At the Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), spring semester studies will be organized by contact method, the university announced on Monday.
"MRU's decision to return to the normal study process in the spring semester was made after taking into account a number of aspects: the aspiration to ensure the highest possible quality of studies and maximum compliance with the requirements of accredited study programs; to return to live contact studies in accordance with the opinion expressed by the Student Representative Office; the rate of vaccinated students; the common position of Lithuanian universities expressed at the conference of rectors of Lithuanian universities," states the MRU statement.
According to him, in order to control the spread of the coronavirus, student flows will be regulated. Lectures with 40 or more students will be held remotely. Lectures, in which the number of students will not exceed 40 persons, as well as seminars, will be conducted by contact method.
"Student flows at the university will be small, not only because of the "40 and over" rule, but also because most of the bachelor's full-time study programs and master's studies have a blended study model, where some classes are conducted remotely," the university claims. .
Also, the MRU has provided for an exception, allowing to take into account the wish of the majority of the studying group, if they are sick or in self-isolation for other reasons, and to temporarily transfer learning to a distance method.
University students living in dormitories in Vilnius are promised free accommodation services for self-isolation if they get sick with COVID-19 or have close contact with a sick person.
For students who come to study and for whom self-isolation is necessary according to the requirements of the National Public Health Center, the university promises to pay 50 percent. self-isolation accommodation costs.
"Isolation rooms are equipped with microwave ovens, refrigerators, kettles, and have separate entrances to showers and toilets. The food ordered and delivered by the students is taken by the guards to the designated room, from where the student in isolation can safely take it," the MRU statement asserts.
Also, the higher education institution promises to provide free psychological help if students in isolation need it.
In response to the rapidly spreading coronavirus in the country, the country's universities switched to a distance learning model in the fall of 2020.
Since the autumn of last year, part of the studies in some universities have already been conducted in a contact or mixed way.
