During the summer school course “My First Start-up 2022” students created business plans

At the end of June and beginning of July Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VDU AA) prof. dr. Jan Žukovskis from the Department of Business and Rural Development Management of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development organized the summer school course “My First Start-Up” for the second consecutive year.

This course was one of the initiatives of the lecturers of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, aiming to attract foreign partners to cooperate and share the experience of organizing studies in the field of business development. The aim of the course was to familiarize students with the methodology of business plan and budget preparation and to help them prepare their own plan according to their formulated business idea.

This year the course was conducted remotely. It was attended by 16 students from various foreign universities: seven students from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW, Poland), four students from the Polissia National University (Ukraine), two students from the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland), one each from the Czestochowa University of Technology and WSB University from Poland. Also, this year lithuanian Domas Grigaliūnas, who studied at Manchester University in England, joined the participants and presented a very practical and innovative “Digital supervision” business idea.

Such courses provide an excellent opportunity for participants to make useful acquaintances, share various ideas, communicate and improve their presentation skills in English. The first feedback from the students about the course was positive, and their projects was very practical and likely to have continuity when organizing a “real” business in the future. The most interesting and advanced projects should be noted: “Trade in organic agricultural products” (by Marta Zielińska), “Production and trade of frozen products” (by Jakub Jurczak, Maciej Sobota), “Production of candles from soy” (by Anita Bazyluk, Diana Dąbek). One among the best project in terms of design was the project “Vegetarian and vegan restaurant” (by Angelika Buchta, Jakub Czyżewski). Two projects were related to psychological counseling (Natalia Radomska, Michał Celmer), including those who suffered from the war in Ukraine (Olha Zaharchuk, Yaroslava Fischuk). Ukrainian students Oleksandr Zarichnyi and Vladyslav Khrapko prepared a paper on Trade of watches, and Oliwia Ślusarczyk and Anna Strzelczyk presented a project on the Ecological information collection and search system “Green coach”.

The organizers of the courses are grateful to the representatives of foreign university partners for their help in attracting students and participating in the final presentation of the project. Special thanks go to the professors of Warsaw University of Life Sciences – prof. Iwona Pomianek, prof. Joanna Rakowska and prof. Dariusz Gozdowski – who sent the largest group of course listeners. The organizers are very grateful for the Polissia National University, lecturer assoc. dr. Mariia Plotnikova and the Rector of the university prof. Oleg Skydan, who invited students to participate in these international summer school courses. Many thanks to the professor of Częstochowa University of Technology and WSB University dr. Paula Pyplacz and to the Head of Human Resource Management study programs from the University of Silesia in Katowice prof. Dorota Chudy-Hyski. They both are sending their best students to this course for the second year.

VMU AA prof. dr. J. Žukovskis hopes that next year the course will be able to take place not only remotely, but also directly in Lithuania.

Prof. dr. Jan Žukovskis

VMU Agriculture Academy

Scientists from Faculty of Bioeconomy Development visited Bialystok University of Technology

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) lecturers from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Business and Rural Development Management Department associate professor dr. Lina Marcinkeviciute and lecturer Jolanta Vilkeviciute visited Bialystok University of Technology (BUT) under the “Erasmus+” programme during 6-11 of June.

BUT was established in 1949 and has a long tradition of educating engineers and young scientists. Now there are studying 8500 students and working 660 teachers – experts in their fields. BUT has 7 Faculties (Departments). L. Marcinkeviciute and J. Vilkeviciute visited Department of Finance and Accounting of Faculty of Engineering Management, university library.

During the visit scientists presented VMU AA Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, the main research fields and gave lectures for bachelors in the area of Law and Management.

Lecturers had discussions with the dr. hab. Prof. Zbigniew Korzeb and hab. Dr. Zofia Kołoszko-Chomentowska 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 to collect data for research, to strengthen the cooperation within “Erasmus+” programme and to establish contacts with the staff of the host institution that can lead to joint implementation of new research projects in the future.

Project MARHERꓽ international learning week in Offida, Italy

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskuniene and PhD student Erika Zabulioniene from Bioeconomy Development Faculty, Department of Business and Rural Development Management have participated in Erasmus+ project MARHER international learning activity, organized by I-Strategies (Offida, Italy) during the 25th – 29th of April, 2022. The MARHER Learning Activity consisted in a 5 days of in presence training to test an innovative training course on Heritage Marketing; to present, test and assess the training materials and tools developed in the context of MARHER project; to experience local Cultural Heritage sites; to exchange with professionals in the field of Corporate and non Corporate Heritage Marketing; to do networking among international partners.

MARHER. Heritage Marketing for competitiveness of Europe in the global market is a project funded by Erasmus+ Programme. MARHER’s objective is to identify key competences of a new professional, innovative and creative figure: the expert in Heritage Marketing.

The main project objectives are: a) Definition of a set of competences of the emerging new professional figure: the expert in Heritage Marketing; b) to create ant test an innovate traning course, able to support SMEs and public bodies to use cultural heritage as leverage for their marketing; c) to improve employability of low-skilled and unemployed and recently graduated in human studies who, in the periodic employment rankings, are systematically in the last positions; d) to improve the competitivness of European companies by enhancing their traditions and secular history. The project started on December 2019 and will end in June 2022. The project consortium involves five international partners: Danitacom (Denmark, Lead Partner, danitacom.org), Syddansk Universitet (Denmark, sdu.dk), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania, vdu.lt), I-strategies (Italy, i-strategies.it), CBE (Belgium, cbe.be) and HIVE (Italy, the-hive.it).

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskuniene from Bioeconomy Development Faculty, Department of Business and Rural Development Management has visited University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland during the 24– 26 of May, 2022. Rasa. Pranskuniene was invited by prof. dr. Agnieszka Jaszczak, the Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture. During the visit R. Pranskuniene presented the lectures for the students in the field of Landscape Architecture and discussed together with students the challenging aspects of the interaction of public perceptions on changing landscape. As well, the possibilities for exchange studies at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy have been discussed. During the stay at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn the possible cooperation in research, the inter-university cooperation within the framework of the Erasmus+ program establish and strengthen the scientific cooperation were discussed as well.

13th International Scientific Conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability”

The traditionally conference on accounting and finance is held biennially at the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development under the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA). We welcome you to join the 13th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability” on 10-11 November 2022. The Conference will be held online.

Sustainability in business has been gaining momentum as a result of the increasing awareness about climate change and social inequality. The 13th conference on accounting and finance is dedicated to further exploration of this topic. Sustainability-oriented accounting and finance are the tools of measurement and analysis of the social and environmental effect of business. Researchers at the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development under the VMU AA consider the role of accounting and finance to play a significant role in business sustainability and the potential of these areas.

The main objective of the conference is to present and discuss innovative and sustainability-oriented accounting and finance trends, share new insights that are important for greater competitiveness, business performance, and promotion of partnership between the small and medium-sized business and the public sector. The 13th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability” will bring together the leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars in accounting and finance to exchange and share their experiences and research results relevant to business, and the specialists in accounting and finance at the business and public sector organizations who are not indifferent to the changes aimed at sustainability in business.

The Conference will host panel discussion “What are the risks for a business importing or exporting goods if financial and accounting specialists do not have the necessary customs knowledge?” that will be moderated by the Association of Customs Partitioners, social partner of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development. Special session on the agenda is dedicated to the ongoing project “A Digital Learning Platform for Generation Z: Passport to IFRS” implemented by VMU together with its partners.

The EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is open until 1 June 2022. Individuals intending to make an oral and/or poster presentation have the chance to pay a reduced participant fee during the early bird registration period. Regular registration of the speakers is open until 7 November 2022. The Conference is free for the audience.

For more information on key dates, fees, and other relevant details about the 13th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability”, please visit the Conference website at https://afk.vdu.lt/en/.

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”.

Assistant K. Gesevičienė shared her scientific experience at the University of Agriculture in Kraków and discussed the possibilities of university cooperation

On March 22-25, Kristina Gesevičienė, an assistant at the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy went on a teaching visit to the University of Agriculture in Kraków, Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, when participating at Erasmus+ Staff mobility for teaching program. The intended objectives were achieved during the mobility, i.e. shared the experience in the field of dissertation research – the impact assessment of the effectiveness of environmental subsidies – and during the meeting with researchers from the host university the possibilities of institutional cooperation between Vytautas Magnus University and the University of Agriculture in Kraków in the field of joint research and projects were discussed.

According to K. Gesevičienė, the teaching mobility helped me to acquire new competencies in international cooperation and improved professional teaching skills.

The GreenCool project Kick-off meeting

Erasmus+ Strategic partnerships project “The GreenCool – ‘Let me influence your green self! – Skill development in the encouragement of mindset towards environmental awareness and sustainable development in the alliance of ECoC” funded by the European Union has been launched from 28^th of February 2022 will take place till 31^st October 2024.

The Partnership consisting of the University of Pannonia (coordinator), Hungary, Militos Consulting S.A., Greece, Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania, West University of Timisoara, Romania, University of Tartu, Estonia successfully started the project work in the Kick-off meeting.

As a first step to achieve the defined goals and harmonize the partnership, we held the first transnational project meeting on 3-4^th March 2022. The Kick-off meeting was organised in Veszprém by the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Pannonia with 5 Partners from 5 different countries who discussed besides financial, dissemination, QA and management issues the overall process and the main milestones of the project. Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė from Bioeconomy Development (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) has attended the face to face meeting. Prof. dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) has attended the meeting virtually.

The general goal of the project is to develop environmental awareness among university students and to spread the thought of sustainable development among the widest possible age groups at events that attract large audience. We committed to develop an innovative online course material and to mainstream sustainable development in all curricula for higher education students. Recognizing the convincing power of young influencers, the project aims to reach out to all age groups of audience at cultural events and festivals in the various European Capitals of Culture to encourage environmentally conscious activity and to be active members and beneficiaries of sustainable development. Furthermore, our goal is to equip students with communication tools and sustainable attitude to become effective advocates for advancing EU green economy and culture.

Lectures by Visiting Professor Baiba Rivža

We kindly invite you to participate in the lectures of the visiting lecturer prof. dr. Baiba Rivza. The topic is “New Trends in Bioeconomy and Rural Development”. The lectures will be held online on March 14-25, 2022.

Registration and detailed lecture schedule here.

FARMdb – the first result of the international ERASMUS+ project „Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management” (FARM)

The Department of Business and Rural Development Management of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University is one of the partners at the international ERASMUS+ project „Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management” (FARM), which is coordinated by the lead partner Harz University of Applied Sciences. Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT; Spain), University of Cyprus (UCY; Cyprus), Association for Internationalization of Education and Science (INTER-EDU; North Macedonia) are actively involved partners. Currently, the first goal of the project has been implemented – the web-based Dashboard/Map called FARM^db has been developed.

FARM^db (Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management) is a systematic overview of existing ICT DSS tools in ARD that support crop and livestock, precision farming, climate and quality control and farm management.

The primary function of the FARM^db is designed to provide comprehensive information of DSS tools used for agriculture in the Europe. The FARM^db provides basic information about the decision support systems, developer, and main content of it. The FARM^db is designed for filtering of information based on country or category including soil management, climate change, water management, economic aspects, and others. An important information and data points are effectively presented in a limited space where the user can find the information about the content of the DSS tools, distribution of DSS hotspots and DSS hotspot interactive map in which the data for DSS tools provided together with the link and place where the DSS tool has been developed.

As a tool, the FARM^db is useful for farmers, consultants, and other stakeholders. By using it, they can explore, discover and update the data over time. If information is missing or changing, the FARM^db can be easily modified – the users can actively update the information.

By using the FARM^db, the apps, maps and other items can be shared with the public. Users can access and visualize the data spatially by using the web maps and apps that can be accessed from anywhere at any time. Farmers and other stakeholders can collect, analyse, share the agriculture data with ArcGIS and ease the decision-making process. For example, farmers can check the type and quality of the soil and use this information in their plans for crops cultivation. It helps them to achieve increased, but sustainable production and lead to reduced costs by enabling better management of land resources.

The usability of the FARM^db is it’s reliable and intuitive interface. The FARM^db displays multiple visualizations that can work together on a single screen and allows users like farmers, agricultural consultants, regional planners, policy makers, students etc. visually compare and find relationships between the data across the different natural spaces and administrative territories. It represents a dynamic tool which identifies recent digital decision support systems and helps to develop sustainable and economically sound farm-related future plans dedicated to crop cultivation, fertilization, sophisticated water management strategies etc.

Link to the FARM^db tool here.

Link to the project FARM website here.