Contests for Teaching and Training Visits under Erasmus+ Programme

The aim of the teaching visit is to read lectures for students of a university abroad and attract them to study under Erasmus+ at Vytautas Magnus University.

The aim of the training visit is to participate in training events held abroad (except for conferences) or do work internship (observe work, participate in training activities) in universities abroad. This activity encourages professional development of academic and non-academic staff.

The announced contests are:

More information is provided by the VMU International Cooperation Department (erasmus@vdu.lt).

More information about teaching visits

More information about training visits

Scholarships Awarded to Students for Academic or Artistic Achievements

For the first time this year, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) announced a competition for scholarships for scientific or artistic achievements for VMU students, which aims to encourage students to pursue scientific or artistic activities.

Following the public announcement of the competition, 72 students in total have submitted their applications to present their scientific and/or artistic activities for the previous calendar year (2022). Candidates with at least one scientific publication, a conference presentation, or a public presentation of their work were eligible for the scholarship. Following an evaluation of the applications by a panel of experts, scholarships of 500 EUR (five hundred euros) were awarded to 14 students from different fields of study, who had the highest and most significant achievements, as assessed by the corresponding points of scientific (artistic) production and activities.

Scholarships were awarded:

Engineering Sciences and Technological Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bachelor’s study program Biotechnology.
Mathematical Sciences, Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bachelor’s study program Biology and Genetics; to the student of the Faculty of Informatics, Bachelor’s study program Informatics Systems; to four master students of the VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences, study programmes of Applied Biotechnology, Biochemical Analysis, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology; to student of the Faculty of Informatics, master’s degree program Applied Mathematics.
Arts: to the student of the Music Academy, bachelor’s degree program Performing Arts.
Social Sciences, Law, Business, and Public Management: to a student of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, VMU Academy of Agriculture, a Bachelor’s study program Logistics and Commerce; to the Law student of the Faculty of Law.
Agricultural Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Agronomy, Bachelor’s degree of Agronomy.
Humanities: to a student of the master’s degree program Comparative Cultural Studies at the Faculty of Humanities.
Educational Sciences: to the master’s student in Education study program at the Academy of Education.

The results of the scholarship competition for academic or artistic achievements were announced by sending a personal email to each student, who participated in the competition (email send to VMU Outlook Mailbox).

More information:

Admission to PhD studies at VMU Agriculture Academy

Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU AA) offers doctoral studies in 8 fields of research in natural, social, technological and agricultural sciences.

Application for admission to doctoral studies will be carried online.

Research Area	Research field	Dates of receipt of documents
Natural sciences	Ecology and Environmental Science	Will be available later
Technological sciences	Environmental Engineering	05 06 2023 – 23 06 2023 (no later than 5 p.m.)
	Mechanical Engineering	05 06 2023 – 23 06 2023 (no later than 5 p.m.)
	Transport Engineering	Will be available later
Agricultural sciences	Agronomy	05 06 2023 – 25 08 2023
Agricultural sciences	Forestry	05 06 2023 – 25 08 2023
Social sciences	Economy	05 06 2023 – 30 08 2023
Social sciences	Management	05 06 2023 – 30 08 2023

The application for participation in the admission to doctoral studies and scanned copies of the necessary documents are provided online.

The application will be registered, when will be filled all necessary parts of Admission to doctoral studies online system epasirasymas.vdu.lt.

The application is considered not to be registered if all the necessary documents or information is not provided.

More information about the admission, dissertation topics, candidates for scientific supervisors and document forms.

More information:

Research and Innovation department Doctoral School
Universiteto str. 8A-202, 53341 Akademija, Kaunas distr.
+ 370 37 752 254, +370 672 63856
monika.brimaite@vdu.lt

+ 370 37 209 815
doktorantura@vdu.lt

Public lecture “The experience of world communities in the implementation of solutions for sustainable rural development”

We kindly invite to participate at the public lecture by assoc. prof. dr. Pavel Kotyza from Prague University on topic “The experience of world communities in the implementation of solutions for sustainable rural development”. The lecture will be held online on 5 April 17 p.m. (EEST).

CONNECTION LINK

Date: 5 April
Time: 17 p.m. (EEST)
Place: online

Vytautas magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) Faculty of Bioeconomy Development Department of Business and Rural Development Management professor dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė

Erasmus Days ’23: International Mobility Possibilities. Erasmus+ with a Cup of Coffee at VMU Agriculture Academy

The International Cooperation Department of Vytautas Magnus University team invites you to participate in the traditional “Erasmus Days’23” events on February 21-23! During them mobility opportunities will be presented, students’ experiences will be shared, competitions and fun initiatives will be held both, virtually and live. Hesitating where to go? Join, listen, and choose your direction! A special meeting and conversation about exchange with a cup of coffee is organized for students of Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy (VMU AA).

Special “Erasmus Days’23” event for VMU AA students

On February 21 from 11.00 to 12.30, there will be an event “Erasmus+ with a Cup of Coffee” specially for VMU AA students (at VMU Agriculture Academy Central Building 423 auditorium (Studentų str. 11, Akademija, Kaunas district). VMU AA international activity coordinators invite all students to come for a different format consultation about exchange opportunities with a cup of coffee. Each student will receive all the necessary information about exchange opportunities, the best advice and recommendations of the coordinators. The organizers promise interesting conversations, good emotions, great atmosphere and delicacies!

All Erasmus Days’23 events

Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition 2022-2023. Turn an adventure into an experience!

A competition is open for Erasmus+ student or recent graduate traineeship grants. Application deadline is the 31st of January, 2023.

The placement period is from 2 to 6 months. Recent graduate traineeship must end – in a year after graduation.

Selection

All VMU fulltime degree students who have not used more than 10 months of their Erasmus mobility (study / traineeship) period are eligible for the Erasmus grant.

Selection documents

For student traineeship (traineeship during student’s year of studies)

Filled-in application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Student Traineeship (EU countries)“
Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory).

Documents must be submitted online.

For recent graduate traineeship (application must be submitted during the last year of studies)

Application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Recent Graduate Traineeship (EU countries)“
Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory);
Recommendation by a faculty member (obligatory).

The priority in the selection is given to:

students whom traineeship is an obligatory part of their study programme;
students who have never been Erasmus traineeship students before.

Selection criteria:

student’s motivation;
good knowledge of the language which will be used during the traineeship;
student’s work, study, traineeship, participation in the international/academic projects, social activities experience in Lithuania and abroad;
conformability between the chosen traineeship and student’s study programme;
study results (first year MA students should attach transcript of records of their BA/MA degree to the application form).

The competition results will be sent to every participant via e-mail.

Competitions for Erasmus+ traineeships will take place each month until June 2023.

More information

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to high school “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs”

On October 11–13 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) associated professors of Faculty of Engineering Rytis Skominas and Raimondas Šadzevičius visited “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” according to the programme ERASMUS+. “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” is situated in Caen, France. The main goal of the school to provide its engineering students with a practical and operational opening to the civil engineering industry.

During the visit scientists R. Skominas and R. Šadzevičius had lectures about durability, repair, inspection and maintenance of hydraulic structures for master students from Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management study programmes.

VMU AA associated professors R. Skominas and R. Šadzevičius had meetings with International Relation office and academic staff, wherepossibilities to collaborate in study and research fields were discussed. A tour at the “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” took place with the aim to get acquainted with the scientific infrastructure. The Wawe Flume channel left a big impression. The 40 m long and 1.50 m deep wave channel has been installed at “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” since 2018. This equipment, which is unique in France, allows large-scale testing of the impact of swell on coastal equipment (dykes, jetties, coastal protection, etc.).

Distinguished Speakers in 13th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability”

The 13^th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability” will be held on 10-11^th of November, 2022 at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Kaunas, Lithuania), Faculty of Bioeconomy Development. This year, the Conference will be held online. Conference languages – English and Lithuanian.

The conference is intended to bring together accounting and finance researchers to share experience and business-relevant research results. The main aim of the conference is to present and discuss innovative and sustainability-oriented trends in accounting and finance science, to share new approaches that are important for increasing business competitiveness and efficiency and promoting partnerships between small and medium-sized businesses and the public sector.

November 10^th 9 a.m. speakers with extensive experience in scientific and practical activities will give presentations in the plenary session (English language) of the conference:

Prof. Kaja Tampere – BIOTeacher and scientist in the communication field: organisational communication and public relations, health communication and bullying, organisational culture and corporate social responsibility, sustainability and legitimacy. Kaja works as a professor in Jyväskylä (Finland) and in Tallinn University and Tartu University (Estonia). Author of many scientific articles. Presentation topic: Corporate social responsibility developments in post-communist countries: towards organizations social legitimacy.

Prof. Catalin N. Albu – professor of Accounting with the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, where conducts research and teaches in several areas of accounting, with a focus on the application of western models in emerging economies. Catalin’s research has been published in Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Accounting Forum, Accounting and Business Research, Australian Accounting Review, and Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, among others. Professor serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation and as member of the editorial board of Accounting Forum. Catalin is the Chair of the External Relations Committee of the European Accounting Association and acts as Vice-President Conferences for the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER). Presentation topic: A new role for accountants: the case of NFR reporting in former communist countries.

Dr. Juliette E. Torabian – the author of “Wealth, values, culture & education: reviving the essentials for equality and sustainability” published by Springer. A specialist in comparative higher education, the deputy team leader in H2020 PIONEERED and a Postdoctoral researcher in sociology of education at University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Juliette is also a senior expert in international development and education with 25 years of experience in strategic planning, policy making and analysis, and capacity building. Juliette is on the editorial board of the Journal of International and Comparative Higher Education and the journal of Sustainability and Climate change. She has an interdisciplinary academic background and 15 years of lecturing experience in pedagogy, gender and human rights, environment, sustainable development, and ethics in business in universities in France, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Presentation topic: Ethics and sustainability in business: the role of higher education.

Rolandas Kubilius – the senior project manager of consulting and auditing company PwC. Rolandas has 14 years of experience in consulting business organizations – he advises company managers, shareholders and investors in making business-relevant decisions. Ronaldas is currently leading PwC Lietuva’s ESG services team and helps businesses solve challenges related to this area. Ronaldas also regularly speaks at events and writes articles and insights for the media on ESG. Presentation topic: Sustainability reports and standards: changes in legal regulation.

November 11^th 9 a.m. conference participants are invited to the discussion (Lithuanian language) “What are the risks for a business importing or exporting goods if financial and accounting specialists do not have the necessary customs knowledge?”. During the discussion, Enrika Naujokė (Customs Practitioners Association), Ingrida Kemežienė (Law firm “Ellex Valiūnas ir partneriai”), Monika Bielskienė (UAB “PricewaterhouseCoopers”) will share their insights.

November 11^th 9 a.m. a special session (English language) “A Digital Learning Platform for Generation Z: Passport to IFRS©” will be organized, which will be moderated by prof. dr. Aylin Poroy Arsoy (Bursa Uludag University).

We invite you to register and participate in the conference.

Registration of speakers and submission of abstracts until October 3^rd 2022!!!

Details can be found on the conference website: https://afk.vdu.lt/en

Erasmus Days ’22: International Mobility Possibilities. Erasmus+ with a Cup of Coffee at VMU AA

The International Cooperation Department of Vytautas Magnus University team invites you to participate in the traditional “Erasmus Days’22” events on September 27-29! During them mobility opportunities will be presented, students’ experiences will be shared, competitions and fun initiatives will be held both, virtually and live. Hesitating where to go? Join, listen, and choose your direction! A special meeting and conversation about exchange with a cup of coffee is organized for students of Vytautas Magnus University Agricultural Academy (VMU AA).

Special “Erasmus Days’22” event for VMU AA students

On September 28 from 10.00 to 12.00, there will be an event “Erasmus+ with a Cup of Coffee” specially for VDU ŽŪA students (at VMU Agriculture Academy Central Building 217 auditorium (Studentų str. 11, Akademija, Kaunas district). VMU AA international activity coordinators invite all students to come for a different format consultation about exchange opportunities with a cup of coffee. Each student will receive all the necessary information about exchange opportunities, the best advice and recommendations of the coordinators. The organizers promise interesting conversations, good emotions, great atmosphere and delicacies!

All Erasmus Days’22 events

From the 27th to the 29th of September, Erasmus Days will feature inspiring presentations, helpful consultations, and an introduction to life-changing mobility opportunities worldwide.

VMU ICD invites all students to come for a different consultation format on exchange opportunities. Students participating in “Erasmus+ with a cup of coffee” will be able to learn more about the opportunities offered by Erasmus+ programme while enjoying a cup of coffee. Moreover, each student will get all the information they need about the exchange programmes, the best tips, and recommendations from the coordinators. We promise fun conversations, good emotions, a great atmosphere, and snacks!

During International Fair, you will meet with your peers who have already experienced different exchange programmes abroad. It’s a unique chance to contact current students directly and ask for their advice. Live meetings with other students will help you realize the contexts you have never heard of before. As a result, you will get certainty in your decision and confirm or refute your choice.

Haven’t you decided on your next destination yet? We are here to help you! Join us during the Presentation of Exchange Possibilities and learn about all the opportunities for VMU students. Coordinators of the International Cooperation Department will present the exchange opportunities in EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA countries, international traineeships, and much more!

Thinking about studying exchange abroad, but still have some doubts about which country or university to choose. Then the Presentation of Outgoing Students is just right for you! During this event, you will be able to learn about the former VMU exchange student’s experiences, tips, and tricks on choosing the university and destination for your studies.

Join us in a fun team event about Erasmus mobility while exploring the city and doing various tasks and games during Mobility Hunt with ESN VMU. Whether you have already done, are currently doing, or are interested in going on exchange, this event should be a fun way to test your knowledge or learn something new about the wonderful world of the Erasmus programme. And of course, maybe make some new friends while trying to be the fastest to win a prize.

Programme

More information about exchange studies

Ikbol, student of Logistics and Commerce in Lithuania, shares a wonderful message with the young people in Uzbekistan

Lithuania is a member country of the European Union (EU) located at the heart of the continent next to the Baltic Sea. Despite the population size of just three million, the country boasts a very deep university tradition. As a result, students from all over the world have already discovered Lithuania as a very convenient place to attain an excellent education. Ikbol Makhsumov from Uzbekistan is one of them. He is a student of Logistics and Commerce at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU Agriculture Academy). According to Ikbol, the new dual degree programme Logistics and Commerce at the VMU Agriculture Academy and the Tashkent State Agrarian University is the exclusive opportunity for the young people of Uzbekistan to study at a European university, take part in the ERASMUS exchange programme between other European universities, and, most importantly, develop modern competences for a promising career in logistics and commerce upon the return to their home country Uzbekistan.

European-level studies in the European capital of culture

According to Ikbol Makhsumov from Fergana, it was not by chance that he became interested in logistics studies. Logistics is a fast-growing diversified global sector that includes the areas such as warehousing, wholesale and transport. His motivation became even stronger when he learnt about the opportunity to work in this field in South Korea before starting his studies.

Having decided to study logistics, Ikbol started researching universities offering logistics study programmes, reading university websites, comparing programme content, university rankings and services. The VMU Agriculture Academy was the one university to have fully matched his expectations. The fact that he had already visited Lithuania, having made friends with the Lithuanians while working in South Korea, also helped him in his final decision.

“When you meet new friends, it’s natural to want to learn more about their home country. They invited me to visit and travel together around Lithuania, the country with one of the oldest languages in the world, the best basketball players, fresh and green nature, and welcoming people,” – he shares. He has also noted that it was easy to become integrated upon arrival, as young people all over the world share far more similarities than differences. In addition, Kaunas, the second largest city after the country’s capital Vilnius, is a dynamic student city. It is home to a diverse community of young people, qualified university staff and friendly local and fellow students who are always there to help when needed. He is impressed by Kaunas city’s well-developed infrastructure of cycle paths, museums and events – it is no coincidence that the city is this year’s European Capital of Culture.

Master’s studies and an ERASMUS trip on the agenda

Ikbol, who is about to start his fourth year of studies, admits to feeling the excitement of gaining new knowledge every new semester. The diversity of knowledge, laboratory activities, logistics and commerce studies are intriguing for him. He also appreciates the fact that a team of guest lecturers visiting from other foreign universities and leading logistics and retail professionals works with the students every semester.

I.Makhsumov had the opportunity to do an internship in a supply management department at one of the leading Lithuanian companies, where he got acquainted with the company’s operational and management processes, innovative systems, professional environment and modern warehouses. His only regret is that the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented him from taking part in the ERASMUS student exchange programme. However, Ikbol’s plans are to pursue his Master’s degree in Logistics at the VMU Agriculture Academy and to go on an ERASMUS traineeship at a university in another European country.

A chance for everyone to make a big step forward in their career

Makhsumov studying in Lithuania is particularly pleased to hear that young people from Uzbekistan now have the opportunity to study logistics and commerce and pursue a dual degree at the Tashkent State Agrarian University and the VMU Agriculture Academy, as this is a great chance to make a huge step forward in their career.

“Uzbekistan is a growing country with increasing export volumes. And no business is possible without efficient logistics and trade. That’s why young people who choose the Logistics and Commerce dual degree programme at the Tashkent State Agrarian University will have great prospects in the future: find promising jobs at private companies, in the public sector or set up own businesses. Half of their studies will take place in Tashkent and the other half in Lithuania, at the VMU Agriculture Academy. They will also prepare and defend their final theses here,” – says Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy.

According to the Professor, who specializes in the field of bioeconomics, during their studies in Lithuania, young people from Uzbekistan will get acquainted with the EU legal framework, business development conditions, specifics of logistics processes, import and export rules and regulations. This knowledge will undoubtedly give the holders of the dual diploma an advantage in the future labour market.

During their studies in Lithuania, students will do an internship at modern companies in Lithuania or other EU countries. Many students in Lithuania combine their studies with work. Students from Uzbekistan will also be eligible to work during their studies. All of them will have the opportunity to live in the unique European campus of the VMU Agriculture Academy.

Two university degrees on graduation

Students are young people who want to move around and gain new experiences. The dual degree programmes will give them ample opportunities to take advantage of ERASMUS, Europe’s popular student exchange programme offerring the chance to study or do a traineeship in other EU countries. Being the most comprehensive university in Lithuania, Vytautas Magnus University offers its students exceptional opportunities for complementary studies. Every student has the freedom to design his or her own study path as he or she wishes. While studying his/her chosen major study programme, a student can choose to study any other related study programme. A certificate of completion is issued upon graduation. This way, it is possible to acquire two or even more specialities during the course of studies. The university also offers a wide range of foreign languages to choose from a list of more than 30 languages.

The students from Uzbekistan will graduate with two university diplomas: the Tashkent State Agrarian University and Vytautas Magnus University.

University collaboration is driven by global human challenges

These opportunities opened for the young people of Uzbekistan after the universities signed a cooperation agreement in 2021. The partners plan to actively develop cooperation not only in the development and implementation of dual degree programmes, where part of the study process takes place in Uzbekistan and part in Lithuania, but also to organise joint internships for students and lecturers, student exchanges, joint seminars, scientific conferences, and research projects.

According to Prof. Dr. A. Miceikienė, as the world becomes more global, it is particularly important to pursue intercontinental collaboration between the educational and research institutions, as this helps measure the development of countries and their businesses in the context of different transformations, and to find solutions to climate change, food security, and a host of other issues of relevance to humanity.