Announcement of the VMU Agriculture Academy Employees’ Teaching and Learning Materials and Research Works Competitions, and the Initiative for Submitting and Granting Nominations | VDU Žemės ūkio akademija

Announcement of the VMU Agriculture Academy Employees’ Teaching and Learning Materials and Research Works Competitions, and the Initiative for Submitting and Granting Nominations

We invite employees of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) to participate in the Teaching and Learning Materials and Research Works competitions, share their significant achievements with the community, and celebrate their accomplishments.

Awards for the competition winners will be presented during the ceremonial commemoration of the Day of the Restoration of the Independence of Lithuania, which will take place in the VMU AA Ceremonial Hall on March 10 at 13:00.

TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS COMPETITION

The Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) competition is organized to encourage VMU AA lecturers to share their experience in advanced teaching methods and the preparation and use of TLM, to accelerate the development and application of TLM and innovative teaching methodologies, and to motivate lecturers to create and improve TLM and apply them effectively in their pedagogical activities. VMU AA employees (authors) and their teams who have prepared new TLM and applied them in teaching VMU AA students are invited to participate.

The following may be submitted to the competition:

  • Methodological publications (textbooks, study books, lecture notes, laboratory and practical work descriptions, and other methodological publications exceeding 50 pages, published in print or electronic form);

  • Visual teaching aids (devices, tools, laboratory and demonstration stands, mock-ups, models, collections of studied objects, video recordings, poster sets, and other materials);

  • Study organization methods and other TLM (comprehensive methodological support for a course, implementation of distance learning, introduction of other innovative study methods, etc.).

Applications for the TLM competition may be submitted by VMU AA academic units or by the authors. Each application must include a recommendation from the academic unit, a copy of the TLM (or indication of its location), and a description including:

  • Title of the TLM;

  • Author information (name, faculty, institute, department, position, academic title and degree, phone number, email);

  • Purpose of the TLM (study programme, subject, subject topics);

  • Relevance (need, previous similar materials, etc.);

  • Methodological compatibility with independent studies (possibilities for active learning and innovative study methods using the TLM);

  • Innovation (novel ways of presenting study material) and scientific quality (use of the latest scientific information and tools, opportunities for student involvement in research);

  • Visual clarity of the knowledge presented and quality of the publication design;

  • Other advantages.

Documents for the competition must be submitted to the VMU AA Study Administration Coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rasa Čingienė (rasa.cingiene@vdu.lt or room 229, central building), by February 25.

No more than three prizes will be awarded in each group. First-place winners will receive monetary awards, while second- and third-place winners will receive letters of appreciation.

For more information, contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rasa Čingienė: rasa.cingiene@vdu.lt, +370 682 22874.

RESEARCH WORKS COMPETITION

The Research Works (RW) competition is organized to encourage VMU AA lecturers, researchers, and doctoral students to conduct research and disseminate results in high-level international scientific journals or other publications, increase international competitiveness, and contribute to improving the scientific, social, and economic environment of VMU and the country. VMU AA lecturers, researchers, and doctoral students are invited to participate.

Submissions are accepted in the following categories:

  • Research groups category (2–4 authors; each publication must include at least two authors from the participating research group);

  • International researcher category (researcher collaborating with foreign researchers);

  • Young researcher, doctoral student, or their team category (researchers with a doctoral degree aged up to 40 by the application deadline).

Research output from the last two calendar years may be submitted, including:

  • Scientific monographs, monograph chapters, or research studies;

  • Patented scientific output; registered plant or animal varieties;

  • Scientific articles;

  • Oral presentations in plenary sessions of international scientific conferences (with the conference programme attached).

The following must be submitted:

  • A short description (up to one page) of the research work or collection, indicating the title, components, and key aspects meeting the competition criteria;

  • Information about the author(s) (name, position, academic degree, scientific achievements) and their contribution, assessed proportionally to the number of authors or according to a joint signed declaration.

Winners of last year’s RW competition are not eligible to participate.

Submissions are evaluated according to:

  • Originality, novelty, significance for further research development, international scope, and leadership in international research teams;

  • Practical value (with preference given if accompanied by an evaluation or reference from a business or public-sector organization);

  • Scope of scientific output (calculated according to type and author contribution; if no declaration is provided, contributions are considered equal);

  • Dissemination of research results in the media.

Documents must be submitted to the VMU AA Research Activity Coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Algis Kvaraciejus (algis.kvaraciejus@vdu.lt or room 226, central building) by February 25.

Up to five prizes will be awarded: up to three in the research groups category, and one each in the international researcher and young researcher/doctoral student categories.

For more information, contact Assoc. Prof. Dr. Algis Kvaraciejus: algis.kvaraciejus@vdu.lt, +370 37 752350.

NOMINATION PROCEDURE

To involve VMU AA employees (or groups), lecturers, scientists, researchers, doctoral students, and students in improving the quality of studies, research, and scientific services, creating a motivating work environment, and fostering culture and values, the following nominations will be awarded during the Independence Day commemoration:

  • Project of the Year – for a community member or team for a study, research, or science-communication project successfully implemented in the previous calendar year with significant regional, national, or international impact.

  • Ambitious Start of a Research Career – for students or academic community members without a doctoral degree for active research and achievements. May be awarded once every three years.

  • Employee of the Year – for a staff member not directly involved in studies or research, for significant initiatives, diligence, and loyalty. May be awarded once every three years.

  • Ambassador of the Year – National Partnership – for establishing and developing significant national cooperation with social or business partners. May be awarded once every three years.

  • Ambassador of the Year – International Partnership – for establishing and developing significant international cooperation. May be awarded once every three years.

  • Lecturer of the Year – for outstanding teaching results, including student satisfaction, innovative pedagogy, work with Erasmus+ students, development of teaching materials, partnerships, promotion of study programmes, and supervision of student research. May be awarded once every three years.

  • Student of the Year – for outstanding achievements in studies, research, organizational, or social activities. May be awarded once per study cycle.

Nominations must be submitted to the Deputy Chancellor of VMU AA, Dr. Laima Skauronė (laima.skaurone@vdu.lt or room 228, central building) by February 20.

Number of awards:

  • Project of the Year, Ambitious Career Start, Employee of the Year – one each;

  • Ambassador of the Year – two awards;

  • Lecturer of the Year, Student of the Year – four awards each.

For more information, contact Dr. Laima Skauronė: laima.skaurone@vdu.lt, +370 615 21559.

The Teaching and Learning Materials and Research Works competitions, as well as the nominations, are organized and awarded according to regulations approved by the VMU AA Chancellor’s orders of February 3, 2026 (No. ŽŪA-2026-8 and ŽŪA-2026-9) and February 5, 2026 (No. ŽŪA-2026-12).

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