Universities register students’ passports and carry out random checks

Higher education, like other educational institutions, has been working in the usual contact mode since September 1, but they require the community to have a passport for opportunities. Last week was introductory in the universities, and on September 6 the lectures, seminars and other regular classes begin.

Most of the universities interviewed by the BNS said they had collected immunity information submitted by the students themselves, but promised to physically review it as well, mostly at random. Most also claim that students who enroll in conferences meet passport requirements.

VU only check at the door so far

Vilnius University rector Rimvydas Petrauskas told BNS that the university is still clarifying the legal nuances of data protection restrictions on the collection of student data, but promises to create a system.

“I am very hopeful that within a month we will find a solution and automate this process. And the controls continue, we have been doing them since Thursday: not in the auditoriums, but at the entrance of the main buildings, there are people who check the passports, as in any other place. I didn’t face it, I didn’t hear one that I shouldn’t. But we still have to get used to it, especially where there are higher flows, queues, we ask for patience, solidarity, ”said R. Petraukas.

According to him, at least 90 percent. VU students have received at least one vaccine, among employees 90 percent. already fully vaccinated.

Inspected by teachers, administration

Simona Pilkienė, Vice Chancellor for Studies at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), says so far about 60 percent. Students have submitted their opportunity passport details online; This week it is planned to request that the process be completed, so “until the system is up,” students attending conferences must show the opportunity passport to the teacher or administration.

“The student gives us a document, the authorized persons review it and we deliver the lists to the teachers, with what document, in what state the students are. And those who can participate go to the incentive, those who cannot participate connect remotely (…). The student sends the data through the student portal, the human factor is activated, we verify, enter the date until which it is valid and delete the data immediately, ”he said.

According to S. Pilkienė, the university abandoned the idea of ​​regular physical checks of incoming students, as many of them are foreigners and do not have a Lithuanian passport, the European green certificate is more difficult to verify, and some students from third countries do not have this document.

Data is not stored

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) rector Eugenijus Valatka says the higher school has supplemented the academic information system with a separate subsystem, where students attending lectures and other classes must present a passport or other documents confirming their immunity. However, students will also be assessed at the university itself.

“We do not collect any data, as this would be contrary to data protection regulations. They are completed by designated persons who will periodically check that the students participating in the internship have the required documents. It will definitely not be the case that there are inspectors at every door but, of course, there will be regular inspections, ”said the university’s director, BNS.

According to him, based on data collected before September 1, more than 90% of people have immunity against COVID-19. In addition to freshmen, more than 70 percent of the institution’s employees had at least one vaccination among freshmen. The rector has no doubt that these figures are even higher at this time.

Will check randomly

Vilma Žaltauskė, deputy director of the Study Center of the Lithuanian Health Sciences University (LSMU), also confirmed to BNS that students must complete a declaration that they meet the opportunity passport requirements, and only those who have passed this document will be admitted to the auditorium. Students can also be randomly tested.

“It works very well: I have already had a conference, I will go to another, I have a magazine, I see what students I can admit, I see who should not participate in contact work. I accidentally ask several students in the group to show me a passport to opportunities. Of course, some control everyone, but this is usually at the beginning of the subject, and in the course we check randomly, “said V. Žaltauskienė.

According to her, according to data from the Department of Statistics at the end of August, LSMU was 82 percent. with total immunity, 6 percent. – vaccinated with a single dose, but according to her, this number should already be “significantly higher” in early September.

As of September, students of higher and professional education institutions must have a passport, that is, be vaccinated, sick or be periodically examined. Those who don’t have them can only study remotely. Institutions must also ensure the regulation of flows, masks are necessary in classes.

According to preliminary data, 104.8 thousand will study in universities and colleges. students, of which 18.8 thousand. freshmen.