The creators and teachers of the new MBA study program “Customs Process Management” at an international conference

On May 25-26, 2023, the creators of the new MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” (Enrika Naujokė, Monika Bielskienė, Milda Stravinskė, assoc. prof. Dr. Erika Besusparienė) and teachers (prof. dr. Vesa Niskanen, lect. Kristina Gesevičienė, Lect. .Anthony Buckley) participated in the 8th European Customs Practitioners‘ Conference, which took place in Vilnius. This year’s conference was attended by representatives of business and higher institutions from Lithuania and other countries – Germany, Greece, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Bulgaria, Israel, etc.

In the 8th European Customs Practitioners‘ Conference were discussed various topics related to trade preferences and agreements, supply chain challenges 24/7, legal maneuvers, customs IT systems and automation. A lot of attention was paid to customs in the context of sustainability, here the committee chairperson of the MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” assoc. prof. dr. Erika Besusparienė, together with Monika Bielskiene, who contributed to the creation of the MBA study program, moderated the session “Green cross-border trade – what should importers and exporters think of and prepare for?”. In this session, Arne Mielken (United Kingdom) provided insights in his presentation that processes are already underway and international trade is moving towards sustainability along with the European Green Deal. He thus provided various insights on the fight against goods that affect the environment through multilateral environmental agreements, the dissemination of experience, and building the status of a reliable trader – Green AEO. In this part, Anna Gayk (Germany) presented the EU platform Access2Markets, which allows you to get various information about third countries (tariffs, taxes, trade barriers, etc.). Meanwhile, Dr. Christian Struck (Germany) shared good practice in the case of Wacker Chemie AG, which implements sustainable production processes in the chemical and semiconductor industries, calculates and analyzes its carbon footprint, and currently implements technologies and aims to reduce CO2 emissions, and prepare for the introduced carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The afternoon of the second day was devoted to a workshop on the topic “Increasing competencies in the field of customs”. This workshop was organized by the Customs Knowledge Institute (CKI) community and its chair of CKI management council Kevin Shakespeare (United Kingdom). VDU is also a member of CKI. In an interactive workshop, the chair of CKI management council and the lecturer of the MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” Anthony Buckley presented insights on the structure of knowledge (promotion of training, sharing of knowledge, building of knowledge, updating of knowledge, awards for sharing of knowledge) and invited the conference participants to express their point of view on this issue. The committee chairperson of the MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” assoc. prof. dr. Erika Besusparienė presented the problematic situation to the conference participants – different persons work in the customs field (import/export managers; financial specialists); The EU customs competence framework includes many different competences; The EU Customs Vision 2040 foresees many new changes; in 2030 many jobs will increasingly use technology, and workers will need to maintain creativity. Conference participants identified the main challenges related to new regulations and changes in IT systems; identified key competencies to know customs and trade regulations, and to have interdisciplinary knowledge (customs+taxes+supply chains); and benefits such as an expanded professional network, new career prospects and higher compensation.

The 8th European Customs Practitioners‘ Conference was useful not only in raising the qualifications of teachers, but also once again confirmed the relevance and compliance of the newly created MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” with market needs.

MBA study program creators Enrika Naujokė, Milda Stravinskė, Monika Bielskienė

MBA study program teachers and creators (Vesa Niskanen, Kristina Gesevičienė, Erika Besusparienė, Enrika Naujokė)

Session “Green cross-border trade – what should importers and exporters think of and prepare for?” (Arne Mielken, Christian Struck, Erika Besusparienė)

Presentation of the MBA study programme “Customs Process Management” in the session “Let’s make connections!”

Closing moment of the conference

ERASMUS + teaching visit at Batumi State University

Prof. dr. Astrida Miceikienė from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) participated in Erasmus teaching visit at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU). During this visit, professor participated in the IV International Batumi week under the Erasmus+ program. The week is held within the framework of the academic and administrative staff exchange Erasmus+ program and aims to promote the internationalization of the university, popularize BSU, plan joint international programs and projects, and deepen cooperation. During 5 days, 9 professors from 5 European universities gave lectures to BSU students, and representatives of foreign partner international offices will conducted training on issues of effective management of exchange programs.

The academic and administrative staff of Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Mikolas Romeris University (Lithuania), Daugavpils University (Latvia), Wroclaw University (Poland), Coimbra Polytechnic Institute (Portugal) have been participating in the IV International Batumi Week.

The event served as a remarkable platform for students, academics, and professionals from across the globe to come together, celebrate cultural diversity, and foster international collaboration. With an array of engaging activities, interactive workshops, and enlightening presentations, Batumi State University successfully promoted cross-cultural understanding and provided participants with an enriching experience. The event aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where participants could exchange ideas, learn from each other, and build meaningful connections that transcend geographical boundaries.

The International Batumi Week featured a series of engaging workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics, spanning from global economics to sustainable development, intercultural communication to technological advancements. Prof. dr. A. Miceikienė gave lectures on the topic “Environmental taxation”, and presented Vytautas Magnus University and VMU Agriculture Academy, study programs and mobility of Erasmus+ possibilities in VMU Agriculture Academy.

The 4th International Batumi Week also served as a platform for students to explore opportunities for academic exchanges and collaborative projects. Representatives from partner universities shared information about study programs, research initiatives, and internship opportunities, encouraging students to embrace international experiences. This emphasis on global engagement will undoubtedly contribute to the development of well-rounded, culturally sensitive individuals ready to tackle the challenges of a globalized world.

Networking opportunities were plentiful throughout the event, with participants having the chance to connect with professionals from various industries. The International Batumi Week facilitated meaningful conversations, allowing attendees to establish valuable contacts, share ideas, and explore potential career paths in an international context. The event undoubtedly played a vital role in broadening horizons and opening doors to exciting global opportunities for both students and professionals.

International scientific conference „Research & Innovation, Educations ant Best Practice for Bioeconomy Development“

On June 5 at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) invites to participate at the international scientific conference „Research & Innovation, Educations ant Best Practice for Bioeconomy Development“.

Place: June 5 (Monday)
Time: 09.30-13:45
Place: VMU Agriculture Academy IV building (Universiteto str. 8A, Akademija, Kaunas district)

Interactive Webinar “Why worth you choose MBA programme “Customs Process Management” for your career?”

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) starts new MBA study programme Customs Process Management.

Join special webinar and find out why this programme could be a choice for you and listen to the presentation “Customs Process Management”.

Date: 31 May 2023

Time: 4 p.m. (EEST)

Place: online, via MS Teams

Registration is required.

Invitation to the lecture

We kindly invite students to participate at the lecture by Michał Stocki on topic “Skills of the Future. Finance on autopilot: The current situation and the future of automating reporting processes”. Michał Stocki is an Analytics Solutions Senior Associate in Forecast Automation team at JP Morgan Chase, Warsaw, Poland. JP Morgan Chase is a global and diverse financial services banking company.

The lecture will be held on 24 April at 11.15, 420 room, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of VMU AA.

SafeHabitus, EU Farm Safety project kicks off in Ireland

An international team of 45 farm safety experts, researchers, farmer and farm worker representative organisations met in Dublin on January 25^th and 26^th to begin implementing an ambitious initiative to improve farmer and worker health and safety across the EU. The SafeHabitus project has received 4.8 million euros in funding through the EU Horizon Europe programme and will run for four years.

Speaking at the meeting the project leader, David Meredith stated that SafeHabitus is focused on reducing injuries and fatalities amongst farmers and farm workers and strengthening the social sustainability of EU food systems. Farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in Europe. European statistics show that the farming fatality rate is 233% higher than other industries and the accident rate is 18% higher. Dr Meredith stressed that these figures underestimate the scale of the problem as a significant proportion of farm workplace fatalities, injuries and ill health go unreported, un-investigated, and prevention approaches are not learned. Improving farmers’ and farm workers’ health and safety requires action by a range of stakeholders to empower and support them to change unsafe practices and adopt new, safer and healthier ways of working.

SafeHabitus is led by Teagasc, the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Organisation, and involves 20 partners from 13 countries across Europe including Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland and the UK. Researchers assoc. prof. dr. Laura Girdžiūtė, assoc. prof. dr. Anastasija Novikova and assoc. prof. dr. Gediminas Vasiliauskas from Vytautas Magnus university are involved in SafeHabitus activities.

The project involves a network of researchers, farm advisory services and educators, who will work with farmers and policy makers at national and EU levels of design, develop and test practical initiatives that support improvements in the safety, health and wellbeing of farmers and farm workers, and overall contribute to the EU transition to social sustainability in farming.

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

Invitation to A Free Webinar on The Field of Customs and Its Knowledge Management

In 2023, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) Faculty of Bioeconomy Development execution begins the first MBA (Master of Business Management) study program in Lithuania in the field of customs Customs Process Management for individuals and managers working in business.

If you want to know more about the customs field and knowledge management in this field, we invite you to the Customs Knowledge Institute free webinar Day-to-day customs and trade compliance management. The webinar will take place on 2023 April 4.

In this webinar, the head of the development group of the MBA study program Customs Process Management, associate professor of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development dr. Erika Besusparienė will make a presentation “Knowledge management: understanding generation Z (GenZ) in the workplace”.

Date: 2023 April 4

Time: 15:00-16:00 CEST

Place: online

REGISTRATION FOR THE SEMINAR

GreenCool Newsletter

GreenCool project Newsletter.

VMU to Host Conference of Young Sociologists and Anthropologists

The Department of Sociology at Vytautas Magnus University and the Lithuanian Sociological Association would like to invite you to participate in the 9th annual National conference of young sociologists and anthropologists “Actual Research in Sociology and Anthropology: Problems and Contexts”. The conference will be held on April 21^st, 2023, in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Vytautas Magnus University, Jonavos St. 66, Kaunas.

National conference of young sociologists and anthropologists is a traditional annual event that provides a platform for beginning researchers to present their bachelor, master, and doctoral research, share their discoveries, discuss future research and meet like-minded people.

This year’s conference theme is “Own-Alien-Other: building borders and crossing borders in the context of the current geopolitical situation”.

Our social life consists of constantly building borders and boundaries, and constantly crossing them. In the literal sense – as building walls and urgently guarding state borders against “illegal” migrants and in fear of war, but also as free crossing of these borders by us – as emigrants. Borders and boundaries also have a more metaphorical sense, meaning the constant determination and negotiation of where are the boundaries of our social, religious, ethnic group, and where the “stranger” or the “other” begins. But we must remember that borders are not just something negative – without borders, without the “stranger”, we would not be able to define ourselves – without defining these “others”, “we” would not exist.

The organizers of conference welcome all students and young researchers from a wide range of study disciplines – sociology, anthropology, and related disciplines such as political science, economy, communication, creative industries, psychology, social work, history, ethnography, and many others which use social research methods.

Submissions can propose theoretical and empirical presentations. Conference languages – Lithuanian and English. The participation in the conference is free of charge.

You are welcome to submit an abstract for the conference by email sk@vdu.lt until 3 April 2023.

Requirements for the abstract:

Maximum 250 words, including the title, major idea and arguments of the presentation;
Please, indicate the name and surname of the presenter, institution, position, and the stage of studies (if you are a student), contact information (email address).

There will be an opportunity to publish the scientific articles, based on the presentations, in the peer-review scientific journal “Culture and Society: Journal of Social Research”, published by the VMU Department of Sociology. If you plan to prepare such an article, please, indicate this in your abstract.

The conference email: sk@vdu.lt