Study Organization - MRU

Study Organization

Academic ethics

The University Code of Academic Ethics sets out the values that guide the members of the University community and describes the ethical norms of the relations between the members of the University community and the performance of their duties.

The University community is guided by the following fundamental values in its activities:

  • honesty;
  • collegiality and respect for human dignity;
  • responsibility;
  • academic freedom;
  • responsibility in the use of assets and resources, environmental protection.

A student (listener) or another member of the University community may file a complaint with the Academic Ethics Supervision Commission regarding a possible violation of academic ethics at the University.

Academic honesty in the assessment of learning outcomes

During the assessment, the student shall have to adhere to the established assessment procedure, behave correctly and honestly, and do not prevent other students participating in the assessment from completing the tasks.

The following is prohibited during assessment:

  • Use unauthorized textual or other information material, mobile communications or other means of communication. Possession of unauthorized sources or facilities is considered sufficient proof that the student has used these facilities;
  • Obtain or provide unauthorized assistance to others.

Only course and final theses that have passed the formal anti-plagiarism check are defended at the University. If plagiarism is detected during a formal examination, review or defense of a work submitted for defense, the supervisor of the term or final thesis, the reviewer of the final thesis or a member of the defense commission informs the head of the academic unit where the student is studying about the case of plagiarism and presents the student’s work as well as indicates which areas of the work text have been plagiarized. Upon the receipt of the official notice, the head of the academic unit initiates an investigation into a possible violation of academic ethics, which is carried out by a research group formed by the head of the academic unit to investigate cases of violations of academic ethics.

For the violation of the principle of fair competition, copying, plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty related to the assessment of study results, a student or listener may be expelled from the University as for a gross violation of academic ethics without the right to enter the University according to the prescribed order for up to five years.

Relevant legislation:
 Code of Academic Ethics
Study Procedure
Procedure for Assessment of Study Results

Academic debt

An academic debt is considered to be:

  • a failed examination or failed credit;
  • non-attendance at the examination or credit test during the session or its extension;
  • undelivered / not defended / not defended final thesis or other assessment established in the study program and not performed for positive evaluation.

A student or an unclassified student who has not passed/failed to hold the final assessment has the right to resit this assessment one time free of charge at the time scheduled on study timetable.

If a student or an unclassified student has not passed/failed to hold the final assessment at the time scheduled on study timetable, the student or an unclassified student has the right to resit this assessment one time in the next semester having paid the fee for this assessment. If the student or an unclassified student fails/does not pass the final assessment during the next semester, (s)he must repeat the subject, having paid a fee for the credits of that subject. 

A student with more than three academic debts at the end of the academic year is not promoted to a higher course. The student is assigned to a new group and he repeats those subjects for which he/she has academic debts.

Appeals, complaints

 

A student who disagrees with the assessment of learning outcomes or believes that procedural irregularities have been committed during the assessment is entitled to make an appeal. An appeal may be submitted against:

  • violation of the term paper and final thesis defense procedure;
  • violation of the procedure for the final examination and the final examination procedure;
  • assessment of the term paper, interim or final assessment;
  • crediting of study results;
  • recognition of non-formal learning achievements and competencies.

Before submitting your appeal, you have the right to see your exam, which is stored at the Institute (or Dept.) of your Lecturer.

If you do not agree with your final exam grade, you can submit an appeal. Here are the main rules:

Deadlines. The appeal must be submitted no later than 5 working days from the announcement of the evaluation/grade. The day of announcement does not count as a day. 

To whom should the appeal be submitted? The appeal must be presented to the Dean/Director of the Institute.

Basis of Appeal. You must justify why you think your evaluation  mark is not appropriate. Appeals, which are not substantiated or based on a subjective opinion and justification will not be considered.

Appeal’s Commission. Appeals are considered by an appeal commission, which is formed by the head of the academic unit or the Rector.

Deadline for Considering the Appeal. A commission shall consider the appeal and make a decision on the merits of the appeals within 15 working days from receiving the appeal. 

Decision on the Appeal. The Appeal’s Commission can decide to leave the evaluation mark unchanged or to increase or decrease the grade mark. After recognizing the validity of the appeal, it is possible to re-examine the objectivity of the assessment or crediting. If the Appeal Commission reasonably acknowledges that the appeal is unfounded, the previous assessment or the decision on the crediting of study results (recognition of competencies) shall remain valid.

Relevant legal act: Studijų rezultatų vertinimo tvarka (Procedure of Assessment of Learning Outcomes)

More detailed information on appeals is in the Appeal Regulations of Mykolas Romeris University.

A student who considers that his rights and legitimate interests have been violated is entitled to file a complaint with the University’s Standing Dispute Commission. The student is entitled to apply directly to the Supervision Commission of Academic Ethics of the University for possible violations of academic ethics.

Moodle

Modern studies are no longer imaginable without digital tools. The use of interactive tools allows universities to increase the availability and flexibility of studies, individualize studies and improve their quality.

MRU successfully uses the virtual learning environment Moodle (VMA Moodle).

VMA Moodle is an open source learning platform the use of which in studies allows students to conveniently access study materials and participate in classes without coming to the classrooms. The virtual learning environment is adapted not only for computers, but also for mobile phones and tablets, thus, it is convenient to access study information from anywhere.

All students and listeners have access to the study information, study materials provided by the teacher of each subject online, self-check tests and videos of lectures can be provided.

Ask questions about Moodle here – ssg@mruni.eu

Practical training

Practical training is a compulsory (provided in the study program) and additional (not provided in the study program) independent working practice in Lithuanian or foreign companies, institutions or organizations organized for the first and second cycle students of professional studies.

Compulsory practical training is organized for the students of the first and second cycle. Compulsory practical training is performed to the extent and at the time specified in the study program. Additional practical training may be organized for the first and second cycle students during study time or the time free form studies if this is compatible with the studies. Students working according to the study program being studied can have their practical training at their workplace.

Documents:

  • Practical Training Regulations
  • Contract of practical training
  • A typical feedback form for the supervisor of practical training of a student

Assessment of learning outcomes

In order to ensure active and consistent student work during the study period and objective assessment of learning outcomes, cumulative assessment is applied at the University, when percentages of interim assessments are added to the positive examination mark when calculating the final mark. Interim assessments (tests, colloquiums, written assignments, etc.), performed during the semester, are assessed by the lecturer. In this way the student accumulates a cumulative score before the examination (credit test). Typically, interim assessments make up 50-60 percent of the final mark.

Final mark = examination mark + cumulative score

The cumulative score collected by the student remains while taking the examination twice. The cumulative score is re-collected when the student fails the examination twice. In this case, the student repeats the study subject and collects the cumulative score again.

The method of assessment is an examination or credit test. The study program is completed by the assessment of the student’s learning outcomes during the defense of the final thesis and/or the final examination.

In order to ensure academic integrity and transparency in the assessment of learning outcomes, the University applies the examination of independence of students’ term and final theses, students are given the right to make an appeal concerning their learning outcomes or, upon the instructions of the Rector, the examination of the assessment of learning outcomes is carried out.

In order to create flexible conditions for the assessment of learning outcomes and to increase the accessibility of studies for students, the University may carry out the assessment of the student’s competence remotely.

Relevant legislation: Studijų rezultatų vertinimo tvarka (Procedure for Assessment of Learning Outcomes)

Suspension of studies / Academic leave

Suspension of studies

By the order of the head of the academic unit (dean), the student is allowed to voluntarily suspend his/her studies until the beginning of the examination session. In this case, the student is not removed from the student lists and the funding of studies does not change. Studies may not be suspended in the first semester of the first year of studies.

The duration of the suspension of studies cannot be longer than one year. At the end of the student’s suspension period and upon the submission of documents proving that there are objective reasons to continue the suspension, it may be extended. The student returns to continue his studies in the semester in which they were suspended.

Academic leave

At his/her request (due to illness, childcare or personal reasons), the student may be granted academic leave. Academic leave is granted for up to one year due to illness or personal reasons, and for the period prescribed by law, but not longer than three years due to pregnancy and childcare. The duration of academic leave is calculated from the date of submission of the application. At the end of the student’s academic leave period and upon the submission of documents proving that there are objective reasons to continue the leave, it may be extended.