Conference of Young Scientists „YOUNG SCIENTIST 2023“

The 20^th Conference of Young Scientists YOUNG SCIENTIST 2023 will be held on 29 March 2023 (remote). The conference is intended for first, second, and third-degree students. Its goal is to engage the students in research activities, cultivate the skills of public presentation of the research findings, present the research achievements, and hold discussions on the relevant issues of bioeconomy, Green Deal, climate change, ecosystem sustainability, rational use, and protection of natural resources. Participants of the conference will be awarded the participation certificates.

More details about Conference and Online Registration on the conference website: https://zua.vdu.lt/en/conference-young-scientist-2023/

Scientific papers online submission: Conference Proceedings YOUNG SCIENTIST 2023

Visit our website to read the full announcement.

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Conference “Young Scientist 2022”

Greetings from VMU Agriculture Academy. Happy and hopeful holidays!

Dear community,

This period is a great time to give a thanks for the gift of friendship, to celebrate the dreams came true and the work done in cooperation. We wish everyone to cherish and grow what we have and light up a bright, peaceful and creative future!

“ERASMUS+” training courses at Europass Teacher Academy in Florence

On 05 – 10 December 2022, assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė, assoc. prof. dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and lecturer dr. Dovilė Levickienė of the Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA), Faculty of Agronomy, were participating in the courses “There Is an App for That! Exploring the Best Apps for Teaching and Student Learning” that were held at Europass Teacher Academy in Florence (Italy).

In these courses, teaching staff from Croatia, Spain, Germany, Greece, and Lithuania were attended.

During the courses, teachers used different educational apps in class. These apps allow structure information, to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas. They acquainted with the most popular and practical educational apps for teaching and student learning across a wider range of subjects. Teachers learned how to properly integrate these apps in the classroom as a tool to support their learning.

As well as, the visit has given an opportunity to work on English language and to know their history, culture and people.

Innovative ideas and solutions at the conference “AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change”

On October 26-27, the 4th international scientific conference “AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change” was held at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA). The participants of the conference shared knowledge on topics relevant to the agro-sector – the focus was on the soil health and carbon sequestration for sustainability, soil and crop management towards a chemical pesticide-free agriculture, biodiversity, crop and production diversification, precision farming and digital technologies, food quality and safety, climate change mitigation.

Seeks to focus efforts on finding ways to reduce pesticide use

Welcoming the participants, the chairman of the conference organizing committee, researcher of the Faculty of Agronomy of VMU Agriculture Academy, assoc. prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė was happy that this time the conference was held not online, but in a regular format. “This year, about a hundred participants from different countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Turkey, Moldova, Brazil and others can meet and communicate in person. For researchers, this is a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, make connections, and for our students – to learn from the leaders in the field”, – said dr. Z. Kriaučiūnienė.

Head of the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy at VMU Agriculture Academy, prof. dr. Vaclovas Bogužas noticed that the conference, which is being organized for the fourth time, is characterized by an abundance of exceptional presentations and a great interest of scientists and students. “Sustainability of agroecosystems is a very relevant topic in today’s context, because, taking into account the Green Deal of the European Union (EU) and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, agriculture aims to reduce the use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers and maintain healthy soil. Many challenges arise in the implementation of these goals, scientists conduct research and look for the new solutions. This conference is a great opportunity to share research results and insights, to spread innovative ideas and to find solutions by pooling our strengths”, – dr. V. Bogužas emphasized the importance of the international conference.

The importance of research in finding relevant solutions

Emphasizing the relevance of the conference topics in the context of the EU Green Deal, chancellor of VMU Agriculture Academy prof. dr. Astrida Miceikienė pointed out that the topics are important for all states. “I am glad that scientists from different countries, institutions and different fields, who want to share knowledge, experience and cooperate in finding new solutions to global challenges, are participating in the conference. It is important to find the ways to achieve your goals with as little negative impact on the environment as possible. To illustrate this aspiration, it is worth sharing the idea of John Stalk, who states that if insects disappeared from the earth, the life of all the planet would disappear after the five decades, while if people disappeared, living nature would flourish just after the fifty years”, – said prof. dr. A. Miceikienė.

Kristina Simonaitytė, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, speaking on behalf of the minister, drew attention to the issue of ensuring food supply, which has gained special importance on the political agenda due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on agricultural supply chains. According to the representative of the ministry, it is very important not to forget the continuing trends of climate change and biodiversity loss, which pose an increasing threat to the security of global food supply chains.

According to the vice-president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences academician prof. habil. dr. Zenonas Dabkevičius, although much attention is now being paid to the issue of climate change, the agricultural sector faces not only the problem of climate change, but also the equally challenging rise in the prices of all resources. “We can abandon some elements of agrotechnology, but we need to know to what and how to replace them. Modern agriculture requires modern knowledge and abilities, and for this it is necessary to have recommendations and solutions based on scientific research”, – said prof. habil. dr. Z. Dabkevičius, pointing to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the expected recommendations of the scientists.

A unique opportunity to get acquainted with innovative scientific research

Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy at VMU Agriculture Academy, assoc. prof. dr. Aida Adamavičienė emphasized that this international conference is an exceptional opportunity for the academic community to get acquainted with the innovative research and results of the scientists looking for solutions to the challenges of the agro-ecosector.

“We are the ones who have to take care that the soil be healthy, and that people eat healthy food, that there is no hunger, that we ensure the smooth functioning of important areas, that is why this conference is especially important. We are glad that many high-level scientists, who are conducting research related to the globally relevant topics of the organic agro-sector, have arrived from various countries. Scientists, presenting reports and participating in discussions, openly shared their experience and research. They are the leaders, who can contribute to the initiation of the adoption of laws that are extremely important for agriculture and to the attraction and retention of the young generation of scientists in the field of scientific research”, – assoc. prof. dr. A. Adamavičienė summed up.

4th International Scientific Conference AgroEco2022

We kindly invite You to participate in the 4^th International Scientific Conference AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change which will be held at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA), Lithuania, on October 26–27^th, 2022.

Main scientific topics of the Conference:

Soil health and carbon sequestration for sustainability
Soil and crop management towards a chemical pesticide-free agriculture
Biodiversity, crop and production diversification
Precision farming and digital technologies
Food quality and safety
Climate change mitigation

Programme and abstracts

More information about the Conference

Research poster template

Template for abstract

Early REGISTRATION extended until 15^thOctober. Late registration until 20^thOctober.

Abstract submission is extended until 15^th October.

E-mail for inquiries: agroeco@vdu.lt

We are looking forward to seeing you at the conference!

Organisers of AGROECO2022

English Course at Executive Training Institute in Malta

On 30 May – 03 June, 2022 assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė, lecturer dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and lecturer dr. Dovilė Levickienė of the Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, were participating at the English course “Fluency and Language Development for Education Staff” according to the ERASMUS+ programme. The course was held at the Executive Training Institute in Malta.

In these courses, teaching and administrative staff from different countries (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland and Austria) were attended.

With this training visit, teachers had the opportunity to work on language and fluency development. Sessions involved short lectures, specific learning tasks, group work, vocabulary building, grammar review and pronunciation exercises. Were placed with the right class and level to increase competence in the English language. As well as the visit has given an opportunity to get know their history, culture and people.

VMU Agriculture Academy Community Gained Knowledge from Foreign Teachers During the International Staff Week of the ERASMUS+ exchange Programme

The International Staff Week under the ERASMUS+ programme took place on May 2-6 at the Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy. 15 scientists from 8 countries got acquainted with the Academy, gave lectures to the community of VMU Agriculture Academy and participated in various activities with the colleagues.

Two foreign lecturers visited the Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences of the Faculty of Agronomy – assoc. prof. dr. Ajla Ališah from the university of Sarajevo and prof. dr. Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. Visiting lecturers gave lectures and discussed topical issues to 2nd-4th year students of the first cycle study programme Food Quality and Safety. Scientist A. Ališah presented the results of her ongoing research during the presentation “Hygienic, health-technological and economic aspects for the quality prevention of broiler chicken”, and scientist E. Czarniecka-Skubina presented a lecture on the topic: “Development of new food packaging”.

“The researchers answered the questions of students and invited them to take the opportunity to come to the universities of life sciences in Sarajevo and Warsaw for study and practice under the ERASMUS+ programme. The guests were happy to communicate and share their scientific experience with the Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy, the staff of the Department and doctoral students. During the visit the possibilities of cooperation in scientific and project activities were discussed”, – prof. dr. Elvyra Jarienė and assoc. prof. dr. Judita Černiauskienė summed up the visit of foreign lecturers.

During The International Staff Week of the ERASMUS+ programme two foreign lecturers – prof. Romeo A. Gomez and assoc. dr. Olesea Cojocaru – visited the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences. Visiting scientists gave lectures to 2nd year students of the Agronomy programme and to the 1st year students of the Food Quality and Safety programme. The lecture on the topic “Biologically active soil health – the basis of organic farming” was given to the community of VMU Agriculture Academy by dr. O. Cojocaru Prof. dr. R. Gomez shared his knowledge on the topic “Traditional rice-based ecosystems (TRBEs) in Ifugao and Benguet, Philippines”. The lecturer from the State Agrarian University of Moldova dr. Mr Cojocaru gave a presentation on “Soil resources in the Republic of Moldova”, and prof. dr. R. A. Gomez from the Benguet State University in Philippines introduced the report on topic “Environmental and Sustainability Issues in Traditional Rice-Based Ecosystems (TRBEs)”.

“I am glad that in addition to lectures and other centrally organized activities of the university, the invited lecturers had the opportunity to have a warm and businesslike conversation with the Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy assoc. prof. dr. Aida Adamavičienė, as well as to discuss with many lecturers and researchers of the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences during the breaks between lectures. During these conversations, discussing the possibilities of future scientific cooperation, the idea to acquaint the guests with the possibilities of the VMU Agriculture Academy Test Station, with the research carried out here and the available equipment has arisen. This visit to VMU Agriculture Academy Test Station was organized and the guests were kindly supervised by assoc. prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė”, – said assoc. dr. Rimantas Vaisvalavičius.

Two scientists from Egypt – Mansoura University dr. Mohamed M. Awad and Cairo University dr. Sheriff Mehanny – visited the Department of Mechanical Energy and Biotechnology of the Faculty of Engineering. Dr. M. M. Awad gave the lecture to the community of VMU Agriculture Academy on the topic “Modeling of Two-Phase Frictional Presure Gradient in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems”, and dr. Sh. Mehany introduced the lecture on topic “Biocomposites & Nanocellulose”.

The Faculty of Engineering, Department of Water Engineering was visited by two foreign lecturers – Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director of the Water Center doc. dr. hab. Wojciech Sas and doctoral student Justyna Dzięcioł.

The invited teachers had the opportunity to participate in the opening event of ERASMUS+ International Staff Week and listened to the traditional national songs of all Lithuanian regions, learned the peculiarities of Lithuanian folk dances “Oira oira…”, tasted Lithuanian food and drinks.

Invited scientists gave lectures on “Problems of anthropogenic materials – soils in geoenvironmental engineering”, “Problems of waste management used in civil engineering in the aspect of product Life Cycle Monitoring”. W. Sas presented the scientific activities of SGGW Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Center to the staff of the Department of Water Engineering, and discussed the possibilities of cooperation. Doctoral student Justyna Dzięcioł went on a trip to Vilnius organized by VMU, both invited lecturers also visited cognitive objects in Kaunas.

Besnik Krasniqi, the researcher from the University of Pristina, visited the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development. The scientist gave the lecture on topic “Research Methodology” to the students of the Business Logistics programme. After the lecture, the members of the scientific community together with the Dean of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development doc. dr. Bernardas Vaznonis discussed general possibilities of cooperation in science and studies. The lecturer from the Palze Birzeit University in Mohabad Abu Rjailah also visited the Faculty of Bioeconomical Development.

Three researchers from Portugal visited the Faculty of Forests and Ecology during The International Staff Week of the ERASMUS+ programme. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Tavares, the researcher from the Beja Polytechnic School of Agriculture, presented the report on topic “Sustainable animal production.” Scientist Flávia Matias Oliveira da Silva gave the lecture on topic “Use of phytoremediation to remove pharmaceutical compounds in constructed wetlands”. Researcher Maria Teresa Borralho Marques dos Carvalhos shared knowledge with the VMU Agriculture Academy community on the topic “Emergent organic contaminants in water: advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) treatments for recalcitrant compounds”.

For students – an idea competition and a summer camp in Italy!

We invite students to take the opportunity to take part in a competition of ideas and, if successful, to take part in a summer camp in Italy with colleagues from all over Europe. More information.

Lectures by Visiting Professor Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina

Ewa Czarniecka-Skubina is a scientific researcher at the Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS-SGGW). She holds academic degrees and the title of professor of agricultural sciences in the discipline of food technology and nutrition. Her research area focuses on food production, new technologies, catering technology, food quality, food safety, human nutrition, food product development, as well as consumer behavior, especially in foodservice. She is the author of numerous articles in scientific journals and books.

At the Faculty of Agronomy in Vytautas Magnus University lectures will be held online, using “MS Teams” platform. Those who are intending to participate, with pleasure are inviting to joint here.

Course’s themes: “Novel plant food” and “Chemical safety of plant raw materials”

Date	Topics	Time
March 21 (Monday)	Trends in the development of new products on the food market (type of new products, innovative food products, pro-healthy and functional products)	11.55-13.25
March 22 (Tuesday)	Trends in the development of new products in foodservice (molecular cuisine, Note by Note). ”	11.55-13.25
March 24 (Thursday)	Plant substitute in food products (steviol glycosides, xylitol, amaranthus, ß-glucans, bioactive components, superfoods etc.) part 1.	8.45-10.20
April 04 (Monday)	Plant substitute in food products (steviol glycosides, xylitol, amaranthus, ß-glucans, bioactive components, superfoods etc. and vegan products) part 2.	11.55-13.25
April 05 (Tuesday)	The process of designing and implementing new food products	10.20-11.55
April 08 (Friday)	Development of new food packaging	13.10-14.40

For more information, please contact prof. dr. Elvyra Jariene e-mail: elvyra.jariene@vdu.lt

English Course at Barcelona, Spain

On 08 – 12 November, 2021 assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė, lecturer dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and lecturer dr. Dovilė Levickienė of the Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, were participating at the Staff Training Week- English Course at Barcelona, Spain.

In these courses, teaching and administrative staff from different countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Belgium) were attended.

With this Erasmus+ training visit teachers had the opportunity to work on oral communication skills in an authentic academic setting, attended courses in private language school in Barcelona. Sessions involved short lectures, specific learning tasks, group work, vocabulary building, and pronunciation exercises. Were placed with the right class and level to increase competence in the English language. As well as the visit has given an opportunity to get know their history, culture and people.