According to MRU Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, the leadership of the University is taking the situation regarding the coronavirus in the country very seriously and is implementing the Government’s and the State Emergency Operations Centre instructions regarding prevention of the coronavirus.
“From March 13th, the contact studies process was suspended at the University. In addition, we have cancelled or postponed to later dates all planned events at the University as well as lecturers’ and staff trips abroad. However, the University is now able to undertake the studies process remotely, so we do not see any vacation for students.”
According to the Rector, organizing the whole studies process remotely is a huge challenge for all universities, but MRU has been using the virtual learning environment and various tools in the study process for years. MRU is consistently conducting distance studies and classes, so it can quickly and smoothly adapt to the changing situation:
“Other universities are suspending studies activities and thus students take a vacation for several weeks in order to allow for preparing and securing distance learning remotely. The technological capabilities of MRU enable us as one of the first among all universities, to undertake this already. So, even in such a non-standard situation, we can ensure a smooth, high-quality, uninterrupted and most importantly, a safe and healthy studies process for our students,” said the Rector.
Using the interactive learning environment at the University, planned classes and examinations and testing for students will be undertaken.
Although the University Library will not admit any users at this time, consultations are available remotely and students can continue to use foreign and Lithuanian data bases.
The studies process remotely at the University has not stopped, despite the fact that a quarantine period has been announced in the entire country.
During the first week of the quarantine, an average of over 100 classes on average are scheduled to be conducted remotely each day and some days this number could reach 200. The University is continuing to further improve existing technological tools and plans to use all new and effective capabilities for distance learning.
