The main purpose of the Assistantship under the Teaching Postgraduate Studentship (TPS) Scheme is twofold: (a) to grant, on merit basis, financial support to eligible FT RPg students with a view to allowing them to fully focus on their studies; and (b) to provide more teaching experience and training opportunity to interested RPg students in order to widen their exposure for the development of their academic career.

Only FT RPg students who are not receiving a stipend will be eligible for receiving assistantship under TPS. Holders of other scholarship awards may be considered for receiving assistantship under TPS provided that this does not violate the terms and conditions of the other awards.

To ensure the quality of teaching and administrative support provided by TPS recipients, prospective students must successfully complete a training programme entitled “Becoming an Effective Teaching Assistant (BETA)” organised by the Educational Development Centre (EDC) and, where necessary and appropriate, other training on specific teaching skills (e.g. supervising laboratory work) arranged by the department before they may be allowed to take up the relevant teaching duties. TPS recipients who have already obtained a professional qualification in teaching, or can demonstrate that they have successfully completed a comparable training programme offered by EDC or other institutions before, may apply to Dean(GS) for an exemption.

TPS recipients who are required to interact directly with students in English as a part of their duties in supporting teaching and learning must demonstrate their language competence to fulfil the intended duties to the satisfaction of the host department. TPS recipients, except those who are native English speakers or those who have already taken EDC’s BETA programme, will also be required to successfully complete a language training programme offered by the English Language Centre (ELC) before taking up their Teaching Assistant (TA) responsibilities. The host department might also require the TPS recipients to complete other language training programme(s), for example, those organised by the Chinese Language Centre, as deemed necessary.

Each TPS recipient will be required to sign a detailed terms and conditions* for his/her Assistantship. Below are the general terms and conditions for the TPS:

1. Selected students for receiving assistantship under the TPS will be appointed as PT TA at PolyU on terms and conditions in accordance with PolyU’s policies on PT appointment.
2. A PT TA will be required to provide 17 hours of teaching or administrative support work per week in the host department, as assigned by the HoD/DoS or the supervisor(s). The duties undertaken by a TA normally include: 

    

   1. assistance with running of tutorials/seminars/workshops, and/or supervision of laboratory or practical work;
   2. assistance with grading of tests, assignments and examination papers;
   3. assistance with preparation of material and resources for supporting teaching and learning;
   4. assistance with invigilation of PolyU’s degree examinations; and
   5. assistance with other teaching and administrative duties, as deemed appropriate by the host department.

    

3. The duration of the Assistantship shall normally be nine months. During this period, the Assistantship will automatically cease as soon as the TPS recipient has completed his/her research degree programme at the University, or has ceased to be a FT RPg student, or when his/her studies are terminated by PolyU.
4. The amount of Assistantship will be stated in each appointment letter and adjusted automatically in accordance with the Postgraduate Scholarship. Any adjustment to the amount of Assistantship will be communicated to the TPS recipient in writing.
5. All PT TAs employed under the TPS Scheme must be evaluated each semester of appointment for each of the subjects that they are assigned to support.
6. The PT TAs will not be permitted to take up any other employment or remunerated work with PolyU or with other employers, without having received the prior approval of the D/SRC Chair, who will seek input from the GS.
7. TPS recipients are employees of PolyU; the Assistantship to be received will be in the form of salary payment which is subject to tax. They are required to obtain approval of the Chief Supervisor before taking leave. Approval will be granted only if there is no interference with the teaching/administrative duties of the TPS recipients concerned. Unauthorised leave may result in the cancellation of the Assistantship.
8. TPS recipients who do not perform satisfactorily in their studies or duties may lose their Assistantship or have their Assistantship suspended for a prescribed period of time.
9. TPS recipients may relinquish the Assistantship with one month’s notice or one month’s salary in lieu.
10. TPS recipients are charged with full tuition fee. Subject to the TPS recipient’s successful completion of the nine-month employment as a PT TA with 17 hours of work per week at PolyU, they are normally awarded an annual tuition fee subsidy from PolyU. Failing this, the TPS recipient will be required to return a pro-rated portion of the subsidy to PolyU.
11. TPS Assistantship awarded to a particular RPg student can be renewed within his/her normal period of study at PolyU, subject to good study and work performance, and availability of funds.
12. Under exceptional circumstances, an RPg student may be granted a TPS in the period beyond his/her normal period of study (but before the completion of his/her studies), provided that the delay in the completion of the study is due to factors beyond the control of the student concerned and/or his/her Chief Supervisor.
13. Recommendations for granting of TPS beyond the normal period of study are subject to approval of Dean(GS). The RPg student or D/SRC Chair should provide sound justification and a detailed study plan for the consideration and decision of the Dean(GS).

* The terms and conditions may be changed from time to time by PolyU. In the event that changes are made, the updated terms and conditions shall prevail.