Miškų ir ekologijos fakultetas, Author at VDU Žemės ūkio akademija | Page 2 of 2

The kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ MARIPET project

The kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Innovative Curriculum To Evaluate Marine Fishery Discards As Raw Pet Food For Sustainable Europe” [MARIPET] was held at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim On August 10 and 11. Prof. dr. Artūras Stimbirys and assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė of the Department of Environment and Ecology took part in the meeting to discuss the goals and objectives of the project and further activities. Meeting participants got the opportunity to visit a salmon slaughterhouse and a salmon production site.

During the MARIPET project, an innovative 5-module training programme, a virtual dedicated environment with an online education kit, platforms for discard fisheries and pet food trainers/experts and pet food manufacturers/experts, and an e-book/guidebook on European Discard Fisheries and Pet Food Production will be developed. The Training workshops and Multiplier events in five countries will finalise the project activities.

The project is coordinated by Ege University (Turkey), project partners: University of Balikesir (Turkey), University of Dubrovnik (Croatia), Agricultural University of Iceland, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and Vytautas Magnus University.

The project’s next meeting will be held at our institution in January 2023.The project will last until February 28, 2024.

The first meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Medical beekeeping for beekeepers”

The first meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Medical beekeeping for beekeepers” (MEDI-BEEB) took place on July 5-6 in Didim, Turkey. The project is coordinated by Adnan Menderes University (Turkey), project partners: Confederation of Italian Farmers of the Umbria region, Onsekiz Mart University of Cenakale, Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences, Aydin Province Beekeepers’ Association and Vytautas Magnus University. The main goal of the project is to enable beekeepers, considering international standards, to produce reliable and qualitative apitherapy products: propolis, royal jelly, pollen, etc. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to prepare training materials in a virtual environment, to create a video of best practice examples, to organize meetings presenting the results of the project with the target group in each country, and other relevant activities. Prof. dr. Virginija Dulskienė and assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė from the Department of Environment and Ecology attended the meeting and gave an analysis of the survey findings of Lithuanian beekeepers as well as an assessment of the situation in the Lithuanian beekeeping sector. Perugia will host the next project meeting (Italy).

FOR THOSE WHO SEEK HELP / ДЛЯ ТИХ, ХТОПОTPEБYЄ ДОПОМОГИ

🇺🇸Vytautas Magnus University is lending a helping hand to Ukrainians. In 2020, a support fund was established at VMU for the students who suffered from state repression in Belarus. From now on, this fund will also support the students who have suffered from military operations in Ukraine.The university may:

  • Provide scholarships (payments, Eur)
  • Accommodate at the university’s dormitory (with the option to also provide accommodation to family members)
  • Offer tuition fee deduction or exemption
  • Provide deduction or exemption from accommodation fee at VMU dormitory
  • Postpone the deadline of payment for tuition and accommodation fee or make it possible to pay in instalments
  • Help find work in Lithuania
  • Provide psychological support
  • Provide other support

In order to be eligible for the support, students have to fill in the application form and send it:

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More information for current and future VMU students and lecturers: academic.support@vdu.lt

FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO SUPPORT UKRAINE’S ACADEMIC COMMUNITY

🇺🇦

ДЛЯ ТИХ, ХТОПОTPEБYЄ ДОПОМОГИ

Університет Вітовта Великого (VDU) готовий допомагати українцям. Ще у 2020 році VDU створив фонд допомоги для підтримки студентів, що стали жертвами репресій уряду Білорусі. Тепер фонд також підтримує студентів, які постраждали від війни Росії в Україні.

Як університет може допомогти:

  • Надати стипендії (виплати, в євро)
  • Забезпечити проживання в університетському гуртожитку (також для членів сім’ї студентів)
  • Надати знижки або звільнити студентів від плати за навчання
  • Надати знижки або звільнити від плати за проживання в гуртожитку VDU
  • Відкласти на певний термін оплату за навчання та проживання або створити умови для оплати частинами
  • Допомогти влаштуватися на роботу в Литві
  • Надати психологічну допомогу
  • Надати іншу допомогу

Щоб отримати підтримку, студенти повинні заповнити форму заявки та подати її за адресою:

Ті, хто зараз навчається у VDU : srd@vdu.lt

Ti, хто хоче навчатися у VDU: academic.support@vdu.lt

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Більше інформації для теперішніх та майбутніх студентів та викладачів VDU: academic.support@vdu.lt

ДЛЯ ТИХ, ХТО ХОЧЕ ПІДТРИМУВАТИ УКРАЇНСЬКУ АКАДЕМІЧНУ СПІЛЬНОТУ

A Visit to the University of Palermo (UNIPA)

Assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė (Dept. of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited the University of Palermo (UNIPA) in Italy from November 9th to 11th, 2021, as part of the Erasmus+ teaching program. Agricultural activity’s influence on the environment, eutrophication of water bodies, changes in biodiversity, and their prospects were discussed at the PhD degree Fall seminars “Biodiversity in Agriculture and Forestry” during the teaching visit. With interested students and professors, the opportunities for exchanges, studies, and internships at VMU Agriculture Academy were discussed. On behalf of the departmental Erasmus+ coordinator, dr. Antonio Comparetti, the prospective research collaborations, and ways to improve scientific collaborations with staff members of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences was explored.

The University of Palermo (UNIPA) is a consolidated cultural, scientific, and teaching presence in central-western Sicily. Its 5 Schools and 20 Departments cover the most important domains of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. The researchers study every day to find new solution to the questions posed by nature, science and society. From Information Technology to Biology, from Mathematics to Medicine, to Social Sciences and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the University works to make its contribution of innovation and progress to the international scientific community and the world of production.

 

VMU AA professor’s teaching visit to Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

2021/2022 academic year

Professors Algirdas Jasinskas (VMU AA Faculty of Engineering) and Kęstutis Romaneckas (VMU AA Faculty of Agronomy) visited Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Jelgava) on September 13-17, 2021 according to the program ERASMUS+ teaching. Faculties of Engineering and Agronomy of this university are the long-term partners of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy.

The main objectives of the mobility was to increase the professional oral and objective skills while presentations for foreign students; to increase skills in English; to grow up the competencies exchange; to grow up the relations with teachers, researchers and students in Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies for future collective scientific and study projects development.

During the visit in Latvia University, professors met with ERASMUS+ program coordinator, other scientific and study staff, discussed about scientific and study collaboration between universities, and also observed new scientific equipment and methods. Algirdas Jasinskas and Kęstutis Romaneckas delivered the lectures for students: “Complex evaluation of agricultural technologies” for students of the speciality “Machine Design and Manufacturing”, and for students of the speciality “Applied Energy” about energy plans and biofuel utilization for energy.

Agricultural Expo “Ką pasėsi… 2021”: the Innovation Dissemination Phenomenon Demonstrating an Impressive Leap of the Sector

24th Anniversary Agricultural Expo “Ką pasėsi…” took place at the Agriculture Academy under Vytautas Magnus University (VMU Agriculture Academy) on 23rd to 25th of September. This year’s Expo had precision and digitalization in its focus. The visitors of the largest event of this kind in the Baltic countries had the chance to witness the equipment of impressive capacities and design, exclusive technological solutions and innovations. Agricultural Expo “Ką pasėsi… 2021” could be deservedly viewed as the manifestation of the astounding leap made by the Lithuanian agriculture, sector generating the fifth of the national exports, and by the agribusiness supplying the products and services to the former.

Agriculture of the future – paying for the mistakes of the past 

The VMU Agriculture Academy has become the concentrated centre of knowledge and innovation dissemination for a few days. Approximately one hundred and fifty companies presented and 100 small producers of exclusive products presented their innovations at the Agricultural Expo. According to Dr. Virginijus Venskutonis, Director of the Centre for Business and Social Partnership at the VMU Agriculture Academy that organizes the expos, fairs, and exhibitions, this year’s event was primarily targeted at specific visitors, as additional activities and entertainment had to be abandoned due to the unfavourable pandemic situation.

In his opening speech, VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis pointed out that time had come for the humankind to repair the damage to the earth that had often been used excessively. The Expo became a great chance to demonstrate the vast opportunities offered by cooperation between science and business in development of the sustainable agriculture of the future that is responsive to the natural resources available.

After the two-year break between the events as a result of the pandemics, this year, the agribusiness seems to have sought to demonstrate every innovative and state-of-the-art aspect in the Lithuanian agriculture. The agricultural equipment expo was the most popular attraction, as usual. Ultra-modern warehousing equipment, livestock, poultry farming equipment and products, forestry and utilities equipment, digital technologies for agriculture, seeds, plant protection products, fertilizers, construction, water management, renewable energy, heating system products were also presented.

The visitors could notice Expo “Ką pasėsi… 2021” medals on a dozen of the expo participants’ displays. As usual, the medals had been awarded to the most outstanding objects on the eve of the event. According to Prof. Dr Egidijus Šarauskis, Chairman of the Evaluation Commission, Head of the  Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety under the Faculty of Engineering of the VMU Agriculture Academy, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the experts to identify the objects that have deserved the medals the most, as the equipment and technologies designed are becoming increasingly advanced and environmentally safer.

Novelties boasted by Europe

The evaluation of expo objects within respective categories was based on their design, technological, economic, environmental, and occupational safety criteria, production innovation, state-of-the-art, demand, competitive advantage, export scope, national and international awards already obtained, and consumer reviews.

An exceptional biomethane powered wheel tractor New Holland T6.180 Methane Power was presented for the first time in Lithuania by Lytagra, AB and was awarded with the “Ką pasėsi… 2021” medal.  According to Mr Rimas Norvilas, Director of Commerce at Lytagra, AB, the tractor was still being piloted, and its manufacturer had agreed to present their most advanced product in Lithuania. This demonstrated recognition of the status of Agricultural Expo “Ką pasėsi…” and the entire agriculture of Lithuania.

“Biomethane-powered tractor demonstrated at the expo as a concept is currently undergoing the final piloting stage to receive certification. The pilot tests will soon move to the farms of our country’s farmers. The EU’s Green Deal encourages the farmers to be conscious about the environment, and processing of organic and other natural waste into biogas would enable not only local production of low-cost fuel, but also help implement the environmental requirements,” – Mr R. Norvilas shared his confidence in the biomethane-powered agricultural equipment. He also noted that biogas-powered public transport had already been launched and become a reality in a series of progressive cities across Europe.

Tractor Massey Ferguson 8S.265 presented by East West Agro, AB and earlier recognized by the European Commission as the Tractor of the Year for 2021, became the object of attraction at the expo. Mr. Gediminas Kvietkauskas, CEO of the company, shared the excitement to be able to demonstrate the whole package of exclusive design and state-of-the-art technologies in a single piece of award-winning agricultural machinery to the Lithuanian farmers.

“The Lithuanian farmers who are starting to invest more actively in the state-of-the-art equipment have already had the chance to see the benefit of these tractors. 30 units of Massey Fergusons of this series were already sold before the Expo,” – said Mr G. Kvietkauskas.

Success formula: science and business partnership

In her comment on the concept of the Expo “Ką pasėsi…”, Prof. Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy, noted that education of the society is one of the key missions of a university. Expos that attract impressive flows of visitors from all walks of life, the educational programs in the expo agenda are the ideal tools to implement this mission by demonstrating the capacities and prospects of the modern agriculture to the public.

“Each of our Expos pay the tribute to the continuing progress of agriculture. Innovations associated with the EU’s Green Deal goals, digitalization, precision farming have been increasingly emphasized in the recent period,” – mentioned the researcher with solid background in bioeconomy research. According to her, modern farmers are thinking about the future: the nature of agriculture, need to change, implement new land use technologies, digitalization, precision farming principles, introduce robots and new business models.

Prof. A. Miceikienė speculated that within the coming decade, drones would be successfully implemented in all the progressive farms of Lithuania, and farmers were already intensively exploring the possibilities of diversification in response to the pandemics and global changes that call for respective risk reduction measures. The researchers therefore provide innovative insights on new business models. Sharing economy, virtual cooperation models, IoT and IoLT have already become the topics of recent discussions.

The Chancellor noted that the events of Expo “Ką pasėsi…” are the culmination of the academic and business cooperation, as the researchers at the VMU Agriculture Academy actively cooperate on a regular basis with the farmers aimed at progress and companies offering products and services to the agricultural sector, conduct experiments, implement projects, pilot new technologies, and develop innovations.

Success of Green Deal to be Determined by the Interdisciplinary Knowledge and Exceptional Competences

According to Assoc. Prof. Vytautas Liakas at the Faculty of Agronomy of VMU Agriculture Academy, in agriculture, same as any other area, it is impossible to avoid making any mistakes at all, and the objective of the University is to identify the mistakes as soon as possible and help the farmers correct them.

“Lithuanian farmers are becoming smarter in terms of technology, keep their heads up with the innovations that encourage them to put even more effort. Associated with medicine formerly, microbiology has created disruption in agriculture. We have been witnessing an increasing number of farms in Lithuania to sow and spray the crops with unmanned flying drones. Our technological leap was extremely large compared to the Western farmers. This achievement is the result of cooperation among our researchers, farmers, and companies offering products and services to agriculture,” – said Assoc. Prof. V. Liakas.

According to the representative of VMU Agriculture Academy, modern farmers are interested in precision that provides quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. This, however, does not mean that computers and robots will replace humans in agriculture. To the contrary, highly qualified specialists will be in increasingly high demand. “I believe that only few ordinary drivers would be able to start the agricultural equipment demonstrated at the Expo,” – the researcher concluded.

Mr Dangis Valaitis, former graduate of VMU Agriculture Academy and present Executive Manager of Dotnuva Baltica compny agreed with V. Liakas. According to Mr D. Valaitis, modern equipment and technologies complying with the Green Deal goals will require exclusive knowledge and competences.

 

Medals of the Agricultural Expo “Ką pasėsi… 2021” awarded to:

Precision tine harrow TREFFLER TS (AUGA group, AB)

Tractor Deutz-Fahr 8280 TTV (Biržų žemtiekimas, UAB)

Combine harverster John Deere X9 (DOJUS agro, UAB)

Tractor Case IH OPTUM 270 AFS connect (Dotnuva Baltic, UAB)

Tractor Massey Ferguson 8S.265 (East West Agro, AB)

Wheel tractor Fendt 724 Vario with FendtONE control concept (Ivabaltė, UAB)

System of integrated plant protection, information, consulting and training (IKMIS 2.0) (PI Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service)

Wheel tractor New Holland T6.180 Methane Power (Lytagra, AB)

Wheel tractor VALTRA T255 Versu (Rovaltra, UAB)

Plant biostimulant group DNA PERFORMANCE (Timac AGRO LT, UAB).