First: Introduction

The Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Division is one of the most essential units at Al-Farabi University . It provides psychological support and guidance to students, helping them manage their time and energy, understand themselves, recognize their abilities, solve problems, and achieve psychological, social, and professional balance.

Counseling represents a practical, specialized, and interactive process between the counselor (faculty member) and the counselee (student), aiming to support students in building positive behavior and self-awareness. In contrast, guidance refers to a set of organized services offered through seminars, lectures, meetings, bulletins, publications, and social media—providing students with useful information that enhances their awareness and decision-making skills.

Second: Vision

To provide comprehensive psychological and educational services to students, helping them enhance their capabilities and develop their academic, psychological, and social skills to become ideal individuals capable of advancing society.

Third: Mission

To deliver effective psychological, social, academic, and knowledge-based services through well-established mechanisms that promote excellence, encourage creativity, and guide students toward achieving their goals.

Fourth: Objectives

• Spread awareness of psychological counseling and educational guidance among students and faculty members.

• Support students in adapting to university life and understanding academic regulations.

• Foster students’ self-confidence, responsibility, and commitment.

• Offer specialized academic counseling and help resolve learning difficulties.

• Identify and nurture talented students through tailored programs.

• Develop students’ self-guidance skills and help them explore their abilities.

• Assist students—especially those with special needs—in overcoming social and psychological challenges.

• Encourage ethical and responsible use of social media by reinforcing moral values.

Fifth: Organizational Structure

The division reports to the Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs and includes:

• Head of the Division (at the college level)

• Guidance Unit Heads (in each department)

• Academic advisors per stage (from 1st to 5th year)

Sixth: Roles and Responsibilities

Division Tasks

• Plan and implement psychological and educational counseling programs.

• Organize workshops and awareness sessions for students.

• Publish psychological and educational materials and posters.

• Monitor students’ academic, psychological, and social behavior.

• Write periodic reports and promote feedback collection.

• Cooperate with exam committees and disciplinary boards to solve student issues.

Responsibilities of the Division Head

• Supervise guidance units across all departments.

• Follow up on academic advisors’ work.

• Welcome and orient new students.

• Organize regular meetings with advisors.

• Host recognition events for top-performing students.

• Track academic performance and suggest improvement strategies.

Responsibilities of the Department Guidance Unit Head

• Supervise academic advisors within the department.

• Ensure fair student distribution among faculty.

• Address and escalate student cases when needed.

• Submit seasonal and final performance reports.

• Follow up on students’ behavioral and emotional needs.

• Track complaints, gifted students, and those with academic challenges.

Academic Advisor Duties

• Create a personal file for each assigned student, including:

  • Personal data form

  • Academic program and graduation requirements

  • Any special documentation (e.g., course postponements)

• Help students understand class schedules and avoid conflicts.

• Explain GPA and grading systems and how cumulative grades are calculated.

• Monitor academic performance and offer personalized support.

• Encourage participation in extracurricular activities and group interaction.

• Help students understand their roles and responsibilities on campus.

• Inform students about university rules and academic procedures.