VMU AA scientist visited the Polytechnic Institute of Beja

On November 8-11 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė from department of Environment and Ecology at Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, visited the Polytechnic Institute of Beja (Portugal), as part of the “Erasmus+” teaching programme. The impact of agricultural activity on the environment, eutrophication of water bodies, changes in biodiversity, and prospects were discussed with students and faculty representatives. The possibilities for exchanges, studies, double diploma degrees, and internships at VMU AA were discussed with interested students and professors. Prospective research collaborations and ways to improve scientific collaborations with staff members of the Department of Technologies and Applied Sciences at the Polytechnic Institute of Beja were explored on behalf of the International Responsible for Bachelor and Master of Environment Engineering, dr Jorge M. R. Tavares.

“Erasmus+” teaching mobility visit in the University of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) professor dr. Eglė Jotautienė and assoc. professor dr. Antanas Juostas from Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety at the Faculty of Engineering visited the University of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat (ALKU).

ALKU aims to provide qualified higher education in an international learning environment. ALKU has eight faculties (Business, Engineering, Medicine, Education, Tourism, Sport Sciences, Health Sciences, Dentistry), three graduate schools (Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences) and five vocational schools. The University offers variety of associate degree, undergraduate and graduate programs. With approximately 8000 students, the University has been growing rapidly since its establishment.

Professor dr. E. Jotautienė and assoc. professor dr. A. Juostas presented study programs and possibilities of “Erasmus+” mobility in VMU, and lectures on topic “Innovative technologies in agrimachinery”. During visiting ALKU time were taken to participate in International Congress on Sustainable Devopment in the Human Enviroment-Current and Future Challenges, where two presentations were presented: “Innovative technologies for safe food production and costs saving” in the plenery section and “Data Analysis of the Grain Harvester Remote Monitoring System Towards the Sustainable Development of Agriculture”. Professor Eglė Jotautienė was chairmen of the section in the Congress.

Prof. dr. Eglė Jotautienė

Invitation to participate in online lectures of Visiting Professor Irina Pilvere

We kindly invite you to participate in the lectures of the visiting lecturer prof. dr. habil. Irina Pilvere. The topic is “Bioeconomy Development: Challenges and Possibilities”. The lectures will be held online on November 21 – December 2, 2022.

Registration and detailed lecture schedule here.

We sincerely invite you to participate in the lectures to expand your field of knowledge!

Mienat project: Short-term joint staff training events

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) has attended short-term joint staff training events for the Erasmus + KA203 project – Erasmus+ MIENAT Strategic Partnership in Higher Education project “Methodology of Interpretation of European Nature Heritage in Tourism”.

In 2022 two joint staff training events were held at the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands, Germany and at the Munster Technological University, Ireland. Short-term joint staff training event 2 was held during 28th June – 1st July at the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands, Rostock, Germany. Short-term joint staff training event 3 was held during 5th – 9 September 2022 at the Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland. During short-term joint staff trainings project partners had possibility not only to discuss natural heritage and methodology of its interpretation and to make the evaluation of text of the e-book, case studies, but as well to have training for didactical production of audio-video digital materials (podcasts, presentations, videos). During the learning workshops there were held presentations, piloting, evaluation of prepared didactic materials. Each partner presented the draft of his input of the e-book chapters, as well as shared the idea development of chosen case studies, discussed the didactical concepts.

Mienat project has a 36-month implementation period. The main objectives of the project are to prepare materials for innovations in the field of education on the topic of “Experiencing Nature Tourism” and to create new, modern, didactic materials.

Mienat project coordinator: Prague University of Economics and Business (Czech Republic), project partners: Porto University (Portugal), Universidad Europea, Madrid (Spain), Munster Technological University (Ireland), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (Romania), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), the Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (Germany) and FH Burgenland (Austria).

VMU Agriculture Academy lecturers visited the University of Palermo

On October 3–6 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) professor of Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology dr. Laima Česonienė and associate professor of Faculty of Engineering dr. Midona Dapkienė visited the University of Palermo (UNIPA) under ERASMUS+ teaching mobility program.

The University of Palermo is a consolidated cultural, scientific and teaching presence in central-western Sicily. Its 16 departments cover the most important domains of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. About 122 courses (first and second cycle) are offered as well as 44 master and specialization and 23 PhD courses, targeted to the training of specific professional figures, often in cooperation with external institutions and companies.

Prof. dr. L. Česonienė and assoc. prof. dr. M. Dapkienė presented the VMU Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Faculty of Engineering, introduced the study programs and research carried out in them. VMU AA scientists gave the lectures for bachelor, master and PhD students in the field of evaluation of surface water quality, water management and wastewater treatment. During the seminars prof. dr. L. Česonienė provided the assessment of the influence of climate change on the surface water status and agricultural activity impact on water quality. Assoc. prof. dr. M. Dapkienė shared experiences on wastewater reuse for soil irrigation: necessities, challenges, methods and technologies.

VMU Agriculture Academy scientists had an opportunity to familiarize with the study process and research at Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences of University of Palermo, discussed ERASMUS+ mobility perspectives. The gained experience will be useful in adopting the best practices of the studies and research at VMU Agriculture Academy.

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to University of Rijeka in Croatia

On October 3-7 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA), Faculty of Bioeconomy Development assoc. prof. dr. Erika Besusparienė visited the University of Rijeka in Croatia under the ERASMUS+ training program.

At the university of Rijeka scientist gave lectures on the subject of environmental taxes to undergraduate students, discussed the differences between these taxes in Lithuania and Croatia and also lectured the importance of environmental costs and their accounting, international sustainability standards and non-financial reports for companies for the disclosure of social accountability, regulation in the European Union (EU). The VMU Agricultural Academy and the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development were presented to students and researchers of the University of Rijeka, and the meaning and importance of bioeconomy was discussed.

Although the existing study programmes at the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management at University of Rijekafocus on the tourism sector, specialists, who study economics, accounting, taxes, environmental protection, are trained with broad knowledge. During the visit, the experience of how to ensure the transfer of this knowledge to students, the peculiarities of organizing lectures for full-time and part-time students, and the experience of organizing hybrid lectures was also acquired.

In Croatia contacts have also been established with researchers from the Department of Finance, Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Rijeka, who conduct research in the field of public finance. Together with the researchers, the exhibition of scientific journals was visited in the library of the University of Rijeka, and the possibilities of publishing articles were discussed. The possibilities of public finance research, Croatia’s ongoing integration into the EU, the introduction of the euro, and joining the OECD organization were discussed.

Distinguished Speakers in 13th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability”

The 13^th international scientific conference “Accounting and Finance for Business 2022: Towards Sustainability” will be held on 10-11^th of November, 2022 at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Kaunas, Lithuania), Faculty of Bioeconomy Development. This year, the Conference will be held online. Conference languages – English and Lithuanian.

The conference is intended to bring together accounting and finance researchers to share experience and business-relevant research results. The main aim of the conference is to present and discuss innovative and sustainability-oriented trends in accounting and finance science, to share new approaches that are important for increasing business competitiveness and efficiency and promoting partnerships between small and medium-sized businesses and the public sector.

November 10^th 9 a.m. speakers with extensive experience in scientific and practical activities will give presentations in the plenary session (English language) of the conference:

Prof. Kaja Tampere – BIOTeacher and scientist in the communication field: organisational communication and public relations, health communication and bullying, organisational culture and corporate social responsibility, sustainability and legitimacy. Kaja works as a professor in Jyväskylä (Finland) and in Tallinn University and Tartu University (Estonia). Author of many scientific articles. Presentation topic: Corporate social responsibility developments in post-communist countries: towards organizations social legitimacy.

Prof. Catalin N. Albu – professor of Accounting with the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, where conducts research and teaches in several areas of accounting, with a focus on the application of western models in emerging economies. Catalin’s research has been published in Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Accounting Forum, Accounting and Business Research, Australian Accounting Review, and Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, among others. Professor serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation and as member of the editorial board of Accounting Forum. Catalin is the Chair of the External Relations Committee of the European Accounting Association and acts as Vice-President Conferences for the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER). Presentation topic: A new role for accountants: the case of NFR reporting in former communist countries.

Dr. Juliette E. Torabian – the author of “Wealth, values, culture & education: reviving the essentials for equality and sustainability” published by Springer. A specialist in comparative higher education, the deputy team leader in H2020 PIONEERED and a Postdoctoral researcher in sociology of education at University of Luxembourg, Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Juliette is also a senior expert in international development and education with 25 years of experience in strategic planning, policy making and analysis, and capacity building. Juliette is on the editorial board of the Journal of International and Comparative Higher Education and the journal of Sustainability and Climate change. She has an interdisciplinary academic background and 15 years of lecturing experience in pedagogy, gender and human rights, environment, sustainable development, and ethics in business in universities in France, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Presentation topic: Ethics and sustainability in business: the role of higher education.

Rolandas Kubilius – the senior project manager of consulting and auditing company PwC. Rolandas has 14 years of experience in consulting business organizations – he advises company managers, shareholders and investors in making business-relevant decisions. Ronaldas is currently leading PwC Lietuva’s ESG services team and helps businesses solve challenges related to this area. Ronaldas also regularly speaks at events and writes articles and insights for the media on ESG. Presentation topic: Sustainability reports and standards: changes in legal regulation.

November 11^th 9 a.m. conference participants are invited to the discussion (Lithuanian language) “What are the risks for a business importing or exporting goods if financial and accounting specialists do not have the necessary customs knowledge?”. During the discussion, Enrika Naujokė (Customs Practitioners Association), Ingrida Kemežienė (Law firm “Ellex Valiūnas ir partneriai”), Monika Bielskienė (UAB “PricewaterhouseCoopers”) will share their insights.

November 11^th 9 a.m. a special session (English language) “A Digital Learning Platform for Generation Z: Passport to IFRS©” will be organized, which will be moderated by prof. dr. Aylin Poroy Arsoy (Bursa Uludag University).

We invite you to register and participate in the conference.

Registration of speakers and submission of abstracts until October 3^rd 2022!!!

Details can be found on the conference website: https://afk.vdu.lt/en

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

Call to find Communication Expert for the RURAL PACT tender!

ELARD is looking for an experienced communication expert for full-time position whose main tasks are:website content management and social media, preparing and publishing publications, collecting best practices, also supporting Rural Pact team with organisation of events, especially virtual events.The communication expert shall have relevant higher degree and at least 3 years of professional experience in the field, or at least 5 years of professional experience in the field, and an excellent command of English (level C1). In the case of successful application, the Communication Expert is expected to join Brussels team and please note that frequent travelling to Brussels might be required or even part time living in Brussels if the work requires. ELARD is looking forward to receive the CVs of strong candidates with experience in the above tasks by 1st of September! Together with your CV please send the description of your previous works related to web management and social media (track record). Please send your CV and track record by 1st of September to ELARD e-mail elard@elard.eu For any questions please contact ELARD Administrative Coordinator Beata Styczeń +48 606 85 88 01, elard@elard.eu More information about the Rural Pact tender is available here https://etendering.ted.europa.eu/cft/cft-display.html?cftId=11117

The kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ MARIPET project

The kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Innovative Curriculum To Evaluate Marine Fishery Discards As Raw Pet Food For Sustainable Europe” [MARIPET] was held at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim On August 10 and 11. Prof. dr. Artūras Stimbirys and assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė of the Department of Environment and Ecology took part in the meeting to discuss the goals and objectives of the project and further activities. Meeting participants got the opportunity to visit a salmon slaughterhouse and a salmon production site.

During the MARIPET project, an innovative 5-module training programme, a virtual dedicated environment with an online education kit, platforms for discard fisheries and pet food trainers/experts and pet food manufacturers/experts, and an e-book/guidebook on European Discard Fisheries and Pet Food Production will be developed. The Training workshops and Multiplier events in five countries will finalise the project activities.

The project is coordinated by Ege University (Turkey), project partners: University of Balikesir (Turkey), University of Dubrovnik (Croatia), Agricultural University of Iceland, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and Vytautas Magnus University.

The project’s next meeting will be held at our institution in January 2023.The project will last until February 28, 2024.