Dear students, friends, colleagues,
This year there were so many events that I am not even sure which ones should be considered as the main ones. In my view, this year we were accompanied by 3 main perspectives: resolution, energy and concentration. These are 3 main aspects which we could find in every action of a volunteering person because this year the activity of people who worked for every student, a member of society or a citizen is worth to be mentioned as an achievement. I would like to thank all of you for every single one of these activities!
We have started the year by marching together in Baltic Pride once again showing that the University is open for each member of its’ community. We have solved the questions related to social grants, study fields and institutional evaluation of higher education institutions. Together with other organizations in Lithuania, we have signed the commitment to the development of academic honesty and clarity in the activities intended for the community. We have become an organization that have obtained the opportunity to create the autonomy of students in the international alliance of universities ARQUS. We have celebrated the 30th anniversary of VU SA by inviting organizations that are active in University and in Lithuania to overlook the contribution of student activities and movements to the creation of Lithuania. Together with the community of VU we have distributed diplomas už Ačių in that way showing the society how hard it is for students, lecturers, researchers and non–academic personnel of the higher education institutions. As a final move, we have temporarily closed the university. We have chosen the students’ representatives in VU Council that had the responsibility to elect VU Rector. During the debate of the candidates for the Rector position, our Rector has signed a promise to students which you might use to evaluate the activity of Rector Rimvydas Petrauskas in 5 years. It is interesting how colleagues will evaluate this decision, but these 2 months look very promising.
The aim of VU SA that we had more than 5 years ago for the usage of Moodle and other tools of virtual learning in the study process seemed unachievable but this year, due to the COVID–19 quarantine, it became possible in 3 days. The transfer to the virtual space of the activities of VU SA, the organization of the remote conventions, the resolution of challenges related to academic and social processes that students have confronted with, the transformation of VU initiative Students to pupils, pupils to students (lt. „Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams“) into a national project, the coordination of volunteers in medical institutions, the flying back of students who were wandering all over Europe – these are the tasks that we were responsible for and which we performed together because we knew that we have to help each other.
My dear team, I cannot find the words to thank each and every one of you. You were that tank that undertook the initiative and the responsibility. Thank you for these moments that the destiny gave us and we spent them together.
A lot of things that we did I have not mentioned here, but all of them are in this book: please, read it, it seems that we did quite fine. Whether it is a lot or not and how much of it is for every student, I leave it for you to decide.
The only question that remains is “and what’s next?” but you will have to seek the answer to this question individually. Remember that this is the organization where everyone who wants to change or enhance our university is welcome. Become those who create and take responsibility for this huge community, create the organization that is harmonious and autonomous from various political and non-political interests, the organization that can see above the moral provisions and searches for a consensus among different members of the community.
Let’s create and organization that works unanimously for the future of students!
VU SA Prezidentas
Klaudijus Melys
Dear students,
I am greeting you as active creators of civil society, as individuals who daily choose to devote their time to the strengthening of Lithuania’s higher education and to representation of the interests of students studying in their higher school.
Your choice is visible and appreciable – the voice of your organisation is firm and has always conveyed a clear message. I admire the steadiness of your values and the continuity of your activities, your determination to resolve the problems related with the access and quality of studies, your desire and ability not only to get involved in ongoing changes but to also initiate them. Your systematic and perceptive work is always accompanied by youthful energy and spirit of a fresh insight into things; you always bring new winds into lengthy discussions. May you never lose all these qualities as their combination is very rare!
While writing this text, the whole world is self-isolating and increasing social distance to protect themselves and each other. In response to the outbreak of the virus, we are transforming our environment: operation of healthcare systems all over the world has been changing as well as the attitude to public life and economy. The community of educators is no exception either – we have entered the world of distance education sooner and faster than planned; we have been learning to learn and to teach differently. I am confident that part of this transformation will not be a mere short-term adaptation to the challenges which we will undoubtedly tackle through our collective effort. Some of the lessons learned will stay with us, will inspire us to take a new look at the study process and to evaluate what educational community has learned over a fairly short period of time.
Yes, we are the participants of a challenge but at the same time we participate in a breakthrough and new opportunities. This is an excellent chance for our education system to become more modern and to exploit the potential of digitalisation. It is delightful to see you publicly reflecting on the significance of these changes in the long run and actively getting involved in the solution of the unique challenges.
Thank you for partnership, for your constructive criticism and, most importantly, for your concern about the future of students!
Minister of Education, Science and Sport
Algirdas Monkevičius
Dear students, future graduates,
I congratulate you, people who actively work and create not only in Vilnius University, but also in Vilnius city! Your determination and self-confidence help to realize various students’ initiatives and to open up better possibilities to create professional, cultural and sportive life in Vilnius.
I genuinely support the initiatives of VU students dedicated to the pupils of Vilnius, to make their learning process more exciting. In 2020, together with partners you have realized the project Students for pupils, pupils for students (lt. Studentai moksleiviams – moksleiviai studentams). By that you have proven that you have innovative ideas on how to enhance the remote learning for pupils, how to make learning process creative and encouraging to seek for more.
Vilnius is a growing city where we aim to ensure that the growth would go smoothly by combining a drive to do things, knowledge and creativity. I invite you to be a part of this growth to aim for leadership and professionalism in your areas and to use the time while you study to fulfil these aims.
Mayor of Vilnius
Remigijus Šimašius
Dear students of Vilnius Alma Mater,
For this day we are one large, extremely diverse, constantly growing and full of potential academic community that has more than 20 thousand students, who each year receive around 5 thousand diplomas of various fields of research and studies. Although study programmes are rapidly changing or being moderated, we remain a classic university that cherishes liberal values. At the same time technology and nature sciences are having a breakthrough. While we are entering the second part of 5th centenary, to evaluate the extent our dynamics and growth we can look back to the 16th century, when the University has started its’ story: at that time, University had up to 500 students of poetics, syntax, grammar, philosophy and rhetoric.
The community of University has often lived under circumstances of changes. Sometimes we even had to stop. Vilnius University has faced many politic and social challenges. Most of them have left permanent marks in the University and all of them have not only created difficulties but also have toughen up us and the history of our country which is unimaginable without Alma Mater of Vilnius. This spring we, together with academic communities of the whole Europe, have faced an extraordinary challenge – we had to suddenly leave our beloved and well know classrooms and continue the process of studies virtually. Study results of this semester will be as well concluded and evaluated remotely. This has disturbed our usual rhythm but at the same time it has created new community channels and sometimes it even had brought together students and lecturers. I believe that this challenge, just like all the other challenges throughout the history, would not steal the inspiration to learn and create and to experience happiness and joy of new discoveries in our academic everyday life.
Your chairwoman of the Senate
prof. Dainora Pociūtė
Dear Student,
I am sending you my warm greetings for being active in enshrining values of academic ethics. Your initiatives contribute to the shaping of an open, responsive and responsible society in which intergenerational coherence finds its stand, developing mature approaches. In this regard, you should be bold and creative in strengthening the academic ethics culture within your university community.
Changes in the academic ethics culture lead to numerous challenges; however, I believe that these can be overcome by our working together. VU SA has delivered training and undertaken other initiatives within its community and through social networks, themselves a considerable part of the cultural change. The challenges of change deepen our community’s understanding of the value of academic ethics and help us strive for responsible communal attitudes towards our own colleagues, to the quality of higher education, to the university and to the state. Of course, I want you to persevere as a leader in pursuit of the activities you have started.
Act together for real change in the academic ethics culture!
Unite for the Future of Students!
Ombudswoman for academic ethics and procedures
Dr Loreta Tauginienė
Dear colleagues,
historically, students have always been the ones who quickly react to the changing environment, bring innovative ideas and break deeply rooted stereotypes.
You are a very important part of our Alma Mater community which helps to create and shape the University of today and the future as well as the future Lithuania. University studies are not only the foundation for labour market and career, but also it is the period where your future social circle forms, you prepare to implement the knowledge and skills that you have gained in order to take on the responsibilities that are awaiting you.
I wish you to use wisely the time you have spent in the University, take in all the knowledge and values which will later become your career foundation and guiding light for the rest of your life.
I wish that your organization will always keep the youthful optimism, drive, critical thinking and the thirst for knowledge.
Chairperson of Vilnius university Board
dr. Eglė Radzevičienė
Dear students,
Partnership always encourages to move forward, to search for an agreement, to hear the opinion of your colleague and respect it and to support each other, especially in times when we need it the most. VU SA, which during this reference period has celebrated its’ 30 years anniversary, has proved several times to be a reliable partner of the Library. We can bravely say that in every field we have successfully worked together: from information sources to physical infrastructure, from comfortable adjustment of working spaces to creation of virtual services.
While working together we have achieved great results: we have designed and implemented the activities of MKIC (eng. SCIC), we have connected VU Central libraries in one space. Today we can be glad about the newest project of physical infrastructure – Medicine and Geosciences Reading Room in M. K. Čiurlionis street. Discussions have encouraged to do a lot: insufficient amount of literature have prompted to perform a representative research of information sources in courses’ descriptions, we have agreed to organize more extensive training of information competences, and to include lectures about Libraty into VU freshmen integration week. Considering the virtual adjustment of learning environment, we are investing a lot of resources into purchase of electronic materials, renewal of Library systems and adjustment for a pleasant use.
We are glad about your active public spirit and responsibility, your initiatives that encourage to move forward, to search for sustainable and inspiring solutions. We value your ideas and suggestions because it means that you care: you care about the environment in which you live and learn, you care about the environment in which you will live, work and create. Good luck in all your tasks and ideas – the experience that you gain in VU SA will undoubtedly contribute to it.
General Director of VU Library
Irena Krivienė
Dear VU SA,
My reserves of congratulations are dwindling but your great accomplishments never end. People told me, that if I don’t write a better congratulations than last year, I better don’t even start to doing that (you are welcome to open last year’s report to read it, it perfectly applies to this year as well).
This year had brought us an enormous change – the new Rector of VU was elected. It is pleasant to see that students are already heard and attention is being paid to them. However, you don’t have time to relax!
The next year is going to be very important. It will create a foundation for the further development of the University in all areas. Or maybe it won’t. Or maybe it will create a foundation for the further undevelopment in some areas. Well, you understand the idea – you have to be ready for some serious work! Don’t forget that the election to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania is also going to take place this year, so you will have to introduce 141 freshmen to the truths of the higher education and the opinion leaders of this area... *cough* VU S*cough*.
So, when you finish to rejoice in your achievements of this year, prepare to move mountains the next year. And for it to happen, don’t forget to be punk and instead of long pondering if something’s possible or not, just take action.
Executive director of association Knowledge Economy Forum
Arminas Varanauskas
Dear students,
Representation is a substantial principle of European political culture. In this complex and fast-moving world, as well as in the University, someone, who takes the responsibility to understand the interests and express them, to collect knowledge and experience, has to emerge. While representing students, Vilnius University Students’ Representation can publicly raise questions and discuss about things that often stay in classrooms, corridors or courtyards. Discussions are followed by decisions that change something to be better.
I wish you to continue to create our academy, the society of students and lecturers – universitas magistrorum et scholarium – together. Our aim is shared, so I invite you for a constant dialog about the matters of our Alma Mater. Let’s have a goal that the state would take the commitment to substantially raise the sponsorship for research and studies, and on our part, we will ensure the quality of university studies. Let’s be active citizens of the Republic and share the university spirit with the whole wide society.
I wish you luck,
Newly elected Rector
prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas
Dear colleagues,
I am happy that you are curious, ambitious, thrusting and demanding to yourselves, the community of the University and the society. At the end of my term of office I want to thank you for exceptional partnership, that you have actively participated in the formation of politics regarding science and studies not only locally but also nationally. Together we have aimed for qualitative changes, for better present times and for better future and I am sure that you will successfully continue these aims. It is important that you have a wide understanding of the world, you understand the importance of discussion and uncomfortable questions that impact significant decisions. I believe that you will demonstrate leadership and achieve important and meaningful changes while continuing working hand in hand with the community of the University and the society.
Your courage and involvement, your young and restless soul encourage the people around you to seek higher things. While the humanity is facing new challenges and turning-points of civilisation, your activeness and creativity is very important while you are participating in the changes of the society and innovations of studies. Always remember, that to work for a university, that is a source of knowledge and wisdom, is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. Never lose this resolution and never forget our waymark – „Hinc itur ad astra”.
I am happy to see that students’ organizations in the University cherish a strong foundation of values and academicism. For 30 years VU SA gathers students in the period of history of the independent modern University. It not only maintains and cherishes academic and social values but also aims that they would work in everyday academic life. I am happy that VU SA assembles other students’ organisations and in that way, cherishes the culture of collaboration and collegiality, the culture which is the foundation of the performance of University.
Together we have aimed at openness and assurance of equal rights for everyone and I am sure that you will seek for it in the future and in that way will show an example for the country and the society. Decrease of social inequality in academic field is one of the challenges which, if you are unanimous, energetic and creative, you will undoubtedly overcome them. Let’s support each other and care for each other so that our talent and power would grow more intensely and at the same time we would be creating a successful future for University and for our country.
I wish you all the luck in your future goals
Rektorius prof. Artūras Žukauskas
Vilnius University Students’ Representation (VU SR, lt. VU SA) is the oldest and the biggest expert education organization in Lithuania. It represents the interests of students at Vilnius University and beyond, fostering university culture and creating the most favourable conditions for students’ self-expression.
In total, VU SA has 14 units in each core academic unit (faculty, institute, or centre) that represent students locally. VU SA also has 15 programs, clubs, projects and public bodies (lt. PKP) as well as one Central Office, which coordinates all the units, PKP and Vilnius University Alumni Society. For this day VU SA unites around 1000 members.
VU SA:
VU SA Parliament – VU SA governing body that considers the most important social and academic, student-related or other strategic issues of VU SA. This year, the Parliament consisted of 43 persons – the President of the organization, the chairpersons of VU SA units and two representatives from each unit. Parliament's work is organized by the Chairperson of the Parliament.
During the reference period, 11 Parliament meetings took place (2 of those were electronic and 1 was carried out remotely).
The Parliament has approved the regulations of the Vilnius university Energy Society, VU Writers' Club, Vilnius university Career Days project, Be etikečių, Erasmus Student Network Vilnius University programs, Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams project; the Position for the Description of Activities of Vilnius University Contact Persons for Groups and Study Year Courses. Temporary working groups were formed to produce the positions regarding the solution of the problems of organization and administration of Vilnius University study timetables, regarding the issue of students' work during studies, regarding the emotional environment, regarding the reorganization of study financing. The Parliament has approved VU SA Yearly Activity Plan, VU SA Strategic Activity Plan, Parliament Yearly Activity Plan, VU SA Annual Financial Plan. Students’ representatives were elected to the VU Senate by the Parliament. Following the vacancy of one students’ representative, additional elections were held in March. This year, the Parliament has approved the students’ representative in the VU Council.
Resolution on Support for the Education and Science Community was approved. Positions on the timetables at Vilnius University and on the quality of academic literacy education at the Faculty of Philosophy of Vilnius University were approved. The Rules of the Procedure of VU SA are being reviewed and updated.
One of the meetings of the Parliament was attended by a member of the Vilnius City Municipality Council, who aimed to find out the issues relevant to students. Also, the adviser to the Minister of Education, Science and Sports attended the meeting and discussed the idea of free higher education.
The Legal Working Group is a permanent working group of the VU SA Parliament. The main goal of the Legal Working Group is to ensure the compliance of the documents regulating the activities of VU SA with the documents of higher power.
During the reference period, Konrad Žitkovskij (the head of the group), Karina Sinkevičiūtė, Artūras Anisimenka and Linas Mockevičius were a part of this group.
VU SA, taking into account the 17th Government's policy towards the education and science community, recognizing the responsibility of students towards the members of this community and emphasizing the importance of the initiative of students' self-government, issued a resolution expressing the Organization's support for members of the education and science community.
In order to draw the administration's attention to the problems regarding timetables faced by students, VU SA has distinguished the basic provisions on the composition of timetables:
1. there should not be any long intervals between lectures;
2. compulsory and optional subjects should not overlap;
3. the schedules should be posted on a single platform;
4. the place where the lectures take place should be taken into account;
5. the specifics of laboratory work of master students should be taken into account.
The position also proposes that student representatives should be involved in the composition of timetables, and that timetables have to be composed and published by the 1st of May for Autumn semester and 1st of December for Spring semester.
VU SA, in response to the problems raised by students’ representatives at the meetings of the study programme committees, expressed the need to ensure consistent development of academic literacy competencies in the Faculty of Philosophy. VU SA claims the position that academic literacy must be developed evenly and qualitatively during studies, as this directly contributes to the improvement of study quality.
| VU SA President | Klaudijus Melys |
| CHGF | Andželika Jankauskytė |
| EVAF | Juozas Ėmužis |
| FF | Evaldas Matijošaitis |
| FILF | Agnė Karčiauskaitė (until October 2019), Agnė Lėverytė (since October 2019) |
| FSF | Aistė Rinkevičiūtė |
| GMC | Monika Pošiūnaitė |
| IF | Marius Norkūnas |
| KF | Smiltė Radziukynaitė |
| KnF | Ernestas Basovas |
| MF | Tomas Kaniauskas |
| MIF | Greta Kasparaitytė |
| TF | Karina Sinkevičiūtė |
| TSPMI | Gustas Navickas |
| VM | Mykolas Baranauskas |
VU SA Board – VU SA governing body dealing with cooperation and internal issues of the organization. This governing body consists of the chairpersons of the VU SA units and the President, who organizes the activities of this governing body. During the reference period, 18 meetings of the VU SA Board took place. The Board of VU SA discussed and adopted decisions on institutional strengthening, internal affairs and the budget.
During the reference period, the Board of VU SA has approved the composition of the VU Institutional Strengthening Fund. It also reviewed the positions of coordinators in units, made a decision to optimize human resources in the units, and decided how the organization’s events should change. The Board of VU SA adopted these decisions:
For the first time, the estimates of all freshmen camps, faculty days, project Career Days, 30th birthday were approved, and the amount of the freshmen camp participant's fee was set.
This year, VU SA Board worked on the problems of organizing distance learning. Due to the quarantine in Lithuania, such decisions as how the organization should continue to operate during this time were made and the issues of conducting events and Annual Conventions of VU SA units were resolved.
The Revision Commission is a controlling institution that performs financial and operational inspection of VU SA self-government institutions, VU SA units and other structural units of VU SA, as well as legal entities established by VU SA. The Commission consists of five members elected at the Annual Convention of VU SA.
During the reference period, the Revision Commission consisted of:
During the reporting period, 75 meetings and working sessions of the Revision commission were held. The Revision commission has also participated in the meetings of the Parliament and the Board and in the trainings carried out by the organization.
During the term of office, the Revision Commission has performed interim and final performance evaluations. During the final evaluation, the Revision Commission has checked the compliance of VU SA, VU SA unit, VU SA PKP, VU SA ISF and VU SA Parliament with the quantitative evaluation criteria, assessed the quality of activities by conducting surveys and meetings with the revised units.
The results of the evaluation of the organization's activities are provided by the Revision Commission in the Annual Convention of VU SA (the conclusions of the evaluation are available at vusa.lt)
The main goals of the organization are indicated in 2019–2020 VU SA Yearly Activity Plan. It is designed to specify the priorities of VU SA activity, that would help to create an open environment for independent student development in the unified community of Vilnius University and to systemically prepare to carry out these activities.
VU SA Yearly Activity Plan consists of strategic goals and goals that are set in VU SA units. Strategic goals are such goals with which we seek for a change for the whole university. This concept describes actions initiated by VU SA that help to solve problems that are relevant for all students of our University. Goals of VU SA units are set to ensure the improvement of social and academic environment in every core academic unit of Vilnius University and are set individually by VU SA units to take into account individual needs of students in every VU core academic unit.
The implementation of the goals is continued after the VU SA Annual Convention to achieve the changes that are described in the Yearly Activity Plan. Therefore, the results of the implementation of the Yearly Activity Plan that are reviewed in this report are not final and the activities will be continued.
You can find more information about Yearly Activity Plan and the process of planning here: (the information is in Lithuanian) www.vusa.lt → Dokumentai → VU SA dokumentai → Veiklą reglamentuojantys dokumentai.
We invite you to get acquainted with the results for the goals that were set in the 2019–2020 VU SA Yearly Activity Plan.
The following goals were set in VU SA units in the faculties according to the students’ needs in each faculty. The goals were distributed into thematic groups with the aim to promote the collaboration and sharing of the good practices among VU SA units while solving the problems that students encounter with.
Students can find all the relevant information about a course in the course (module) description: the evaluation, attendance, and other information needed for the study process. A common problem is that the descriptions are not being renewed or are not accessible to students.
The students must be given access to information that is relevant to them about the study process. However, there is a problem that not all information published in VU faculties is regularly updated. The students themselves expressed the need to obtain the necessary information to help them choose a further career path.
Equal involvement of students of all social groups in the study process and smooth teaching (learning) is necessary to ensure a favourable study environment and tools to optimally use the resources of the University.
Course papers are an integral part of the study process. Regardless that the University has approved the Regulations for the Preparation, Defence and Storage of Research Papers of Students Studying at Vilnius University, students still face ambiguities and problems.
In order for assessment to be considered fair and to promote mutual trust, it is important to ensure a transparent, impartial and targeted assessment procedure for the evaluation of students' competences and also to promote student-inclusive (innovative) teaching methods that have a direct link to the students’ competencies that are developed and assessed.
Based on VU IS surveys, it was noticed that the real workload of students does not correspond to the credits provided in the subject (module) description. Discrepancies are also observed among subjects which workload is assessed equally, but in reality, students face significantly higher or not adequately lower workloads than expected. It is important to address this problem so that students can assess the workload of the subjects they are studying and plan their time purposefully.
Most of the problems with assessment stem from the fact that different lecturers of the subject do not agree on a unified assessment system and clear criteria. Also, it is noted that not all tasks, which performance is an integral part of the subject, are included in the final assessment.
Students do not develop academic literacy competencies: there is a lack of knowledge about what plagiarism is, how to correctly cite sources, where to find the information about quoting, and so on. In order to ensure smooth process of writing papers and to reduce violations related to academic ethics, it is important to pay attention to the targeted development of these competencies.
Students’ representatives – Ignas Gaižiūnas, Erikas Jankūnas, Klaudijus Melys and Marius Norkūnas.
Student forum – an informal working group in the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education which includes representatives from Lithuanian higher education organizations that represent the interests of students.
During the reference period, four working group meetings were held to discuss the Procedure for the External Assessment and Accreditation of Study Programmes and the methodology of accreditation, External Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions and the accreditation methods, the national student survey system, principles of student complaints, etc. Representatives of VU SA were very active in providing suggestions and comments on the intermediate versions of the documents presented during the meetings, and provided suggestions on the national student survey system.
2In 2019, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (lt. ŠMSM) has approved the Methodology of External Evaluation of Study Fields and the Methodology for Conducting Institutional Review of a Higher Education Institution. These documents were prepared and coordinated by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (lt. SKVC). VU SA delegates have actively participated in the preparation of methodologies that followed after that.
VU SA has submitted proposals on the improvement of Methodology for External Evaluation of Study Fields in written form as well as during discussions several times. The main suggestions that VU SA has made for this document were related to the formulation of study field evaluation indicators, the language of self-analysis reviews, Scale for Evaluating Study Fields, and the monitoring of subsequent activities. On the 17th of July, 2019, ŠMSM has approved this document, however the formulation of indicators is illogical and does not meet the standard of formulation of indicators in Europe. The indicators were oriented towards the control of higher education institutions, but not towards their improvement empowerment after they have been asses by the external experts. That is the reason why VU SA has decided not to participate in the supplementation of evaluation areas and indicators for the Methodologies for External Evaluation of Study Fields and Study Programs to be Implemented. Nonetheless, VU SA has made some proposals for the procedure that the methodology describes.
VU SA has addressed ŠMSM and SKVC once again on the 10th of September, 2019 with a request to change the formulation of evaluation areas and indicators in the Methodology for External Evaluation of Study Fields. VU SA has submitted a fully prepared alternative list of areas and indicators for the external evaluation of study fields. It was decided to reconsider the evaluation areas and indicators because of VU SA and other higher education parties. After additional proposals and discussion with ŠMSM a new list of evaluation areas, goals and indicators was compiled which reflected the essence of proposals made by VU SA. VU SA has requested for the assessment to be oriented to quality, to pay more attention to the paradigm of student-oriented learning, the development of general and expertise competences, psychological and career counselling, the acknowledgement of previously acquired competences, the improvement of accessibility and social support for vulnerable groups and disabled students.
Also, VU SA has participated in the preparation of Methodology for External Evaluation of Study Fields after the evaluation areas and indicators were changed. The main proposals that VU SA has made were concerned with improving SKVC methodological support to higher education institutions, increasing and determining better involvement of students while preparing the reviews of self-analysis, streamlining and concretization of monitoring of subsequent activities. Thanks to VU SA, the experts had a chance to not only meet the students, but Students’ representation as well during external assessment of fields of studies. This additional meeting has created conditions for student representatives to talk about deeper problems of organising studies in one or few faculties.
While the evaluation areas, goals and indicators for fields of studies were being prepared, The Methodology for Conducting Institutional Review of a Higher Education Institution was also drawn up. VU SA has actively participated and made some proposals for this document as well. The main suggestions were to adjust the goal of higher education institutions’ assessment so that they would hold the responsibility to foster the quality. We have also offered to refuse excess regulations that would give the chance for ŠMSM arbitrarily instruct SKVC to conduct external assessment and to supplement assessment procedure by adding clearer subsequent actions and the publication of results. An alternative version of evaluation areas and indicators for external evaluation of higher education institutions, in which VU SA has offered to pay more attention to strategic management, science and evaluation of third mission and to clearly separate the criteria for evaluating science and studies. The majority of proposals made by VU SA were accepted and the higher education institutions’ evaluation areas and indicators were adjusted, however, some improvements still need to be done.
Students’ representative in the State Formed Commission in the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania – Giedrė Mikulėnaitė.
4 meetings were held during the reference period (11–07–2019; 18–07–2019; 24/27–04–2020; 28–04–2020). On the July 18, 2019, the remaining residency places were distributed. VU has acquired a state-funded place for cardiology residency because it is one of the priority specialisations according to the State.
On April 24–27, an electronic meeting of VUK was held on the distribution of residency places by specialties. This year, during the first stage, Vilnius University received 154 state-funded places for residency studies in the field of Medicine and 5 state-funded places for residency studies in the field of Dentistry. The electronic meeting was followed by a number of discussions. On April 28, a live meeting was organized. The representatives from SAM wanted to increase the number of residencies in Family Medicine by reducing the number in other study programs such as Radiology and Abdominal Surgery. The students’ representative expressed the view that such a change was not entirely logical, as Family Medicine residency studies could also be funded by the European Union with the possibility to remain working in the regions after the residency.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys
A meeting with Vilnius City Board for Youth Affairs was carried out in order to submit a proposal for the development of infrastructure in Saulėtekis district, and the development of public transport that runs at night during the exam session. It was also offered to develop cycling lanes so that the lanes between Šilas bridge and Saulėtekis alley would be connected, and to increase the number of stations for bicycles or alternative means of transport on this route. VU SA was also a part of Vilnius City Municipality Night-time Economy commission where it was offered to increase the number of activities taking place between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., so that not only night clubs and bars would be lively, but also a policy of various cultural spaces would be developed throughout the city of Vilnius. Vilnius City Municipality will continue to create the strategy for night-time economy and VU SA plans to be a part of it. In one of VU SA Parliament meetings, some offers were made for the beginning of this strategy.
Students’ representatives – Justas Kvedaravičius, Lukas Lisauskas, Klaudijus Melys (only participated in meetings relevant for students).
During the reference period, the work regarding social scholarships in the Law on Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Lithuania was continued. Because of the influence of VU SA, the search for a solution was suspended. Students’ representatives have asked to increase the number of people that are eligible to receive the scholarship. ŠMK has taken it into account to increase the scholarships from 3.25 to 6.5 basic social benefit (BSĮ).
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys
During the reference period, VU SA has participated in inter-institutional meetings and plenary meetings of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to speak on amendments of the Law on Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Lithuania. A proposal was submitted to the Prime Minister regarding the reduction of study scholarships and redistribution of funds, which increased the number of residency places.
During the reference period, the positions on amendments to the Law on Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Lithuania and on normative study price groups were discussed, a working group was formed on social scholarships. The issue of establishing the Regulations for Doctoral Studies was not completed. VU SA was included in the working group on the organization of state exams and admission to higher education institutions.
Students’ representatives – Justas Kvedaravičius, Augustė Grakavinaitė, Vilius Mickūnas, Jorigis Marčėnas, Klaudijus Melys.
In December 2019, ŠMSM has set up a working group to resolve the issue on social dimension in higher education. So far, 2 meetings have taken place where the measures and opportunities to increase the access to higher education were discussed. The national strategies implemented by Austria and Ireland on the social dimension in higher education were presented, and the UK's institutional framework for reducing social exclusion in education was examined. Also, the difficulties experienced by groups of students in Lithuania were discussed. During the meetings, it was decided to develop measures at the national level that would help people with disabilities, people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and the older people who want to pursue higher education.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
In March–April 2020, The Minister of ŠMSM set up a working group that drew up a plan for the implementation of state exams and admissions to higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. VU SA has expressed the opinion in this working group that state exams must be implemented and admissions to higher education institutions must take place by the 1st of September.
Following the proposals of the working group, a model for the renovation of dormitories in higher education institutions and vocational training institutions was developed. A pilot loan facility (12 million Euros) has been set up to launch the refurbishment of student dormitories.
An appeal for the change of regulation for Research PhD was sent to the vice-minister for Education, Science and Sport Valdemaras Razumas. However, due to the situation with COVID-19 in Lithuania, the question remains unsolved and the decision remains to be made in the future.
According to the attribution described in VU Statute, The Council supervises that the activity and management of the University correspond to University’s mission, objectives and principles, common academic matters and openness and accountability to the community indicated on the Statute. During the reference period, new Council was elected. The newly elected Council had an important task – to elect the new Rector of Vilnius University. During the meetings, the regulation for Council’s activity and the order of the election of the Rector were confirmed, a meeting with the candidates for the position of Rector and the election of the Rector were organized. The Council has also considered other important questions: the approval of The Description of the Procedures for 2020 Vilnius University Budget Structure and Composition, with which the deduction percent from the budget of VU centre of dorms was removed, the approval of the budget for 2020, in which the fund of VU scholarships was expanded, the approval of the Yearly Report of the Rector and discussions on the main aims of the activity for the upcoming years.
Students’ representatives:
In the Board of the Senate – Ignas Gaižiūnas;
In the Committee of Studies – Erikas Jankūnas (until April, 2020), Lukas Lisauskas (from April, 2020), Marius Norkūnas, Arnoldas Solovjovas;
In the Committee of Quality and Development – Ignas Gaižiūnas, Lukas Lisauskas (until April, 2020) Raminta Matulytė, Aistė Rinkevičiūtė (from April, 2020);
In the Committee of Research – Justas Kvedaravičius, Aistė Rinkevičiūtė (until April, 2020) Smiltė Radziukynaitė (from April, 2020).
VU Senate – the highest government body of the University that consists of members of VU academic community. The Senate is responsible for the supervision and development of the quality of studies, and for the cherishment of cultural, science, research, and teaching freedom. The activity of the Senate is organized by the Board, that considers the agendas of the Senate and creates proposals for them. The Board is responsible for the technical implementation of the activity of the Senate but it never makes any decisions. The activity is divided into three main sections: Studies, Research and Quality and Development. The committees for these sections analyse questions related to their field of the activity and deliver conclusions for the Senate to approve. During the reference period, the outbound training of VU Senate took place.
Question considered: candidates for VU Council.
Decision concluded: to agree on the accordance of the activity of the candidates for VU Council according to the Statute. University staff – Paulius Vaidotas Subačius, Rita Šerpytytė, Jurgita Verbickienė (area of interest in Humanities); Vytautas Dikčius, Rimvydas Skyrius, Rūta Žiliukaitė (area of interest in Social Sciences); Jelena Čelutkienė, Eugenijus Lesinskas (area of interest in Medicine and Health Sciences); Saulius Klimašauskas, Juozas Rimantas Lazutka, Aurelija Žvirblienė (area of interest in Nature Sciences in the fields of Biochemistry, Geology, Physical Geography, Palaeontology, Biology, Biophysics, Ecology and Environmental Science, Botanics and Zoology); Valentina Dagienė, Mindaugas Mačernis, Konstantinas Pileckas, Arūnas Ramanavičius (area of interest in Nature Sciences in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy and Informatics).
Non University staff or students – Emilija Banionytė, Rolandas Barysas, Aurelijus Katkevičius, Sigitas Narbutas, Skaidra Trilupaitytė (area of interest in Humanities, Culture and Art); Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, Mykolas Katkus, Česlav Okinčic, Tomas Palšis, Diana Vilytė (area of interest in systems of Law, Politics, Social, Economics, Finances and Administration); Algimantas Blažys, Eglė Radzevičienė (area of interest in High Tech related to Biomedicine Sciences); Antanas Marcinonis, Jovita Nenortaitė, Elena Vengrienė, Augustinas Vizbaras (are of interest in High Tech related to Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Informatics); Raimundas Balčiūnaitis (students’ representative).
Question considered: Candidates for the position of VU Rector and the provision of the opinion to the Council.
Decision concluded: to agree on the accordance of the candidates for the position of VU Rector according to VU Statute: Jūras Banys, Tomas Davulis, Eimutis Juzeliūnas, Rimvydas Petrauskas, Ramūnas Stepanauskas, Artūras Žukauskas.
Question considered: the approval of the Guidelines for the Internationality of Studies.
Nutarta:to approve the Guidelines for the Internationality of Studies. More on suggestions, provided by the students’ representatives – here.
Question considered: the approval of the Description of the Procedures for Vilnius University Students’ Acknowledgment of Competencies that are Acquired by Non-formal Education and Informal Learning and the Inclusion of the Study Subjects (Modules).
Decision concluded: to approve the document. The main suggestion of students’ representatives was to keep the possibility to include a significant part (not more than 50 percent) of the amount of a study programme.
Question considered:The Concept of General University Studies.
Nutarta: in order to follow the consistency of study politics, to consider the Concept of General University Studies only when the VU Teaching and Learning Vision will be approved.
Question considered:Vilnius University Diversity and Equal Opportunities Strategy for year 2020–2025
Decision concluded: to accept theStrategy and Strategic plan for year 2020–2025. The main suggestion of the students’ representatives was to expand the conception of support for students from social sensitive groups from financial support to versatile support and to aim to create the means of social, academic and psychological help.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
The Rectorate considers questions that are of the highest importance for the University. It passes the conclusions of the Rectorate to VU Council, Senate and the Rector, who make the final decision.
In the meetings of VU Rectorate the following questions were discussed: the situation regarding COVID-19 and actions that VU has to take up in this crisis, distribution of finances from PhD study baskets for the payment to the members of defences councils,VU Equal Opportunities Strategy for year 2020-2025, VU Teaching and Learning Vision, ARQUS Project and VU involvement in it, the VU Protest, databases that the University subscribes, the situation from the year 2021 and on, actions, that VU has to take up until the end of COVID–19, the Reflection of VU Recruitment and Certification, that was established together with the chairpersons of Recruitment and Certification Commission in the faculties, the results of admission and the Guidelines for the Internationality of Studies
Students’ representatives – Lukas Lisauskas, Klaudijus Melys, Aistė Rinkevičiūtė
During the meetings of vice-deans for academic affairs recommendations and conclusions regarding the improvement of studies are being prepared. The participants of these meetings are vice-deans for academic affairs from all faculties and students’ representatives.
During the reference period, 8 meetings were organized. The main questions that were discussed are as follows: the Guidelines for the Internationality of Studies (more information here), the project of the list of common competencies, the Description of the Procedures for Vilnius University Students’ Acknowledgment of Competencies that are Acquired by Non-formal Education and Informal Learning and the Inclusion of the Study Subjects (Modules), the Description of Studies’ Adjustment for Individual Needs Related to Disability, the statistics of students that terminate their study agreements, and the classifier for reasons of the termination of studies. During the meetings it was also agreed on the method of calculations for payment for teaching among all the faculties. In March, the problems regarding the transfer of study process to virtual space were discussed, as well as possible dates of the end of Spring semester, problems regarding the final thesis and lecturers’ involvement in the implementation of remote studies in each faculty.
Students’ representatives – Agnė Karčiauskaitė, Lukas Lisauskas, Gustas Navickas
This commission considers disputes for the decisions of dispute resolution commissions in the faculties and disputes between students and central administration staff. During the reference period, the Commission had one virtual meeting.
Students’ representatives – Erikas Jankūnas, Greta Kasparaitytė, Lukas Lisauskas
The Commission considers appeals of academic community for the violation of academic ethics. During the reference period the Commission had 6 meetings and 7 appeals.
Students’ representatives – Erikas Jankūnas (until April 2020) Jorigis Marčėnas (from April 2020) Aistė Rinkevičiūtė
GUS Commission is responsible for the implementation of the Concept of General University Studies, administers their implementation in the study process and ensures their quality.
During the reference period, the Commission had 9 meetings of which one meeting was virtual. During these meetings, the Commission has considered and approved 2 GUS subjects: Lithuanian Literature and History of Consciousness and International Law in the Changing World. The commission has also considered and approved renewed GUS subjects. During this period, the commission has continued the monitoring of the quality of GUS subjects, has discussed the challenges of the implementation and the assurance of GUS subjects quality, has analysed students responses about GUS subjects that were taught in 2019 Spring and Autumn semesters During the reference period, the Commission had meetings together with the Pro-Rector for Studies and the Study Committee of VU Senate oriented towards the assurance of GUS subjects quality.
Students’ representatives – Ilona Žilinskytė (until October 2019), Ieva Šukytė (from October 2019)
VU Central Electoral Commission is responsible for appropriate organization of election to the governing bodies of the University, the registration of elected members to the Senate and the Council and identification of the results for the election of the Rector.
During reference period, the commission had 14 meetings (12 physical meetings and 2 virtual meetings), during which the commission has counted the results for the election to VU Council, has registered the candidates for the position of Rector and the candidates for the Senate, has approved the voting ballot of the election of the Rector and has considered an appeal for the election to VU Council.
Students’ representative – Dovilė Zalepūgaitė
VU Commission for Academic Protocol is responsible for the order of the ceremonies that take place in the University and for the cherishment of University attributes and traditions.
During the reference period the Commission has considered an initiative of commemoration of the exiles from the VU community by putting up a roadside pole in the spaces of the University. The Union of the Pharmacists in Lithuania has sent 2 appeals to the Commission with a suggestion to hang a memorial board for pharmacist J. F. Wolfgang in the University and a suggestion to establish a museum of medicinal herbs in the premises of VU Press.
Students’ representative – Erikas Jankūnas
The Commission considers the candidacies for VU professor emerita, affiliated professor, docent, research staff, Doctor Honoris Causa, alumna or maecenas and passes their decision to the Senate.
During the reference period, the Commission had 2 meetings where they discussed the renewal of the Regulation for VU Commission for Emeritura, Affiliation and Honorary Titles and has considered 5 candidacies for professor emerita, 6 candidacies for affiliated professor and 7 candidacies for the name of maecena.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
The Commission considers the candidacies of lecturers and research staff and passes their decision to the Rector. The opinion to not pass all candidacies was formed based on the students’ surveys.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
The Commission considers the candidacies of lecturers for awarding the pedagogical titles and passes them on for the Senate. During the reference period the Commission had one meeting where it approved all the candidacies paying special attention to the information from students’ surveys.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
The Committee passes its’ opinion regarding the nomination of the positions of the partnership professors and partnership docents to the Rector. These positions allow famous Lithuania business representatives, diplomats and other specialists of their fields who occupy leading positions or are very experienced in practical work to read lectures at VU.
During the reference period, the Committee had 2 meetings, where the students’ representative had expressed students’ opinion about the candidates. The pedagogical competences of 6 candidates were evaluated as insufficient so their candidacies were rejected.
Students’ representatives – Juozas Nainys (until July 2019), Tomas Gečas (from July 2019)
During the reference period, the Commission has analysed 11 applications for the distinguished professor status. The candidates were evaluated in regard to the responses of foreign experts, the evaluations of pedagogical activity provided by the Students’ Representation, the evaluation of the lectures taught and the documents provided by the candidates. The status of distinguished professor was awarded to 3 VU researchers: Vladislavas Fominas (VU Kaunas Faculty), Gediminas Juzeliūnas (VU Faculty of Physics) and Česlovas Venclova (VU Life Sciences Center).
Students’ representative – Lukas Lisauskas.
The commission reviews the activity of the candidates and passes its’ recommendations for awarding the candidates the status of the best lecturer to the Rector. The candidacies of the lecturers suggested by the students are provided by the administration in a faculty together with faculty’s unit of the students’ representation.
During the reference period, the commission had 1 meeting. During the meeting, the commission has chosen 14 best lecturers out of 36 candidates suggested by the faculties. The best lecturers were awarded with Rector’s financial prizes.
The best lecturers of 2019 are as follows: Martynas Misevičius (VU CHGF), Giedrė Dzemydaitė (VU EVAF), Kęstutis Aidas (VU FF), Birutė Ona Palovienė (VU FLF), Roma Jusienė (VU FsF), Rimvydas Petrauskas (VU IF), Vilmantas Gėgžna (VU GMC), Asta Urbanavičiūtė-Globienė (VU KF), Darius Dilijonas (VU KnF), Irus Grinis (VU MIF), Vytautas Tutkus (VU MF), Augustė Dementavičienė (VU TSPMI), Vytautas Mizaras (VU TF), Mindaugas Laužikas (VU VM).
Students’ representatives – Justas Kvedaravičius, Klaudijus Melys.
In 2012, the University has passed the Concept for the Encouragement of Activeness and Health Education, which main objective is to raise members of modern society who understand health as a value, who take responsibility for the health of themselves and the community. During the reference period, the Group has developed a new concept with aims to educate the community and provide services. It was decided to form a holistic view about health, to ensure a healthy physical, psychological and social environment, to ensure the support of the University’s administration and to position the University as the leader in the area of Health Strengthening nationally and globally.
Students’ representatives – Vygailė Vilčiauskaitė, Aistė Pačebutaitė, Justas Kvedaravičius.
One-off social grants are rewarded for students who have experienced accidents (death of a relative(s), health disorder of a relative(s) or the student himself/herself, the change of the financial situation) or the birth of a newborn.
During the reference period, the commission had 5 meetings where it had distributed 142 grants with the total sum of 39 197 euros.
Students’ representatives – Marius Norkūnas (until April 2020), Vilius Mickūnas (from April 2020), Justas Kvedaravičius.
One-off earmarked scholarships are granted to students with relevant achievements in sports, cultural and scientific/social activities. During the reference period, the Commission had 2 meetings where 424 scholarships were awarded for the total sum of 27 941,5 euros.
Study programmes’ committees (lt. SPK) are academic formations which coordinate study programmes and are responsible for their administration. A committee ensures the integrity among the aims, competences developed, content methods and evaluation of students’ achievements in a study programme and enhances the study programme by analysing the opinion of lecturers, students and social partners and other indicators of quality. SPK consists of not less than 3 lecturers, social partner(s) and at least one students’ representative.
During the reference period, the attention was focused on the development of competencies of students’ representatives to ensure effective representation of students’ opinion. The representatives have participated in various VU SA trainings where they have developed their competencies, they have also checked their knowledge by completing the test designed for students’ representatives in study programme committees. Students’ representatives have collected the opinion of students using various methods: they have organized meetings with students, conducted e-surveys, and used other ways to collect students’ opinion on the content of study programmes, their performance, the quality of teaching and other relevant aspects. Students’ representatives had participated in study programmes committees’ meetings, where they have represented students’ opinion on important questions and had initiated themselves the solution of the relevant problems.
During the meetings of study programme committees, the members have mostly discussed about selective subjects, content of subjects, examination methods, teaching quality, workload and course descriptions.
Students’ representatives – Klaudijus Melys, Dovilė Zalepūgaitė (until February 2020), Julija Jarutytė (from February 2020).
The Group for the Community Affairs consists of the representatives that provide various services for the members of the community in the faculties. Its’ main aim is to ensure that every person would feel as a part of the community, so the group discusses all questions that are relatable for the community.
During the reference period, the group had 8 meetings where the representatives have shared news from their faculties, have discussed the organization of projects at VU and the organization of 450 years anniversary of Vilnius University Library.
Students’ representatives – Justas Kvedaravičius, Klaudijus Melys, Marius Norkūnas.
VU 440 anniversary scholarship is a gift from the University to pupils to celebrate the University’s 440 years anniversary. The scholarship of such type has never been awarded in Lithuania before. It is a scholarship that supports pupils applying to the University, who are from smaller towns, or are orphans, or have financial difficulties, or have a disability or conditions that create difficulties to study.
During the reference period, the group had 4 meetings where it had distributed 100 scholarships with the total sum of 200 thousand euros.
Students’ representative – Erikas Jankūnas.
During the reference period, the group for this project had prepared the Guidelines for the Internationality of Studies and the Methodology for the Evaluation of the Internationality of Studies. The Guidelines were approved by the VU Senate on November 20th, 2019. Now the faculties, aiming to realize objectives and tasks planned in the Guidelines, are applying for the sponsorship of initiatives of the internationality of studies that contribute to its' development according to the priorities of 2020 – Learning in International Groups and the Development of Joint Study Programmes..
Students’ representative – Lukas Lisauskas.
During the reference period, the group has been preparing the project for VU Teaching and Learning Vision. The group had meetings with the vice-deans for academic affairs in the faculties and had organized a 2-day event for the members of VU community to discuss the project. Right now, it is being enhanced and it will be passed to the Senate for the approval.
Students’ representative – Klaudijus Melys.
During the reference period, it was agreed to organize a training for the lecturers who want to enhance the main teaching competences. The main competences that students indicate as problematic were identified according to the students’ surveys. Later on, these competences were highlighted during the training. Another task of the group was to create a description of basic pedagogic competences that will be used to evaluate the competences in the Recruitment and Certification commissions in the faculties. Such description was prepared, it will be sent to the Senate for the approval. The main focus in the description is on the feedback, the means of remote learning and the sharing of good practices.
Students’ representative – Lukas Lisauskas.
During the reference period the group had prepared a project for the Set of Common Competences of VU Graduates where it is specified what common competences the graduate of VU is supposed to acquire. Right now, the project is being developed – the competences required are being described in detail. In the future, it is planned to create a plan on how to ensure the training of such competences in the University.
The main goal of this initiative is to help pupils from 1-12 grades to better learn the information that pupils get during the distance learning. The volunteers of this initiative – mentors – have helped the pupils who registered to find the theoretical material needed for further learning and consulted the participants about the matters related to distance learning. Mentors have also provided the participants with information about career consulting, mobility, and career guidance. The initiative has connected a few hundreds of pupils and mentors.
Another activity of the initiative was remote events that were moderated by the partners of the initiative – the representatives of universities and organizations and the mentors themselves. During this period several dozens of such events were organized. VU radio START FM has broadcasted radio shows dedicated for pupils.
All the help for students were provided using means of remote communication.
The initiative is supported by the First Lady of the Republic of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė.
The initiative has started on April 7, 2020. Its’ activities were coordinated by VU SA Programs, Clubs, Projects and Integration Process coordinator Vanesa Ražinskytė.
We have also organized SMMS camp which were transferred to Discord platform. You can read more about it in the chapter of Programs, Clubs and Projects.
During the reference period, we have kept close contact with one of our closest partners – University Library. During the meetings, we have discussed and evaluated the situation regarding information resources which students need for studying, and have talked about possible expiration of electronic resources. We have also discussed about Library activities during the Freshmen Integration Week. We have as well talked over the situation about learning spaces and reading rooms in the faculties of Medicine and Mathematics and Informatics and have talked about possibilities of enhancing learning space in Kaunas Faculty.
During the reference period, 7 meetings with the director of VU Health and Sport Centre dr. Ramunė Žilinskienė and the centre’s personnel. We have discussed about sport and health in VU: we talked about providing the possibilities for students to use the services of the centre, about connecting the TV in the premises of VU SSC (Saulėtekio av. 2). We have also worked with the Concept for the Encouragement of Activeness and Health Education. VU SA sought to include this question in the agenda of VU Senate, it was successfully done with the approval of the Board of the Senate. We have suggested to include the renewal of the infrastructure and to add the aspects of psychological state and the effect of University to the society alongside with the aspect of enhancement of physical health. The formation of this concept has temporarily stopped, but it is expected to continue it in the future.
University LGBT+ group is a Vilnius University association that unites LGBT+ students, staff, alumni, and their allies.
During the reference period, VU SA program Label-free (lt. Be etikečių) and the LGBT+ group have organized an event “How to Come Out of the Closet: Practical Guide”. We have as well collaborated on other relevant questions.
Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Students’ Representation (VGTU SA) – is an organization that represents the interests of VGTU students.
During the reference period, together we have organized a conference The Purpose of Higher Education: Are We Single-mindedly Going Nowhere? (lt. Aukštojo mokslo paskirtis: Ar einame kryptingai į niekur?) during the conference together with the representatives from other organizations and institutions we have discussed about the preparation of graduates, the accessibility of higher education, the implementation of the mission of higher education via study process. The recordings of the discussions of the conference can be accessed on the conference event on Facebook.
Kaunas University of Technology Students’ Representation (KTU SA) – is an organization that represents the interests of KTU students.
During the reference period, we have collaborated with KTU SA on various questions. The team of MIDI of VU SA unit in the faculty of Mathematics and Informatics had meetings with KTU SA unit in the faculty of Informatics. During the meetings the teams shared their experience on organizing events. The President of VU SA has moderated the discussion in the conference Things You Can’t Google (lt. Tai, ko nepagooglinsi) organized by KTU SA and has led the training for the chairpersons their teams of KTU SA units. This training was oriented towards unanimous image of the organization and the solution of problems.
In April 2020, VU SA, together with Lithuanian Students’ Union, Lithuanian Council of Youth Organizations and Lithuanian School Students’ Union, has started an initiative Students for Pupils, Pupils for Students (lt. Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams) which is based on VU SA program of the same name. More about this initiative – here.
During the reference period, we have also together written an appeal for assigning the funding for the enhancement of the infrastructure of dorms in higher education institutions.
Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers (lt. LJMS) is an association that unites and represents PhD students, young scientists and researchers in Lithuania.
During the reference period, together we have discussed about students’ loans. After this discussion we have carried out a survey about study loans where students from all levels of education have participated.
Lithuanian Liberal Youth (lt. LLJ) – is a political, non-profit, non-governmental, volunteer youth organisation that promotes classical liberal and libertarian values among young people.
During the reference period, the representatives of VU SA had led the training for LLJ members about representation and the importance of leading in the decision making.
Lithuanian School Student Union is an organization that unites self-governments of Lithuanian pupils and represents them in Lithuanian institutions.
During the reference period, the representatives of VU SA have led a team-building training for the organization’s bureau. In April 2020, VU SA, together with Lithuanian Students’ Union, Lithuanian Council of Youth Organizations and Lithuanian School Students’ Union, has started an initiative Students for Pupils, Pupils for Students (lt. Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams) which is based on VU SA program of the same name. More about this initiative – here.
VJOS AS is a union of youth organizations that are registered in the municipality of Vilnius. It represents the youth and its’ organization in Vilnius city.
During the reference period, we have participated in VJOS AS assembly. During the assembly the participants have elected a new chairperson, Ilona Žilinskytė became one of the Board members and Erikas Jankūnas became a representative in Vilnius Youth Affair Board. We have participated in working groups for the strategy, the renewal of the regulation for the control commission and for the assembly, and for the renewal of the organization’s Statute. VU SA has also participated in training organized by VJOS AS.
Board of Lithuanian Youth Organizations (lt. LiJOT) is an organization that represents Lithuanian youth and its’ organizations on the national level.
During the reference period, we have collaborated with Eurodesk Lietuva on the publication of the content and topics that are relevant to students. We have also participated in the discussion Higher Education: When Will We Engage the Education for the Future? (lt. Aukštasis mokslas: kada švietimą įdarbinsime ateičiai?) that took place in LiJOT summer festival Share the Summer (lt. Dalinkis vasara). We have discussed free bachelor degree education, social guarantees, and the coordination between students’ jobs and studies.
In April 2020, VU SA, together with Lithuanian Students’ Union, Lithuanian Council of Youth Organizations and Lithuanian School Students’ Union, has started an initiative Students for Pupils, Pupils for Students (lt. Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams) which is based on VU SA program of the same name. More about this initiative – here.
Knowledge Economy Forum is an association which is open for all ideas that encourage the growth of the priority area – knowledge economy. KEF invites the society to create the future of our country that is more modern and is based on modern technologies and knowledge.
The representatives of VU SA actively participate in KEF activities. On December 5, 2019, in the expanded meeting of KEF Board, VU SA representative have discussed with other members the priorities of KEF activity for the upcoming year in areas of Education and Innovations. The priorities will be approved in the KEF general meeting of members
Since 2018, VU SA together with KEF and other organizations – Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers and Šiauliai University Students’ Representation carries out the project The Enhancement of Public Management in Education Area by Including Non-governmental Organizations (lt. Viešojo valdymo švietimo srityje gerinimas įtraukiant nevyriausybines organizacijas). The representatives of KEF also actively participate in trainings organized by VU SA.
Students’ representatives – Klaudijus Melys, Jorigis Marčėnas.
This year Vilnius University has joined a European project ARQUS. The main objective of this project is to share experiences and resources among 7 universities in Europe participating in the project. In order to ensure that the attention would be paid to students’ needs, each university has delegated 2 students’ representatives. On October 29–31, 2019, a meeting of student council took place in Brussels, Belgium. During the meeting, the students’ representatives got acquainted with the ARQUS project, its’ aims and means of uniting the universities. The following online meetings were aimed to ensure active participation of the members and sharing of the knowledge. The participants have discussed ways of sharing the information about the project itself and its’ possibilities for the students and it was agreed taht one of the main ongoing goals is the creation and the implementation of the Student Card.
Students’ representatives – Laima Jasionytė, Klaudijus Melys, Lukas Lisauskas and Ivan Trunov.
On January 6, 2020, VU SA has participated in the meeting, that took place in the VU Life Sciences Centre, with the representatives from UK Higher Education Policy organization that unites students’ unions in UK. During the meeting, the participants have discussed the structures of the organizations, the involvement in the possibilities of assuring the quality of the higher education, they have shared the experience about the systems of study loans, the counselling of students, the infrastructure and networks of university dorms, and the provision of psychological and emotional aid for students.
Students’ representatives – Justas Kvedaravičius and Augustė Grakavinaitė.
On February 13-14, 2020, theEuropean Learning & Teaching Forum took place in Utrecht, Netherlands. During the forum the innovations and tendencies related to learning and teaching were presented and problems related to the field were discussed. The participants of the forum have discussed about the blended learning courses, their necessity and advantages, digital studies, the improvement of study programmes, the improvement of the competences of lecturers, and the mobility and internationality of students and lecturers. A lot of attention was brought to students and their involvement into study process and its’ improvements. VU SA representatives have participated in the plenary sessions during which together with the representatives from other universities they have discussed about the study process and problems that students encounter with in the universities. Before the meeting, VU SA representatives had met with the representatives of the European Student Union. Together they have discussed about the topics and reports of the forum and the study processes where students should be included.
On December 11, 2019, VU SA representatives have participated in the international conference organized by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education. The speakers from Lithuania and foreign countries have presented the complexity of ties between quality, accountability and reputation, the culture of quality and accountability, and insights on the assurance of quality and the goals for the students’ study results. The quality of studies in the eyes of students was also discussed.
LiJOT and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania alongside with youth organizations in Lithuania have organized a conference where the part of National Progress Program for years 2021-2130 related to the youth of Lithuania and Lithuanian youth organization was discussed. During the conference, the organizers have presented the logic of the program and all the participants have worked in groups. The representatives of VU SA have identified that important questions which are the work with the youth, the assurance of social services and accommodation, study grants, programs and means of funding that are oriented towards students who come to the city from villages are dedicated not only to the adaptation but also to expand the activities that would involve young people.
VU SA, in response to the documents submitted in 2019, such as the Description of the Procedure for External Evaluation and its annexes, drafts for the Methodology for the External Evaluation of Study Fields and the Intended Study Programs Evaluation Methodology, submitted documents to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania and the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education. The suggestions, comments and remarks provided were not taken into account in the preparation of the documents, and the projects were not coordinated with the stakeholders – higher education institutions, students, social partners. Emphasis was placed on the proposed changes, which will help to assess the study fields carried out and intended to be implemented in higher education institutions and the quality of study programs in study fields.
VU SA, in response to the description of the Procedure for External Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions and Branches of Foreign Higher Education Institutions, prepared in 2019, has submitted proposals and comments to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania on further improvement of the project. Changes in the assessment areas and indicators were suggested in writing.
During the reference period, VU SA has responded to the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Science and Studies No. XI-242 amendment of Article 82 and addition of Article 82 to the Act, where the provided circumstances for access to higher education for students from financially vulnerable social groups were unfavourable and aggravating. Proposals were made in writing to abolish academic results as an admission criterion; to reserve the right to apply for social scholarships for students who have taken academic leave due to illness or pregnancy; to raise the age level of students who can receive a social scholarship to 30 years and to provide a sufficient amount of social scholarship to meet the needs of the students (to the amount of 1 minimum consumption needs unit).
Vilnius University, supported by VU SA, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania and the Ministry of Social Security of the Republic of Lithuania made comments and suggestions for the systematic review and improvement of financial support for students with disabilities. The proposals were accepted.
During the reference period, VU SA, in the Committee on Education and Science (lt. ŠMK) of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has responded to the issue under the discussion of Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Science and Studies No. XI-242 amendment of Article 82 and addition of Article 82 to the Act and took into account the considered amendments to this law, submitted proposals to parliamentarians to register amendments to the law to increase the amount of social scholarships administered by the State Studies Fund to 1 minimum consumption needs unit and provide them to those that are on academic leave for the first time. The proposal to increase social scholarships attracted the attention of the members of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and was registered, later this issue was further discussed at the meetings of ŠMK of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.
VU SA and VU submitted proposals to Vilnius City Municipality to develop bicycle infrastructure by connecting Saulėtekis student campus with Vilnius city center and also to develop bicycle storage stations. The municipality responded by looking for ways to expand bicycle storage stations in remote areas of the city. They also have planned to implement cycling connections between important city areas for students.
VU SA has contributed to the student stress and well-being survey BOOM-LT.implemented by the Center for Psychotraumatology. It aims to find out what kind of difficulties Vilnius University students face and which aspects are important for students to feel healthy and happy during their studies. 1,713 students participated in the survey.
Most students report facing health and studying/work-related problems. More than two-thirds of students agree that their living conditions are excellent, but would be inclined to change something in their lives. The results of the questionnaire reveal that more than half of the students do not smoke and that slightly less than a third do not drink alcohol. Slightly more than a tenth of the respondents say that they have experienced bullying at university/work.
VU SA has conducted a survey on the collection of feedback from students in Lithuanian higher education institutions. The aim of the study was to find out the current situation of collecting feedback from students in the country, based on the expert opinion of students’ representatives. The study involved 56 members of students’ representations from 15 higher education institutions located in 5 different regions of Lithuania.
It has been observed that online surveys are the most convenient way to provide feedback, according to students’ representatives, but only the combination of electronic survey forms and live discussions and conversations allows to collect the information of higher quality and improves the procedure of feedback collection and further use.
VU SA has conducted a student survey on state-supported loans for tuition fees, living expenses or part-time studies under the international agreements. The aim of the survey was to find out the best directions for improving state-supported loans based on students' opinions. A survey of Vilnius University students was conducted, where 829 students participated. Out of those, 78 percent studied in a state-funded study place, 38 percent worked while studying and 14 percent had taken out a state-supported loan in the last 5 years. The average age of the respondent was 21-year olds and the vast majority of them were first cycle (bachelor) students.
You can get acquainted with all the research and analysis conducted by VU SA: vusa.lt/lt/veiklos-ir-tyrimu-ataskaitos (available only in Lithuanian)
During the reference period, VU SA has implemented 2 projects of which one is still ongoing. We have also submitted 2 project application of which one did not receive the funding and the decision about the other one has not been reached yet.
We have implemented 2 projects that won the competition for the civil, scientific, creative and supportive students’ project funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. The first project – The Development and the Implementation of the Ideas for Academic Ethics Paradigm in Student Activities (lt. Akademinės etikos paradigmos idėjų plėtra ir taikymas studentiškose veiklose) was oriented towards the strengthening of students’ understanding of the principles of academic ethics and the implementation of its’ violation prevention in academic activity. The second project – Students’ Satisfaction with Their Studies: Is It Possible to Measure It and How Are We Able to Do It? The Analysis of Foreign Experiences and Suggestions for Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions (lt. Studentų pasitenkinimas studijomis: ar įmanoma ir kaip jį išmatuoti? Užsienio patirties analizė ir siūlymai Lietuvos aukštosioms mokykloms) was oriented towards the preparation of analysis of Lithuanian higher education institutions students’ satisfaction with their studies. In this analysis we overlook the most important theoretical aspects of students’ satisfaction with their studies, and with the reference to good practices in foreign and Lithuanian higher education institutions, we have prepared the recommendations for Lithuanian higher education institutions.
We have received the funding from the European Structural Funds for the project The Enhancement of Public Management in Education Area by Including Non–governmental Organizations that we have organized together with partners – Knowledge Economy Forum, Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers and Šiauliai University Students’ Representation. The main objective of this project is to raise society’s intolerance towards corruption and to raise society’s participation in the processes of public management in education area. For the project, we carry out surveys to indicate the needs and the problems of the target groups and according to the results of surveys we prepare suggestions and positions to institutions that take interest in the quality of education system. We also strengthen the defence of our partners’ public interests in the education area, the quality and extent of the participation in the processes of public management and perform other activities that are needed to reach the goals of the project.
During the reference period, 36 trainings in total were organized where 844 people have participated. The main topics that were analysed during the trainings were:
We have worked more systematic in the field of Human Resources:
Speakers’ database
During the reference period, we had a goal to create a new platform using the previous data about speakers where it would be possible to prepare and comment applications for trainings, choose speakers and use methodical data that has been collected up to this day.
We have already created a prototype of the platform where the process of submitting the application would be easier and automatized. We aim to help people who organize trainings to prepare for the trainings more effectively: it is possible to sort the speakers by topics, and to get some ideas from previous simulations or other activities that were already organized.
We constantly collect feedback about this platform and aim to improve it and to customize it according to the needs of the growing organization.
Methodical data
This year we have started to translate methodical data that was collected in recent years. It is a tool to grow competencies of the members of organization not only during local or outbound trainings, but also all the time – while reading, solving tests, or carrying out simulations.
Up to this day, topics that have been translated are:
In the future, it would be possible to continue the translation of methodical data and to upload it to the speakers’ database.
| TRAINING DATES | Participants | NAME OF THE TRAINING | NAME AND SURNAME OF THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON |
| 07.06 | 12 | VU SA FF Local training for mentors | Evaldas Matijošaitis |
| 07.06-07.07 | 14 | VU SA TF Outbound training for mentors | Izabelė Petrikaitė |
| 07-07 | 24 | VU SA FilF Outbound training for mentors | Reda Stankutė |
| 07.08-07.09 | 14 | VU SA GMC Outbound preparation for the yearly activities' planning | Monika Pošiūnaitė |
| 07.10 | 11 | VU SA FsF Local team-building for mentors | Tomas Getautas |
| 07.18 | 14 | VU SA GMC Local training for mentors | Gerda Matuškevičiūtė |
| 07.20 | 28 | VU SA MF Local training for mentors | Ignas Planutis |
| 07.22 | 27 | VU SA MIF Local training for mentors | Augustė Chmieliauskaitė |
| 07.22 | 20 | VU SA FsF Local training for mentors | Natalija Pevcova |
| 07.23-07.24 | 9 | VU SA KF Outbound training for mentors | Milda Šadreikaitė |
| 07.24-07.27 | 14 | VU SA TF Planning of yearly activities for year 2019–2020 | Karina Sinkevičiūtė |
| 08.05-08.06 | 10 | Sąžiningai Planning of yearly activities for year 2019–2021 | Karina Ingiliartaitė |
| 08.22-08.23 | 13 | VU SA KF Outbound training for coordinators' team | Justina Janavičiūtė |
| 09.06 | 11 | VU SA IF Local training for coordinators' team | Iveta Kemėšytė |
| 09.24 | 15 | VU SA KnF Training for the representatives of study courses | Indrė Bagdžiūtė |
| 10.15-10.22 | 11 | Be etikečių Local training for communication, marketing and organization and a team-building (on October 15 and October 22) | Ieva Budreikaitė |
| 10.05-10.06 | 11 | VU SA FsF Local training for coordinators' team | Viltė Jankauskaitė |
| 10.26-10.27 | 27 | VU SA FsF Local training of social and academical information | Aistė Pačebutaitė |
| 10.26-10.27 | 22 | VU SA CHGF Autumn training | Irma Brogaitė |
| 11.15 | 18 | VU JEK Team-building | Milita Užgirytė |
| 11.10 | 30 | VU SA MIF Local training | Monika Barauskaitė |
| 11.22-11.24 | 36 | VU SA KF Autumn outbound training | Rugilė Balčiūnaitė |
| 11.22-11.24 | 28 | VU SA TSPMI Autumn outbound training | Artūras Cesiulis |
| 11.29-12.01 | 25 | VU SA FF Autumn outbound training | Rūta Marija Trečekauskaitė |
| 11.30 | 30 | VU SA MIF Local MIDI leaders' training | Povilas Zaremba |
| 11.08-11.10 | 27 | VU SA GMC Autumn outbound training | Ignas Ušinskas |
| 11.09-11.10 | 30 | VU SA TF Autumn outbound training | Martynas Zdanavičius |
| 11.16 | 20 | VU SA TF Training for contact persons of study course | Karolina Kasciukevičiūtė |
| 11.23-11.24 | 50 | VU SA VM ir VU SA IF Autumn outbound training | Iveta Kemėšytė |
| 11.30-12.07 | 40 | VU ESN Outbound training | Ajane Mrgrjana |
| 12.06-12.08 | 25 | VU SA FilF Winter outbound training | Prieglius Žuklys |
| 12.14-12.15 | 30 | VU SA KnF Winter outbound training | Ieva Kanopaitė |
| 12.06-12.07 | 35 | VU SA FsF Winter outbound training | Viltė Jankauskaitė |
| TRAINING DATES | Participants | NAME OF THE TRAINING | NAME AND SURNAME OF THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON |
| 01.17 | 24 | VU SA CHGF 55th Chemistry days team training | Lavija Žibutytė |
| 02.08 | 19 | VU SA CHGF coordinators' training | Irma Brogaitė |
| 02.15 | 70 | VU KD volunteers' training | Toma Tomkutė |
Fostering the community spirit and student integration remains an important priority of Vilnius University Student Representation. For several years in a row VU SA has been actively taking care of socio–academic and community events, strengthening and expanding projects, clubs and programs that are open to all members of the VU community. In this way, VU SA promotes a cohesive, open community that fosters university traditions.
This year, the members of VU SA for the 18th time has lit thousands of candles in Kaunas Old Town on November 1st, All Saints' Day. In the heart of the city the River of Souls invited Kaunas residents, city guests and the entire University community to remember and honour their deceased relatives.
On the eve of the International Student Day on November 16th, Vilnius university Students’ Representation celebrated its 30th birthday. During the birthday lunch, non–governmental youth organizations, not only from Vilnius University but also from the whole Lithuania, were invited to remember the country's thirty years and share the best practices in achieving significant results that have brought change to today's students lives. Generations of VU SA members who met in the evening part of the birthday party shared memories of the organization's development over the past thirty years.
On January 16th, during an open meeting of the Vilnius University Students’ Representation Parliament sitting, the candidates for the position of VU Rector debated in the Conference hall of Vilnius University Library Scholarly Communication and Information Center. All members of Vilnius University community were invited to participate. During the debate, issues relevant to students were discussed – the candidates expressed their views on dormitories, scholarships, integration of community members, adaptation of the environment for members of the Vilnius University community with special needs, as well as other issues.
The signing of study agreements took place at the Life Sciences Center on July 29th–31st. It is an event that marks the beginning of the integration of new students into the academic community. Arriving prospective freshmen were accompanied by representatives of the freshmen mentor program, who advised prospective students on issues of concern to them, provided key information and invited them to actively participate in the forthcoming freshmen camps.
In August 2019, before the start of the new academic year in Vilnius university, VU SA has traditionally organized 14 freshmen camps. This year, more than 1,300 future VU students participated in them. During the camps, Vilnius University was presented, basic social and academic information was provided, VU SA activities, programs, clubs and projects were presented, as well as various opportunities for students at VU.
In 2019 VU Integration Week was organized for the fourth time. It took place in all 14 VU core academic units on September 2nd–6th. At the beginning of the Integration Week, a procession of Vilnius University employees, students and alumni took place, during which 40 VU SA members contributed to its smooth implementation. Renovatio Studiorum, the beginning ceremony of the study year, took place in the Great Yard of VU, where the president of VU SA Klaudijus Melys took the oath of freshmen. During the Integration Week, the freshmen got acquainted with the VU community, the study process, VU organizations and other relevant information. Presentations of VU SA and sharing of experiences about studies took place in each faculty.
In October, VU SA units organized freshmen baptism, which were attended by more than 2,000 freshmen. During the baptism, students tested their strength and improve their teamwork skills by participating in orienteering competitions in Vilnius, develop their creativity by preparing performances. After active daytime activities, freshmen were invited to concerts and the evening part of the baptism at VU Student Night: Urban. During the event, the students were entertained by Vidas Bareikis, InDieca and other dance music performers.
As every year, Vilnius University participated in higher education exhibitions – on January 23rd at Aukštųjų mokyklų mugė in Kaunas, and on February 6th–7th – in the 18th largest international study and career planning exhibition in the Baltic States STUDIJOS 2020. VU SA took care of students representing VU core academic units. Teams of members of VU SA advising on studies at VU were formed. In Kaunas the team consisted of 20 students, and in Vilnius there were 56 students. We have also contributed to the organization of trainings for students representing the University, and took care of the organizational part and proper representation of the University during the fair and the exhibition.
During the reference period, the main focus was on the cooperation of PKP (programs, clubs and projects) with each other and with other VU and VU SA units. Monthly meetings of PKP chairpersons to spread the information, share the good practices and results among PKP chairpersons continued. PKP members were invited to participate in Summer, Communication, Marketing and Organizational trainings organized by VU SA, as well as outbound trainings for the members of organizational affairs field. During the summer, almost all PKPs participated in freshmen camps, presented their activities, and invited students to join them. A lot of attention was paid to the institutional strengthening of the PKP – five-year activity planning has been done, regular consultations have been carried out to find the best solutions to situations and to ensure smooth operation. In accordance with the model regulations of VU SA PKP that were approved last year, two PKPs have renewed their regulations, thus defining their structure, operational objectives and principles.
Sąžiningai
During the reference period, the program was coordinated by Karina Ingiliartaitė.
Sąžiningai– is the VU SA program, which fosters academic ethics in Vilnius University community and promotes the culture of academic honesty. Participants contributing to the program aim to reduce copying, plagiarism, and buying pre-written papers. In order to promote academic integrity, invigilation of mid-term and final exams are being carried out, information campaigns, rubrics, research is conducted, articles and reviews are prepared. Representatives of the program are involved in activities in all core academic units of Vilnius University.
During the reference period, the activities of the program for 2019–2020 were planned, where the goal was set to complete the job description of the coordinators operating in the units. During the summer, program representatives participated in VU SA P freshmen camps and introduced their participants to the importance of the program. The biggest change in the program is the distribution of responsibilities among the members of the program (there are people responsible for publicity and for human resources in search of support or invigilators). During the reference period, the cooperation and discussion on transparency and academic ethics was initiated with a representative of the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania (lt. STT), and an event on academic ethics was organized by VU SA IF and VU SA FilF – Academic Ethics: From Zero to Hero (lt. Akademinė etika: nuo nulio iki mėnulio)..
Be etikečių
During the reference period, the program was coordinated by Ieva Budreikaitė.
Be etikečių is a VU SA program that has been running since 2009. It is meant for actively participating in the areas of reduction of social exclusion and human rights. This program aims at promoting respect in the VU community, breaking established stereotypes and increasing the University's openness by promoting full integration of socially vulnerable groups. The core values of the program are: equality, openness and respect for the individuality of each person.
The activities of the program this year were focused on the development of emotional intellect in the community and getting them acquainted with socially excluded groups and their problems. During this year, the program members educated the community on the topics of emotional support about psychological illnesses, tolerance, acceptance of differences, and anxiety disorders. The biggest change during the reference period was the revitalized VU Faces project, which provided an opportunity to interview a lecturer from Serbia on the occasion of International Migrants' Day. During the year, active cooperation with University LGBT+ group, the family support department of The Vilnius City Social Support Center, and the Voice of Human Rights emerged. Cooperation with the Youth Line has also been extended. The program has celebrated many events that attracted the University’s community – an event dedicated to International Coming out Day, which has attracted an audience for discussion and sharing stories: How to come out of the closet: a practical guide. An annual event was dedicated to learn about psychological disorders and illnesses this year: Hallophobia; a lecture on anxiety disorders with great interest – Anxiety disorders: what is worth knowing?; and a new format event on social exclusion, organized in collaboration with ESN VU and First Pancake – Dinner for Unity..
Freshmen Mentors Program
During the reference period, the program was coordinated by Ugnė Unguraitytė (until October 2019) and Vanesa Ražinskytė (from October 2019).
Freshmen Mentors program is VU SA program that has started in 2010 and has spread to other Lithuanian higher education institutions. Every year, VU SA units selects students – mentors who are always ready to take care of freshmen and help them integrate to the University’s community, introduce them to VU traditions and study procedure
This year, for the first time, the freshmen mentor program was assigned to the responsibility of the VU SA Integration Coordinator. The program began in May and has gathered over 200 freshmen mentors. They raised their competencies during the central training, where they got acquainted with various possibilities in the University and the basic socio-academic information. They also deepened their knowledge during trainings in the faculties.
The freshmen mentors have participated in freshmen’s contract signing procedure with the University, which took place in VU Life Sciences Center for the second year in a row. The participants of this program took care of freshmens’ integration to the University during freshmen camps and orientation week.
Erasmus Student Network Vilnius University (ESN VU)
During the reference period, the program was coordinated by Ona Marija Ladigaitė.
ESN Vilnius Universityis a VU SA program that promotes student mobility and helps foreign students to integrate into Vilnius University. This is the oldest and largest sections of ESN Lithuania. The main goal of ESN Vilnius University is to help foreign students coming to VU to adapt to the new environment, to acquaint them with the study procedure, culture and traditions of our country.
ESN Vilnius Universityactivities are based on ESN buddies, who are VU students, help foreign students with various issues. Since ESN buddies are selected for autumn and spring semesters, two separate trainings were organized to acquire the competencies required for activities with international students. The other side of ESN Vilnius University is the members of the committees that organize the activities of the sections during the semesters. They also had a chance to deepen their knowledge in ESNers weekend training.
he activities of ESN Vilnius University were focused on the organization of various events aimed at increasing the integration of foreign students and promoting community spirit. These events include Orientation Week, organized together with the VU International Relations Department, newly revived cultural evenings Celebrate Culture, sports tournaments, various excursions and trips around Vilnius and more, thematic quizzes and evenings. A lot of attention was paid to SocialErasmus events – visits to animal shelters, nature cleaning campaigns, blood donation days, sign language training. ESN Social Inclusion Days – an event that was organised together with the VU SA program Be etikečių and restaurant Pirmas blynas, Dinner for Unity was organized during the international week. We worked together with national and international projects: language courses Multilingual Lithuania, Erasmus in Schools initiative that promotes mobility in schools, participated in the ESN Vocational Education and Training project, organized European Vocational Skills Week events and participated in an international conference organized by the European Commission in Helsinki.
A new project Generations Exchange was created, in cooperation with Soros International House and the Adult University (lt. TAU), during which TAU students had the opportunity to deepen their foreign language skills, and VU foreign students got to know Lithuanian culture better. The abundance and variety of organized projects ensured that almost all parts of the local community were involved in the activities of ESN Vilnius University - Lithuanian schools, local students, vocational school students and seniors.
The activities were organized in cooperation with the European Foundation for Human Rights, VU ensemble Ratilio, the project Under the Umbrella of Lithuanian Language and Culture (lt. Po Lietuvių kalbos ir kultūros skėčiu). The focus was also to promote the international mobility of local students - together with ESN Lithuania, the social media campaign Mobility Month - February was organized, the activities of the broad ESN network and its services were presented to students wishing to go on exchange semester together with the VU International Relations Office. The scope and diversity of the section's activities was also awarded - ESN Vilnius University was chosen as the best section of ESN Lithuania in 2019, having received 17 awards in different categories for the work that has been done for the benefit of students.
Vilnius University Energy Society (lt. VU JEK)
During the reference period, the club was coordinated by Milita Užgirytė.
Vilnius University Energy Society (lt. VU JEK) is a VU SA club, uniting young people interested in various types of energy from economic, political and technical aspects. By organizing events and spreading information, VU JEK members not only develop public knowledge, but also have a significant influence on state-level decisions.
Excursions to the Museum of Energy and Technology and to the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant can be distinguished as the most important activities of the club this year. A position was also written to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania regarding the bill the Radiation Safety Requirements of the Republic of Lithuania no. VIII-1019 for amending articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.
This year, many freshmen were attracted to the club, and the events also caught public interest. The biggest change in the club's activities during the reference period – we have started to work with projects, we have provided the opportunity for all club members to prepare reports and present them during the meetings. This year, VU JEK also participated in the testing of the website-training platform developed by the EU project Energy Conscious Consumers.
VU Writers’ Club
During the reference period, the club was coordinated by Vincentas Klipčius.
VU Writers' Club
– a society established in 2013 that unites VU students who write and are interested in literature. The goal of the VU Writers' Club is not only to bring together writers, but also to encourage more interest in literature, to look at it from the perspective of a creator, a critic, a reader as well as a listener. Members of the VU Writers' Club organize open lectures on the most interesting literary movements and the most prominent creators in the world and Lithuanian literature, organize readings of their writings, meetings with writers, reviews and discussions of films based on literary works and interact with actors.VU Writers' Club has also introduced a novelty – the recording of open lectures, which have been moved to larger spaces. This year, the lectures received a great deal of public interest, one of them being a lecture on psychedelic literature, which was attended by about 2,000 people in the public space. It also received the attention of the radio station LRT Opus. In addition, lectures were organized covering a much wider range of topics than literature and involving the Sciences. One such lecture that combines music and Neurobiology was Music Psychosomatics.
This year the club has also started to collaborate with The Vilnius County Adomas Mickevičius Public Library.
The club held public and private readings of members’ personal writings. Also, the writing of articles and their publicity was not forgotten, leading to the creation of a blog that allowed members to write longer and more developed articles.
VU Debate Club
During the reference period, the club was coordinated by Nijolė Petronytė.
VU Debate Club – VU SA club that was founded in 2004. It unites all students seeking to improve their presentation, rhetorical and argumentation skills by discussing the most pressing issues. While the focus is on the club’s internal activities, members are also given the opportunity to represent the University in national tournaments.
During the reference period, the club started to cooperate with the ISM University Debate Club: the clubs together have organized debates and events. In 2019, the members of the VU Debate Club judged and operated the national debate championship. In 2020, the club judged in the Humanitarian Debate.
VU Kendo Club (lt.VU KK)
During the reference period, the club was coordinated by Vytenis Almonaitis.
Vilnius University Kendo Club – VU SA Japanese fencing studio established in 2008 that welcomes both beginners and those who want to improve their existing skills. VU Kendo Club aims not only to popularize kendo sports and promote an active lifestyle, but also to gather students interested in Japanese martial arts, to glorify the name of Vilnius University in Lithuania and in the world by participating in competitions and other events.
During the reference period, VU Kendo Club, in cooperation with Botanical Garden of Vilnius University in Vingis Park, organized an event Yozakura, which brought together visitors not only for nightly sakura observations, but also for getting acquainted with kendo. The event was also attended by the new Japanese ambassador with his wife. Egidija Valaitytė, a member of VU Kendo Club, also went to Osaka (Japan) for a year, where she currently works and trains kendo. The club presented its activities and kendo sports at the VU Central Palace in the community evening of VU Integration Week, and in the beginning of October organized a course for newcomers in VU Health and Sports Center located in Saulėtekis.
The club has actively participated in tournaments and seminars:
1. Nine VU KK fighters and one member as the manager of the Lithuanian national kendo team participated in EKC 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia. VU KK member Roberta Jurgulytė attained 1-dan mastery degree;
2. In Riga Cup 2019 VU KK member Egidija Valaitytė won 1st place in women's trio match and successfully passed 2-dan certification. The team of club members (M. Jančytė, R. Jurgulytė, R. Girdzijauskaitė) won the 2nd place. The men’s team of five took 3rd place;
3. VU KK member Kastytis Belazaras successfully passed the 5-dan mastery attestation in Berlin;
4. VU KK members participated in a joint training with a guest from Japan – Ryo Ishimoto (2-dan);
5. VU KK instructor M. Maciulevičius won the 3rd place in the Nami Peace 2019 tournament in Wroclaw;
6. In the Tallinn Open 2019 women's competition A. Zabiliūtė-Karaliūnė won 1st place, M. Jančytė – 3rd place and won the Fighting Spirit Prize, R. Girdzijauskaitė – 3rd place. In the men's match: M. Macilevičius won the 1st place, D. Buožius – the 3rd place. Raminta Girdzijauskaitė successfully passed the 3-dan certification;
7. VU KK members participated in a joint training with a guest from Georgia – Andres Cruz Torres (5-dan);
8. In the 12th Lithuanian Kendo Championship, M. Jančytė won 1st place, A. Zabiliūtė-Karaliūnė – 2nd place, R. Girdzijauskaitė – 3rd place. In the men's competition, D. Buožius won the Combat Spirit Prize;
9. A seminar organized by the All Belgium Kendo Federation took place in Brussels. VU KK member Kotryna Patamsytė-Adomonienė successfully passed the 2-dan level exam;
10. The 5th International Women's Kendo Tournament Tamoe Cup 2020 took place in Warsaw (Poland). M. Jančytė, A. Zbiliūtė-Karaliūnė, R. Girdzijauskaitė from VU KK participated in the competition. These participants won 3rd place in the team match and only lost to the champions in the last fight;
11. Six members of the club participated in the II Baltic 3CC team kendo tournament as members of the Lithuanian national team in Tallinn. They won 2nd place. The club’s main instructor Mykolas Maciulevičius was additionally awarded the Combat Spirit Prize.
Vilnius university Career Days (lt. VU KD)
During the reference period, the project was coordinated by Daniel Račicki.
Vilnius University Career Daysis a VU SA project that encourages students to get acquainted with future employers, make contacts and start their careers independently. The project aims to help students establish themselves in the labour market and become leading specialists in their field.
An event was organized during VU Career Days 2020, which was supposed to take place on 24th and 25th of March, but due to COVID-19, it did not occur and was moved to 20th and 21st of May and was later cancelled. 58 companies were wishing to participate, financial sponsors and a large number of barter sponsors were found. A team of volunteers with more than 70 people was gathered to ensure the smooth running of the event. The biggest change this year was the contact fair, which was supposed to take place for two days. Also, the VU KD publication was brought back as well as the career programs that were supposed to be broadcasted on VU student radio Start FM..
Student Life Guidebook (lt. SGV)
During the reference period, the project was coordinated by Ugnė Unguraitytė (until October 2019) and Vanesa Ražinskytė (since October 2019).
Student Life Guidebook is a free VU SA publication for freshmen and foreign students, which helps students to smoothly integrate into the VU community and the study process. In the book, which has been published annually for more than 10 years, students can find the most important academic and social information, activities offered by VU and VU SA.
This year the book was published by almost 4,500 pcs. in the circulation in Lithuanian and English. In order to increase the convenience of the publication and taking into account the freshmen’s comments, the volume of the publication has been reduced by giving up the calendar. The content of the publication has been designed so that the students could find the information faster and easier.
This year, the publication was reprinted in January, handing it out to foreign students who came to study at VU during the spring semester, thus providing an additional means of integration not only for full-time students.
Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams (lt. SMMS)
During the reference period, the project was coordinated by Aurelija Vasiliauskaitė
Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentamsis a 3 days long camp organized by VU SA for older pupils who want to get acquainted with student life and the possibilities of studies from up close.
Preparatory work for the camp began in the autumn, but due to quarantine in Lithuania, the actual camp was cancelled and it turned into a virtual project and transferred to Discord platform. During the first days of the virtual camp, more than 200 students from all over Lithuania joined the server and asked questions about studies and life at Vilnius University.
Later, the project grew to a nation-wide initiative. You can read more about it here.
Public body Vilniaus university Law Clinic (lt. VU TK)
During the reference period, VU TK was coordinated by Laurynas Totoraitis.
Vilnius University Law Clinicis a public institution established by VU SA and partners. It is a free legal aid project that provides senior law students with the opportunity for real professional practice, offers free legal aid and promotes legal literacy to the public. 20 years ago, VU TK was established and is still under the auspices of VU SA, Vilnius University and the law firm Ellex Valiunas.
During the reference period, 32 students of Vilnius University did a compulsory professional or voluntary internship at VU TK, which lasts for 6 months. During the internship, students advised families on inheritance, employment, intellectual property, real estate, consumer, administrative, and criminal law issues. They also drafted agreements and procedural documents for judicial institutions (courts, labour dispute commissions) and legal conclusions. During the year, the organization provided legal assistance to approximately 4,000 residents.
For several months, feedback from clients on the quality of the organization’s performance was examined. People were asked to evaluate some statements in a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The statement I am satisfied with the quality of the services provided to me was evaluated with 4 points by 14.4% of respondents, 71.3% gave the maximum rating – 5 points. The statement Communication with consultants was pleasant and easy was rated with 5 points by 86.1% of respondents. Finally, 78.6% of respondents chose to evaluate the statement I would recommend VU Law Clinic to my friends with 5 points. It can be concluded that VU Law Clinic ensures a sufficiently high level of competences and good client service.
Vilnius University Law Clinic actively collaborated with the media, regularly provided legal comments to the most popular portals lrt.lt, 15min.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, radio programs (Žinių radijas, Start FM), television news services (Info TV). In this way, the level of legal education of the society was raised. Vilnius University Law Clinic name was mentioned in the media about 70 times. A publicly open F.A.Q. bank related to law issues was expanded. Now it contains 76 consultations.
With the start of quarantine in Lithuania, VU Law Clinic has also started to provide remote consultations.
VU radio START FM
Povilas Šklėrius (until July, 2019) and Rimantas Murza (since July, 2019) were the heads of the radio.
VU radio START FM – VU SA and Vilnius University radio station, which started operating in 2005. The only student radio station in Lithuania provides a wide range of opportunities for students to express themselves: it helps to train future journalists, programmers and specialists in other fields. START FM also actively supports the spread of young, little-known Lithuanian and foreign performers and music groups, conducts interviews with alternative music performers, and supports various artistic and social initiatives.
The programs created by students, VU alumni, employees and others were very popular, attracting about 7,000 unique listeners per month during the reference period. VU Radio has updated the radio format, refined the station's image and identity, and the station is currently being formed in a targeted manner. Cooperation with foreign community radio stations Soho Radio London, Shoreditch Radio (the United Kingdom), The Lot Radio (USA) continues. Collaboration with Mission Siberia and ELSA has also been launched and new programs are being developed with them. The radio station nurtures the society culturally and socially, giving people the opportunity to be heard even if they are not financially rewarding to be received by the commercial radio stations. START FM also increases the awareness of the University's name and its activities, actively contributes to the creation of alumni network, promotes student volunteering, contributes to the improvement of students' self-realization, performs the function of a teaching radio station, establishes Vilnius University's reputation as a cultural disseminator and nurturer in Lithuania and worldwide.
During quarantine, START FM created special 20 minutes long programs for nationwide innitiative Studentai – moksleiviams, moksleiviai – studentams.
VU Student Investment Fund (Public body VU STUDENTŲ INVESTICIJA)
Laurynas Benediktavičius (until June, 2019) and Tautvydas Stasiulis (since June, 2019) were the leaders of the fund during the reference period.
Vilnius University Student Investment Fund (lt. VU SIF)is the largest student investment fund in Lithuania established by VU SA, encouraging younger people to be interested in the world of investment management and invest independently. Board and Project Team has helped with ensuring that the fund works properly. The Board is responsible for the management of the existing investment portfolio and the Project Team takes care of events, that ensures and expands the activities of the fund.
One of the main goals of VU SIF is the theoretical and practical preparation of members for the labour market. Members have the opportunity to learn from real professionals in the field. The training program provides continuous and focused activities in order to become a leading specialist in the field.
During the reference period, VU SIF sorganized the first VU Studentų investicija film evening. A film about the global economic crisis was screened. During the discussion of the film, Girteka Logistics stock analyst T. Petkevičius presented today's topical issues of the Lithuanian capital market.
In addition, VU SIF reached 2,000 subscribers on the Facebook social network and launched the Foundation’s Linkedin account. The platform for professional relationships is perfect for making new acquaintances and finding potential partners.
During the reference period, VU SIF grew and improved with the help of UAB Leidyklos studija, the magazine Investuok, the Bank of Lithuania, UAB FMĮ Orion Securities, UAB Gerovės valdymas and Vilnius University.
Charity and Support Foundation for the Future (lt. Ateičiai)
VU SA delegate in the meetings of stakeholders – Klaudijus Melys.
Vilnius University Student Representation founded the Charity and Support Foundation Ateičiai in 2018. It is dedicated for creating the well-being of Vilnius University students. The foundation was established to represent the diverse needs of students.
During the reference period, Charity and Support Foundation Ateičiai publicized the name of Vilnius University by distributing merchandise not only in physically and in e-shop, but also in the following events: signing freshman contracts with the University, freshmen camps, Integration Week community evening, the opening of Medic Days and ESN VU Orientation week. The foundation also signed a cooperation agreement with VU Publishing House. In cooperation with the Communications and Marketing Department of Vilnius University, the website of the VU Merchandise Store has been updated.
The activities of the Charity and Support Foundation Ateičiai are socially responsible, and creates benefit for Vilnius University students.
