The profile of a graduate of the doctoral degree studies in the study programme Security Management (hereinafter referred to as the "graduate") is based on the Long-Term Plan of the University and the Faculty in the field of education and research aimed at Crisis Management.

The graduate is able to formulate a scientific problem, scientific questions and a scientific hypothesis on the basis of knowledge of the highest level of development in a given area of safety and security. He/she can apply methods of theoretical and empirical research with the subsequent use of exact methods, in order to increase knowledge of theoretical and applied research in Safety and Security Sciences.

He/she extends the theoretical framework in the field of security by creating a general theory of safety and security sciences with a focus on crisis management and creating new approaches and procedures within security systems, risk management systems and new and innovative proposals for preventive measures of managerial, technical and technological nature in social, technical and natural environment. In order to increase the level of crisis management, he/she is able to design new procedures.

The graduate can develop new ways in order to increase the effectiveness of preventive measures for different types of organizations, businesses, as well as in municipalities and cities. Utilising experimental methods, he/she is able to increase the efficiency and reliability of the elements of the proposed solutions.

The graduate is able to present his/her own research results to the professional public at conferences and scientific events and in the form of publishing papers in professional journals. The results of creative experimental work not only contribute to the development of science and scientific knowledge, but their proper scientific value allows their application in various areas of security.

Knowledge:

K1 The graduate can formulate a scientific problem, scientific questions and a scientific hypothesis. He/she masters exact methods (stochastic and deterministic methods) and methods of theoretical and empirical research with a focus on security issues.

K2 The graduate masters the highest level of development in the world in the field of risk management and crisis management focused on security in an organization.

K3 The graduate masters the highest level of development in the world in the field of design and evaluation of resilience, efficiency, vulnerability and effectiveness of strategic objects protection systems.

K4 The graduate masters the specifics of academic language ranging from vocabulary, grammar through reading, listening to speaking and written expression.

Skills:

S1 The graduate formulates, elaborates and presents his/her own research results to the professional public at conferences and scientific events and in the form of publishing papers in professional journals.

S2 The graduate applies methods of theoretical research (induction, deduction, analysis, synthesis, comparison, etc.) and empirical research (e.g. measurement, experiment, interview, brainstorming, etc.) in safety and security sciences, in order to increase theoretical knowledge in this field.

S3 The graduate applies exact methods (stochastic and deterministic methods) in order to increase theoretical knowledge in the safety and security sciences.

S4 The graduate develops and designs new methodological procedures and tools within various security systems.

S5 The graduate proposes conceptual changes to the requirements of the international, and national legal framework and the normative and institutional framework applicable to selected areas of security related to crisis management.

S6 The graduate tests technical properties for the purpose of research in new safety elements and technologies, development, and production.

S7 The graduate applies software tools to support research and development. 

S8 The graduate teaches at higher education institutions where study programmes in the field of study Safety and Security Sciences are provided.

S9 The graduate has pedagogical competence within study programs in the study field of Safety and Security Sciences.

Competencies

C.1 Ability to make decisions and bear responsibility as a crisis manager.

C.2 Organization and planning of work in the framework of research in the fields of security sciences.

C.3 Ability to present one's opinions.

C.4 Analytical thinking in research and innovations in the fields of security sciences.

C.5 Creativity in research and innovation in the fields of security sciences.

C.6 Strategic and conceptual thinking in research and innovation in the fields of security sciences.

The Matrix of the learning objectives and learning outcomes

The third degree of study focuses on a narrower specialization and deepening of theoretical and scientific knowledge of professional training in the field of crisis management. The graduates of the study programme find employment at all universities where the study programmes in the field of Safety and  Security Sciences are provided, either as university teachers or researchers. Thanks to the acquaintance with a wide range of knowledge and practical laboratory skills, the graduates find employment in various positions of organizational units such as the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic; research institutes in the field of safety, e.g. Occupational Safety Research Institute, Prague, the Czech Republic; in companies focused on science and research in the field of safety, especially in streamlining the increase in the level of preventive measures in crisis management.

In the private sector, the graduates work as researchers, developers and experts in organizations involved in calls for domestic and foreign grant schemes (e.g. Horizon Europe – Secure Societies, DG for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, DG Migration and Home Affairs, Security Research of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic). They can also find employment as research, development and professional staff in organizations focused on research, development and production of new security technologies or in organizations performing testing and certification in individual areas. 

The Security Specialist in research and development is responsible for activities related to research and development and their application in practice. He conducts research on the current state of knowledge in the relevant domain of safety and security sciences, applies research methods and techniques, performs mathematical modeling of analyzed problems using appropriately selected software tools, analyzes the obtained results and compares them with the results of experimental measurements. Designs and implements experimental approaches to problem solving. The security specialist in research and development independently or in a group designs and leads research activities related to technological development in the security sciences. It comes up with new proposals for solving already functioning and standardized procedures, processes and technological devices or technological units. It carries out specific activities related to the identification of research objectives, its planning, implementation and evaluation for the purposes of technological development in the field of security sciences. As an example of a specialist in research and development, it is possible to cite: https://www.sustavapovolani.sk/register-zamestnani/pracovna-oblast/karta-zamestnania/10108-specialista-elektrotechnik-vo-vyskume-a-vyvoji/ or https://www.sustavapovolani.sk/register-zamestnani/pracovna-oblast/karta-zamestnania/9464-zamestnanie/ .

Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, District Office in Žilina, Crisis Management Department, Žilina

National Labor Inspectorate, Košice

Research Institute for Occupational Safety, Prague, Czech Republic

ACCIA, s.r.o., Dubnica nad Váhom

Schaeffler, Kysuce, s.r.o., Kysucké Nové Mesto

Due to the relatively low number of graduates, the applicability of doctoral graduates is not monitored through questionnaires and statistical surveys, but is implemented and recorded directly at the department through personal contacts with graduates. The profile department has information about the practical employment of its graduates.

The graduates of the third degree of the study programme Crisis Management are able to identify risks and threats, analyse them and propose procedures for their elimination. They have in-depth knowledge of crisis management theory with an emphasis on the design and implementation of preventive measures, the preparation of an adequate response to the emerging crisis and the implementation of system recovery after the elimination of crisis factors.

The graduates of the study programme find employment at all universities where the study programmes in the field of  Safety and Security Sciences are provided, either as university teachers or researchers. Thanks to the acquaintance with a wide range of knowledge and practical laboratory skills, the graduates find employment in various positions of organizational units such as the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic; research institutes in the field of safety, e.g. Occupational Safety Research Institute, Prague, the Czech Republic; in companies focused on science and research in the field of safety, especially in streamlining the increase in the level of preventive measures in crisis management. In the private sector, the graduates work as researchers, developers and experts in organizations involved in calls for domestic and foreign grant schemes (e.g. Horizon Europe – Secure Societies, DG for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, DG Migration and Home Affairs, Security Research of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic). They can also find employment as research, development and professional staff in organizations focused on research, development and production of new security technologies or in organizations performing testing and certification in individual areas. The graduates also apply in technical committees at ISO (www.iso.org) with a direct impact on processing or review of the international ISO standards, which are subsequently applied in practice; in the technical commissions of the Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing of the Slovak Republic responsible for the implementation of the ISO standards in the Slovak system of technical standards, in certification companies, accreditation bodies, etc.

Ing. Daniel Brezina, PhD. - assistant professor, Academy of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic gen. M.R. Štefánik
Ing. Maroš Lacinák, Ph.D. - researcher, University Science Park - University of Žilina in Žilina
Ing. Michaela Janosikova, PhD. - researcher, University Science Park - University of Žilina in Žilina
Ing. Matej Masár, Ph.D. - Lean manager, Bel Power Solutions, s.r.o.
Ing. Luboš Halama, Ph.D. - DGSA Group Director, DGSA Slovakia, forensic expert

During their studies, students complete a foreign research internship via the Erasmus+ programme or the National Scholarship Programme, where after its completion, the responsible employee of the organization prepares a written evaluation of the student, which also includes an evaluation of the acquired knowledge, skills and competencies resulting from the graduate profile.

Students, during or after the completion of their doctoral degree studies, participate in departmental research tasks (e.g. of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, the National Security Authority, the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic), or research tasks of business entities or non-profit entities. 

Employers' representatives take part in the final state examinations, either as a member of the examination commission or in the position of opponents of the final theses.

When creating study plans in the study programme, the Faculty applies the policies, structures, and processes defined at the level of the University by the Directive No. 203 – Rules for the Creation of Recommended Study Plans for UNIZA Study Programmes (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-203.pdf), the Directive No. 204 – Rules for the Creation, Modification, Approval and Cancellation of Study Programmes at the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-204-uplne-znenie.pdf), the Directive No. 216 – Quality Assurance of the Doctoral Degree Studies at the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/kvalita/2021/smernica-UNIZA-c-216.pdf) and the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf) and Organizational Rules and Rules of Procedure of the Departmental Field Commission of the Field of Study Safety and Security Sciences (Link: https://www.fbi.uniza.sk/uploads/files/1603717250-Organizacny-poriadok-OK-Bezpecnostne-vedy-2020-.pdf).

The study plan is elaborated within the specified rules and in accordance with the study regulations (the Directive No. 110) by the supervisor (tutor) in cooperation with the student. The study plan of the doctoral study is developed as an individual study plan. The content and structure of individual study plans reflect the activities, knowledge and skills formulated in the accreditation file of the respective study programme. In order to ensure their fulfilment, requirements and criteria are defined in the study plan, the fulfilment of which is subject to regular inspection. The study plan consists of a study part, which ends with a dissertation examination, a scientific part and the defence (viva) of the dissertation. The study part of the study plan consists mainly of participation in lectures, seminars and individual study of scientific literature in individual years of study according to the focus of the dissertation.

The individual study plan states:

• a list of courses, including a professional foreign language in the scope of two semesters, which the doctoral student is to complete;
• a list of dissertation examination courses selected from a list approved by the departmental field commission;
• a list of mandatory and recommended literature to be studied by the doctoral student in the individual preparation for the dissertation examination.

The individual study plan of the doctoral student also contains the dates on which the doctoral student is to pass the individual courses and the dissertation examination.

The scientific part of the study plan consists of individual or team scientific work of the doctoral student which is related to the topic of the dissertation. The scientific part of the doctoral student's study plan is professionally guaranteed by the supervisor.

An integral part of the doctoral student's activities prescribed in the study plan is the active participation of the doctoral student in international conferences, especially those indexed in international databases (WOS, SCOPUS) and publication in scientific journals. The doctoral student's study plan also includes the obligation to publish the results obtained during the study, which are related to the topic of the dissertation, in at least one impact journal, which has an assigned quartile of at least Q3 in Web of Science or at least Q2 in the SCOPUS database.

An inseparable part of the doctoral student's activities in the full-time form of study is the active participation of the doctoral student in a foreign stay of at least two months or one semester.

The supervisor submits the individual study plan for approval to the chairman of the working group of the departmental field commission, who then submits it for approval to the members of the working group of the departmental field commission. The individual study plan must be elaborated in such a way that by completing it the doctoral student meets the conditions for the proper completion of study within the standard length of study of the given study programme.

The recommended study plan is a schedule of the standard length of study. It is elaborated so that by completing it, the student meets the conditions for the proper completion of the studies in the standard length.

The student's recommended workload ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 hours per academic year, which means that one ECTS credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work.

The recommended study plan must enable the student to elaborate his/her study plan in such a way that during the study he/she completes all compulsory courses and the prescribed share of compulsory optional courses so that during the study he/she obtains at least 180 ECTS credits in the doctoral degree studies.

The specific rules for the creation of recommended study plans are regulated by the Directive No. 203 "Rules for the Creation of Recommended Study Plans for UNIZA Study Programmes".

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf).

Conditions during the study:

The conditions during the study are tied to obtaining ECTS credits for the completion of specialized doctoral lectures and seminars based on the study plan, successful completion of the dissertation examination, pedagogical activities of up to 4 hours per week in the full-time form of study; in the part-time form of study there is the obligation to give selected lectures and perform other professional activities; independent activity in the field of science and research as well as pedagogy – publishing with emphasis on outputs in impacted journals, included in international indexed databases (WoS, Scopus), active co-solution of scientific tasks, supervision of students´ scientific and professional activities (in Slovak ŠVOČ), bachelor's theses, acceptance of dissertation for the defence (viva).

The credit system of the Faculty determines the number of ECTS credits that the doctoral student is obliged to obtain for:

a) progression to the next year of study

b) registration for the dissertation examination

c) submission of an application for a dissertation defence (viva) permission

d) recognition of other activities according to the individual study plan of the doctoral student.

A full-time doctoral student registers for the dissertation examination usually within 12 months, but no later than 18 months from the date of enrolment for the doctoral degree study; and a part-time doctoral student no later than 36 months from the date of enrolment for the doctoral degree study. The doctoral student is obliged to submit a written work prepared for the dissertation examination together with the application for the dissertation examination. The written work for the dissertation exam consists of the dissertation project, containing an overview of the current state of knowledge on the topic, an outline of the theoretical foundations of its future solution and an analysis of the methodological approach to solving the issue. The dissertation examination consists of a part consisting of a discussion of the written work for the dissertation examination and a part in which the doctoral student has to demonstrate theoretical knowledge in the specified courses of the dissertation examination. Examinations from individual courses can also be taken by the doctoral student during the study part of the doctoral degree study by a discussion of the written work for the dissertation examination. Completion of individual courses is assessed with a grade, while the evaluation is performed based on a classification scale consisting of six classification grades.

Conditions for proper completion of the study: The conditions are defined by the Directive No. 110. The study is completed by completing the defence (viva) of the dissertation thesis. 180 ECTS credits are required for the proper completion of studies in the doctoral degree study programme. It is the duty of the doctoral student to submit an internal defence (viva) at his/her workplace before submitting the application for a dissertation thesis defence (viva). In the standard length of study, the doctoral student must complete the defence (viva) no later than in the last month of the last academic year of his/her standard length of study. The defence (viva) of the dissertation takes place in the form of a scientific discussion before the evaluation commission. In order to successfully complete the dissertation thesis defence (viva), the doctoral student must obtain an absolute majority of the positive votes of the present members of the dissertation defence (viva) commission and opponents.

The rules for repeating the study / a part of the study are stipulated in the Study Regulations (the Directive No. 110). A student who has failed in the defence (viva) of the dissertation examination may repeat the examination only once, at the earliest three months after the date of the unsuccessful dissertation examination within the deadline set by the chairman of the examination commission. Repeated failure in the dissertation examination is a reason for exclusion from the doctoral degree study.

The dissertation thesis defence (viva) can only be repeated once, no later than two years after the end of the standard length of study.

The rules for the interruption of study are stipulated in the Study Regulations. A doctoral student may, in both standard as well as the above-standard lengths of study, request an interruption of the doctoral degree studies (even repeatedly) due to maternity leave, medical reasons, due to his/her study stay abroad, which is not part of his/her individual study plan or other serious reasons. The Dean allows the study to be interrupted. The total period of interruption of the doctoral degree studies generally does not exceed 18 months. In special, justified cases, e.g. during the next maternity leave, the doctoral study can be interrupted for a longer period, but not longer than 36 months.

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf) and the Directive No. 216 – Quality Assurance of the Doctoral Degree Studies at the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/kvalita/2021/smernica-UNIZA-c-216.pdf).

The overall learning outcomes at the level of the study programme are gradually fulfilled and verified through the learning outcomes of individual courses, which are clearly measurable. A weighted study average is used to evaluate the student's overall learning outcomes in a given period.

Forms of verification of the acquired knowledge, skills and competencies in a course are determined by the study plan and course information sheet (conditions for passing the course). Verification is also performed by teachers during the study part of the doctoral degree study by a discussion of the written work for the dissertation examination. Completion of individual courses is assessed with a grade, while the evaluation is performed based on the classification scale consisting of six classification grades. The grade expresses the result of the evaluation in accordance with the objective and content of the course, as well as the learning outcomes stated in the course information sheet, as well as the student's ability to apply the acquired knowledge.

Within the evaluation of the third degree of study, ECTS credits are awarded to the doctoral student for individual activities, while during the study it is necessary to obtain 180 ECTS credits for the successful completion of the doctoral degree study. The doctoral student obtains them for the courses of the dissertation examination, foreign language, dissertation examination and the defence (viva) of the dissertation thesis. In terms of scientific research activities, the doctoral student obtains points for dissertation projects, publications, patents, utility models, citations and active presentations at conferences and seminars. An overview of points for scientific research activities is given in Annex No. 2 to the Directive No. 216. The evaluation is performed once a year at the end of the academic year by the supervisor and is approved by the guarantor of the relevant study programme and subsequently by the Dean.

Rules for student access to remedies:

The dissertation examination consists of a part comprising a discussion of the written work for the dissertation examination and a part in which the doctoral student shall demonstrate theoretical knowledge in the specified courses of the dissertation examination. Examinations from individual courses can also be taken by the doctoral student during the study part of the doctoral degree study before the discussion of the written work for the dissertation examination. The examination is held in front of the commission with the participation of the teacher providing the course, and two other members without the presence of the opponent. Completion of individual courses is assessed with a grade, while the evaluation is conducted based on the classification scale consisting of six classification grades. The presence of an absolute majority of the members of the examination commission is required for a valid decision on the result of the dissertation examination, while examiners of the courses that were not taken during the study must be present. The examination commission decides on the result of the examination in a closed session. In order to successfully complete the dissertation examination, the doctoral student must obtain an absolute majority of the positive votes of the present members of the examination commission. The examination commission evaluates the overall result of the dissertation examination comprehensively with the statement "passed" or "failed".

If, for serious reasons, the doctoral student is unable to take part in the dissertation examination within the specified period and apologizes in writing to the chairman of the examination commission in advance, the chairman of the commission may set an alternative date. Withdrawal from the exam or the unjustified absence of a doctoral student at the exam is assessed by the statement "failed". A doctoral student who has failed the examination may repeat the examination only once, at the earliest three months after the date of the unsuccessful dissertation examination within the deadline stipulated by the chairman of the examination commission. Repeated failure in the dissertation exam is a reason for exclusion from the doctoral degree study.

If, for serious reasons, the doctoral student is unable to participate in the defence (viva) within the specified time, he/she shall apologize in writing in advance to the Dean and also to the chairman of the defence (viva) commission. The Dean, in agreement with the chairman of the defence (viva) commission, will set an alternative date for the defence (viva). The commission evaluates the defence (viva) of the dissertation with a grade, while the classification is performed based on the classification scale, which consists of six classification grades A - FX. In the event that the commission decides not to award an academic degree, the evaluation of the defence (viva) is FX. For the doctoral student who, on the basis of the result of the dissertation defence (viva) or for his/her unjustified non-participation in the defence (viva), was proposed by the defence (viva) commission not to be awarded an academic degree, the Dean will determine in writing the alternative date of the dissertation defence (viva) in the same study programme. The dissertation defence (viva) can be repeated only once, no later than two years after the end of the standard length of study.

At the level of the University, the conditions for the recognition of the study or a part of the study are defined in the Directive No. 110 – The Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. In the case of foreign mobility programmes and internships, the Directive No. 219 – Mobility Programmes of UNIZA Students and Staff Abroad defines the policies, structures, and processes of the conditions for the recognition of studies.

According to the approved individual study plan, the full-time student is obliged to complete a part of the study at the partner workplace of the doctoral student's training workplace abroad (lasting at least one month or one semester). Completion of a part of the study at another higher education institution/university is conditioned by the application for exchange study and confirmation of acceptance by the partner institution (foreign mobility or internship), agreement between individual partner institutions on the study (in case of UNIZA cooperation with another partner institution that has an accredited study programme in the given field of study at a partner institution or a similar field of study at a foreign partner institution and which has a certified / accredited internal quality assurance system for higher education or in accordance with Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area ESG 2015), an agreement between individual partner institutions on a joint study programme which is also jointly accredited as a joint study programme in accordance with the internal quality assurance system of higher education at UNIZA, transcript of the study results. The ECTS credits obtained at this workplace are credited in full on the basis of the confirmation of the partner training workplace on the completion of the study stay.

The list of final theses in the study programme Crissis Management is available at: https://vzdelavanie.uniza.sk/vzdelavanie/index.php

At the same time, the list of final theses is published in the Annual Reports of the Faculty of Security Engineering published at: https://fbi.uniza.sk/stranka/vyrocne-dokumenty

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 103 – On the Final Theses (Link: https://fbi.uniza.sk/uploads/Dokumenty/legislativa/leg3-zu_smer_metusm/sm-zu-103-2012_o_zaverecnych_pracach_s_dod-1.pdf) and the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulation for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf).

Each final thesis must be original, created by the author in compliance with the rules of working with information sources. The final thesis must not infringe the copyrights of other authors. The author of the final thesis is obliged to state the information sources used according to the relevant standard. The dissertation thesis is submitted for the defence (viva) in the Slovak language. With the written consent of the Dean, it may be submitted in another language.

The doctoral student can also submit as a dissertation thesis his/her own published work or a set of his/her own published works, the content of which deals with the topic of the dissertation and corresponds to the theses (project) of the dissertation thesis.

The dissertation thesis contains an introduction, characteristics of objectives, analysis of the current state of the issue at home and abroad, theoretical background, detailed description of procedures (methods, material), achieved results, their evaluation, discussion and conclusion stating what new knowledge for further development of science, technology and practice the work brings, a list of used literature and appendices. The UNIZA University Library archives an electronic or printed copy of the dissertation thesis, including the abstract and the license agreement, which stipulates the permitted level of its publication.

Opponents of the dissertation thesis are appointed by the Dean. There can be one opponent from the Faculty at which the doctoral student is studying. The dissertation thesis is assessed by at least two opponents (with the academic degree professor or associate professor holding the position of a professor). Other opponents must have the scientific-pedagogical title of associate professor or perform the position of associate professor; they can be important experts in the position of a visiting professor; employees with the academic degree PhD. The opponent may not be a family member of the doctoral student, his/her immediate superior or subordinate in an employment relationship or similar employment relationship, nor a supervisor. The opponent's opinion contains an objective and critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the submitted dissertation thesis, is brief and does not repeat the content. The reviewer comments on the topicality of the selected topic, on the fulfilment of the set objectives of the thesis, on the selected methods of processing, on the achieved results stating what new knowledge the dissertation thesis brings; he/she comments on the contribution to further development of science, technology or art and for practice. In the conclusion, it is clearly stated whether or not he/she proposes the award of an academic degree on the basis of the submitted dissertation thesis.

The defence (viva) of the dissertation thesis is public; in exceptional cases the Dean may declare it non-public; if its public defence (viva) would jeopardize confidential information protected by a special law. The defence (viva) of the dissertation thesis takes place in the form of a scientific debate. The doctoral student will present the content of his/her dissertation thesis, results and benefits. The opponents will present their opinions, on which the doctoral student will give an opinion. The discussion verifies the accuracy, justification and scientific origin of the knowledge contained in the dissertation thesis. The defence (viva) may take place only in the presence of at least two thirds of the members of the defence (viva) commission entitled to vote, including at least two opponents, and at least one member of the commission must be from a workplace outside UNIZA.

After the defence (viva), a non-public meeting of the commission is held, and the course and result of the defence (viva) and the possibility of using the results of the dissertation thesis in practice are evaluated. The members of the commission secretly vote on the award of an academic degree. Subsequently, the commission shall evaluate the defence (viva) of the dissertation thesis with a grade, while the classification is performed based on the classification scale which consists of six A – FX classification grades.

UNIZA supports mobility of its students and staff worldwide, in all available grant programmes and in all programmes and disciplines that are developed and provided at its Faculties and Institutes, as well as in similar study programmes. At the level of the University, the Directive No. 219 – Mobility Programmes of UNIZA Students and Staff Abroad defines the policies, structures, and processes (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-219.pdf). 

For the UNIZA employees, the completion of mobility is conditioned by: a) an application for mobility and a confirmation of acceptance by a partner institution; b) an agreement between individual partner institutions on mobility programmes, or in the case of UNIZA cooperation with another partner institution operating in UNIZA's areas of activity; c) a plan of the mobility with a content, time and financial definition of mobility. At the Faculty the Dean decides on sending an employee on mobility on the basis of an employee's request.

For the students, the completion of a part of their study at another university abroad is conditioned by: a) an application for exchange study and confirmation of acceptance by a partner institution; b) an agreement between individual partner institutions on study; c) an agreement between individual partner institutions on a joint study programme which is also jointly accredited as a joint study programme in accordance with the internal quality assurance system of higher education at UNIZA. The elaborated study plan is discussed by the student with the guarantor of the study programme. The study plan is elaborated primarily from the offer of study courses at a foreign university and contains the equivalents of compulsory and optional study programme courses that the student has prescribed in his/her study programme for the relevant academic year at UNIZA. The study plan is finally approved by the Vice-dean with competence for international cooperation. The Directive No. 219 defines the basic conditions for student mobility abroad, the requirements and rules for drawing up study plans, the student's obligations before and after the mobility. It also defines the procedures for recognition of the learning outcomes of the courses completed at a foreign university.

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 207 – The Code of Ethics of the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/2021/12072021_S-207-2021-Eticky-kodex-UNIZA.pdf) and the Directive No. 201 – Disciplinary Regulations for Students of the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: 02092021_S-201-2021-Disciplinarny-poriadok-pre-studentov-UNIZA.pdf) and the Directive No. 226 On Copyright Ethics and the Elimination of Plagiarism in the Conditions of the University of Žilina in Žilina.

UNIZA is a modern educational and research institution that emphasizes the principle of equal treatment, which consists in prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sex, religion or belief, race, nationality or ethnic group, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status and family situation, colour, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, gender or other status, or because of a report of crime or other anti-social activity. The Code of Ethics (the Directive No. 207) sets out a set of rules of conduct for university staff and students, thus preventing contentious situations. It defines general ethical principles for students and university staff, principles in pedagogical activities, in scientific research activities, principles in research practice and unacceptable research practices. A part of the UNIZA Code of Ethics is the definition of forms of violation of ethical rules. Complaints are handled by the UNIZA Ethics Commission.

UNIZA supports university teachers and researchers in demonstrating respect for students as well as other UNIZA staff by recognizing their authorship or co-authorship of publications and in publishing their research results. Any form of abuse of the position of university teachers and researchers from a position of superiority for the purpose of appropriating the outputs of students or other UNIZA staff is inadmissible. All UNIZA employees and students are obliged to respect the rules of legal protection of copyright, intellectual property and industrial property rights.

In order to eliminate plagiarism, the UNIZA proceeded to control the originality of not only final, rigorous and habilitation works in accordance with Article 10 of the Directive No. 215 on Final, Rigorous and Habilitation Theses in the Conditions of the University of Žilina in Žilina through the Central Register of Final Theses, but also to control the originality of all types of scientific and professional outputs (publications) of UNIZA employees and students, semester works (term papers) of UNIZA students or works of a similar nature. The result of the control of originality by the anti-plagiarism system applied in the Central Register of Final Theses or by the "Similarity Check" software in the UNIZA University Library, or other similar software, has an important informative value (the Directive No. 226).

In the University environment, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 198 – Support for Applicants for Study and Students with Specific Needs at the University of Žilina in Žilina (Link: 10082021_Smernica-c-198-Podpora-uchadzacov-o-studium-a-SSP-na-Zilinskej-univerzite-v-Ziline.pdf (uniza.sk)) and the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf).

At UNIZA and at the UNIZA Faculties, the University as well as the Faculty coordinators for this area provide care for applicants and students with specific needs. The scope of providing appropriate adjustments and support services is regulated by the Decree of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic No. 458/2012 on the minimum requirements of a student with specific needs. Appropriate adjustments transform changes in the forms of learning, changes in the performance of examinations and in the evaluation of results into the course of study without reducing the requirements for study performance and without changing the nature of the study programme. Adequate adaptation and support services serve to compensate for the consequences of disability and/or learning disabilities and to eliminate barriers to the academic environment and do not favour the position of students with specific needs over ordinary students. The scope of providing appropriate adjustments and support services depend on the specific needs of a particular student, current conditions and requirements for the study, availability and effectiveness of the use of compensatory aids and assistive technologies. Appropriate adjustments are provided so as not to lower the academic standards, requirements for the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for obtaining a qualification in a given study programme.

The student freely expresses his/her professional opinions, respects freedom of speech and critical thinking, free exchange of opinions and information. In solving the problems of the educational process and the organization of life at UNIZA, he/she turns to his/her teachers, academic officials and members of the academic senate with confidence.

At the Faculty, in addition to the above options, students can address their suggestions to the tutor of their study group, study advisor (the tutors and study advisors are appointed by the Dean's order at the beginning of the academic year), they can contact student support representatives (groups created for communication and counselling).

Depending on the nature of the complaint, the complaint is dealt with by the person responsible for the relevant area (Dean, Vice-deans, guarantors, Heads of departments), or a relevant commission established (disciplinary, ethical).

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 110 – Study Regulations for the Third Degree of the University Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: https://www.uniza.sk/images/pdf/uradna-tabula/smernice-predpisy/10122020_S-110-2013-Studijny-poriadok-PhD-v-zneni-D1-a-D3.pdf). 

The academic calendar of the Faculty of Security Engineering is issued annually as the Dean's Order and is published at: https://fbi.uniza.sk/stranka/prikazy-a-metodicke-usmernenia-dekana-fbi

The current schedule for the given academic year is published at:  https://vzdelavanie.uniza.sk/vzdelavanie/rozvrh2.php

Name and surname, titles: Jozef Ristvej, prof., Ing., PhD. EMBA

Function: Professor / Vice-Rector for International Relations and Marketing

contact: (mail, phone): jozef.ristvej@uniza.sk, +421 41 513 5130, 6717

Contents is generated from Study plans.

Contents is generated from Study plans.

List of doctoral students enrolled in the field of study 9205 Safety and Security Sciences, study program crisis management in the academic year 2021/2022

* Student joined  field of study 8.3.7 Civil Security

List of defended dissertations in the field of study 9205 Safety and Security Sciences study program crisis management in the academic year 2020/2021

List of defended dissertations in the field of study 9205 Safety and Security Sciences, study program crisis management in the academic year 2019/2020

 List of defended dissertations in the field of study 8.3.7 civil security, study program crisis management in the academic year 2018/2019

 List of defended dissertations in the field of study 8.3.7 civil security, study program crisis management in the academic year 2017/2018

List of defended dissertations in the field of study 8.3.7 civil security, study program crisis management in the academic year 2016/2017

 List of defended dissertations in the field of study 8.3.7 civil security, study program crisis management in the academic year 2015/2016

Member of the Council of the Study Programme Crisis Management for the 3rd level: Samuel Kočkár, a 3^rd-level student of the study programme Crisis Management at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA.

Name and surname: Ing. Katarína Mäkká, Ph.D.

Area of responsibility / Competences: study agenda - communication with students

Mail: katarina.makka@uniza.sk

Tel: 041/513 6666

Name and surname: Ing. Katarína Mäkká, Ph.D.

Area of responsibility / Competences: study agenda - communication with students

Mail: katarina.makka@uniza.sk

Tel: 041/513 6666

Name and surname:  doc. Ing. Stanislava Strelcová, PhD. (career and study advisor)

Mail: stanislava.strelcova@uniza.sk,

Tel: +421 41 513 6708

Name and surname: Ing. Erika Mošková (student support): erika.moskova@uniza.sk 

As part of the study programme Crisis Management, we will organize joint meetings and forums of guarantors, co-guarantors and teachers with representatives from practice in order to further develop, improve and set up educational activities with regard to practice.

We expect mutual active cooperation not only in drawing practical experience on the part of students in the company environment but also various forms of meetings, lectures, presentations or workshops on the part of the Faculty on the University campus with the possibility of presenting teaching premises (for example, news from the Ministry on the educational process; changes, goals and expectations from the employer for the successful application of graduates in practice). The guarantee of the quality of this cooperation is the expertise and experience of all defined guarantors and the material provision as well as the equipment of the teaching premises.

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 217 – Resources to Support Educational, Creative and Other Related Activities of the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-217.pdf)

In addition to theoretical teaching in the form of lectures and seminars, the study programme also includes a practical form of laboratory exercises (labs). For this purpose, UNIZA has a completely built infrastructure. Computer science classrooms (MA 105 – 30 personal computers for students, MA 112 – 15 personal computers for students, MA 108 – 20 personal computers for students) are used for the purpose of processing of the assigned projects and for online knowledge testing and are equipped with modern computers with licensed software. The Faculty has established specialized classrooms for teaching courses focused on fire safety (MA 115) and in the field of civil protection and occupational health and safety (MA 104). The Faculty has another 18 standardly equipped teaching video projection technology available for teaching in its premises. It also uses a crisis simulation laboratory, a laboratory for fire and chemical research and a security management laboratory for the teaching and project activities.

The laboratory of modelling and simulation of crisis phenomena to increase the efficiency of decision-making is under the administration of the Department of Crisis Management and is located within the University Science Park of the University of Žilina.

The laboratory is designed for effective and comprehensive training of crisis management experts for dealing with crisis phenomena through the use of software simulation technologies. The laboratory allows real-time simulation of various types of crisis phenomena in the social, technical, technological, but also in the natural environment:

• Leakage of hazardous substances,
• Leakage of radioactive substances,
• Mass traffic accident,
• Physical attack on a selected object.

The simulation environment on the VR Forces GUI platform allows:

• Simulation of the movement and behaviour of terrestrial water and air entities in a digitized environment,
• Creating digitized terrains in OpenFlight format,
• Display simulated events in 2 D and 3 D representations.

The aim of modelling and simulation of various crisis scenarios is to:

• Verify the effectiveness of the activities of crisis management bodies,
• Verify the reality of elaboration of population protection plans in dealing with an emergency,
• Verify the assessment of the situation, the calculation of the forces and resources needed to ensure the protection of the population in areas at risk or affected by the consequences of an emergency,
• Verify the effectiveness of the elaboration of plans for the protection of strategic objects of the state against intentional attack by an intruder (e.g. elements of critical infrastructure).

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 217 – Resources to Support Educational, Creative and Other Related Activities of the University of Žilina in Žilina. (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-217.pdf) and by the Directive No. 218 On the Collection, Processing, Analysis and Evaluation of Information to Support the Management of Study Programmes. (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-218.pdf)

The information necessary for the effective management of study programmes at UNIZA can be found in the UNIZA Academic Information and Education System (AIES, in Slovak AIVS). The Department for Schedules, in cooperation with the relevant Study departments of the Faculties and the Centre for ICT, collects in information systems data on the passportization of available premises and on the inventory of technology utilized within the study programmes. Objects that are also accessible to students and employees with disabilities are specially marked in the system. Relevant sources of information for applicants and students are information on the Faculty study programmes as well as information on the whole-university study programmes. Essential information on the study, including study programmes, instructions for the admission procedure, graduation, etc. are part of UNIZA's internal regulations or parts thereof. Access to these documents is available on the UNIZA website at www.uniza.sk in the Applicants for study section.

Detailed information on the study programmes can be found at the Faculty website with the possibility to use the following links:

The Bachelor's degree study programmes

(https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/uchadzaci/moznostistudia/bakalarske-studium)

The Engineer's or Master's degree study programmes

(https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/uchadzaci/moznosti-studia/magisterske-inzinierskestudium)

The Doctoral degree study programmes (https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/uchadzaci/moznostistudia/doktorandske-studium)

The information on the possibilities of educational mobility programmes – Erasmus

(https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/uchadzaci/moznosti-studia/erasmus).

The information on the currently provided full-time study programmes in the relevant academic year is always available on the Study Programmes website. The information on the currently provided study programmes in the part-time form of study in the relevant academic year is always placed in a document available on the Part-Time Study website. The information on creative and other related activities of UNIZA, its Faculties, Institutes and other workplaces is available on the Science and Research Information System portal (SRIS, in Slovak ISVV): https://vav.uniza.sk/vevysun.php

The University Library of the University of Žilina in Žilina (abbreviated UL UNIZA; in Slovak UK UNIZA) as a central workplace of the University provides comprehensive librarian and information activities within the profiling of UNIZA, its individual departments and study courses relevant according to current needs and changed requirements in the form of acquisition, professional processing and access to professional monographs, textbooks, scripts, standards, journals, legislative documents, periodicals, statistical reviews and yearbooks, language and professional dictionaries, encyclopaedias, electronic information media, electronic information sources, electronic books. The library makes available the information on acquired study and other professional literature through an electronic online catalogue. The UNIZA University Library has 4 study rooms available for users. The study rooms are fully equipped with computer technology with direct Internet access. The partial libraries of the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA departments have a total of more than three thousand titles – scientific monographs, scientific and professional publications as well as anthologies focused primarily on crisis management, fire protection, security management, protection of persons and property, protection of critical infrastructure and general education courses (Mathematics, Economics, Management, Statics, Chemistry, Transport Technology, Psychology, Sociology, etc.). These publications are used for scientific and professional growth of the teaching staff and for enriching the content of the educational process. They are available to full-time as well as part-time students who utilize them to supplement their knowledge of relevant courses as well as in the processing of final theses or competition papers of student scientific and professional activities.

The study programme in both full-time and part-time forms of study is performed by the full-time method. In the event of an emergency, situation or a state of emergency or due to serious technical obstacles, UNIZA will ensure, based on the Rector's order, that the full-time form of study takes place online or in a distance form, which will fully replace the full-time teaching method. For the form of distance learning, the education at UNIZA is supported in the MS TEAMS environment. Accesses and manuals for teachers and students are available on the website of the Centre for Information and Communication Technologies (CICT UNIZA) at https://ikt.uniza.sk/uniza-wiki/microsoft-teams-informacie/.

The basic prerequisite for access to UNIZA information systems is a personal account in the University system, which is obtained by every student, doctoral student, UNIZA employee. The UNIZA account allows unified access to several UNIZA systems and consists of a login name and a password. The student account can be used to log in to the IS systems such as webmail, Wi-Fi network, IS education, Microsoft 365 (MS TEAMS), etc. Accesses and manuals for teachers and students are available on the website of the Centre for Information and Communication Technologies (CICT UNIZA) at https://ikt.uniza.sk/uniza-wiki/zoznam-it-sluzieb/.

The basic information system for the process of education and teaching is the IS education, which is available to students from the University domain and from the Internet. The University Wi-Fi network supports EDUROAM. At UNIZA, e-learning is based on the LMS Moodle. The organization of the courses is based on guided study with the support of information and communication technologies in close connection with the academic information and education system (abbreviated AIES, in Slovak AIVS). The AIES is integrated with other information systems that are part of the University Intranet, such as The University Library (registration of final theses, verification of a final thesis for originality), accommodation (the waiting list, accommodation, registration of payments, etc.), issuance of the student ID card and the administration of the students' ID cards, access system, user administration (identity management), attendance system (doctoral students' attendance). The UniApps application allows its users to access AIES data and services from Android mobile devices, in accordance with the University's concept of the introduction of mobile technologies. The University supports students in using their own mobile devices. The UniApps allows access to information regardless of place and time using a mobile device. The available functionalities comprise time-tables, user profiles, exam dates, registration for exams, exam results, etc.

During their doctoral degree studies, students participate in departmental research tasks (e.g. of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, the National Labour Inspectorate, the Office of the Government of the Slovak Republic, the Administration of State Material Reserves of the Slovak Republic), or research tasks of business entities or non-profit entities (e.g. MH Teplárenský holding, a.s., Výskumný a vývojový ústav ŽSR Research and Development Institute of the Railways of the Slovak Republic, MONDI SCP, Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy (Prague Public Transit Company), Stredoslovenská distribučná a.s., Národná diaľničná spoločnosť (National Motorway Company), DEKRA-kvalifikácia a poradenstvo, s.r.o. (DEKRA-Qualification and Consulting, ltd.), GLOBSEC).

During their studies, students complete a foreign research internship via the Erasmus+ programme or the National Scholarship Programme (e.g. SSS Europe (Germany), Occupational Safety Research Institute, Prague, the Czech Republic, Coca-Cola HBC, the Czech Republic, Prague, BALJAK CZECH ltd., Prague, LeeLosch GmbH, Ebelsbach, Special Service International ltd., Prague, EUROSAT CS co., Brno, PROCUSYS j.s.c., Prague.

During their scientific and research activities, the doctoral students consult with their partners on their final theses or utilise their infrastructure (e.g. Occupational Safety Research Institute, Prague, the National Labour Inspectorate, RISK CONSULT, ltd., Bel Power Solutions, ltd., ACCIA Consulting, Schaeffler Kysuce, ltd.)

At the level of the University, the possibilities of social life, sports, cultural, spiritual and social activities are described in the Directive No. 217 – particularly in Articles 17, 18 and 19. (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-217.pdf).

UNIZA creates conditions and supports students' sports and cultural activities through various clubs and the University Pastoral Centre, while creating conditions and supporting other student activities, especially the activities of student organizations and student associations that operate at UNIZA and their activities are in the interest of students. The list of student organizations / clubs / associations operating on the UNIZA campus is as follows: GAMA club, Council of accommodated students at Veľký Diel, Council of accommodated students at Hliny, Internet club, Í-Tečko, Klub priateľov železníc (Railway Fun Club), Rapeš Radio, Radio X, Erasmus Student Network (ESN), UNIZA University Firefighting Club. At the same time, the Stavbár Folklore Ensemble and the University Pastoral Centre, a special purpose University Facility for the church and religious society, also operate at UNIZA. The mission of student organizations / clubs / associations operating at UNIZA is to bring together students with common interests and to try to develop their skills in the field, to provide their services to other students, to represent UNIZA at various competitions and events and to spread its reputation. The list of individual organizations is available at: https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/studenti/studentsky-zivot/studentske-organizacie.

Sports activities for UNIZA students and employees are provided by the UNIZA Institute of Physical Education (hereinafter referred to as "IPE") as a whole-university workplace with the aim to develop a programme of physical activities for UNIZA students and employees. The link is: https://utv.uniza.sk/. The IPE operates mainly in the following areas: ensuring the teaching of the physical education course in all its forms, providing sports activities for students outside the teaching period (the exam period, holidays), organizing sports camps (winter and summer sports camps), organizing university competitions, providing sports enjoyment of UNIZA employees, care for sports-gifted students and support for their participation in domestic and international sports competitions. The IPE provides a programme of physical activities for UNIZA students in appropriate spatial conditions with quality material and technical resources and under the professional guidance of professional staff from university teachers or physical education instructors in the following sports: athletics, basketball, futsal, floorball, volleyball, badminton, squash, tennis and others. Every year, UNIZA organizes winter and summer sports camps for students and employees in Slovakia as well as abroad. For those interested in performance sports, there are sections of the ACADEMIC UNIZA sports club available at https://ac.uniza.sk/, Slávia Žilinská univerzita https://www.vza.sk/ and HC UNIZA http://www.hcuniza.sk/. The Institute regularly organizes one-day and multi-day rafting sports courses, cycling stays connected with tourism, as well as winter ski courses.

The comprehensive counselling in basic psychological care for the UNIZA students and staff, social counselling as well as career counselling are provided to students by the Counselling and Career Centre (abbreviated CCC, in Slovak PKC). The CCC workplace is equipped with the necessary information and communication technologies, related software support and appropriate spatial, human, material and technical resources. There are also different types of compensatory aids and technologies available for the study purposes of the students with special needs. More detailed information is available at: https://www.uniza.sk/index.php/zamestnanci/rast-zamestnancov/centrum-psychologickej-podpory

The current as well as future UNIZA students have the opportunity to study at approximately 260 higher education institutions in Europe with which the University has concluded a cooperation agreement within a year, or they can apply for an internship in businesses as well as companies within the programme countries.

At the level of the University, the procedures, processes and structures are defined by the Directive No. 219 – Mobility Programmes of UNIZA Students and Staff Abroad (Link: smernica-UNIZA-c-219.pdf)

For students (those interested in a foreign mobility), the University publishes the "Information Handbook for UNIZA Students", which defines the rules of Erasmus+ student mobility valid for the current academic year. It describes the individual processes and structures of mobility (study stays and internships), the strategy of student selection and grant allocation, the procedure for processing the content of the study stay and the documents for concluding the financial contract, the documents required before the mobility, the procedure for ending the study stay. https://www.fbi.uniza.sk/uploads/files/1583408925-Binder1.pdf,

The Faculty, represented by the Faculty Erasmus+ coordinator, publishes the Faculty selection criteria, the strategy for approving nominations and the strategy for awarding grants for study stays and internships before the Faculty selection procedure for student mobility. After the Faculty selection of students for Erasmus+ mobility, the Minutes of the selection as well as the List of selected students, substitutes and unsuccessful applicants are elaborated.

The detailed information on foreign study stays and internships abroad is published by the Faculty on its website https://www.fbi.uniza.sk/stranka/erasmus-pre-studentov.

The contact person at the Faculty:

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Katarína Hollá, PhD., the Vice-Dean for International Relations and Marketing, katarina.holla@uniza.sk, tel. No.: +421 41 513 6610

Erasmus+ coordinators for the Faculty study programmes:

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Linda Makovická Osvaldová, PhD., the study programme Rescue Services, linda.makovicka@uniza.sk, tel. No.: +421 41 513 6767

Ing. Alexander Kelíšek, PhD., the study programme Crisis Management, alexander.kelisek@uniza.sk, tel. No.: +421 41 513 6705

Ing. Zuzana Zvaková, PhD., the study programme Security Management, zuzana.zvakova@uniza.sk, tel. No.: +421 41 513 6660

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 206 – Principles and Rules of the Admission Procedure for the Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. At the level of the Faculty, the Methodological Guideline No. 1/2021 – On the Principles and Rules of the Admission Procedure for the Study Programmes of the Faculty of Security Engineering of the University of Žilina in Žilina issued in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 2 of the UNIZA Directive No. 206, define the policies, structures, and processes relevant for the academic year 2022/23.

The basic condition for admission to the doctoral degree study (the third-level study programme) is the full completion of the second degree of university study (Higher Education Act No. 131/2002 Coll., as amended). In case of a foreign applicant or a student who has completed his/her studies abroad, he/she shall submit along with the application form for the university study at the latest on the date of the enrolment for the study a decision on the recognition of the certificate of completion of the second degree of university study recognised by a relevant institution in the Slovak Republic, or he/she shall ask UNIZA for the recognition of the certificate of education.

Further conditions for the admission to study are set at the Faculty level:

The selection of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the evaluation of the entrance examination. The entrance examination is performed in the form of an oral examination in front of the commission of the relevant field of study, which includes verification of the knowledge of a foreign language, mathematics and professional and scientific orientation of the applicant in the field he/she applies for, including the reasons for the selection of a particular topic, methods which he/she expects to use in solving the given topic, as well as 10 expected conclusions of the final thesis. The evaluation includes the assessment of the results of the previous study and the prerequisites for independent scientific work of an applicant.

At the level of the University, the policies, structures, and processes are defined by the Directive No. 206 – Principles and Rules of the Admission Procedure for the Study at the University of Žilina in Žilina. At the level of the Faculty, the Methodological Guideline No. 1/2021 – On the Principles and Rules of the Admission Procedure for the Study programmes of the Faculty of Security Engineering of the University of Žilina in Žilina issued in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 2 of the UNIZA Directive No. 206 defines the policies, structures, and processes relevant for the academic year 2022/23.

The methodological guideline defines the terms, methods and forms of submitting application forms, it provides information on the data that the applicant provides in the application form, as well as a list of mandatory enclosures to the application for the study. The methodological guideline further describes the form of the entrance examination, its dates, the method of evaluation and the principles of admission to study.

Application forms for the doctoral degree studies are to be submitted for individual study programmes. Applicants fill in the application form for the university studies – 3^rd degree (Prihláška na vysokoškolské štúdium – 3. stupeň) or they can use an electronic application form. The electronic application can be filled in via the UNIZA website: https://vzdelavanie.uniza.sk/prijimacky/index.php or on the Portal VŠ (University Portal) https://prihlaskavs.sk/sk/.

Even in the case of an electronic application form, it is necessary to provide the required enclosures (attachments).

The enclosures for the doctoral degree application form are as follows:

• Curriculum Vitae,
• proof of payment of the administrative fee for the admission procedure,
• certified copies of the highest level of educational completed,
• the intention of solving the selected topic of the dissertation thesis,
• a list of published professional and scientific papers (in case the applicant has published so far).

A graduate of the engineering/master's degree study can apply for the study. The selection of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the evaluation of the entrance examination. The entrance examination is performed in the form of an oral examination in front of the commission of the relevant field of study. The evaluation includes the assessment of the results of the previous study and the prerequisites for independent scientific work of an applicant.

On the basis of the admission procedure, the following applicants are admitted to study:

• Applicants who have passed the entrance examination and were added to the list of accepted candidates.

Applicants are accepted on the basis of the capacity of the individual study programmes and the evaluation of applicants. The final decision on the result of the admission procedure is determined by the Dean on the basis of a proposal from the Faculty admission commission. 

Evaluation of the admission procedure for the last 6 years:

Clearly set and defined procedures for the collection, analysis and use of relevant information for the effective management of all study programmes provided at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA form an essential part of the internal quality assurance system at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA. The rules, procedures and responsibilities for the systematic collection, processing, analysis and evaluation of information for the management of educational activities and for the management of creative activities are stipulated in the Directive No. 218, i.e. in the Directive On the Collection, Processing, Analysis and Evaluation of Information to Support the Management of Study Programmes (smernica-UNIZA-c-218.pdf).

Feedback is obtained at various levels and stages of the student's life cycle, from the applicant, through the bachelor's, engineering/master's and doctoral degree students, to the graduates of the second or third degree of study. Gaining feedback is performed via a regular survey, which is conducted annually by applicants and students, and is conducted regularly every three years by the graduates. Surveys are conducted in electronic form in a predetermined time interval and the answers obtained are evaluated by statistical methods (average, trend, net promoter score, etc.) in a numerical as well as graphical forms.

Regular surveys are aimed at applicants, especially on mapping areas related to the attractiveness of study programmes and the availability of information on the study at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA. Surveys conducted among students map the areas related to the quality of the educational process, the availability of study resources, providing space for initiative, student support and involvement in the educational and non-educational process, research and overall student as well as the University life. Surveys conducted among second-degree graduates of individual study programmes at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA focus on obtaining information regarding the employability of graduates in the labour market, e.g. in relation to the field of study they studied at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA, to the amount of knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the study in relation to the requirements from employers.

Based on the conducted surveys and the analysis of the findings, measures are taken at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA, which are applied to the educational process and all areas that are affected and that affect it. The application of the findings is followed by monitoring the effectiveness of the measures taken, which monitors the change in satisfaction of students in the various stages of the student's life cycle.

The key findings and results obtained from surveys and feedback from applicants, students and graduates are subsequently published on the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA website (https://www.fbi.uniza.sk/stranka/vnutorny-system-kvality-fbi), where they are available to all members of the academic community and the public.

Surveys conducted among students are focused on mapping areas related to the quality of the educational process, the availability of study resources, providing space for initiative, student support and involvement in education, research and overall student and university life. The most recent key findings are summarized in the following tables.

The following table and graphs provide a breakdown of the students' responses to the identification of statements on the application of the declared values at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA.

Questions for the third-level students (the doctoral degree):

In the first column there is the full text of the question for the third-level students, the next column shows the results which represent the perceived level of satisfaction of the doctoral degree students at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA.

Based on the analysis of the above findings, several measures were taken at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA in order to improve the quality of the educational process (personal interviews with teachers to find out what led respondents to dissatisfaction, support for increasing pedagogical, professional, language education of the teachers), better access to study resources (support of publishing activities and the publishing plan of the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA in individual years), support and motivation to increase students' involvement in pedagogical and scientific-research activities (motivation of students to participate in project activities – e.g. institutional projects), etc.

As part of the survey of the functionality of the internal quality assurance system, which took place at the turn of 2019 and 2020, students also commented on other types of questions. In most of their statements, they appreciated the work and activities of the Faculty in the field of education, professionalism, expertise and helpfulness of teachers. They perceived positively the possibilities of mobility within a foreign internship, which they could complete for at least three months. The comments also included students' suggestions for improving some of the processes that inspired the Faculty and subsequently began their implementation. To a lesser extent, suggestions and recommendations for improving the educational process in some courses also appeared in the students' comments. 

The Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA in an effort to meet the requirements of practice placed on the Faculty graduates to the greatest possible extent connects theory with practice. It regularly organizes lectures by experts from practice (e.g. in the academic year 2018/2019, 21 professional lectures were held at the Faculty with free admission of students and 12 experts from practice gave lectures directly in profile subjects). Students in the full-time form of study take part in excursions within professional subjects and they have the opportunity to test their theoretical knowledge gained during the study in the crisis simulation centre, safety management laboratory, fire chemistry laboratory, on the shooting range. On a voluntary basis, students can also participate in scientific research activities of the Faculty or the University. The Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA, in an effort to strengthen the practical focus of the study, has updated the study documentation of all study programmes. The course "Professional practice" has been included as a compulsory course in the range of 40 hours within the bachelor's as well as the master's (engineering) degrees of study.

The Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA within the teaching and other activities (Fire Sport, local association of the Slovak Red Cross founded by the Faculty students, the Volunteer Fire Brigade Žilina (DHZ Žilina) and UNIZA, exercises of Integrated Rescue System (IRS) units, open days with the participation of the IRS units, etc.) creates a suitable environment for students to test their skills and knowledge in practice by expanding the room for excursions and practical exercises. The Faculty also attains this goal with the help of the so-called refresher courses, where students in several subjects have expanded their knowledge not only in theoretical knowledge, moreover they improve, within the course implementation, especially their practical skills. Within the first year of study, the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA has included the course "Introduction to Study", in which all study programmes of the Faculty are presented in an attractive form (demonstrations of firefighting equipment, forensic technology, first aid training, means of civil protection, etc.) and in the interaction of students with practitioners (the Fire Fighting and Rescuing Corps, the Police Force, the Administration of State Material Reserves of the Slovak Republic etc.).

Surveys conducted among graduates of a respective level of higher education in individual study programmes at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA focus mainly on obtaining information regarding the employability of graduates at the labour market, e.g. in relation to the field of study they studied at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA, but attention is also paid to issues aimed at determining the quality and quantity of knowledge, skills and competences acquired during the study in relation to the requirements of employers.

Based on the surveys conducted among the graduates and the analysis of the findings, measures are taken at the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA, which are applied to the educational process and all areas related to it. The key findings and results obtained from the surveys and feedback from the graduates are subsequently published on the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA website (https://www.fbi.uniza.sk/stranka/vnutorny-system-kvality-fbi). From the last survey conducted among the graduates in 2020, the following findings were obtained. They can be found in the graphs below; the corresponding values are given as percentage.

The survey also showed that in some cases, the Faculty of Security Engineering graduates would welcome the addition of knowledge in the field of "hard skills" (it was professional knowledge as well as practical knowledge), but they would welcome an improvement in the field of "soft skills" (these were mainly language skills as well as communication skills). 43% of respondents stated that in practice they needed to supplement their language skills and almost 24% of graduates stated that they needed to supplement their communication skills. 29% of respondents stated they would need to supplement their professional knowledge.

As part of the analysis of findings and in the process of improving the quality of education, the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA has taken and is constantly taking measures to reduce, or eliminate the graduates' dissatisfaction with the achieved knowledge, skills and competencies mentioned. The taken measures are as follows:

• Increase the level of students' knowledge of the selected profile technical courses by introduction of educational (retraining) courses,
• Introduce a larger number of practical exercises in the existing study programmes of the bachelor's degree in order to increase the practical skills and competencies of students,
• Link theory and practice (excursions, lectures by experts, internships, professional practice),
• Support for the education of the Faculty staff – supplementing education in the field of foreign languages ??+ adaptive education for beginner (the newly hired) employees of the Faculty of Security Engineering UNIZA who will be involved in the educational process,
• Support for the expansion of the lesson fund and study materials with titles whose authors participate in the educational process of the Faculty,
• Increase in the scientific-pedagogical qualification of the Faculty staff,
• Support for the involvement of students in the activities of the individual departments of the Faculty.