Goals in VU SR units

4. VU FCG students receive academic incentives to encourage them to be involved in research activities.

Task 1: under implementation

The VU FCG Council approves the research methodology course description.

Task 2: under implementation

At least 2 named scholarships established to reward achievements in research.

Task 3: implemented

Additional points are given to apply for a Master's degree studies at the Institute of Chemistry.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• VU SR FCG implemented a survey on an individualised study subject to determine how students are prepared to do research activities and to what extent they are generally familiar with such activities. The survey was also conducted to determine students' expectations for the updated Individualised study subject.
• VU SR FCG collected good examples of how other faculties/programmes of study have implemented courses focusing on research methodologies. Several good practices were highlighted: preparing how to write an article, how to design a research paper, how to formulate hypotheses, and how to set goals related to research activities.
• VU SR FCG presented the survey results to the administration and the College of Studies. Suggestions were made for promoting research activities in the faculty.
• Representatives of "Amilina" and "Hnit-Baltic" companies, who were contacted and presented with the possibilities of setting up scholarships for research activities. Although the companies declined to become social partners, the search continues.
• The opportunity to obtain an extra point for scientific activities has become available for admission to the Master's degree programmes at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences.

5. VU FEBA BA students are provided with mandatory subject descriptions, uploaded to VU IS, that are renewed according to the study description template for their spring semester.

Task 1: abandoned

Every BA mandatory SD for spring semester was reviewed and comments were provided on every inaccurate subject description.

Task 2: abandoned

At least 45% of inaccurate mandatory BA SDs are updated by the lecturers and SRs have access to them.

Task 3: abandoned

45% of updated BA subject descriptions of Spring semester are uploaded in VU IS and evaf.vu.lt.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• Undergraduate student representatives have been found who have reviewed the course descriptions for the undergraduate programmes (Accounting and Auditing, Management, Business and Law, Global Marketing) for the autumn semester of 2025.
• The course descriptions were evaluated by the student representatives of the respective programmes according to the established criteria. Any sections or places in the course descriptions that need to be updated and supplemented were noted.
• The VU SR FEBA consulted with the Central Office, and the the unit received feedback during revising the course descriptions.
• VU SR FEVA submitted inappropriate course descriptions and suggestions to the Chairperson(s) of the respective VU FEBA Study Programme Committees (SPCs).
• The relevant lecturers have started to clean up the incorrect course descriptions.

6. Student representatives on the VU Faculty of Philology's undergraduate and postgraduate Study Programme Committees initiate and implement changes in the Faculty's study programmes based on student feedback.

Task 1: under implementation

Each representative has prepared and presented an analysis of the feedback surveys to his/her curriculum committee and has initiated the implementation of changes related to them.

Task 2: under implementation

At least 2 initiatives have been organised to promote how to provide quality feedback.

Task 3: under implementation

Each representative has prepared a report on their activities for the year and presented it to the students.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• VU SR PhilolF organised a local training on feedback for representatives of the study programme committees of the VU Faculty of Philology.
• VU SR PhilolF created a template for feedback analysis and presented it to the representatives of the study programme committees.
• Each student representative of the Study Programme Committees (SPCs) of the VU Faculty of Philology, after having analysed the semesterly study surveys, identified at least 2 problems in the study programmes that were most frequently mentioned by the students and that were relevant for the majority of the students.
• For each identified problem area, arguments were prepared to explain why the problem was relevant and a list of suggestions was drawn up on how the challenges could be addressed and managed in the future.
• VU SR PhilolF forwarded the lists of problems and suggestions to the Study Programme Committees.
• During the year, two meetings were held between the coordinator of representatives of the VU SR PhilolF and student representatives of the VU Faculty of Philology study programme committees.
• During the Integration Week, the first-year students were introduced to the importance and benefits of feedback and a feedback memo was prepared for all VU PhilF students, which can be found here.

7. VU FPhilos lecturers have unified guidelines for providing feedback to students and follow them

Task 1: implemented

Guidelines presented to the SPC are accepted at least as a guidance document and presented to lecturers.

Task 2: implemented

Students have the opportunity to get acquainted with the feedback guidelines in at least three communication channels.

Task 3: under implementation

At least 400 students participate in the surveys, 70% of whom rate the feedback received as detailed.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• Through consultations with academic staff and analysis of good practices in feedback methodology, guidelines for VU FsF lecturers on how to provide feedback to students have been prepared.
• The guidelines for providing feedback to students were presented to student representatives and members of study programme committees.
• VU SR PhilosF publicised information on feedback and its benefits to students through various channels. VU SR PhilosF also publicised the guidelines for providing feedback to students.
• A survey has been prepared and sent to students to evaluate their opinions on the quality of the feedback they receive from lecturers. As of 12 May, more than 200 students have taken the survey.

8. VU FP undergraduate students get acquainted with the information provided about academic and social processes.

Task 1: implemented

The selected contact persons are trained and they provide academic and social information to students.

Task 2: implemented

The academic and social information provided during the academic year 2024/25 is clear and timely, students provide their feedback in the year-end feedback questionnaire, which is reflected and suggestions are made to the VU SR FF team and the VU FP administration for the following year.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• With the start of the new academic year, new contact persons have been elected for the course groups of the first and second-cycle programmes of the VU FP.
• During the reporting period, the contact persons continuously communicated key academic and social information to students of the courses. They participated in training sessions to familiarise them with their functions and activities for the coming year.
• For the autumn-spring examination session, the contact persons for each course, in agreement with the students, set the dates of the examinations in advance and communicated them to the administration.
• VU SR FP developed a communication plan for the VU FP SR on the needs of the students and the information to be made public through the VU FP social networks.
• Together with the VU FP administration, it was agreed what information will be provided and shared with the students throughout the academic year.
• Undergraduate students completed a survey in which they could indicate how they rate the communication of the VU FP and VU SR FP during the reporting period.

9. The descriptions of the VU LSC undergraduate subjects (modules) are updated according to the suggestions of student representatives.

Task 1: under implementation

Student representatives from all undergraduate programmes initiate at least once a survey of students in all courses.

Task 2: implemented

Proposals for updating at least 5 subject (module) descriptions in each programme have been developed.

Task 3: under implementation

50% of all proposals for updating the descriptions of study subjects (modules) have been considered.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• VU LSC undergraduate students have been familiar with the benefits and methods of providing feedback through integration events.
• The VU SR LSC has identified the most effective and qualitative methods to help collect or provide student feedback by learning from good practices. These methodologies and the plan for their use were presented to the student representatives of the VU SR LSC Study Programme Committees.
• Based on the developed methodology for collecting feedback, more than 20 focus groups were implemented, during which students provided input on the past semester, the quality of the courses/modules and the relevance of the course descriptions and course load. The results of the focus groups were forwarded to the VU SR LSC coordinator team for further analysis.
• Based on the collected feedback, the VU SR LSC coordinator team formulated at least 6 proposals per study programme focused on problem areas such as reading lists, assignments, assessment systems, and prerequisites.
• The study programmes' descriptions of the subjects/modules were reviewed and evaluated against specific criteria. In total, over 130 descriptions were reviewed and assessed.
• After reviewing and assessing the differences in the descriptions of study subjects, proposals were formulated for the VU LSC Study Programme Committees to improve the committees of various study programmes.

10. The communication between the administration of the Faculty of History of Vilnius University and students is effective and timely.

Task 1: implemented

An agreement has been reached with the VU FH administration on the implementation of the communication plan submitted by VU SR FH.

Task 2: implemented

An agreement has been reached with the VU FH administration to improve the quality of communication.

Task 3: implemented

The VU FH administration provides information on the basis of the communication plan proposed by VU SR FH.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• VU FH students had the opportunity to complete a survey to evaluate the quality of communication with the administration.
• VU SR FH analyzed the communication between the administration and the students by examining the semesterly surveys for 2023-2024.
• A communication plan was prepared, including information on what VU HF students should receive throughout the academic year. This plan focused on relevant details specifically for VU FH students, including submitting final theses, awarding named scholarships to students, and other information related to the study process. The latter communication plan has been submitted to the VU FH administration to make communication more effective and timely in 2025-2026.
• The finalized communication plan was presented to the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs and International Relations and the VU FH administrative staff member(s) concerned by this plan.
• During the integration activities, the first-year students were introduced to the key staff members of the VU HF administration and their functions.
• A suggestion has been made to the VU HF Studies Department, the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs and International Relations, to create a joint Studies Department email account.
• Suggestions have been made to the VU FH administration to update the VU HF website.
• A special survey was developed for VU HF students to assess whether communication within the unit has improved and whether students feel better informed about the study processes relevant to them.

11. VU KnF students are properly informed about the professional practice process and provide feedback for their improvement.

Task 1: not implemented

By the 3rd of February 2025, 60% of the undergraduate students who had completed their compulsory internship at VU KnF had used the feedback system.

Task 2: under implementation

Until the 15th of April 2025, the information necessary for the compulsory internship process becomes available on the internship subpage of the VU KnF website (https://www.knf.vu.lt/praktika).

Task 3: abandoned

At least 3 supervisors of compulsory practice apply and refer to the guidelines for the improvement of compulsory practice developed by VU SR KnF in their work.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• A survey on the experience of compulsory internships of VU KnF students was created and shared with undergraduate students.
• The feedback from the questionnaire was systematised. VU SR KnF prepared guidelines for improving the internship process and presented them to the Vice-Dean of the VU KnF, and a meeting with the Study Department was scheduled.
• The VU SR KnF coordinator team gathered information on where VU KnF undergraduate students can look for and complete their internships.
• A separate VU SR KnF subpage on compulsory internships and possible places to do them was prepared and created.

12. VU FC first-year students actively contribute to the process of change in VU FC.

Task 1: implemented

Relevant information on the processes and activities of the Faculty is communicated to first year VU FC students at least 2.

Task 2: implemented

At least 20% of VU FC first-year students have completed the integration process questionnaires.

Task 3: under implementation

Analysis of the VU IS freshmen feedback is presented to the Study Programme Committees and further actions of the SPC are planned.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• 6 general meetings of the VU SR FC were organised, during which news about the study process and related changes were presented to the students.
• The first-year students of the VU SR FC were introduced to the representatives of the first and second-cycle students in the different Study Programme Committees (SPCs) and provided information about the study process and its changes through various means.
• The VU SR FC publicised its mid-term activity reports, which helped the VU FC students to familiarise themselves with the activities and results of the VU SR FC.
• First-year undergraduate students were encouraged to provide feedback after the freshers' camp and integration activities. Over 50 students completed the freshers' camp feedback questionnaire.
• VU SR FC encouraged first-year student(s) to complete the first part of the Freshers' Integration Survey by various means, and 151 first-year student(s) finally did so.
• An agreement was made with the Dean of the VU SA CF and the Study Department to present the importance of the feedback to new students joining the VU SR FC and how giving or receiving it has contributed to the changes already implemented.

13. Undergraduate and integrated studies students at VU FM know the information they need about voluntary and/or compulsory internships.

Task 1: under implementation

VU SA website system with updated options for compulsory and voluntary professional practice placements.

Task 2: implemented

Continuity of the mandatory professional and voluntary practice feedback system is maintained on the VU SA website and other social networks.

Task 3: implemented

The contact persons have shared information tools on compulsory professional and voluntary internships with their course group.

Task 4: implemented

New position of VU SR FM Internship Coordinator created with full position description.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• A list of places VU FM students can participate in compulsory or voluntary traineeships has been prepared. An updated list of VU FM internship sites and contact persons was obtained from the administration of the VU FM. Additional contacts were from contact persons from internship places who provided more information on the available internship sites.
• A Focus Group has been set up to develop good practice guidelines on compulsory professional and voluntary internships. The latter working group has finalised the guidelines, which set out the criteria for what good practice consists of.
• VU SR FM sent the Good Professional Internship Guidelines (memo) to VU FM students by e-mail and uploaded them to the VU SR FM Practices folder.
• The "VU FM Contact Fair" event was held to present internship opportunities, where companies from the health sciences shared job and internship opportunities and introduced their services to students. More than 1000 students and 34 companies and institutions participated in the fair.
• The VU SR FM internship subpage has been updated and now contains announcements of voluntary and compulsory internships available to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• A description of the position of the VU SR FM internship coordinator has been prepared.
• The coordinator in charge of internships at the VU SR FM has started his/her activity.

14. VU ŠA students would recommend studying at VU ŠA.

Task 1: under implementation

According to the need, recommendations have been sent to the academic staff of the VU ŠA on how to update the VMA courses they use for their teaching.

Task 2: under implementation

Study subject (module) descriptions are updated in the study programme committees according to the needs of students, including at least 1 proposal from students' representatives.

Task 3: abandoned

According to the VU SR ŠA surveys (1st semester and 2nd semester), the satisfaction with study timetables in the respective (according to need) study programmes is higher by at least 10%.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• The VU semester surveys for 2024-2025 have been reviewed to find out in which study subjects the workload of the students does not match the actual number of credits and in which study subject descriptions are not prepared correctly.
• Meetings were held with the administration to discuss the problem of study timetables at the VU ŠA, which are difficult to fit in with the internships, and their satisfaction is low.
• To improve the student's internship experience, VU SR ŠA raised the question of how the internship delivery and implementation process is underimplemented at VU ŠA. Consultations with the VU Student Affairs and Career Office have occurred.

15. VU FMI launches student scientific society.

Task 1: under implementation

At least 20% of students in each of the VU FMI fields of study were surveyed and expectations for research activities were identified.

Task 2: not implemented

At least 3 different forms of initiatives have been implemented according to the analysed needs.

Task 3: not implemented

SSS operational and development plan for the period 2025-2026 is prepared.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• To assess the performance of student scientific societies in other VU CAUs, VU SA FMI collected good and bad experiences from different faculties and/or universities and compiled a summary document.
• VU SR FMI Chairman talked with interested lecturers and PhD students about establishing a student scientific society and possible activities at the VU Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics.
• VU SR FMI prepared a survey on students' expectations of scientific activities for VU FMI students, which was publicised through various channels, and over 100 students participated.
• Conclusions were made from the survey about students' expectations of scientific activities and what a student scientific society could look like at the VU Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics.

16. VU IIRPS Bachelor's study module descriptions are compatible with the VU 2022 study module preparation, execution, and improvement schedule of procedures and conform with students' needs.

Task 1: implemented

Analyses are carried out, study module descriptions are reviewed, and students' needs are known.

Task 2: implemented

Collected data conclusions are presented in SPC meetings and SKVC visit, specialists and institute representatives are presented with the problem solutions.

Task 3: under implementation

New study module descriptions are uploaded to the VU IS system, and students know the results.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• To evaluate whether the descriptions were correctly prepared of the study subjects (modules) of the study programmes "Political Science" and "Politics of Global Challenges" of Vilnius University IIRPS, a working group was formed, which was responsible for the review and evaluation of the descriptions of the study subjects based on the Vilnius University's Description of the Preparation, Implementation and Development of the Study Programmes of Vilnius University and the analysis of the students' needs.
• Established a working group that evaluated all first-cycle subjects (modules) according to several criteria and prepared a list of recommendations for updating course descriptions.
• During the meetings with the representatives of the VU IIRPS administration, the VU SR IIRPS chairman presented the list of suggestions and discussed further actions to improve the quality of studies.
• After reviewing an analysis of the course descriptions and student expectations, conclusions were presented during a visit by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVS) and to student representatives.
• Together with the VU IIRPS administration, the study descriptions that are not uploaded to the eStudent environment and are unreachable to students have been explained.
• During the report period, 26 subject (module) descriptions were updated and uploaded into the system for the next semester.

17. VU FL has developed a unified system of study subject (module) evaluation methods.

Task 1: implemented

Document presented to the Dean's Office and the Study Department.

Task 2: under implementation

Document updated and approved.

Task 3: under implementation

Document updated and approved.

Task 4: under implementation

Lecturers, seminar leaders and students are familiar with the approved unified system of assessment methods for the study subject (module).

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• The guidance document on the evaluation of seminars was revised and updated in September.
• VU SR LF chairman presented document to the VU FL Dean's Office and the Study Department. During the meeting, VU FL Dean's Office discussed the details of the documents and mentioned the points whoch need to be corrected. Finally, both parties accepted that the document could be applied in study practice.
• An updated document was drafted after reviewing the VU FT Cumulative Assessment of Knowledge document. This document was presented to the Vice-Dean for Studies of VU FL. After the corrections, the document was submitted to the VU FL Dean's Office for evaluation.
• The guidance document on a unified system of assessment methods for the subject has been transformed into a mandatory document.
• By consensus, the guideline document on seminar evaluation and the VU FT Cumulative Assessment of Knowledge document were merged into one document and is prepeared for approval at the end of May.

18. VU BS course descriptions of 10 subjects are updated according to the assessment strategy and the propositions for a more efficient onboarding process of the newcoming lecturers and improvement of their educational competencies are created.

Task 1: under implementation

The list is updated according to the new data collected and we got in touch with the lecturers who don't follow evaluation criterias in the study module description asking them to update them.

Task 2: under implementation

SPC approves given changes to at least 10 study module descriptions.

Task 3: implemented

Proposals presented to the VU BS administration.

☑️ What has been accomplished?

• To ensure that the process of new lecturers joining the VU Business School is smooth and of high quality, the VU SR BS team has developed a list of recommendations, which outlines the steps which need to be taken to ensure a smooth start of the lecturing process. The background information was prepared based on the information provided on the VU Educational Competences website.
• The VU SR BS, in cooperation with the VU BS administration, clarified the exact process of recruitment and induction of lecturers.
• VU SR BS analysed VU BS semester surveys to determine which subjects the evaluation process is more negatively perceived and requires more attention.