Representation in the national space and city government

Representation in the national space

Presidency of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

During the reference period, Neda participated in meetings and discussions organized by the Presidency of the Republic of Lithuania on the welfare of an inclusive society in the context of the state, the situation of access to higher education and the situation of Ukrainian students in Lithuania.

Proposals were submitted to the amendment to the Law on Science and Studies initiated by the President of the Republic of Lithuania in order to provide for alternative access to higher education, to unify the admission requirements for students in state-funded and non-funded places and to define the concept of social dimension.

The proposal submitted on behalf of VU SR to the concept of the social dimension of higher education did not support the proposals that do not respond to the meaning of the social dimension, unequally increase the accessibility of higher education for less represented groups and create different conditions for those seeking higher education. Participated in further discussions and meetings during the preparation of project edits by submitting proposals.

Committee on Education and Science of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

Participated in the meetings of the Committee to discuss all issues related to higher education, to discuss, make suggestions, express students' opinions and provide expert insights. Proposals were made to consider the definition of academic ethics and to review the functions of the controller of academic ethics and procedures.

Proposals have been made for amendments to the Law on Science and Studies regarding the change in the funding of studies and study institutions for studies, supporting the aim to encourage not only the admission of as many students as possible, but also to take into account the quality of studies and provide quality criteria. VU SR advocated equal requirements for admission to higher education institutions for both state-funded and non-state-funded places, realizing that readiness to study is one of the essential preconditions for ensuring the quality of studies.

A proposal has been made for the definition of the social dimension in higher education, the principles of forming an alternative pathway, which should allow access to higher education for less represented groups, but not to create a situation where the alternative path simply increases mass.

In the discussion "Social Dimension - for the Quality of Studies" a report was shared sharing the experience gained at VU SR, emphasizing why it is worth prioritizing the social dimension and what difficulties students face before, during, during the transition to the labor market and what we can do to avoid them.

Participated in the meetings of the Cooperation Group between the Provisional Seimas and the academic community.

Committee on Health Affairs of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representatives - Neda Žutautaitė, Kamilė Marcinkevičiūtė

Participated in the meetings of the Subcommittee on Mental Health, shared initiatives on the promotion of mental health, and expressed the need to improve mental health care activities.

Represented medical students and residents in order not to approve the draft amendment to the law, which proposes to work in regional primary health care institutions for graduates of state-funded residency studies for 2-4 years. The item was removed from the agenda.

Government of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

During the reference period, Neda participated in inter-institutional meetings and plenary meetings of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on issues related to amendments to the Law on Science and Studies of the Republic of Lithuania. Contributed to the preparation of government conclusions on draft laws.

Participated in an academic breakfast with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Science and Sport, discussing the social dimension and the inclusion of more vulnerable groups in higher education, funding for research activities and residency studies.

Following the proposal of VU SR, the funding for research activities provided for in the Government's initial budget plan was increased, including the increase of students' research activities and projects, doctoral study places, postdoctoral internships, and an agreement was reached to allocate an additional 20 million euros.

Joined in the preparation of the draft long-term state strategy "Lithuania 2050".

Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

During the reference period, it was contributed to raising and examining various issues, participated in meetings and provided suggestions for the improvement of higher education:

Participated in meetings with EBPO experts to refine the missions of Lithuanian research and study institutions.
Involved in the activities of the Working Group on Measures to Prevent Student Dropouts in order to develop systematic measures to monitor risks and reduce drop-out rates in the country's higher education institutions.
Contributed to the development of the model of incentive financing for higher education institutions for the quality of studies and specific indicators, which will be the basis of the incentive system and will form the priorities of higher education institutions for quality improvement.
Participates in the planning of the procedure for admission of Ukrainian citizens to higher education institutions, submitted proposals on the improvement of the legal status of foreigners.
Proposals to renew the system of state-supported loans have been submitted, attention has been paid to the issue and the proposal for the improvement of the system is being prepared together with the State Studies Fund.
Remarks were made from the students' perspective regarding the implementation of the European student card (ESC) initiative in Lithuania.
Proposals have been submitted and the procedure for financing students' civic, scientific, entrepreneurial, creative and sports projects has been updated.
At the same time, a project of an alternative path to higher education was formed.
Proposals have been made to expand the circle of persons receiving disability scholarships and to combine several existing types of scholarships by reducing the administrative burden on students.

Working group on updating the funding model for Higher education in Ministry of Education, Science and Sports

Student representatives - Justas Kvedaravičius, Neda Žutautaitė

The working group was convened to update the funding model of higher education institutions, to refine the goals of higher education institutions, to evaluate the funding and evaluation model of research and experimental development, and to improve the process of planning and admitting state-funded places. organization of admission through a common admission system and providing more opportunities for higher education institutions to select students.

The proposals prepared in the working group on the harmonization of requirements for applicants to funded by state and not funded by state places, the establishment of minimum criteria and the financing of higher education institutions for study results have been approved and will enter into force from 2024.

Student representatives - Justas Kvedaravičius, Ieva Budreikaitė, Neda Žutautaitė

The preparation of a plan for the social dimension in higher education has been initiated, with the previous proposal of VU SR including it in the plan for the implementation of the provisions of the Government Program.

Collected foreign experience in the preparation of social dimension plans, data and analysis of the current situation of less represented groups in Lithuania. Existing measures and barriers faced by less represented groups are analyzed. An initial version of the plan has been prepared and will be submitted to the Government for public consultation in the near future.

Working group on the year 2022 of Lithuanian universities in Ministry of Education, Science and Sports

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania has declared 2022 the Year of Lithuanian Universities. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports has set up a working group to plan festive events and initiatives.

The working group decided to publish an electronic publication "Lithuanian Universities" on the occasion of the University Year, which reflects the origins, development and contribution of Lithuanian universities to the creation and maintenance of an independent state, the 100th anniversary of the University of Lithuania, the international conference "Higher education: achievements, challenges and opportunities", The Baltic Student Song and Dance Festival "Gaudeamus 2022", the virtual exhibition "Science Light" and a series of open lectures on topics relevant to society offered by VU SR.

Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

A proposal on the legal status of aliens has been submitted to the Ministry of the Interior, abolishing the restriction of a maximum of 20 hours per week for foreigners studying for undergraduate studies, proposing to extend the issuance of a temporary residence permit for the entire study period and an additional 6 months to allow him to remain in the country after his application for a residence permit has expired. Abolish the restriction on the acquisition of at least 40 study credits per year, which currently creates unequal opportunities to choose between different forms of study and individual study plans. Provide the right of minor Ukrainian asylum seekers to study in higher education. Initiate the guarantee of compulsory health insurance for the study period for all foreign students.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė, Kamilė Marcinkevičiūtė

Participated in Ministry of Health working groups and meetings on the state of psychological health in Lithuanian higher education institutions and among young people, expressed the main observations and problems.

A strictly opposing position was expressed regarding the initiative of the Seimas Committee on Health Affairs to restrict the free choice of residents after studies by providing for employment in public personal health care institutions of Lithuania for several years after graduation.

The VU Residents' Council has actively participated in the process of developing a step-by-step competency model in order to improve the quality of residency studies and ensure international quality standards in medical studies. Contributed to the discussion of the duration of residency study programs, the introduction of indicators of the minimum duration of professional practice and the functions of a new resident mentor. Participates in discussions on the planned review of residents' pay in the Law on Medical Practice.

In the first month of study, when contact studies at the University were subject to the passport requirement, we submitted a proposal for free testing of students for coronavirus. Such a resolution was implemented.

State order for training of national health system specialists (VUK)

Student representative in the State Commission Commission formed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania - Giedrė Mikulėnaitė

During the reference period, meetings were attended and proposals were submitted to the Ministry of Health regarding the number of health system specialists for the 2022-2023 school year. Almost 140 additional places have been established for state-funded undergraduate nursing and midwifery and integrated medicine study programs. Vilnius University has a total of 181 places for medicine and 5 places for dentistry. The decisions were made for the first time by the deadline specified in the Law on Science and Studies, finally giving graduates not one but five months to know about future residencies and plan for their future. 110 places for medical residencies and 12 places for dental residencies are provided for all non-state-funded residencies.

Mental Health Council

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

During the reference period, the meetings of the Mental Health Promotion Council were attended. Together with representatives of STRATA, the World Bank laboratory, the Department of Youth Affairs and other youth organizations, research and experiences were shared on how the mental health situation is changing both in Lithuanian schools and universities and what challenges still exist. A post was shared from the VU SR side. He was involved in further sessions of the Mental Health Promotion Council.

Centre for Quality Assessment of Studies (CQAS)

Student representatives - Neda Žutautaitė, Arnoldas Solovjovas, Justas Kvedaravičius

The Student Forum is an informal working group of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education, which is attended by representatives of organisations representing the interests of lithuanian higher education students.

During the reference period, a meeting of the Student Forum was held, where the quality of studies was discussed from the perspective of study participants – students, lecturers. Attention was paid to the Report of the National Audit, which notes that in Lithuanian higher education institutions students' opinion on the quality of studies is not sufficiently heard. The development of the career path of lecturers and ensuring didactic competences and their significance for the quality of studies were discussed.

Participated in CQAS international conference on the development of the quality of studies "Development of external quality assurance: lessons and insights for the future" round table discussion representing the opinion of students.

In the composition of CQAS, the representative of the students delegated by VU SR is involved in the activities of the Higher Education Assessment Commission. The Commission shall consider the conclusions of the external evaluation of the activities of higher education institutions submitted by international evaluation experts. During the meetings held during the academic year 2021/2022, the conclusions prepared by experts on 11 different higher education institutions in Lithuania were discussed.

Student representatives at the University contributed to the preparation of the University's self-analysis in preparation for the Institutional Evaluation, became involved in the evaluations of study fields by preparing self-analyses of study fields and participating in meetings with experts, to which all students of the University are invited to participate.

Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities (CRLU)

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

The assessment of the status of the Agreement on the Promotion of Mental Health in Lithuanian Higher Education Institutions in Universities was involved. He participated in the study committee on issues relevant to students.

The agenda of the upcoming CRLU meeting includes the issue of students' scientific activities in Lithuanian universities, during which the research of scientific activities carried out by VU SA will be presented and recommendations for measures to promote students' scientific activities in universities will be presented.

Research Council of Lithuania (RCL)

Student representative - Neda Žutautaitė

During the reference period, the RCL was contacted for support for scientific events organized by students in order to ensure that high-level scientific events organized by students would be encouraged and financed regardless of which course or cycle students organize them. The RCL was encouraged to expand the possibilities of receiving support and the current conditions for the financing of scientific events organized by students.

Representation in the city government

Vilnius City Municipality and Youth Council

Student representatives – Neda Žutautaitė, Aistė Rinkevičiūtė

During the reference period, Vilnius city municipality was repeatedly approached for the issue of potassium iodide tablets to young people residing in Vilnius, but who did not necessarily declare their place of residence in this city.

Representation in the national space and city government ​