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Prevention measures and actions against coronavirus at Vytautas Magnus university

PREVENTION MEASURES AND ACTIONS AGAINST CORONAVIRUS AT VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY

Dear community of Vytautas Magnus University,

As we are constantly monitoring the most recent information and taking into consideration the recommendations by the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Center under the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, as well as the recommendations by the World Health Organisation and the practices by other institutions of higher education around the world, all of them working to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), we would like to inform you about the new policy effective from March 12 at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

The members of VMU community are obliged to comply with the regulations provided below and follow the updates on the information.

We would also like to inform you that there is a task force operating at the university which addresses questions related to this extraordinary situation.

Rector
Juozas Augutis

1. TRAVELLING

1.1. Taking into consideration the recommendations by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania and the National Public Health Center under the Ministry of Health, all visits to/from all foreign countries by international teachers, researchers, students and other employees are suspended until further notice. If possible, please move these visits to the fall semester or other convenient time.

1.2. All business trips and other visits to foreign countries that have been confirmed for the spring semester but have not yet taken place shall be cancelled and applications for upcoming trips shall not be confirmed until further notice.

1.3. All exceptional cases regarding unavoidable business trips shall be permitted only with the permission of the Rector or Vice-Rector for International Relations.

1.4. All cancelled business trips shall be treated as having taken place and the cost actually incurred shall be reimbursed to employees who had experienced financial losses and submitted the travel certificate along with documents confirming the losses. Please address your questions related to the reimbursement of the costs of business trips and other related matters to the Department of Finances (Genutė Baltrušaitienė, phone +370 37 327 882, email genute.baltrusaitiene@vdu.lt).

1.5. In order to protect the persons in their immediate environment and to help them monitor their health, all employees and students who are currently abroad on business or for other visits (in all countries) shall be required to work and study remotely for 14 days after their return.

1.6. All inquiries by the employees regarding business trips in general or their cancellation can be directed to the Human Resources Department (Eglė Šiugždienė, phone +370 327 885, egle.siugzdiene@vdu.lt), while those who are departing on the basis of international exchange programmes should approach the International Cooperation

Department (Konstantinas Kurževas, phone +370 37 327 987, email konstantinas.kurzevas@vdu.lt).

1.7. We currently recommend postponing all unnecessary business trips in Lithuania. We also recommend postponing all personal trips abroad.

2. MEETINGS, GATHERINGS AND EVENTS

2.1 All international and local events and activities (conferences, seminars, tours, visits to VMU museums or exhibitions, project meetings, discussions, sports events, cultural or art events, Sports Centre’s activities etc.) that are dedicated not just to VMU community are cancelled until 15 May. (Information shall be updated if there are any changes in the situation.)

2.2 We recommend for meetings and other gatherings by VMU employees to be organised only if absolutely necessary and to use online measures in all other cases.

2.3 Please inform the persons responsible for international visits and events as well as your colleagues and foreign partners as soon as possible.

2.4 We recommend postponing events until the fall semester of 2020 or until the next year. Please use the online form of communication in all other cases.

3. ORGANISATION OF THE STUDY PROCESS

3.1. International studies and internships

The students who are currently studying or doing internships at universities abroad as participants of Erasmus+ or other exchange programs must follow and comply with the recommendations of the countries and the universities that they are visiting. If the students decide to return to VMU, they must report their return to the deans of their faculties and the International Cooperation Office (phone +370 37 327 987, email konstantinas.kurzevas@vdu.lt), and, upon returning, follow the recommendations of the Republic of Lithuania and self-isolate for 14 days. VMU shall provide the possibilities to continue studies at the home university.

3.2. Organisation of the online study process

From 13 March (Monday), all in-class activities are cancelled! Lectures and seminars will take place online or by giving the students independent tasks. All relevant information in relation to the study process will be published on Moodle.

3.3. Practical activities, internships, and work in the lab

From 13 March until 30 March, all practical activities (e.g. dance, art, music, acting, etc.), lab activities and student internships in other institutions shall be suspended. They will take place on a more intensive schedule from April until May. Please follow the constantly updated information.

3.4. Organisation of interim tests

From 13 March, all interim tests shall be postponed for two weeks, except for tests that have already been adapted for online work. Lecturers of each subject shall inform their

students about the new times of tests separately. Please follow the constantly updated information.

3.5. Work of non-academic employees

All administrative and other non-academic employees work as usual, avoiding larger gatherings and contacts.

4. PERSONAL MEANS TO PREVENT COVID-19

In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), VMU encourages the community to be socially responsible and civic, comply with the measures introduced by the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC), and follow information about the virus and its prevention.

Measures that reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus:

· Washing hands with water and soap (at least 7 times a day) or cleaning hands using an alcohol-based hand rub;

· Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing;

· Avoiding close contact with persons who are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever;

· Avoiding unnecessary travel.

 

CONTACTS
If you have any questions regarding the changes in the study organisation process at VMU in relation to COVID-19, please submit them to the email emergency@vdu.lt.

Co-operation visit in Ukrainie

On February 24-27 assoc. prof. Jolita Greblikaite was visiting Kiev National Economi University (Ukraine) with c0-operation visit. The common work and partnership with Ukrainian colleagues started few years ago with common participation in scientific conferences committees, scientific committees of  scientific journals. Future co-operation will be developed inviting Ukrainian students in Exchange programmes, fullfilling common scientific research and forming International research teams.

Visit of teachers of agriculture academy to the university of Zagreb (Croatia)

The teachers of Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University prof. dr. Laima Česonienė (Institute of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) and assoc. prof. Midona Dapkienė (Institute of Hydraulic Engineering, Faculty of Water and Land Management) visited the Faculty of Agriculture of University of Zagreb (FAZ) (Croatia) according to Erasmus+  Teachers training mobility agreement on February 17th to 21th 2020.

The Faculty of Agriculture of University of Zagreb holds a leading position in the Croatian agricultural science by the number of scientists, scientific projects and publications. The scientific research activities are carried out by the Faculty departments, at their laboratories and experiment stations, as well as in sites off the Faculty compound boundaries used for this purpose.

During the recent years, the Faculty had permanent increase in scientific production, primarily in number of projects awarded, papers published in prestigious scientific journals. This experience of partners from Faculty of Agriculture was very interesting and important for visitors.  The teachers met with partners from the Faculty of Agriculture, discussed about possible cooperation in the field of studies and research, visited laboratories and research centres. They also had the meeting at the International Cooperation Department.

The participation in 55th Croatian & 15th International Symposium on Agriculture was the part of mobility to Croatia. The oral presentation “Water quality monitoring at the on-farm root vegetables packhouses in Lithuania” was given by Midona Dapkienė. Laima Česonienė presented the oral report “The influence of agriculture on surface water status in Lithuania”.

The training visit to University of Zagreb improved the personal professional skills and competence of teachers. STT mobility also will give strong push to strengthen the connections between Universities. Exchange of ideas on future education and research cooperation will improve the research relations between relevant institutes of both universities and establish the background for future scientific collaboration in the field of environmental engineering.

Research internship at university of Perugia

Assoc. prof. dr. Anastasija Novikova from the Research Institute for Bioeconomy visited the University of Perugia during the 10-14 of February. The aim of the visit was to work together on modelling framework for evaluation of agricultural landscape services. The focus was on calculation of residents’ willingness to pay for these services.  The colleagues from university of Perugia kindly shared their experience in preparation of research projects and gave advices in paper preparation as well. The visit and stay in the Environmental laboratory of University of Perugia will serve as the continuation of cooperation between the faculties and Departments of the host and home universities.

The visits in Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences and Lublin University of Life Sciences

Prof. dr. Honorata Danilchenko and prof. dr. Elvyra Jariene (Institute of Agriculture and Food Science, Faculty of Agronomy) visited the Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences on 13-17 of January and University of Life Sciences in Lublin on 10-14 of February, 2020 in Poland under the Erasmus + Training and Training Exchange Programs.

New structural changes of Vytautas Magnus University, development and internationalization of study programs, research activities at the Institute of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the Faculty of Agronomy were introduced to colleagues of the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences of the Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences and academic staff of the Faculty of Agro-bioengineering of University of Life Sciences in Lublin during the visits.

The changes in the Polish higher education system were introduced to visiting professors. During the discussions with students and teachers, there were discussed about the innovative teaching methods that’s motivate the young generation’s creativity and the pursuit of knowledge.

During the visit the professors of the Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy had a possibility to get an acquainted at approved research laboratories. Modern analytical methods used to evaluate the quality of raw materials were introduced at the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (JUNG, Pulawy).

The visit has given an opportunity for exchanging the ideas on future education and research cooperation’s, improving the academic relations between relevant institutions of both universities in the academic and scientific field.

COMPETITION FOR EXCHANGE STUDIES AT non-EU/EEA COUNTRIES

ATTENTION TO ALL VMU STUDENTS!
COMPETITION FOR EXCHANGE STUDIES AT non-EU/EEA COUNTRIES (Erasmus+ and VMU Bilateral Exchange)

Students are invited to participate in a competition for one semester exchange studies at non-EU/EEA countries with Erasmus+ or VMU Mobility scholarship.

Students have to submit completed online application form (Outgoing – Application for Bilateral and Erasmus Study Exchange) until 1st of March, 2020

Selection criteria:

  • compatibility between the plan for studies or research at the Higher Education Institution abroad and the study programme at VMU;
  • motivation;
  • results of studies or research during the last two semesters (for VMU Mobility scholarship GPA should be no less than 8.0);
  • good knowledge of the language in which lectures will be taught.

Selected students will receive Erasmus+ or VMU Mobility scholarship.

Students will be personally informed via email about the results of first selection stage and invitation to second stage – interview.

MORE INFORMATION

ERASMUS collaboration visit at Tallinn University of Technology

Professors Juozas Padgurskas, Vytenis Jankauskas and PhD Student Deividas Kazlauskas from the Institute Power and Transport Machinery Engineering had the visit to Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) for training purposes on 27-31 January 2020. The aim of the training in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Tallinn University of Technology was the exchange of experience in the field of tribology.

Meeting and discussion with the Professors Jakob Kuebarsepp, Irina Husainova, Doctors Maksim Antonov, Vitali Podgurski and other scientists of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering about possible cooperation in studies and research.

During the visit, the prospects for developing joint projects and the possibilities for developing cooperation between universities within the framework of the ERASMUS + program were discussed.

  

Student scientific conference „MODERN MANAGEMENT – PART OF CULTURAL POLICY”“

Dear students,

We invite you to the student scientific conference “MODERN MANAGEMENT – PART OF CULTURAL POLICY”
Which will be hald in 2020 March 19 10 am.

Registration  

for the conference is open until 2020 March 10

More  information

 

Registration for Sports and Arts Activities has started

We kindly invite students of Vytautas Magnus university, who are studying in Kaunas, to register for sports and (or) arts Ž_for Spring semester 2019/2020, that are organized by VMU Sports Centre and VMU Arts Centre.

All students of VMU are welcomed to join sports and arts activities regardless to their study majors (e.g. students of law may join mixed gender choir „Daina“ of VMU Agriculture Academy).

All activities for VMU students are free-of-charge. Students can register for several activities at once.

Registration for Sports Activities

All VMU students, who are interested in joining sports activities that are held at VMU Sports Centre (Studentų g. 11, Akademija, Kaunas District), may register to the following sports activities:

  • Aerobics (functional training)
  • Active Sports
  • General gymnastics
  • Physical training (Gym)
  • Zumba (Intense)
  • Basketball
  • Athletics (running)
  • Pilates
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Chess

Students who are willing to register for sports activities that are organized by VMU Sports Centre for the Spring semester 2019/2020 may do it by logging into http://studentas.vdu.lt. In the section “Registration“ > „Sports activities” student has to choose a preferred group, day, time and click on the button “Enroll”.

All of the activities to which student has enrolled will be shown in http://studentas.vdu.lt in the upper side of the section “Registration“ > „Sports activities”. Students may enroll and withdraw out of the activities at any time of the semester. After the enrolment to the activities you should start to attend it as soon as possible, on the schedule which is indicated in the registration form. If you are looking for a reminder of your activities, you may look for it by logging into http://studentas.vdu.lt in the section “Registration“ > „Sports activities”.

For more information about registration and sports activities contact:

Registration for Arts Activities

Students who are willing to perform, dance, sing or play instruments at one of VMU Arts Centre artistic groups in Vilnius, Kaunas or Akademija (Kaunas District) has to register for activities by logging into http://studentas.vdu.lt. In the section “Registration“ > „Arts Centre activities”, student has to choose a preferred artistic group and click on the button “Enroll”.

Artistic groups in Kaunas:

  • Folklore ensemble “Linago”
  • Academic choir “Vivere Cantus”
  • Folk-dance ensemble “Žilvitis”
  • VMU Solo latino dance group
  • VMU Ballroom dance studio

Artistic groups in Akademija:

  • VMU ŽŪA (Agriculture Academy) folk dance ensemble “Sėja”
  • VMU ŽŪA (Agriculture Academy) Folk Music Chapel “Ūkininkas”
  • VMU ŽŪA (Agriculture Academy) Theatre “Jovaras”
  • VMU ŽŪA (Agriculture Academy) mixed choir “Daina”

Artistic groups in Vilnius:

  • VMU ŠA (Education Academy) Song and Dance Ensemble “Šviesa”
  • VMU ŠA (Education Academy) Mixed Choir “AVE VITA”

All of the activities to which student has enrolled will be shown in http://studentas.vdu.lt in the upper side of the section “Registration“ > „Arts Centre activities”. Students may enroll and withdraw out of the activities organized by artistic groups of the Arts Centre at any time of the semester.

After the enrolment to the activities you should start to attend it as soon as possible, on the schedule which is indicated in the registration form. If you are looking for a reminder of your activities, you may look for it by logging into http://studentas.vdu.lt in the section “Registration“ > „Arts Centre activities”.

For more information about registration and arts activities contact

VMU Arts Centre
Address |V. Čepinskio g. 5- 404, LT-44280 Kaunas
Phone +370 37 295 586
Mobile phone +3706 50 44546 (only on working hours)
Website http://artscentre.vdu.lt/
E-mail artscentre@vdu.lt

Long lasting co-operation with WSB University in Poland

On January 20-24, 2020 assoc. Professor Jolita Greblikaite and lecturer Rolandas Rakstys were visiting WSB University in Poland. Co-operation between the two institutions is lasting from year 2015. Researchers were visiting this University at least three times. Common research papers, editorial activity, common scientific activity, Erasmus + projects present the variety of activity with VMU and WSB. Futher plans were discussed. Cocrete actions as well.  WSB University has great experience in atracting International students for full-time studies at the institution.