III.7.1. Defence meeting

145. The doctoral thesis is defended at a meeting of the council as a public academic discussion. If the doctoral thesis contains a state secret, trade secret, information not subject to publication due to personal data protection requirements or other classified information, the vice rector for research may, on the proposal of the council, declare the meeting closed.

146. The defence takes place only if the doctoral candidate, at least one opponent and, along with additional members, at least six members of the council with decision-making powers are present. It is also possible to participate in the defence using real-time two-way audio-video communication, with the exception of the doctoral candidate, who can do it only for a good reason and by the decision of the vice dean for research.

147. The defence (except the closed discussion specified in clause 149) is recorded as an audio or video file preserved in accordance with the procedure established at the university. In the case of a closed defence, access restrictions to the file are established.

148. The defence consists of the following parts:

148.1. introduction by the chair of the meeting and introduction of the doctoral candidate;

148.2. presentation by the doctoral candidate (lectio praecursoria);

148.3. remarks by the opponent(s);

148.4. academic discussion between the doctoral candidate and the opponent(s);

148.5. academic discussion with the members of the council and the audience;

148.6. adoption of the council’s decision at a closed discussion;

148.7. announcement of the council’s decision;

148.8. final remarks of the doctoral candidate.