Introduction
What is academic advising?

Academic advising is a partnership between the academic advisor and advisee throughout
the period a student spends completing a programme of study at the university.

Academic advising is a process in which academic advisors assist advisees develop both
their academic and personal potentials. It encompasses the development and delivery of
accurate, up-to-date information regarding educational programmes, courses, resources,
policies, procedures, and career options to aid students in pursuing their academic and
career goals.

Academic advising also assists students to realise the maximum educational benefits
available to them by helping them to better understand themselves and to learn to use
resources of the institutions to meet their educational needs (Crockett,1984)*.

Objectives of Academic Advising

•  To assist students in understanding institutional policies, procedures and regulations.
• To provide information on academic programmes, institutional support services and
  resources.
• To assist students in planning, monitoring and evaluating their educational plans
  towards degree completion and developing decision-making skills.
• To assist students in determining their career goals.
• To assist students in developing their intellectual, personal, and social development.

Role of Advisees

All students, first to final year, are to meet their academic advisors for assistance in drawing
up their plan of study. In general students must:
1. discuss with their advisors the courses to take for each semester
2. register for all the relevant courses (core and elective) with the right code
3. ensure that the total number of credits taken is correct i.e. a maximum of 18 credits per semester.
4. Students on Probation Status are only allowed to register for 12 credits
5. attend the First Year Experience (FYE) programmes organised by the faculty
6. attend the e-Portfolio Workshop organized by the faculty

Students will seek their Academic Advisor for

Course Withdrawal [TD]

(a) A student with the approval of his/her Lecturer and Academic Advisor can withdraw from any of his/her registered course in the semester no later than the last working day of week NINE (9) of the semester.

(b) Approval for withdrawing from a course is subject to the required Minimum Credits EXCEPT with the Dean’s permission .

(c) Withdrawal (TD) status will be recorded in the course registration and transcript.

COURSE REGISTRATION

(a) A student with the approval of his Academic Advisor and the faculty offering the Minor can register for any of the offered courses. as specified for the Minor.

(b) A student must register for a course according to the rules and procedures within the time specified by the respective faculties. Students are not allowed to register for courses with HS status for Minor.

Course Registration is done online or using the Course Registration Form (UTM.E/3.1 Amendment 2010). Students are advised to discuss with their Academic Advisors before registering for the courses.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR THE AWARD OF A DEGREE

Application must be made using the Award of a Degree Application Form (Form UTM.E/7.7 Amendments 2010) (3 copies) within the time as stipulated by the University. Students must submit the three (3) copies to the Faculty for endorsement. The first copy will be given to the Faculty office, the second copy to the Academic Advisor and the last copy to be kept by the student. Failure to submit the first copy to the Faculty office is considered as non submission of the graduation application form.

The abovementioned item can also be downloaded at [utm academic advising] and [academic guideline]