Teaching Staff and Pedagogical Excellence (Standard 6)

The institution achieves Full Compliance in its management of teaching staff. The audit confirms that lecturers and trainers are not only academically qualified but are active practitioners in their respective fields.

• Best Practice: The recruitment process prioritizes industry experts, ensuring that the Eurasian Educational Research Space vision is supported by real-world application.
• Professional Development: Continuous pedagogical support is provided to staff, ensuring they remain at the forefront of online and hybrid teaching methodologies.

Student-Centered Learning & Support (Standards 4 & 7)

Saint Thomas Polytechnic excels in creating a supportive, nurturing environment. The “Family First” philosophy is evidenced through tangible student support mechanisms.

• Tailored Support: The institution provides individual professional development and job search assistance, resulting in high levels of student satisfaction.
• Inclusive Environment: The audit highlights a proactive approach to diverse learning styles, ensuring that digital learning resources are accessible and effectively utilized by a transnational student body.

Institutional Probity and Strategic Vision (Standard 2)

The institution demonstrates Full Compliance regarding institutional probity. Its financial and operational governance is transparent, with clear lines of accountability.

A distinctive feature of Saint Thomas Polytechnic is its active role in the global scholarly community. The institution hosts high-level Maritime Forums that bring together professionals and students to discuss critical themes in the maritime world, fostering a transnational community of scholars and policymakers.

International Collaborations & Forums

The institution has established significant collaborative ties with prestigious universities and international organizations through its forum series:

• Seoul Maritime Forum (Republic of Korea, May 2025): Hosted at Anyang University with the support of the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. This forum featured scholars from Inha University, Seoul National University, Macquarie University (Australia), and Western Sydney University, exploring the cultural, historical, and legal dimensions of the maritime world.
• Barcelona Maritime Forum (Spain, October 2022): Held at the Universitat de Barcelona, focusing on “The Seafarer’s Identity” and the multicultural dynamics of maritime management.
• Helsinki Maritime Forum (Finland, March 2022): Organized in collaboration with the Finnish-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce at the Oodi Helsinki Central Library, addressing “Green Shipping” and sustainable maritime futures with stakeholders from the Finnish government and industry.

Saint Thomas Polytechnic employs a multi-tiered verification strategy that ensures its qualifications are globally portable and legally recognized within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and beyond.

Postgraduate Accreditation (Level 7)

All seven modules of the Shipping Management degree are accredited at Level 7 (Postgraduate) by EduQual, a UK-regulated awarding body.

• Regulatory Oversight: This accreditation is approved by SQA-Accreditation (Scottish Qualifications Authority), ensuring the program adheres to the strict quality standards of the UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
• Curriculum Rigor: Each module is designed to develop advanced mastery in strategic maritime management, financial analysis, and international law, matching the complexity and depth expected of a Master’s degree.

State and National Recognition

To facilitate legal and administrative recognition for international graduates, the institution maintains active verification protocols with state authorities:

• The Cyprus Council (KYSATS): As the competent authority for the Republic of Cyprus, KYSATS verifies that the Polytechnic’s qualifications meet the national criteria for higher education, facilitating ECTS recognition across the EU.
• Greek State Verification (Hellenic Police): Diplomas undergo formal verification by the Greek Police authorities. This process is critical for graduates seeking to utilize their academic credentials for residency permits, professional licensing, or official administrative procedures within Greece.

Primary Source Verification (PSV)

The institution proactively engages with global background screening leaders to verify the authenticity of its awards at the source:

• Mintz Global Screening & Vero (Accurate): These agencies conduct direct audits of the Polytechnic’s registrar records, validating enrollment dates, graduation status, and the legitimacy of the awarding body. This “gold standard” of verification ensures that employers can trust the credentials presented by our graduates without reservation.

The curriculum is designed to provide immediate professional utility, a fact validated by leading global industry bodies and blue-chip employers.

Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Exemption

A significant indicator of the program’s professional standing is the formal exemption granted by the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS).

• Module Exemption: Graduates are exempted from the Shipping Management module of the ICS Professional Qualifying Examinations (PQE).
• Significance: This exemption confirms that the Polytechnic’s curriculum covers the ICS syllabus with sufficient rigor, allowing graduates to fast-track their journey toward becoming a “Fellow” or “Member” of the Institute (FICS/MICS), the most prestigious professional designation in the commercial maritime sector.

2024 Graduate Placement and Employer Recognition

The institution’s 95% placement rate for the 2024 cohort (45 graduates) underscores the high demand for Polytechnic-trained professionals.

• Top-Tier Maritime Employers: Graduates have been absorbed into the executive and operational ranks of giants such as Angelicoussis Group (Maran Tankers/Gas), Thenamaris, Costamare, and Tsakos Shipping.
• Specialized Placements: Graduates also serve in the Hellenic Navy, global logistics firms like Marinetrans, and strategic roles in the Real Estate and Luxury Yachting sectors in the Mediterranean and North America.

Saint Thomas Polytechnic is highly commended for its role as a “Symbol of Trust.” The integration of Level 7 EduQual accreditation, rigorous state verification, and industry placement success positions it as a premier institution for professional and postgraduate studies.

Assurance Status: Favorable / Fully Compliant with Mandatory National Standards.