• Approval for conducting a virtual viva voce is through the Chair of the Graduate Research Board.
• Written agreement must be obtained by all parties to conduct the viva voce virtually. In particular, the candidate MUST support the decision to conduct the viva voce virtually. If all parties do not agree, the viva voce must be delayed until an in-person viva can be held.
• Use of a virtual viva voce cannot be used as grounds for appeal. Normally the Extern Examiner is the member of the examining committee that is participating in the viva voce remotely. Normally the Chair, the Intern Examiner and the candidate are in the same location. Due to the pandemic the viva voce may be conducted virtually across multiple sites. Specifically, each member of the Examination Committee, including the candidate, can be based at a different site. Where a viva voce is to be held both on campus and virtually it is recommended the Chair of the Examination Committee is present with the candidate on campus.
• Zoom is the recommended online platform to be used, which is supported by UCD IT Services.
• In each location, measures should be taken so that appropriate conditions are in place to ensure minimal disruption, security and integrity of the examination.
• All parties should be able to see one another at all times during the viva voce.
• No viva voce is to be conducted by audio or phone.
• A virtual private network (VPN) may be required where the intellectual property of the thesis needs to be protected.
• If a presentation is required, this may be facilitated through screen sharing or distributing the presentation to members of the examining committee through the Chair of the Examination Committee.
• The viva voce must not be recorded.
• Time differences must be considered to ensure that the candidate is not disadvantaged.
• A test of the virtual platform must be conducted prior to the commencement of the viva voce.
• Normally, if communication is broken during the viva voce and a connection cannot be re-established, the examination must be terminated and re-scheduled. However, where the Examination Committee agrees that a truncated viva voce provides the basis for a positive recommendation, this recommendation may be taken. No recommendation to fail a candidate can be taken where a viva voce is interrupted.
• Any re-scheduled examination should normally take place within one month of the original viva voce
• The Examiners’ report must include a statement that the viva voce was conducted virtually.

Procedures aligned with in-person viva voce examinations

• The Chair of the Examination Committee is responsible for ensuring all the arrangements for conducting the viva voce are in place. In a virtual viva voce, the role of the Chair includes verifying the identity of the student, observing the student for signs of stress and adhering to University viva voce regulations and following Government guidelines re COVID-19.
• Extern and Intern Examiners must submit their preliminary reports in good time. The Extern and Intern Examiners must read each other’s individual report in advance of the viva voce. At the start of the viva voce examination and before the candidate is admitted to the examination, the Chair, Extern Examiner and Intern Examiner should discuss their approach to the viva.
• Following the viva voce, the candidate must leave the virtual meeting to allow the Examiners to discuss a recommendation. They can be placed 'on hold' using Zoom.
• Once a recommendation is agreed, the candidate is invited to re-join the meeting to be advised of the outcome of the examination.
• If the Examiners agree on the recommendation, a joint report is submitted by the Chair to the ACCE via the eThesis Examination System.
• If the Examiners do not agree on the recommendation, separate reports are submitted by the Chair to the ACCE.

NB: these guidelines should be used in conjunction with the UCD Academic Regulations and the Theses in Graduate Research Programmes Policy.

If the viva voce is conducted with two parties in the same physical location, the following guidelines must be followed:

1. Confirm that no party has travelled from abroad to Ireland without adhering to current Government COVID-19 Travel Advisory.
2. Everyone attending should be in good health.
3. No one with an underlying medical condition or who is a member of a high-risk group should attend.
4. Every person involved must be free from COVID-19 symptoms now and for the last 14 days and must not be awaiting test results or have been advised to self-isolate .
5. Observe  HSE guidelines including physical social distancing.
6. Attendees should bring their own paperwork and remove it with them when leaving.
7. Use a well-ventilated area.
8. At the start of each session, advice on hand and respiratory hygiene should be reinforced. Encourage all persons to wash their hands before and after the meeting.
9. No sharing of IT equipment (or any other equipment like pens).
10. Ensure waste bins and tissues are available close at hand to each attendee.
11. All attendees are asked to make the School aware immediately if they develop symptoms following the session.

Testing the IT Platform

• The Chair of the Examination Committee should organise a preliminary meeting of the Examination Committee using the same Zoom address in advance of the viva voce to test the IT Platform. The Chair should ensure that the practice Zoom meeting with the Examiners is operating correctly and allow sufficient time to do this. After the IT Platform has been shown to work, the Chair should spend time with the Extern and Intern Examiners discussing how the viva will run.
• The Chair should practice the Zoom meeting (separately) with the candidate, including the ability to give a presentation and being placed on hold. A trial run with candidates tends to make them less nervous - so they know how the technology works, how screen sharing works, how to come in and go out of a Zoom meeting (which they will need to do at the end of the viva).

Timing

• An examination may run to 2.5 hours from beginning to end, thus a short break may be appropriate after 45 minutes or so. 
• The Wi-Fi connection on all sides should be tested in advance to make sure it is functioning solidly.
• If using a laptop computer, ensure that the laptop has sufficient power and access to a power source & functioning charger.
• If a participant does not have a solid Internet connection, they should see if they can safely establish a connection elsewhere. If this cannot be resolved in a timely manner or the connection remains an issue, the viva may need to be rescheduled.

Computer logistics

Zoom Logistics

• The Chair should have a contingency plan in place prior to the viva if Zoom does not work e.g. plan to reschedule or use alternative technology. 
• The viva should not be conducted by phone or audio. Google Meet is an alternative video conferencing solution, supported by UCD IT services. 
• It is suggested that the Extern Examiner have an e-copy of the thesis to hand and to share the relevant page on screen when posing questions. 
• Although the Chair should be on screen at all times, it is suggested that they are muted (with the volume on so they can hear). 
• Supervisors, where invited to attend, should switch off video and mute themselves.
• The default is for Zoom to record a session and this should be switched off by the Chair. The viva should not be recorded.