Vytautas Magnus University visited Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain)

The head of Entrepreneurship Laboratory Aistė Čapienė, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development Vytautas Magnus University was visited Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) under the ERASMUS+ staff training programme during 18 – 22 of November. 2019. A.Čapienė was attended in the courses “19th STP Valencia: Languages & IT training for university staff”. The main objective of this course program was had strengthened oral communication skills and increased competence in the English language. Participants jump at the opportunity to improve the key professional skills working on the technical and social abilities in an authentic international setting. There is no doubt that the programme brought together representatives of universities from different European countries: Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia, France, Germany and etc.

During this staff training week the most important topic was ‘Communication skills’ working in international area. How to communicate and understand people from different counties? How to guarantee international project success? How to understand international student’s behavior at lectures and help them with difficulties? All the participants shared their various experience form different universities, discussed the issues and found the way how to be capable of communicating and accept people for what they are. It was worth develop communication and English language skills, receive expert training and know-how on building capacities and partnerships among universities.

During the visit was been presented Faculty of Bioeconomy Development and Entrepreneurship Laboratory. Aistė Čapienė had discussions about the possibilities for cooperation in projects, common scientific articles, student’s and lecturer’s exchange opportunities between institutions.

HORIZON 2020 event „2020 SOCIETIES BROKERAGE in Bratislava, Slovakia

In 12-12 November, 2019 assoc. prof. Jolita Greblikaite and lecturer Rolandas Rakstys (Facultyr of Bioeconomy Development) were participating in HORIZON 2020 event „2020 SOCIETIES BROKERAGE in Bratislava, Slovakia.. The event eas dvoted for presenting particular Horizon 2020 programmes as well as particular tips and new rules of new Horizon programme were presented. The event was important in terms of managing and writing proposals (new rules). Brokerage meetings were held as well. Participant were from different countries: Project managers, researchers, administrative staff.

Erasmus+ training visit at Delft University of Technology

On 4-8 November, Vytautas Magnus University Faculty of Bioeconomy Development Entrepreneurship Laboratory administrator Deimena Montvydaitė was visiting Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands) as Erasmus+ training visit. During the visit, D. Montvydaitė participated in “TU Delft International Staff Exchange Event”, organized by TU Delft Guest Centre. The event brought together representatives of universities from different European countries: Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Austria, Turkey, etc. The main goal of the Event was to share the knowledge and experience from different universities in order to learn from each other. The major topics, discussed during the training, were: Admission and Student Exchange, International Partnerships, Strategic Development, Corporate Policy Affairs, Global Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, Entrepreneurship, Student Drop Out, Working with Alumni Relations to reach the goals of university etc.

In the Event there was considered the latest admission processes at TU Delft, trends in admission over the past years and general admission developments within the Netherlands. All the participants shared their experience form different universities and discussed the issues on student admission. Talking about international relationships, there were debated trends and developments within international partnerships, preferred partnerships and international cooperation. In the Event there was also presented the main strategic principles of the TU Delft and further elaborate on the process of getting to the strategic framework. In the field of global engagement, there were discussed the issues related to developing and implementing a global engagement framework/strategy, managing (strategic) partnership programmes and creating global impact. Representatives of the universities shared their experience in the strategic and global engagement fields as well. During the Event, participants were introduced to The Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship, which provides education programs at bachelor and master level and contributes to PhD training as well as other teaching programs. What is more, The Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship has the vision to be a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation research and education. In terms of students drop out, there was highlighted the aim at quality, not quantity and the importance to make sure that students’ choice for university is thought through. More interactivity and dialogue in the study choice process, was discussed. Talking about engagement of the alumni community, there was held a debate about alumni role in strategic decisions and communicative processes. In all the sessions participants discussed their own universities strengths as well as problem areas and searched for solutions while sharing different experiences. Beside the knowledge learning, the Event included campus tour, that allowed participants to get a closer look at individual units’ work spaces of TU Delft.

Erasmus training visit at Delft University of Technology and participation at “TU Delft International Staff Exchange Event” provided an opportunity to explore the different cultures of different universities, to share the experience and to gain knowledge on current issues, as well as to establish contacts for potential future cooperation.

SMARTRURAL project – 1st Meeting

Assoc. prof. Aušra Rutelionė and dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty, Business and Rural Development Research Institute has attended the first meeting of partners in the Erasmus + KA203 project – Strategic Partnerships for higher education Towards smart rural tourism development in Europe (acronym SMARTRURAL). The first meeting of partners took place at Eskisehir Osmangazi Universitesi in Turkey from 7th to 10th of November. The meeting was attended by representatives of 7 Universities, including: Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithunia), Unipegaso (Italy), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Economics in Prague (Czech Republic), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) and Alicante University (Spain).

The project, which has a 24-month implementation period, aims to create the training content required for developing smart applications and creating smart business models in rural tourism destinations. It is important to build an open training platform that will support the development of rural areas.

On the first day, all partners presented the profile of their universities and scope of activity in the project during a meeting with the authorities, employees and students of the host university. The meeting was attended by the Rector Prof. Dr. Kamil Çolak, Vice Rector Professor Dr. Rifat Edizkan and Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Professor Dr. Yasar Sari, who is also the responsible person for the project from the Turkish side. After the official presentation, representants of consortium worked on a plan for future project activities. On the second day, the partners visited the Municipality of Inönü, where they met with Mayor Kadir Bozkurt and had a short visit to the touristic destinations. After meeting with officials they started discussing individual activities and setting priorities for the next reporting period in the project. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the next meeting would take place at the end of March 2020 at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

FAO International Conference on Rural Development and Tourism in Spain

Associate Professor of the Faculty of Water and Land Management Virginija Gurskienė on 6-8 of November 2019 has participated in the FAO International Conference on Rural Development and Tourism “On the Road to the Rural World”. This conference was held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The conference attracted over 200 participants from over 35 countries in Europe and Central Asia. The work took place in four sections. The first section of the FAO LANDNET section was entitled „Territorial development – challenges and opportunities“. The main causes of land abandonment and available and planned land management measures to address this issue were discussed here. Land consolidation and its benefits were discussed too. The links between land policy and rural development were analyses during conference . The draft FAO Land Consolidation Legal Manual was presented with its application. On the last day of the conference, one of the prepared projects was visited. The project used measures for land management and soil improvement.

In many countries, land management problems are very similar: rural areas are growing unused land, with more older people living in rural areas, with the majority of young people moving to cities, urbanization in suburban areas and more. Various solutions to problems have been proposed.

The implementation of advanced solutions and technologies is actual/interesting to all countries. It is proposed to solve the emerging problems in a complex way, working together with larger groups of scientists. This kind of communication offers new opportunities.

Doc. dr. Lina Marcinkeviciute and lector Jolanta Vilkeviciute visited Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU)

Lecturers from the Bioeconomy Development Faculty of Business and Rural Development Research Institute doc. dr. Lina Marcinkeviciute and lector Jolanta Vilkeviciute visited Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) under the ERASMUS+ staff training programme during 5 – 7 of November 2019.

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) was established in 1950 and now in the 9 faculties of university are studding 9100 students. Rīga Stradiņš University is a state-funded university which offers 68 study programmes and 11 of them are in English language. Also university participates in the realization of various scientific projects, providing training of experts in health care and social sciences. University has been recognized as the best university with the highest reputation in Latvia, gaining the highest rating among the 10 largest universities in Latvia according to a study of the reputation of Latvian universities conducted by market research company Kantar TNS in 2018

Lecturers L. Marcinkeviciute and J. Vilkeviciute participated in Erasmus+ Staff Week and Fourth International Conference “Inclusive Internationalisation”. Also lecturers participated in problem-based interactive group assignment, partnership fair, networking events and cultural programme.

During the visit was been presented faculty of Bioeconomy Development and Rural Development Research Institute. Also lecturers had discussions about the possibilities for cooperation in projects, common scientific articles, student’s and lecturer’s exchange opportunities between institutions.

The main purpose of the visit was collection of data for research, to strengthen the cooperation within Erasmus+ programme and contacts with the staff of the host institution, establish new contacts that can lead to joint implementation of new research projects in future.

Assoc. Professor Jolita Greblikaite was teaching under Erasmus+ mobility programme at University of Dubrovnik

Assoc. Professor Jolita Greblikaite (Faculty of Bioeconomy Development) was teaching under Erasmus+ mobility programme at University of Dubrovnik, Croatia during 29-31 November, 2019. The co-operation between institutions was already established earlier. Prof. Ivona Raguz is a member of the scientific International conference „Rural Development 2019“. Profesors from Dubtovnik University are actively working as visiting profesors. The International conference of Economics „DIEM“ is organised each year. It includes and management themes.

ERASMUS+ training visit in Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar and attendance in International UNMO Staff Week

Vice dean of VMU Agriculture Academy assoc. prof. Rasa Čingienė with the support by Erasmus+ training programme visited Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar, Bosnia and Hercegovina.

Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar had an the International UNMO Staff Week, which involved 20 of the European Union countries.

Participating is organized by the Dzemal Bijedic University in Mostar. The aim is to present Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy, International studies and student mobility opportunities and to attend the Sarajevo scholarship fair. During the International Mobility Day was planned to meet students intending to participate in international exchange programmes, make direct contact, present them study and mobility opportunities at VMU Agricultural Academy. During the visit there was an opportunity to get to know the laboratory equipment in the Mechanics faculty and the ongoing scientific work in the faculty of Economics.

This educational visit was helpful to improve my personal skills, competence and intensified international exchange cooperation.

International project on Advancing Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in Central and Eastern European Countries

In the photo Work Package 4 representatives from the left: Ants-Hannes Viira (Estonian University of Life Science, Estonia), Luka Juvančič (University of Ljubljana, Slovenia), Aleksejs Nipers (Latvia University of Agriculture, Latvia), Neringa Ramanauskė (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania), Asta Bendoraitytė (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania).

Along with other 20 academic, scientific and state institutions from 13 countries Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has launched an international project on Advancing Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy in Central and Eastern European Countries (BIOEASTsUP). The Project is funded by Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine, Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy Programme under the European Research and Innovation Programme Horizon 2020 (Call RUR-18-2019 Support for BIOEAST: Strengthening the Knowledge and Innovation Bioeconomy).

October 22-23, 2019 Kick-off meeting of the Project took place in the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute in Pulawy, Poland. Lectors of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development at the Agriculture Academy Neringa Ramanauskė and Asta Bendoraitytė presented Task 4.2 „Establish evidence base for the SRIA: procedures and deadlines“ of the Project, led by the University. Under the Task University scholars will analyse current innovation gaps and needs of the bioeconomy related research and innovation in the countries of BIOEAST macro-region. The task fulfillment is conducted by Prof. Vlada Vitunskienė.

In the photo participants of the Meeting – representatives of the Consortium partner institutions.

The visit in Warsaw University of Life Science

Assoc. professor dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė and lecturers dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and dr. Dovilė Levickienė (Institute of Agriculture and Food Science, Faculty of Agronomy) visited the Warsaw University of Life Science in Poland on 7–11 October, 2019 under the Erasmus+ training and teaching exchange programs.

Warsaw University of Life Science is a long-term partner of the VMU Agriculture Academy and Faculty of Agronomy. The visit in the faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Science was serve as the continuation of long-term cooperation between the faculties of the host and home universities.

Teachers got acquainted with the Poland higher education system, had the opportunity to communicate with students and lecturers. Lectures presented non-traditional raw materials for food processing. Researchers acquired knowledge and competence in area of modern analytical methods which are used to assess the quality of the raw materials.

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.