Course of the Dissertation Defence

• The defence will usually be opened by the chairman of the board, who will welcome all present and acquaint them with the course of the meeting. He/she introduces the individual members of the commission and gives the floor to the supervisor.

• The supervisor introduces the student.

• The doctoral student will present the main thesis of his dissertation (15, max. 20 minutes).

• Opponents will present the opinions (in the absence of the opponent, the opinion will be read by the chairman or another appointed member of the defence board).

• The doctoral student takes a stand on the opinions of opponents, answers their questions.

• The chairman will open a public debate in which everyone present can take part.

• The student answers all questions from participants in the plenary and from the board (the discussion is closed by the chairman of the board).

• After closing the public debate, the chairperson will exclude all guests, including the doctoral student, from the meeting and open a closed session of the board, which may be attended by members of the dissertation defence board, opponents and the supervisor (if members of the examination board).

• The board will evaluate the course of the defence and decide on the outcome by secret vote.

• Subsequently, the chairman of the board will announce the result of the voting publicly to the student.

• The chairman thanks everyone present and closes the meeting.