In any learning environment, students should have a clear understanding of what the tutor and the ACADEMY expects from them, as well as what they can expect from the tutor and the ACADEMY. This need is more urgent for e-learning students than for traditional students because e-learning activities often occur in an environment where students may have difficulty getting timely answers to important questions. We therefore hope to anticipate students’ needs for clarity by way of this document.

Credit for previous studies

Should a student believe that he/she has already acquired credits, at a different educational institution, for subjects who form part of a course for which she/he wishes to register, such student shall contact the ACADEMY with a full motivation and the ACADEMY shall consider such student's application for such credits. The ACADEMY’s decision in this regard will be communicated to the relevant student in writing but its decision shall notwithstanding be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review.

Software Standards Policies

As a result of the fact that it is imperative that students can follow the lectures properly and communicate with the tutor and the administration, it is important to establish standards that delimit the software required to participate in this course.

It has been estimated that 90 percent of all personal computers in the world have Microsoft Office software installed on them. Thus Office file formats have become de facto standards, allowing information to be shared among computer users worldwide. Moreover, both PC-based and Apple personal computers can run Office software.

Students should make a back-up copy of all materials sent via the Internet, as the Academy accepts no responsibility for the loss of any such material.



IT Hardware and Software

• All students will need access to a reliable computer (either Mac or PC) with an internet connection (preferably broadband or cable), and their own personal e-mail address.
• Our experience has been that if students do not have a regular, commercial email address it is better that they use a yahoo email address, and not one from Hotmail.
• You are responsible for the proper functioning of your computer; a malfunctioning computer is no valid excuse for submitting late work!
• You should have the following Microsoft software installed on such computer:
  Microsoft Word, Windows Media Player, PowerPoint (optional) and Excel (optional)

IT Skills

• It is assumed that students who wish to follow an e-learning course have an adequate amount of experience to work on a computer
• students should be able to use their email and word processing package
• they should be able to navigate their way around a website
• Be able to down load and install software programs.

Communication system policies

(The system by which e-mails, assignments, queries, registration forms, tutor application forms, comments etc are sent and received)

• Whilst every effort is made to ensure that our communication system is free from defect, we do not accept responsibility for any damage to, or loss of data on, your computer system, network or server that results from the use of any of our materials or those licensed from any third parties.
• Any advice or guidance given by the ACADEMY relating to any aspect of the communication system or its use is followed at the student's own risk.
• Sending materials: This will be done mostly via the e-learning platform or by email. Virtually all communication between tutor and student will take place via the internet. Students should make a copy of all materials sent via the internet, as the ACADEMY accepts no responsibility for the loss of any such material.

E-Mail Policies

E-learning tutors routinely report being overwhelmed by the need to answer numerous e-mails they receive from students. Please ensure that you have a legitimate need before you send emails to tutors. To avoid time wastage:

• Students are required to refer to the course material, this Introduction and Syllabus for general course information and course policies instead of requesting it from tutors by e-mail.
• Tutors will not answer emails where the subject line has not been filled in with a clear subject or where it raises an inappropriate subject
• Tutors will respond to emails within a maximum of 5 business days, and within the official e-office hours set out in this document
• students are required to check their email regularly, preferably every day
• Tutors will not respond to e-mails about test dates, how students’ grades are determined, or any other information that is clearly listed as general course information in the course syllabus.
• Tutors will only respond to emails that deal with:
  • a students’ personal concerns,
  • students difficulties comprehending course content,
  • Or their need for clarification about graded work.
  • Tutors will only respond to emails in the following e-office hours: Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(European time);Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m.
    
    

Assignment and Essays Policies
Clear guidelines governing written work like assignments or essays are very important, in part because they reduce student frustration when preparing assignments and also because they can reduce the amount of e-mail students will send tutors asking for clarification.

• Lectures are made available to students on a regular (usually weekly) basis, via the platform
• Not all lectures will require students to submit assignments; instead such lectures will contain quizzes which are compulsory. Such quizzes will be conducted via the platform.
• The work you submit for assessment must be your own unaided work.
• Any materials (e.g. books, leaflets or information from the Internet) used in the completion of your coursework should be acknowledged in the work itself, at the end in the form of a bibliography. Whilst it is a debatable question whether information taken from the Internet may be used in education and teaching without permission, and in fact some of our lectures sometimes utilize such information, it is still preferable that you use full references.
• To present material copied from any source without acknowledgement will be regarded as deliberate deception.
• You should add pictures and graphs to make your answers more credible.
• You will receive credit points if you can show that you have formed an own opinion on the topic of the assignment, and not just repeated the course notes!
• The subject line of the relevant email must include: your name, the course, the assignment number. Example: “ John Smith – wine2/05 – assignment 7”
• all Assignments must comply with the following requirements:
  • it shall not be part of the e-mail’s body but shall be in a separate Word document
  • spell checkers must be used before you submit the assignment
  • it must include the student’s name and the course description –see example
  • it shall be free from typing defects
  • proper grammar shall be used (students sometimes wonder why we bother with spelling and grammar: we would not be fulfilling our obligation to you if we allow you to believe that in the business world it is acceptable to write documents, emails and letters of a low standard!)
  • each page must be numbered
  • only regular fonts, such as Ariel or Times New Roman, may be used
    
• The course software standards for submission of assignments are Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Assignments contained in the body of an email are not acceptable and will therefore not be reviewed or graded.
• No copyright infringement or plagiarism is allowed
• Sources, including text books or web sites, used in the preparation of the assignment must be quoted fully at the end of the assignment
• Each question should first be stated, with the answer following it
• All assignment due dates must be strictly complied with; late assignments will not be accepted unless prior arrangements were made with the relevant tutor
• Students must ensure that assignments are virus-free. Should our virus detection service nevertheless detect a virus such student will be advised thereof and such assignment must be re-submitted, minus said virus, within 24 hours thereof
• Students are advised to keep hard copies of their assignments as well as of tutor’s reviews, as the ACADEMY does not provide copies from its record base.

Student Privacy Policies

Privacy policies and related procedures protect a student’s legal right to privacy and confidentiality. We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting any information provided by you.

• The information requested during registration is collected by the ACADEMY alone and is used to facilitate effective, personalised communication between student and tutor and to allow us to maintain contact with our registered students.
• By supplying us with personal information, registered students agree to the collection and storage of this information and to the ongoing collection and storage of information relating to that student’s progress.
• Information within a student's progress record can be accessed only by the student, the student's tutor and the administration department of the ACADEMY.
• Other than for the distribution of course materials, or if the law requires it, the ACADEMY will not disclose any personally identifiable information except when we have asked for, and been given, written permission from the student.
• Registered students may, at any time, view the personal information held about them by the ACADEMY. They may update or correct this information by contacting the administration department by email.
• Through this strict policy of privacy the ACADEMY endeavours to protect the information provided by its registered students, however students should be aware that transmission over the internet and the World Wide Web cannot be guaranteed as totally secure.
• We do not require details about student personal traits such as race, ethnicity or disabilities.
• If we plan to publicize students’ work, including, for example, their words in electronic discussions, e-mail, or assignments they will be informed of such decisions and permission to do so will be obtained in advance.
  
  

Intellectual Property Rights Policy

• The Internet makes it very easy to obtain and use work created by others, hence easy to violate their rights to this work.
• When students unfairly use materials created by others in e-learning assignments, essays or projects they are guilty of plagiarism. This applies to any and all sources they use.
• All the materials that form part of this course, together with the announcements posted and words in electronic discussions and email remain the intellectual property of the ACADEMY, not to students who might wish to use them.
• course materials are for class purposes only and cannot be distributed to others without violating the intellectual property rights and/or the privacy rights of the owners of these materials, whether the course tutor, students in the course, or those who created outside sources of information.

Examinations Policy

In keeping with our policy of wishing to produce serious students, and because of accreditation requirements, students following longer courses will write exams periodically. It is likely that some exams may be done via the platform. Because the majority of our students do so by e-learning this ACADEMY also follows the trusted Proctor system.

What is a Proctored exam?

A proctored exam is one that is overseen by an impartial individual (called a proctor) who monitors or supervises a student while he or she is taking an exam. The proctor ensures the security and integrity of the exam process. How this works is as follows:

• You must select a person who lives in your area who will act as the proctor (someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating).
• This has to be a person of high integrity.
• Neighbours, friends and family members may NOT serve in the role of a proctor. Teachers, lawyers, accountants, librarians, bank managers, medical doctors are all examples of acceptable proctors.
• The proctor selection is based on his/her availability, reliability, and impartiality
• You must also select an appropriate examination site. This could be at the office or even the home of the proctor.
• All proctors and examination sites must be pre-approved by the tutor and the ACADEMY’s administration.
• When a proctor has been selected, the student completes the "Proposed Proctor Approval Request" form (available upon request from the tutor) and forwards the form to the proctor. The proposed proctor completes the proctor approval request and returns it along with a business card and his/her photograph to the administration.
• Mailing the proctor information as early as possible in the course is best. This allows the administration time to verify the proctor and mail the exams in a timely manner.
• Exam papers are mailed directly to the proctor. It is up to you to call the proctor and confirm that the exams have been received. It is also up to you to set up a time on the specific exam day with the proctor to take the exams.
• Students must be able to identify themselves to the proctor with an identity card, driver’s license or other picture identification before taking an exam.
• The tutor lets you and the proctor know in advance what materials can or cannot be used and what to expect at the time of the proctored exam (for example, that the proctor will have all the necessary exam papers and information so that you do not have to worry about this).
• You then take the exam; your proctor completes the "Certification of Exam" form, signs it and MAILS it to the tutor.
  
  

Student Code of Conduct Policies

This code of conduct is established to ensure that students have a clear understanding of what their tutor and fellow students expect of their conduct in this class.

Each student is expected:

• To treat other students and tutors with dignity and respect in all discussions and at all times
• Comply with all regulations and policies of the ACADEMY
• Not contravene any policy relating to plagiarism or copyright, violation of which could lead to dismissal from the course
• Regarding attendance: students are expected to attend all work shops, audio-or video-conferences and chat sessions, unless they have obtained an exemption from their tutor in advance
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
• Be a good time manager.
• Approach the course with a desire to learn.
• Voluntarily help other students, bearing in mind, however, that doing other people’s work for them is tantamount to cheating.
• Develop needed technology skills.
• Contribute to course discussions.
• Listen to others, and respond respectfully to their comments.
• Contribute to team activities, and respect the ideas of others.
• Comply with all course policies.
• Submit constructive suggestions for improving the course.
  
  

Legal issues

• General
  Students are advised to read all of these Policies carefully. Signature of the “Application for Student Registration Form” by the student indicates that such a student has agreed to these Policies becoming the effective terms and conditions of the resulting agreement between the student and the ACADEMY. No separate agreement or contract will be signed between the parties, except where such a separate document, letter or e-mail clearly indicates that it is intended to be read in conjunction with these Policies, in which event such document shall give the student the right and obligation to accept or reject such amended conditions in writing.
  
  It may be necessary to amend these Policies from time to time; students are therefore cautioned to re-visit these pages from time to time.
  
• Use of the website and course materials
  The ACADEMY and the ACADEMY materials and any materials licensed from third parties are limited to non-commercial, personal use. No material may be copied, reproduced, re-published, uploaded, posted, transmitted or distributed in any way. Any such use constitutes an infringement of copyright and other intellectual property rights. The website must not be used to transmit any material which may damage, or allow unauthorised access to, the website.
  
• Payment of Course Fees and Registration
  
  
  • Costs Cooling-off period
    The ACADEMY allows for a cooling-off period of 7 weekdays. (No fees are payable until this period has lapsed) In the event of a student deciding, within 7 (seven) weekdays from the date of signature of the Student Registration Form, to cancel his/her registration, he/she shall do so in writing, which decision will be communicated to the ACADEMY in writing.
    
  • Payment in Instalments: Fee Instalment Plan
    In the case of all courses exceeding 40 lectures, certain students may request to pay the course fees under a Fee Instalment Plan.
    However, in such an event, the ACADEMY shall have the right to adjust the remaining instalment to be in line with whatever course fee increases there may have been in the meanwhile. 
    
  • Right of Cancellation:
    In pursuit of its policy of fairness to its students the ACADEMY has granted students the following right: if a student following a Long or Professional course (in other words, not a Short course), decides to cancel his/her course within 30 (thirty) days from the date of his/her signature of the Student Registration Form, he/she shall do so in writing to the ACADEMY, in which event the ACADEMY shall refund 4/5th of the course fees to him/her, minus the registration costs. No courses may be cancelled after 30 days have lapsed, reckoned from the date of his/her signature of the Student Registration Form, and consequently no refund of any course fees shall be entertained unless requested within said 30 (thirty) days.
    Such Notices of Cancellation shall only be effective if actually received by the Academy, to which effect such student shall be informed by the Academy, by email, that it has received such Notice of Cancellation.
    The above course fee only covers those costs as specifically set out in the Course description.
    
    
• Trade Marks
  The name of the ACADEMY and its domain name, as reflected on this web site, are the property of the ACADEMY. These marks may not be used in any way without the prior written permission of the ACADEMY.
  
• Responsibilities
  When a course is purchased by the student being registered, the ACADEMY agrees to provide the following goods and services:
  • course materials which we believe are suitable for their purpose
  • provide a secure e-learning platform
  • personal tuition in the form of responses to tutor-guided assignments and answers to queries relating to lectures in the course materials.
  • Where relevant, and depending on the course, tutors may also hold direct person-to-person classes, practicums, work shops and conduct Field Trips. In such cases the course description or the instructions relating to such specific courses, will clearly indicate the ACADEMY’S responsibilities.
    

• Limitations
  
  • The purchase of a course does not imply any guarantee of exam success, entrance to university or any other educational establishment, professional advancement, employment possibilities or any other particular result.
  • Tutors' comments and marks are offered in good faith but cannot be taken as a prediction of examination grades.
  • The ACADEMY cannot and does not accept responsibility for entering students for exams or for ensuring that any coursework required is completed.
    
• Acceptance of Students
  
  Students under the age of 18 years may be considered for registration provided they have had a good, general education, and have the additional support and guidance of an adult at home or at school.
  
  The ACADEMY reserves the right to decline the application of any student, regardless of age.
  
• Course Duration
  Students following courses are expected to complete their courses within the stipulated time frame.
  
  However, should students find that they are unable to complete the course within this time limit and provided they contact the ACADEMY to request an extension, the ACADEMY shall then decide whether to grant such an extension, and this may also depend on the reasons advanced by the student for such a request. The decision of the ACADEMY regarding the extension of such time shall be final and binding. In the event of a positive decision tutor support will be made available for up to six extra months.
  
• Termination
  If any student fails to comply with any of these Policies, or to hand in or complete any assignment, essay or other project set by a tutor, within the time frame stipulated by such tutor, and continue to neglect to do so after at least 2x emailed requests to do so by such tutor or the ACADEMY, such student’s registration may be cancelled.
  
  The ACADEMY reserves the right to cancel a student’s registration if he/she has made no contact with the ACADEMY for 3 months or longer and has not responded to at least 2 emailed requests for information sent to the e-mail address the ACADEMY have on record for such student.
  
• Jurisdiction
  
  This agreement shall be governed and interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of Belgium and the EU.