The 4th meeting of the Erasmus+ MARIPET project in Reykjavik

The fourth meeting of the Erasmus+ project “Innovative Curriculum to Evaluate Marine Fishery Discards as Raw Pet Food for Sustainable Europe” [MARIPET] took place on 28th and 29th November at the Agricultural University of Iceland in Reykjavík. Prof. Dr. Aušra Blinstrubienė, Vice-Chancellor of the Agricultural University, and Dr. Anželika Dautartė, Associate Professor at the Department of Environment and Ecology, participated in the meeting.

During the visit, the Vice-Chancellor met with Ragnheidur Inga Thorarinsdottir, Rector of the Icelandic University of Agriculture, to look into prospective scientific and educational collaboration.

Dissemination activities are scheduled to occur in all project nations in January 2024, as stated on the first day of the meeting, which focused on the completion of the project. The unique five-module curriculum, the online learning platform, the experts’ and producers’ platform for pet food, and the pilot testing of the curriculum in the first week of February were the main points of discussion. The manual/e-book on producing pet food from discarded fish has been finished in terms of organisation, publishing, and distribution.

On the second day of the meeting, a visit was made to the LYSI company. Founded in 1938, LYSI is one of the world’s largest producers of marine oil for human consumption and a pioneer in fish oil production. Today, more than 95% of LYSI’s energy consumption comes from renewable sources. LYSI is one of the main actors in Iceland’s policy to achieve full utilisation of all fishing industry inputs. As a leading expert in the production of valuable products from by-products and waste from traditional fish production, the company makes a significant contribution to the responsible use of natural resources.

Another site visited was BRIM, one of Iceland’s largest fishery companies. Responsible fishing and use of marine ecosystems ensures long-term interests and value creation for employees, shareholders, and society. The company measures its carbon emissions and decisions on fishing and processing here are based on economic and environmental considerations. The company is also committed to long-term carbon neutrality and has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas intensity (tCO2/m€) by 40% between 2015 and 2030.

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 final meeting of the project will take place at Ege University on 7-8 February. The project will end on 28 February 2024.

VMU and Its Community Members Receive Acknowledgment

On 18 November 2003, a historic decision in the field of human rights was made with the adoption of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Equal Treatment. To mark the occasion, the Seimas hosted an event where panellists shared their behind-the-scenes experiences of the law’s adoption in 2003, discussed what two decades of equal opportunities protection have looked like, and considered future prospects. The event also featured the presentation of certificates of appreciation to individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the implementation of equal opportunities in Lithuania over the past 20 years.

The following VMU professors were honoured with personal certificates of appreciation for their long-standing dedication to the field of human rights: Prof. Milda Ališauskienė, Prof. Dalia Leinartė, Prof. Jonas Ruškus, Prof. Artūras Tereškinas, and Prof. Dainius Žalimas.

Vytautas Magnus University was also acknowledged with a certificate of appreciation as an organisation committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all its community members and to improving not only the quality and results of its research and studies, but also the conditions of study and work. In October 2023, VMU was honoured with the highest accolade from the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson for its achievements in the field of equal opportunities – the three Equal Opportunity Wings. Laura Lapinskė, the Equal Opportunities Coordinator, who attended the event, noted that such a symbolic recognition and acknowledgement of positive developments in human rights not only provide an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments already made but also to gain inspiration and new ideas from other experts and organisations that participated in the event.

Many organisations awarded by the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson focus on enhancing diversity and inclusion and empowering people with disabilities. VMU is one of the universities where the development and implementation of disability policy is a key priority. In 2021, VMU Senate approved the disability policy document University of Inclusive Opportunities, which aims to foster a culture of equality and non-discrimination within the University through the appropriate adaptation of study and work conditions, and to increase the accessibility of studies and work. “This award is the result of the efforts of each member of the VMU community,” says Miglė Janušauskaitė, the Disability Coordinator, who attended the event and accepted the award.

VMU Equal Opportunities Coordinator L. Lapinskė, Director of the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson B. Sabatauskaitė, Disability Coordinator M. Janušauskaitė, and VMU Professor Jonas Ruškus.

It is important to note that Vytautas Magnus University is also among the organisers of the National Forum on Human Rights (NFHR), which invites the public to engage in discussions about the current state of affairs and explore ways to ensure that Lithuania is a welcoming place for people of all ethnicities, races, religions, genders, social standings, beliefs, and views – for everyone. This year’s Forum, which is being organised for the sixth time, commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in the Council of Europe.

This year’s Forum will take place on the eve of International Human Rights Day, 8 December.

VMU Rector Prof. Augutis: The Uniqueness of VMU Must be Preserved

“The artes liberales system, which provides a broad education, is becoming increasingly important – it is no coincidence that in their external evaluations of Vytautas Magnus University, international experts have repeatedly emphasised its uniqueness and the need to preserve it not only at the university but also at the national level. There will always be those within the community, especially young people, who do not fit into established programmes. Likewise, there will always be those who are searching and creating. Therefore, the learning system should be such that it does not confine the learner to a narrow programme framework, but instead allows them to shape their own tasks and learning programme,” says VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis, discussing the benefits of the artes liberales (liberal arts) principles applied at the University.

According to the Rector, the significance of artes liberales has long been proven and confirmed. VMU, which has become the most comprehensive university in Lithuania, applies these principles in its programmes for good reason: it fosters a broad education that extends beyond the specialisation of a student’s chosen programme. For example, irrespective of their major, students can opt to pursue minor studies in a different field, take courses in IT, philosophy, or other subjects, and enhance their entrepreneurial, IT, and other skills. Prof. Augutis emphasises that interdisciplinarity today is a return to the origins of science, as initially, disciplines were not so rigidly divided, with the division later being driven by industrial changes.

“This system has existed for many centuries – back in the Middle Ages, the liberal arts served as a method for growth, development, and education. In modern times, they have taken on different forms, yet, surprisingly, their importance is only increasing. Over the past two hundred years, the rise of industry, with its demand for specific, narrow knowledge, might have prioritised more focused methods, but now, we are seeing a resurgence of vast horizons for human activity and free expression. And the system of broad education is becoming increasingly important,” says VMU Rector.

He says that today, the principles of the liberal arts are being applied more and more widely – even in very conservative educational institutions, elements of this system are gradually being introduced, allowing students to shape their studies more flexibly and to combine different study fields. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic requirements, it is not yet possible for the University to fully implement the principles of artes liberales – for example, by allowing students to enrol not in a specific study programme, but in a much broader group of programmes, such as the humanities, and only then choose the subject they prefer.

Declining youth population – among the biggest challenges

Prof. Augutis, who is concluding his second term as Rector, notes that his tenure has been filled with numerous challenges. “As I like to joke, if you don’t achieve everything in one term, the community leaves you to repeat the course for another year. I am very happy that the University is moving in an excellent direction and is developing dynamically, but there has certainly been no shortage of challenges: these range from issues concerning the university merger to the pandemic that has affected everyone, as well as ongoing demographic changes with lasting negative effects. There’s a shortage of students not just at the University, but also across the country. There’s also a shortage of teachers in schools, presenting us, as one of the leading teacher training centres, with the challenge of meeting this demand,” he explains, further adding that VMU is putting substantial efforts into encouraging more top students to choose pedagogy studies and become teachers. The modern VMU Teacher Training Centre, with its high quality and modern infrastructure, is also dedicated to this purpose.

The Rector emphasises that in Lithuania, the decline in the youth population is faster than the decline of the total population. Over the past decades, Lithuania’s population has fallen from 3.5 million to 2.8 million (about a 20% decrease), while the number of young people, including university graduates, has halved – from 65,000 to 30,000. Consequently, there is now a noticeable shortage of people across almost all sectors, especially those holding a higher education degree.

The war in Ukraine, instigated by Russia, has also posed a major challenge not only for the university but also for Lithuania as a whole. Ukraine has been a long-standing partner of VMU, which, in fact, holds the largest number of agreements with Ukrainian higher education institutions. In order to lend a helping hand, the Centre of Ukraine was established at VMU on the initiative of the Lithuanian and Ukrainian presidencies. This centre provides more than just humanitarian aid to Ukrainians seeking refuge from the war; it also offers psychological support, along with various artistic and scientific initiatives. One such initiative was a conference held in 2023, focusing on Ukraine’s energy security and justice issues, based on President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula. In mid-November, VMU hosted another conference, this time addressing the Ukrainian higher education system and its adaptation to European standards – an area in which, according to the Rector, VMU has extensive experience.

VMU community – the most amazing community in Lithuania and beyond

When asked about the University’s greatest achievements and strengths, Prof. Augutis, points to its community and its people, who continue to impress with their creative synergy. This has been especially evident since the merger of the universities, when VMU was joined by the Academies of Education and Agriculture. As a result, VMU is now considered a classic university, encompassing all fields of science and study, thereby facilitating greater opportunities for effective collaboration between its various departments.

“VMU has the most amazing community not only in Lithuania, but beyond. No one could convince me otherwise. They have both delighted and astonished me with their resilience, dedication to the university, ingenuity, creativity, and scientific potential. With the expansion of our community, following the integration of communities from two other universities, new and unique projects have emerged that would not be possible within separate universities, such as the Horizon Twinning project Forest 4.0, which is focused on applying artificial intelligence technologies in forest management and accounting,” says Prof. Augutis.

To strengthen scientific research, the University has established new research institutes in the fields of education, bioeconomy, and natural sciences, among others. Additionally, VMU is increasingly collaborating with the business sector, for example, through joint projects with various companies.

The Rector highlights that VMU representatives are demonstrating leadership in various fields, notably through participation in the European University Alliance Transform4Europe. This alliance has become one of the most prominent of its kind, largely owing to the University’s contributions. Moreover, on the initiative of VMU, Mariupol State University in Ukraine, forced to relocate after its buildings were destroyed in the war, has also become a member of this alliance.

Future plans include increasing University’s well-being and internationalisation

In discussing the goals for the near future, Prof. Juozas Augutis says that maintaining the high quality of science, studies, and community life, ensuring equal opportunities and compliance with gender policies, and improving infrastructure remain top priorities.

“We are seeking ways to renovate the old dormitories and are considering the purchase of new ones. Our dream is to establish a European-level nature research centre on the VMU academic campus, for which we have all the necessary prerequisites – the Nemunas Valley, excellent infrastructure, laboratories, and the aforementioned synergy between scientists. We also have high hopes for the Transform4Europe alliance – it offers a chance to become a European university within a large alliance, to develop studies and science with other strong universities, to offer new opportunities for both students and researchers, and to facilitate seamless movement across the eleven European universities, their laboratories, and classrooms. Staff salaries are also a priority – we aim to further increase them in 2024,” VMU Rector explains.

Since its re-establishment, VMU has been among the most international universities in Lithuania – currently, nearly 20% of its community consists of foreigners, and the number is increasing every year. In the future, according to Prof. Augutis, the University should further pursue its international orientation – not only as a member of Transform4Europe but also by expanding cooperation with universities worldwide. For example, there are plans to establish a Lithuanian Centre in Taiwan, similar to the Taiwan Centre that has been operating at VMU for the past ten years.

“There comes a time when quantity turns into quality, as evidenced by our existing agreements with hundreds of institutions worldwide. We maintain close cooperation with Ukraine, East Asia, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. It’s possible that, on our initiative, such alliances or university branches will emerge not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the world – VMU could potentially establish departments or associated structures in other parts of the world,” VMU Rector briefly outlined his vision for the University’s future.

CONFERENCE “YOUNG SCIENTIST 2024”

The 21st annual conference of young scientists “YOUNG SCIENTIST 2024” organized by the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) will be held on April 11 2024 remotely. The conference is intended for the first, second and third degree students. The purpose of the conference is to involve students in scientific activities, develop the ability to publicize scientific research results, present their scientific research achievements and discuss topical issues of bioeconomy, green course, climate change, ecosystem sustainability, rational use and protection of natural resources.

There is no conference fee for students. Certificates of conference participants will be awarded to the speakers of the conference.

Speakers will be able to publish articles in the collection of articles of the conference “YOUNG SCIENTIST 2024” or in another scientific publication, for example, in the scientific journal „Agricultural engineering“ or another, after submitting articles that meet the requirements for articles in a scientific publication.

Conference topics	Subtopics
Bioeconomy	Accounting and finance: challenges and opportunities
	Bioeconomy, sustainability of agriculture and food sector
	Innovations and solutions in business logistics
	Management of agri-business and other bioeconomy business organizations
	Sustainable development of rural areas
Biosystems engineering	Energy engineering
	Land management
	Mechanical engineering
	Technology engineering
	Transport engineering
	Water engineering
Sustainability of agricultural, forest, and water ecosystems	Agronomy
	Food quality and safety
	Sustainability of agricultural ecosystems
	Ecosystem services
	Sustainable forestry
	Wildlife population management

Pre-registration for the conference until February 15, 2024.

PROGRAM

Articles for the conference “YOUNG SCIENTIST 2024” are accepted until March 8, 2024. (the link to upload the article). The articles must be prepared according to the recommendations for the authors of the articles (Annex 1_Article template, Annex 2_Authors guarantee letter).

Contests for Teaching and Training Visits under Erasmus+ Programme

International Cooperation Department invites all VMU academic and non-academic staff members to participate in the Erasmus+ contests: the contest for Erasmus+ teaching visits in Programme countries (EU/EEA countries) and the contest for Erasmus+ teaching and training visits in Partner countries (non-EU/EEA countries). The visits will be conducted in the 2023/2024 academic year.

The aim of the teaching visit is to read lectures for students of a university abroad and attract them to study under Erasmus+ at Vytautas Magnus University.

The aim of the training visit is to participate in training events held abroad (except for conferences) or do work internship (observe work, participate in training activities) in universities abroad. This activity encourages professional development of academic and non-academic staff.

The announced contests are:

VMU lecturers and employees are invited to apply for contests until December 1^st. The selection criteria and requirements for applications are provided in the descriptions of the contests.

More information is provided by the VMU International Cooperation Department (erasmus@vdu.lt).

More information about teaching visits

More information about training visits

Congratulations on International Student Day!

Dear students of VMU Agriculture Academy,

All your dreams will come true if you have goals and persistently pursue them. We wish you a happy today and a promising future.

The administration of VMU Agriculture Academy congratulates you on International Student Day!

The final Erasmus+ „Medicinal beekeeping for beekeepers“ [MEDI-BEEB] project meeting in Kaunas

The Erasmus+ international project “Medical Beekeeping for Beekeepers” (project No. 2021-1-TRO1-KA220-VET-000034632) began on February 27, 2022. Adnan Menderes University (Turkey) is the project coordinator; project partners include the Confederation of Italian Farmers of Umbria, Onsekiz Mart University of Cenakale, Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences, Aydin Province Beekeepers’ Association, and Vytautas Magnus University.

The fundamental aim of this project is to inform primarily the beekeepers about apitherapy and to train them to produce bee products under convenient conditions at conscious, healthy and definite standards. Another aim is to build up awareness in the people for the importance of the producing, storing, and marketing the products used in apitherapy.

As time is fast running out, the 4th (final) international meeting of the project partners took place on 8 and 9 November at our university. On the first day of the meeting, a review of the work that had been completed was conducted. This included the development of training materials in a virtual environment, the creation of best practice videos, and the development of a mobile application to diversify, develop and increase the value of beekeepers’ products and their application in apitherapy.

The development of training materials in MEDI-BEEB project was preceded by a thorough analysis of the needs of target groups and the current state of art in the field of production, processing and storage of products used in apitherapy.

The training programme on healthy and accurate procedures in the production of bee and bee products which are expected to be used in the treatment of some human and animal diseases is primarily addressed to beekeepers and other target groups involved in production and marketing of bee products used in apitherapy.

The e-learning course includes ten modules in the field of proper production, processing and storage of bee products used in apitherapy, such as: honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, beeswax and others. In addition, the course includes information on environmental contamination of bee products, standardization and certification of bee products and legal status of bee products and apitherapy. Each module consists of 25-30 slides fully integrated with e-learning environment. Moreover, the application of e-learning course for mobile phones is developed to facilitate learning and let trainee flexibly manage his/her learning time.

The course has been enhanced with numerous manual videos and podcasts with beekeeping experts on the practical production of high-quality bee products.

The innovative and user-attractive with numerous pictures, graphs and charts handbook content reflects the content of the e- learning course and will be available both in paper form and as e- book.

The pilot testing of the materials will take place in January in all partner countries, as well as face to face and virtual Multiplier event.

The project participants met with the Urbanbee.lt team of urban beekeepers on the second day of the meeting. Urban parks and gardens have lost their most essential pollinator due to the reduction of these insects. Wind alone has been inadequate for the task. Urban beekeeping is becoming more popular among city inhabitants across the globe. Socially responsible businesses install hives on the rooftops of offices, hotels, and commercial buildings, and the honey produced by bees is sometimes given as a corporate gift. The Urbanbee.lt team offers interested businesses a full range of services, including hive installation, ongoing care and responsibility for the bees, and packaging of honey in a representative container with the company’s emblem for corporate presents. MEDI-BEEB project participants engaged in a discussion about the prospects of urban beekeeping, found common links with Urbanbee.lt team members and made contacts that will lead to new project proposals in the future.

A series of finalising activities will take place in all project partner countries in January, including pilot testing of the produced training materials as well as face to face and virtual Multiplier events. The project will be completed on February 27, 2024.

More information click https://www.medibeebe.eu/

Join VMU Mentors’ Community

Every year, students from all over the world come to Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). Some for just one semester, others for full-time studies, which provide an opportunity to stay in Lithuania for a longer period of time.

But no matter how long they stay in Lithuania, the first days are confusing and at the same time most memorable. To make it easier for incoming students to take the first steps in the country and not to get lost, Vytautas Magnus University International Cooperation Department invites VMU students to become mentors of international students and to lend them a helping hand!

Until November 30^th, all interested students are invited to fill in a registration form.

VMU International Student Mentor is a local (Lithuanian or foreign full-time) student who is motivated, who has international and intercultural experience, and voluntarily helps the incoming foreign students.

You can find out more about the international student mentoring program here.

Apply now: Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

A competition is open for Erasmus+ student and recent graduate traineeship grants. The application deadline is the 30th of November, 2023.

The placement period is from 2 to 6 months.

Selection

All VMU full-time degree students who have not used more than 10 months of their Erasmus mobility (study / traineeship) period are eligible for the Erasmus grant.

Selection documents

For student traineeship (traineeship during student’s year of studies)

Filled-in application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Student Traineeship (EU countries)“
Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory).

For recent graduate traineeship (application must be submitted during the last year of studies)

Application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Recent Graduate Traineeship (EU countries)“
Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory)
Recommendation by a faculty member (obligatory)

The priority in the selection is given to

students whom traineeship is an obligatory part of their study programme;
students who have never been Erasmus traineeship students before.

Selection criteria

student’s motivation;
good knowledge of the language which will be used during the traineeship;
student’s work, study, traineeship, participation in the international / academic projects, social activities experience in Lithuania and abroad;
conformability between the chosen traineeship and student’s study programme;
study results (first year MA students should attach transcript of records of their BA/MA degree to the application form).

The competition results will be sent to every participant via e-mail.

Competitions for Erasmus+ traineeships are taking place each month.

More information

Navigating Challenges: VMU Alumni Discuss Resilience and Optimism

On the occasion of VMU Alumni Day, we invite graduates, students, and the VMU community to the discussion “Resilience and Optimism of VMU Alumni around the World”, which will take place on November 10.

Programme

Discussion “Resilience and Optimism of VMU Alumni around the World”

When: November 10, Friday, 15.00 – 17.00

Where: Putvinskio g.23, aud. 103, Kaunas

Format: in-person and online

Language: English

Registration link

The link for online participation will be sent via email before the event.

This event is tailored for:

Present foreign full-time and exchange students
VMU international alumni
VMU community

The discussion “Resilience and Optimism of VMU Alumni around the World” features the valuable perspectives of VMU international graduates and covers three main pillars:

Learn or earn; both are best. If neither, quit. VMU alumni will share their experience of the job-searching process after graduation, their first workplace, learning and earning the money, challenges, firing/quitting/career change, and all ups and downs with the bottom line: Resilience and Optimism helped them to become who they are now.
Entering the Lithuanian job market after graduation for foreign graduates. This sub-topic holds tips and insights for current students from VMU alumni who are currently living and working in Lithuania. Opportunities for current students.
Academic career path insights. VMU alumni will share their career paths as PhD students. Their ups and downs, tips, and tricks for current students. Features of working on a dissertation. Funding. Resilience and Optimism as skills for the researchers. Challenges, such as the competitive nature of academia, potential job market fluctuations, work-life-research balance considerations, and the evolving landscape of academic institutions.

Meet our speakers – international VMU graduates:

Nargiz Hajiyeva Dr. (Azerbaijan) an alumna of Political Science and Diplomacy programme (2015 – 2017).

Topic: “A Journey of Scientific Empowerment: From Lithuania to the World”.

Current position: Ph.D., Political Scientist, Director of “Organization of Scientific Activities” Unit, Chair of Women Researchers Council (WRC), Academic lecturer on Political Leadership and Political Science, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC), Director of “Empirical Methods” Working Group, Swiss Political Science Association (SPSA), Switzerland.

Format of participation: online.

Hanna Rusinava (Belarus) is an alumna of the Political Science and Diplomacy Master’s programme (2018 – 2020).

Topic: “Union state agreement’s implications for Belarus”.

Current Position: journalist at Belsat TV, Belarusian independent television.

Format of participation: in-person.

Hüseyin Ograk (Turkey) is an alumnus of Marketing and International Commerce Master’s programme (2017 – 2019).

Topic: “Entering the Lithuanian job market after graduation for foreign graduates”.

Current position: Head of PPC position at Hostinger.

Format of participation: in-person.

Maka Berulava (Georgia) is an alumna of the International Politics and Development Bachelor’s programme (2019 – 2023).

Topic: “Academic career path insights”.

Current position: Master’s student at University College London (programme: Russian and Post-Soviet Politics).

Format of participation: in-person or online.

Moderator: Bohdan Polovynko, the 2nd year master’s student of Diplomacy and International relations. Former Trainee at the Education Training and Exercise division of the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence. Currently working on energy security-related research.

Registration link

Check a recap of the Alumni Day 2022 discussion last year

See you at VMU Alumni Day!