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.

Erasmus+ project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy”

The International Consortium succeeded in the 2020 call of the Erasmus + program, key action – Strategic partnerships in higher education. Czech University of Life Science in Prague together with the partners succeeded in a project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy” (Grant agreement: 2020-1-CZ01-KA203-078495) focused on the long-term viability of small farms managed by young farmers in the context of the new EU strategy “From farm-to-fork”, which is part of the ambitious Green Deal for Europe.

The target group of the project is young farmers, students of agricultural and rural development study programs and the professional society in the agricultural and food sector. The project will identify and describe examples of good practice that will inspire, increase motivation undertake farming activities, enable new and experienced farmers to operate, produce higher value-added products, generate higher incomes, reduce administrative burdens, choose a short supply chain strategy and more.

The content of the project includes the characteristics of small farms managed by young farmers, the definition of their functions (economic, industrial, technical, social, cultural and ecological), the assessment of the situation of farms at national and international level, the characteristics of critical risk points and risk reduction strategies. The impact of changes in agricultural policy and legislation on the activities of individual entities will be simulated by a software solution developed by the Project partners.

The international team will prepare an overview and evaluation of the current and new Agricultural and Rural Development policies of the consortium countries for young farmers on small farms. Examples of good practice will be presented in collaboration across the food value chain to contribute to the long-term viability of farms. Electronic tools will be developed to enable effective economic planning and decision-making.

In the project participating university partners from Poland (Poznan University of Life Sciences), Slovakia (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra), Lithuania (Vytautas Magnus University) and Hungary (University of Szeged) are participating in the project. The connection of the academic with the practice is provided by associations representing young farmers – the Young Agrarians Society of the Czech Republic, the Polish Związek Młodzieży Wiejskiej and the Association of Slovakian Young Farmers (ASYF).

Lithuanian partnership and activities in the project is being developed by Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Department of Business and Rural Development Management, researchers Dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė, Dr. Jurgita Zaleckienė and Dr. Ilona Kiaušienė.

The visit of Lithuanian partners to Turkey

The Faculty of Agriculture of Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) in Turkey was visited by the researchers from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) as a part of the cooperation project entitled “Investigating New Partnerships Between Lithuania and Turkey: Building around Bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal” on 22-26 November, 2021. The Lithuanian team consisted of researchers from VMU AA and KTU, as well as agri-business and agricultural advisory representatives.

The project aimed at building the understanding of the context of the EU Green Deal with particular attention to bioeconomy in agriculture and food sectors, searching for possible partnerships between Lithuania and Turkey through project activities. In this context, the visit had a two-fold goal: to participate with presentations in the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” and to learn about the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture of ESOGU and ATAP (Anatolian Technology Research Park (ATAP).

The first working day (23 November) in Eskisehir was dedicated to meeting with the Dean and project team at the Faculty of Agriculture and the academic staff of the Faculty. During this event, all departments of the Faculty of Agriculture were presented with the main focus placed on research, active projects, and possibilities of collaboration.

In the afternoon of 23 November, the Lithuanian team visited the ATAP. Dr. Sedat TELCEKEN, the general manager of the ATAP, shared information about activities of ATAP, established companies, resources, and R&D. The Eskisehir Design and Innovation Center (EDIC) was introduced to all the visitors by Dr. Kastytis Gečas, a Lithuanian and the project team leader who is currently leading the team of consultants in the foundation and service development of the EDIC. The Lithuanian visitors enjoyed all the discussions and information related to the ATAP.

In the morning of 24 November, the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” took place at the modern hall of the Faculty of Agriculture, gathering researchers, representatives of agri-bussiness sector, and policy-makers.

The workshop was opened with welcome speeches by Prof Dr. Yusuf Ersoy Yıldırım, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, ESOGÜ and Pro. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of Agriculture Academy, VMU AA, Rūta Hanagasi, a representative from the Lithuanian Embassy to Turkey, and Prof Dr. Rıfat Edizkan, Vice Rector of ESOGÜ. Prof. Dr. Handan Giray, the project leader, introduced the project activities, aim, and goals. Her colleague Assoc. Prof. Utku Avcı then made an overview of the Green Deal. The first part of the workshop was ended by presentation by Adil Yüksel Perkin, Ahmet Berkay Bulutcu (DG EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), who spoke about what had been done for the Green Deal in Turkey so far.

After the coffee break, Lithuanian team made their scientific contribution in the context of bioeconomy and the Green Deal. Dr. Laura Girdžiūtė, Head of the Innovation Support Service of the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service (LAAS), and researchers from VMU AA Prof Dr. Astrida Miceikienė and Assoc. Prof Dr. Anastasija Novikova presented good practice of cooperation between the Lithuanian institutions in developing the bioeconomy in Lithuania: the cases of VMU and LAAS. Service Development Manager at UAB Baltic Agro Machinery Assoc. Prof Dr. Antanas Juostas and Prof Dr. Egidijus Šarauskis, VMU AA, presented the scientific and practical experience in artificial intelligence in agriculture. Assoc. Prof Dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė, VMU AA, also a Member of the European Commission Mission Board Soli Health and Food, introduced the audience to the role of the European Mission Soil Health and Food in achieving Green Deal and UN-SDGs. The last presenter from VMU AA, Assoc. Prof Dr. Anželika Dautartė, spoke about increasing climate ambitions focusing on ecosystems and biodiversity. The colleagues from KTU, Dr. Alvija Šalaševičienė and Aelita Zabulionė held discussion on the topic “Food as Preventative Measure? From Nutrient Profiles till Restriction of Nutrition and Health Claims on Food” and highlighted the challenges and lessons learned of designing meat analogues.

25 November was the last working day of the project partners. The steering committee of the project met to sum up all activities during the project and drafted the plans for future collaboration.

The project is funded under the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme