic programme and take responsibility for their own academic progress. Students should, where appropriate, exercise their rights to reasonable access to and assistance from academic staff and the various academic support services.
- Support student representative organisations, such as the Class Representative system or any association of students as defined by DPU charter with a mandate to represent students.
Research Students Responsibilities
While many elements of this Charter have relevance to research students and supervisors, there are some specific responsibilities associated with this form of teaching and learning.
- Academic staff will acquaint themselves with the relevant University guidelines and regulations and ensure research students know of their existence. In particular, they will discuss the Senate Guidelines for supervision to ensure that mutual responsibilities are understood and agreed upon. Due consideration is to be given to student contribution in published articles, papers etc.
- Research students should make themselves familiar with relevant guidelines and regulations relating to supervision issued by Departments and the University administration including the Guidelines for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
- Supervisors will aim to help research students achieve their best. To this end, the supervisor needs to be sufficiently expert in the area of research and have the time, commitment, management and interpersonal skills to be able to offer proper supervision.
- The academic interests of research students should remain paramount over any external obligations of or to other parties.
- Research students should not be disadvantaged by differences in opinion amongst their supervisors.
- The department will offer appropriate opportunities for research students to meet and interact with fellow research students and members of academic, technical and other general staff who may be able to provide support in their field of study.
- The University and departments need to ensure that students are made aware, before the commencement of their research studies, of the physical facilities and resources, including financial resources, available to them. Where circumstances change following the commencement of their research, the student shall be informed as quickly as possible of the change, and actions being taken as a consequence.
- Graduate students should have ownership of their research results, subject to the following:
- contractual commitments;
- fiduciary obligations to other parties;
- the rights of parties involved in collaborative work;
- and the entitlements of the University.
University Responsibilities
The University will use its best endeavours to:
- Supply current and potential students with access to accurate and clear information about University courses, application and entry procedures, credit transfer policies, fees and associated costs, and financial support prior to the enrolment period.
- Select students for entry into University and individual courses by fair procedures with clearly stated entry criteria, consistent with statutory requirements.
- Publicize its current Guidelines for Prevention of Cheating in Examinations and Coursework; the proper use of copyright material; ethical concerns regarding the use of human and animal subjects in research; and intellectual property rights. This information should be made available to students through the University Calendar and, where appropriate, departmental/faculty handbooks.
- Provide an academic environment in which students can be stimulated to reach a high level of intellectual attainment.
- Ensure that guidance on how to use the library, write assignments, and prepare for tests, exams and other forms of assessment will be available to students.
- Provide opportunities for students to participate in, and provide feedback on, the teaching and research activities of the University.
- Provide a harmonious work and study environment in which complaints and student grievances will be addressed through explicit and efficient procedures and resolved as quickly and fairly as possible.
- Provide an environment free from harassment and discrimination, consistent with the Human Rights Act 1993 and University’s Harassment policy, and facilitate the expeditious investigation and just resolution of alleged harassment or discrimination.
- Help provide student support services including health and counselling services; financial advice; learning assistance; early childhood education facilities; career planning; recreational facilities; and accommodation information.
- Provide equal educational opportunities.
- Ensure that compulsory subjects are appropriately timetabled and sufficient optional subjects are available to enable course completion within the specified minimum time.