Article 1: Purpose and Scope

This regulation establishes the procedure for evaluating applications from candidates holding degrees from foreign institutions, in compliance with Greek higher education law and DOATAP regulations

Article 2: Categories of Foreign Degree Holders

2.1 Candidates with DOATAP Recognition Certificate
Candidates presenting a valid DOATAP academic recognition certificate are automatically eligible for evaluation based on academic merit.

2.2 Candidates without DOATAP Recognition Certificate
For candidates lacking DOATAP certification, the Graduate Program Committee (E.P.S.) must establish an evaluation committee to assess degree recognition according to Article 3.

Article 3: Recognition Evaluation Procedure

3.1 Initial Verification Requirements
The evaluation committee must verify:
a) Institution Recognition: The degree-granting institution must be listed in:

• DOATAP's National Registry of Recognized Foreign Higher Education Institutions https://mitroa.doatap.gr/
• DOATAP's Registry of Recognized Degree Types from Foreign Institutions https://mitroa.doatap.gr/

b) Place of Studies Documentation: Where the degree-granting institution in DOATAP's National Registry of Recognized Foreign Higher Education Institutions https://mitroa.doatap.gr/ has a positive reference to a franchise agreement, candidates must submit an official "Certificate of Place of Studies" issued by the foreign university that awarded the degree.

3.2 Territorial Assessment
In accordance with current Greek higher education regulations: 
3.2.1 If the Certificate of Place of Studies indicates that studies were conducted entirely outside Greek territory, the degree may be recognized subject to meeting other criteria.

3.2.2 If the Certificate of Place of Studies indicates that studies or part thereof were conducted in Greek territory at a public Higher Education Institution (A.E.I.), the degree may be recognized subject to meeting other criteria.

3.2.3 If the Certificate of Place of Studies indicates that studies or part thereof were conducted in Greek territory at a private institution, current regulatory framework requires non-recognition of such degrees for admission purposes.

3.3 Transparency and Due Process

3.3.1 Pre-Application Consultation: The MARes program strongly encourages prospective applicants to contact the Secretariat (mares@ionio.gr) before submitting applications to clarify their eligibility status.

3.3.2 Clear Communication: The program must clearly communicate recognition requirements in all admission materials and provide specific guidance for different categories of applicants.

3.3.3 Written Decisions: All recognition decisions must be documented in writing with clear reasoning provided to applicants.

Article 4: Evaluation Procedure and Committees

4.1 Candidate Evaluation Committee (C.A.C.) 
The Candidate Evaluation Committee is responsible for:

• Phase One: Evaluation of foreign degree recognition
• Phase Two: Academic evaluation of eligible candidates

4.2 C.A.C. Composition
The C.A.C. consists of teaching staff members from the Department of Audio and Visual Arts who teachin the MARes program.

4.3 Degree Recognition Evaluation
4.3.1 The C.A.C. examines each application for degree recognition according to Article 3.

4.3.2 In cases requiring specialized evaluation, the C.A.C. may request consultation from a representative of the university's academic affairs office.

4.4 Recognition Decisions
The possible decisions of the C.A.C. are:

• APPLICATION APPROVED - Degree recognized, proceed to academic evaluation
• APPLICATION REJECTED - Degree not recognized (Article 3.2.3)
• APPLICATION DEFERRED - Pending legal/policy clarification
• DOATAP REVIEW REQUIRED - Proceed to academic evaluation, notify candidate

4.5 Academic Evaluation
For recognized degrees, the C.A.C. evaluates:

• Academic equivalency of the degree level 
• Relevance to MARes program requirements
• Quality of research proposal
• Interview performance
• Scientific/artistic activities

4.6 Timeline
4.6.1 Recognition evaluation is completed within 10 working days of receiving complete documentation.

4.6.2 Academic evaluation is completed within 15 working days of degree recognition.

Article 5: Appeals and Review Process

5.1 Right to Appeal
Candidates may appeal negative recognition decisions within 10 working days of notification.

5.2 Appeals Committee
Appeals are reviewed by a separate committee comprising teaching staff from the Department of Audio and Visual Arts who did not participate in the initial decision, including:

• At least one faculty member (DEP staff rank) 
• At least one member of EDIP or EEP staff ranks.
• At least one teaching staff member from MARes (DEP, EDIP or EEPstaff ranks)

5.3 Legal Compliance Review
Appeals decisions include review of compliance with current Greek law.

Article 6: Implementation and Effective Date

This regulation takes effect immediately and applies to all applications for the 2025-2026 academic year and subsequent years until amended.