The Kick-off Meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Bumblebees for Natural Pollination” [BUMBLE-NAP]

The Kick-off Meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Bumblebees for Natural Pollination” [BUMBLE-NAP] (2024-1-TR01-KA220-VET-000254015) took place on January 29–30 in Serik, Türkiye.

The project is coordinated by Antalya Serik Kaymakamlığı (Türkiye) in collaboration with Aydın Adnan Menderes University (Türkiye), Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori Regionale Umbria (Italy), Stara Zagora Institute of Agriculture (Bulgaria), and Vytautas Magnus University (Agriculture Academy Department of Environment and Ecology). The project duration is two years, with an expected completion date of November 30, 2026.

The project aims to raise awareness of the harmful effects of pesticides on human health and the environment, train participants in bumblebee breeding and application technologies, promote sustainable agricultural practices and new business opportunities, and increase consumer awareness of bumblebee-assisted food production. By reducing chemical use in agriculture, the project seeks to encourage the production of healthier and more environmentally friendly crops while contributing to biodiversity conservation.

During the Kick-off Meeting, partners discussed key activities, including the development of an interactive online training and education platform, the creation of educational materials in five languages, hands-on training in greenhouses, and the dissemination of project results at various events.

The Serik district in Antalya province is a significant agricultural hub, particularly for greenhouse farming. With its favorable Mediterranean climate and fertile soils, the region produces a variety of vegetables and fruits, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, avocados, bananas, turnips, and carambolas. During the meeting, participants had the opportunity to gain first-hand experience by visiting a bumblebee propagation facility and commercial greenhouses.

The project findings are expected to support the development of international training resources for farmers, technical personnel, and other stakeholders. This initiative aims to promote bumblebee pollination in greenhouses, reduce pesticide and hormone use, and enhance consumer awareness of natural production methods. Furthermore, the project aligns with the EU Green Deal objectives by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, healthy food production, and biodiversity conservation.

The next international project meeting will take place in Perugia, Italy, in June 2025.

12th International Scientific Conference “RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2025: Resilience to Global Change”

We kindly invite You to the 12th International Scientific Conference “RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2025: Resilience to Global Change”, which will take place in Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Lithuania), 1-3 October 2025.

This conference is aimed at fostering interdisciplinary scientific discussions by presenting new ideas for agricultural development, rural development, and resilience in the context of global change.

The main topics of Conference sessions:

Biosystems Engineering for Sustainability;
Climate Smart Agriculture and Food Technologies; 
Multifunctional Approach for Sustainable use of Bioresources;  
Social Research and Innovations for Strengthening Rural Areas.

Keywords: Agriculture, Bioeconomy, Biosystems, Global Change, Resilience, Rural development.

Political, Business and Science panel discussion “Adopting to Global Change and Building a Resilient Bioeconomy” will be held during the Conference.

Important dates and deadlines:

Until June 30th, 2025 – early bird registration 
Until July 7th, 2025 – payment of early bird participation fee  
Until August 31st, 2025 – late bird registration
Until September 5th, 2025 – payment of late bird participation fee  
Until September 19th, 2025 – article submission
January 2026 – publishing of the Conference proceedings

Participation fee	In person (EUR)	Online (EUR)
Early bird authors and co-authors until July 7th	300	170
Late bird authors and co-authors until September 5th	400	220
Students	150	100
Participants	150	Free of charge
For Ukrainian authors and co-authors (if all authors are from Ukraine)	150	100

Participation fee in person covers not only the Conference proceedings, but also coffee breaks, lunches and gala dinner. The costs of accommodation, cultural (social) programme and transport should be covered by the participants of the Conference.

Speakers of the conference pay the participation fee after receiving information about the confirmation of the abstract of the presentation, but no later than deadlines. Confirmation will be sent to the participants during the five workdays after filling in the registration form.

More information about the Conference.

Online Registration on the Conference website.

Information for authors.

Conference website: https://www.ruraldevelopment.lt/

Conference e-mail: rural.development@vdu.lt

VMU Agriculture Academy Autumn Intake 2025/2026 is open!

Would like to gain strong knowledge, solid skills, and invaluable international experience? Thinking about an unforgettable European student adventure and traveling the world?

Top-quality studies in a high-ranking university and living in Kaunas – located in the center of Europe – may be the perfect combination for You.

Your lifetime adventure can start now with Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy.

Application is open from December 1, 2024, for Autumn Intake 2025/2026 study programmes:

APPLY HERE -> vytautasmagnus.dreamapply.com

DEADLINES:

May 15, 2025
- For applicants from non EU/EFTA countries, except the countries listed below.
July 1, 2025
- For applicants from EU/EFTA countries
- For applicants and citizens of visa-free countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Georgia (Sakartvelo), Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Moldova, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, and Venezuela.
  Note: Please check if you need a visa to enter Lithuania here.

Note (!) Diplomas may be added after application deadline.

Note (!) Studies start on August 25, 2025.
Note (!) Due to limited admission places, applications for autumn intake for the academic year 2025-2026 might be closed earlier. Spring (February) intake is not offered.

Information about Application and Admission Procedures

Information about Scholarships

Contact person: VMU Agriculture Academy International Coordinator Ekaterina Makrickiene ekaterina.makrickiene@vdu.lt, +370 37 752 386.

More information about VMU Agriculture Academy study programmes.

Visit of scientists of VMU AA to Warsaw university of life sciences

The scientists of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) assoc. prof. dr. Midona Dapkienė (Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) and prof. dr. Laima Česonienė (Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) under the Erasmus+ mobility program on October 15th to 18th 2024.

Since 2023 Warsaw University of Life Sciences belongs to the Green European University (UNIgreen) in the frame of the European Universities Initiative. UNIgreen is an Alliance of eight European universities with a specific focus on sustainable agriculture, green biotechnology and environmental and life sciences, which are pivotal areas for achieving a resource-efficient, circular, digitised and climate neutral economy by 2050.

SGGW offers 40 study programs in Polish and 12 degree programs in English. The study programmes in Environmental Engineering and Civil Engineering are offered by the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering of this University. The Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering is the second biggest faculty of the University, where new engineers – construction, environment and water management specialists, land surveyors, as well as landscape designers and planners, are prepared.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy presented their University, gave the lectures and had an opportunity to meet the professor dr. Wojciech Sas (a Head of Geotechnical Department of Institute of Civil Engineering), assistant professors dr. Justyna Dzięcioł and dr. Andrzej Głuchowski, and to discuss the possibilities of the joint projects as well as to familiarize with the study process and reasearch at the Institute of Civil Engineering.

Visit of teachers of VMU Agriculture Academy to Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)

The teachers of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy assoc. prof. dr. Midona Dapkienė (Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) and prof. dr. Laima Česonienė (Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand) according to Erasmus+ Mobility agreement on June 10th to 14th 2024.

Founded in 1917, Chulalongkorn University (Chula) is Thailand’s first institution of higher education. For the 14th consecutive year Chulalongkorn University is ranked the first in Thailand according to the QS World University Rankings and is placed 224th in the world. The University consists of 26 faculties, schools, colleges and institutes, with a range of 447 degree programmes on offer. More than 37 thousand students study in this institution and about 8 thousand teachers and other staff work in it.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy presented their University, shared knowledge in the field of their research and teaching, and got acquainted with the study process and research carried out in the Department of Environmental Engineering of Faculty of Engineering of Chula. They discussed the possibilities of the joint projects and cooperation in teacher’s and student’s exchange under Erasmus+ programme.

The teachers of Agriculture Academy had an opportunity to participate in the Cula International Staff Exchange Week ,,Connecting Through Differences“. Representatives from universities in China, Indonesia, Germany and other countries took part in this event. The participants of the International Week were introduced to the University’s international aspirations, innovations, student activities, as well as the Thai language and traditions. Excursions to famous historical and cultural objects were organized during this event.

Second Transnational Partners Meeting of the Erasmus+ project “The digital Blue Career to overcome the Carbon Crisis – Innovations in Aquaculture Curriculum” [DiBluCa] at the University of Thessaly

The second partners’ meeting of the Erasmus+ international project “The Digital Blue Career to overcome the Carbon Crisis – Innovations in Aquaculture Curriculum” [DiBluCa] (No. 2023-1-LT01-KA220-HED-000154247) took place at the University of Thessaly in Volos, Greece, from 11 to 12 June.

The meeting provided an overview of the first results of the project – an analysis of the current situation of aquaculture education in the project partner countries. Questionnaires developed by researchers from Balikesir University were distributed to students and teachers in the project partner countries as well as to representatives of the target groups. The survey was completed by 261 participants, a total of 110 academics/teachers and 151 students.

There was unanimous agreement among the survey participants on the need to increase knowledge and skills related to climate change, the implications of the future post-carbon crisis and new topics in aquaculture education to mitigate the effects of climate change. The environmental impact of aquaculture, particularly in relation to global warming, emerged as the most pressing issue, alongside issues such as fish farming, biotechnology and disease management.

Surveys have shown the need for a forward-looking approach to aquaculture education. Equipping students with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of climate change is critical to the long-term sustainability of the aquaculture industry.

It is notable that most participants were not familiar with the term ‘blue career’, although many were aware of concepts such as global warming and a post-carbon future.

The results of the surveys show that students are open to innovative ways of learning and see the potential for this knowledge to benefit their careers. In terms of preferred learning environments, students prefer blended learning, which combines face-to-face interaction with online or flexible learning methods.

During the meeting the working document of the second project outcome – pedagogical methodology – prepared by the researchers of the National Technical University of Odessa was presented. This result is of particular importance as it will help the project participants in the preparation of the e-learning platform, e-book, lecture slides and lecture notes. After consolidation of the partners’ suggestions and comments, this document will be finalised at the end of July.

The second day of the meeting was dedicated to a technical visit to BioMar, one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality sustainable feeds for the global aquaculture industry. The company operates a total of 17 feed production sites in Norway, Chile, Denmark, Scotland, Spain, France, Vietnam, Greece, Turkey, China, Ecuador, Australia and Costa Rica, serving more than 90 countries worldwide. The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and GLOBALG.A.P. standards.

The participants discussed the dissemination of information, the preparation of the interim project report and other organisational and operational issues.

The project partners are Balikesir University (Turkey), University of Dubrovnik (Croatia), Odesa National University of Technology (Ukraine), University of Thessaly (Greece), coordinator Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

The next meeting will be held at the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia) in January 2025.

The project will run from 01.11.2023 to 31.10.2025.

Admission to PhD studies at VMU Agriculture Academy

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy offers doctoral studies in 8 fields of research in natural, social, technological and agricultural sciences.

Application for admission to doctoral studies is carried online.

Research Area	Research field	Dates of receipt of documents
Natural sciences	Ecology and Environmental Science	Will be available later
Technological sciences	Environmental Engineering	01 05 2024 – 15 05 2024 (no later than 5 p.m.)* 05 06 2024 – 20 06 2024 (no later than 5 p.m.)
	Mechanical Engineering	01 05 2024 – 15 05 2024 (no later than 5 p.m.)* 05 06 2024 – 20 06 2024 (no later than 5 p.m.)
	Transport Engineering	Will be available later
Agricultural sciences	Agronomy	24 04 2024 – 26 08 2024
Agricultural sciences	Forestry	03 06 2024 – 23 08 2024
Social sciences	Economy	03 06 2024 – 29 08 2024
Social sciences	Management	03 06 2024 – 29 08 2024

*Submission of documents for the recognition of qualification obtained abroad in Lithuania (for those applicants who have obtained their education at a foreign higher education institution and do not have a document confirming the recognition of their diploma in Lithuania)

The application for participation in the admission to doctoral studies and scanned copies of the necessary documents are provided online (online registration).

The application will be registered, when will be filled all necessary parts of Admission to doctoral studies online system epasirasymas.vdu.lt.

The application is considered not to be registered if all the necessary documents or information is not provided.

More information about the admission, dissertation topics, candidates for scientific supervisors and document forms.

More information:

Research and Innovation department Doctoral School
Universiteto str. 8A-202, 53341 Akademija, Kaunas distr.
+ 370 37 752 254, +370 672 63856
monika.brimaite@vdu.lt

+ 370 37 209 815
doktorantura@vdu.lt

VMU AA Autumn Intake 2024/2025 (extended application deadline). Apply now!

Would like to gain strong knowledge, solid skills, and invaluable international experience? Thinking about an unforgettable European student adventure and traveling the world?

Top-quality studies in a high-ranking university and living in Kaunas – located in the center of Europe – may be the perfect combination for You.

Your lifetime adventure can start now. With VMU Agriculture Academy.

Autumn Intake 2024/2025 study programmes:

Semester starts: September 1, 2024

Application deadline July 1, 2024: For applicants from EU/EFTA countries and citizens of visa-free countries including Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Sakartvelo, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Moldova, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Venezuela.

Information about Application and Admission Procedures

Information about Scholarships

APPLY HERE

Contact person: VMU Agriculture Academy International Coordinator Ekaterina Makrickiene ekaterina.makrickiene@vdu.lt +370 37 752 386

More information about VMU Agriculture Academy study programmes

Postdoctoral internships at VMU AA. Extended application deadline

The Lithuanian Research Council, promoting the development of the system of internships for young scientists after doctoral studies and raising the scientific qualifications of interns, announces a call for proposals for the projects of posdoctoral studies.

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) invites applications for postdoctoral internships and do an internship at VMU AA in the fields of agriculture, life sciences, business and public management or engineering sciences. Applications for postdoctoral internships are submitted to the Research Council of Lithuanian. Applications for postdoctoral internships are submitted until June 16, 16.00 p.m. (Lithianian time).

The purpose of postdoctoral fellowships is to promote the development of the system of postdoctoral internships for young scientists and to raise the scientific qualifications of interns (these projects must not aim to create specific products for the market and increase the scale of commercial and technology transfer).

According to this activity, a postdoctoral trainee is understood as a researcher who has a PhD degree awarded by a Lithuanian or foreign research and study institution, and for whom no more than 5 years have passed from the date of the award of the PhD degree to the date of submission of applications specified in the invitation (this period does not include pregnancy and maternity leave, paternity leave or leave to take care of the child until the child turns 3 years old) and carrying out scientific research work provided for in the project. The intern must go to a foreign science and study institution or research center, laboratory, company, institution, library, archive, expedition, etc. for internship.

Contact at VMU Agriculture Academy:

Ingrida Ignotaitė
Tel. (8 37) 752 377
E-mail ingrida.ignotaite@vdu.lt
Universiteto str. 8A, Akademija, LT-53341, Kaunas distr.

Teachers of VMU Agriculture Academy visit to Polytechnic Institute of Beja (Portugal)

The teachers of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy assoc. prof. dr. Midona Dapkienė (Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Engineering), prof. dr. Laima Česonienė and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė (Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited Polytechnic Institute of Beja (Portugal) according to Erasmus+ Mobility agreement on May 14th to 17th 2024.

The Polytechnic Institute of Beja (IPBeja) is a public higher education institution, located in the south of Portugal, in the region of Alentejo. IPBeja is made up of four Schools – the School of Agriculture, the School of Education, the School of Technology and Management and the School of Health, with a range of more than 30 courses on offer. The Institute has more than 2000 students, enrolled in both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and other professional oriented post-graduate programmes.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy gave the lectures for bachelor and master students in the field of water management, surface water quality, and environmental policy. Prof. dr. Laima Česonienė presented the assesment of impact of organic and conventional agricultural activities on surface water bodies. Assoc. prof. dr. Midona Dapkienė shared experiences on Lithuanian water engineering in the context of climate change and wastewater treatment and reuse. Assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė presented the main principles of organic agriculture and Green Deal.

The teachers had an appointment with international coordinator for bachelor and master in environmental engineering dr. Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Tavares. They had a talk about the intensification of cooperation in teacher’s and student’s exchange under Erasmus+ programme.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy had an opportunity to meet the professors Anabela Cândida Ramalho Durão, Maria Adelaide Araújo Almeida, Maria Teresa Carvalhos and to discuss the possibilities of the joint projects as well as to familiarize with the study process and reasearch at the School of Agriculture of Polytechnic Institute of Beja.