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Winners of T4EU Innovative Teaching Award Announced

Transform4Europe Alliance has announced the winners of Innovative Teaching Award: five lecturers including VMU Assoc. Prof. Evelina Bendoraitienė.

The purpose of this award was to identify, acknowledge and recognize innovative teaching practices and to provide opportunities not only for sharing and exchanging best examples but also to encourage cooperation between the Higher Education Institutions of the Transform4Europe alliance. The awards consist of 2500 € each for the realization of innovative or creative teaching projects (4 awards).

The T4EU selected the following lecturers as this year’s winners: Assoc. Prof. Evelina Bendoraitienė (VMU Faculty of Economics and Management, Lithuania), Dr. Magdalena Christ (University of Silesia, Poland), Jun.-Prof. Dr. Benedikt Schnellbächer and Alexander Schöneseiffen (Saarland University, Germany) and Assoc. Prof. Giovanni Bacaro (University of Trieste, Italy).

The Selection Committee was composed of representatives of students, academic staff and social partners nominated by the alliance.

Best-rated Innovative Teaching ideas

1) Creation of Life Escape room

Dr. Evelina Bendoraitienė, Vytautas Magnus University

The good practice involves assigning a group homework task to students in a financial calculations course to create a life escape room. Working collaboratively, students design puzzles, challenges, and a narrative that incorporate course content and require the application of financial calculation skills. This hands-on approach enhances understanding, promotes critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity, and provides a practical context for learning.

2) ABC of Visual Thinking and Sketchnoting

Magdalena Christ, University of Silesia in Katowice

The classes aim to familiarize participants with the theories underlying visual thinking, as well as the representatives of sketchnoting and their work as inspiration for their development in this area. During the course, students acquire skills in creating visual notes as a form of organisation and presentation of thoughts, ideas, which can be used to improve the learning process and in various branches of professional life.

3) Digital entrepreneurship: Digital-enhanced and international teaching of digital entrepreneurship

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Benedikt Schnellbächer and Alexander Schöneseiffen, Saarland University

DIGEN-DIT is a digital-enhanced, international module. Students from all Transform4Europe and Ukrainian partner universities can participate due to its hybrid format, supported by digital tools (e.g. mentimeter). The course encompasses a lecture and a tutorial. The lecture provides students with digital entrepreneurship content from strategy to operational level. In the tutorial student teams develop a startup concept and present it in a pitch event. Lastly, students visit another T4E university to work on an entrepreneurship challenge.

4) Universal Game Design for Learning and Game Co-design for student-centered learning

Assoc. Prof. Giovanni Bacaro, University of Trieste

Novel educational technologies and methodologies that create enthusiasm among students and promote learner engagement are becoming instructional priorities across all disciplines of STEM. Game-Based Learning has established itself as a methodology that addresses students engagement at different levels (student-centered learning, constructivist approach, shared social experience, systems thinking and so on). A generalized Game Design Methodology (GDM), which includes the basic principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework is here proposed. Each phase is designed to allow students and teaching staff to develop the game and assess its progress throughout the entire process.

Conference on Contemporary Studies of Family and Calendar Holidays

The Department of Cultural Studies at Vytautas Magnus University is pleased to announce an international conference on “Contemporary Studies of Family and Calendar Holidays: Challenges and Perspectives”, to be held on 14th October 2023 at Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Humanities, V. Putvinskio st. 23, Kaunas, Lithuania. The conference celebrates the 30th anniversary of ethnological studies at Vytautas Magnus University. The conference is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of ethnological research at Vytautas Magnus University.

In the contemporary world, we face constant challenges and changes in daily life, difficulties and restrictions caused by pandemics and wars, economic and political instability, and the crisis of climate change.

The main issue of the conference is to uncover what challenges family and calendar holiday researchers have identified in their research over the last three decades. What have been the main developments in these studies, and what research directions have evolved in the last thirty years? What challenges have scholars faced while conducting their research during the pandemic in different environments? What new research methods or research approaches have been applied over the last three decades? How do new social challenges reflect family and calendar holidays, family and reproduction, gender and the body, family and kinship and how are they changing them? What issues of reproduction, family and kinship have emerged in recent years with the increase in war and the threats from pandemics?

The conference will be held both offline and on the conferencing platform MS Teams.

More information and program

Forum “Connecting the dots: the path of bioeconomy innovation and business development in Lithuania” BROADCAST

YOUTUBE BROADCAST LT

YOUTUBE BROADCAST EN

 

VMU AA in cooperation with the association “LithuaniaBIO”, cluster “AgriFood Lithuania DIH” and other partners, m. September 27 organizes the Lithuanian bioeconomy innovation and business development forum. The patron of the forum is Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania.

During the event there will be:

• the bioeconomy strategies of Finland, Germany, Ireland and Latvia and experience in developing an innovation-based bioeconomy are reviewed;
• initiatives of Lithuanian state institutions focused on the development of the bioeconomy are discussed;
• discussions are held with representatives of business, science and the public sector, how to open up the potential of bioeconomy innovation and business development in Lithuania.

More details in the PROGRAM.

11th International Scientific Conference “Rural Development 2023: Bioeconomy for The Green Deal”

We kindly invite You to the 11th International Scientific Conference “RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2023: Bioeconomy for the Green Deal”, which will take place in Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Lithuania), 26-28 September, 2023.
This conference is aimed at providing interdisciplinary scientific discussion, presenting new ideas for rural development processes in the context of Bioeconomy, Climate Change, Innovations and Social Progress.

The main topics of Conference sessions:

• Agro-innovations and Food Technologies;
• Biosystems Engineering and Environmental Integrity;
• Multifunctional Approach for Sustainable Use of Bio-Resources;
• Social Research for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change.

Business and Science Forum “Connecting the Dots: A Roadmap for Lithuanian Bioeconomy Development” will be held during the Conference.

More information about the Conference
Online Registration on the Conference website.
Information for authors.

New design, more user-friendly Conference website: https://www.ruraldevelopment.lt/
Conference e-mail: rural.development@vdu.lt

 

This Conference starts a cycle of events dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy.

MBA Programme Customs Process Management – First on-site Session of a new Programme

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU-AA) has launched an intensive online one-year MBA programme, Customs Process Management. The course is designed to prepare high-level managers for the customs industry in both business and the public sector. Associate Professor Erika Besusparienė states that the programme is ideally suited for individuals who aspire to become customs business leaders. The initial meeting of students and professors of the programme demonstrated that the students are enthusiastic to learn by embracing challenges and working together, whilst the professors are receptive to discussions and the dissemination of their knowledge.

First on-site meeting of a new programme

Director of Lithuanian Customs Practitioners Association, and the head of platform CustomsClear Enrika Naujokė highlights the complexity of managing customs processes, emphasizing the need for expertise and focused attention. “I am greatly appreciative of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU-AA) for initiating this programme, and I am extremely proud as well. To the students embarking on this programme this year, I wish success and a truly enjoyable learning experience. Thank you to everyone, particularly the lecturers who generously share their expertise and insights”, commented Enrika Naujokė.

Chancellor of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy, Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, warmly welcomed all participants of the meeting, expressing her sincere support for the programme. “The primary concept, proposed by Enrika Naujokė, reflects the importance of customs processes and international trade in our increasingly globalized world. I hope that your study process encompasses not only research and lectures, but also offers an enjoyable time spent with good friends, inspiring ideas, and excellent results“, said Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė.

The dean of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bernardas Vaznonis, congratulated students and professors on the start of a new academic year and expressed his delight at the establishment of this study programme. He wished the students engaging and rewarding studies which will prove vital not only for their careers but for their future competencies also. The dean advised students to take full advantage of being a part of a motivated group of students alongside the assistance of helpful teachers. “Additionally, I extend sincere thanks to Enrika Naujokė for initiating this study programme and for organising this meeting of students and teachers, especially considering that future studies will be conducted online. Thus, this meeting provides a significant opportunity to acquaint ourselves with one another, to introduce ourselves, and to gain insight into forthcoming tasks,” noted Associate Professor Dr. Bernardas Vaznonis.

Head of the Department of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalia Juočiūnienė, expressed her delight to see all the professors and students. “We are pleased that you have successfully enrolled in this study programme, Customs Process Management. You already know what you want to achieve with this course and what your goals are. Very briefly, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere hope that after this year, you will be able to confidently say that the decision to study here was one of the best decisions of your life. I wish you all the very best,” said Associate Professor Dr. Dalia Juočiūnienė.

Programme for future leaders in the customs business

Associate professor of VMU-AA dr. Erika Besusparienė suggests that the MBA study programme Customs Process Management is intended for individuals who want to seek a career or be leaders in the customs business. “Currently, this is the first MBA study programme in the field of customs knowledge in Lithuania, perhaps even in the European context. In general, master’s studies in the field of customs are faced with two challenges – in some countries, studies are conducted in the national language of the country; in others countries, the customs field is only touched upon as a specialization”, says dr. Erika Besusparienė.

Director of Lithuanian Customs Practitioners Association and , and the head of platform CustomsClear , Enrika Naujokė pays attention that it is symbolic that the study programme starts in a year when the World Customs Organization’s traditional theme for the year is knowledge sharing. This reflects the growing importance of the customs field and knowledge. Academic programmes in the field of customs are relatively recent, so the emergence of this new international programme is very timely.

The field itself is very complex – customs controls cover not only customs legislation but also so-called non-customs legislation. “Customs is on the “front lines” of ensuring that only safe, compliant products enter the market and that the required taxes are duly paid. In addition, today we are all aware of export controls and sanctions, which are also the responsibility of customs. Last but not least, on the Green Deal, customs will play an important role in ensuring that environmentally friendly products enter the markets. Effective controls start with knowledge, which is equally necessary for businesses to ensure that goods do not get stuck at the border or run into problems later on during a customs audit”, observes Enrika Naujokė.

VMU AA Erasmus+ BIP programmes – new knowledge and experiences for students at all levels

The first Erasmus+ BIP programmes at VMU Academy of Agriculture: “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” and “New Challenges for Land Administration in Post-Land Reform Countries”, aim to provide an immersive learning experience, combining face-to-face interaction with scientists and professionals in the field with virtual learning activities. Participants enjoy enhanced theoretical knowledge, engaging discussions with experts and motivating practical experiences.

Students are active participants in the Erasmus+ BIP programmes

Monika Medikienė, International Coordinator of VMU-AA, notes that there is a growing interest in Erasmus+ BIP (Blended Intensive Programmes), students are happy to register and participate in courses organised by other universities, and more than 21 students from VMU-AA are participating in Erasmus+ BIPs organised by foreign universities in the current academic year.

Most popular programmes were: Erasmus+ BIP “Multipal use of Forests”, North Karelia, Finland; Erasmus+ BIP “Climate-smart Forestry”, Krakow, Poland; Erasmus+ BIP Entrepreneurship – Spin-out2Good | Technological Entrepreneurship: tackling regional challenges (Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, Portugal); Erasmus+ BIP Nature Conservation and Artificial Intelligence, Portugal; Erasmus+ BIP “Strategic Sustainability Management” in ŠKODA AUTO University, Czech Republic.

Monika Medikienė pointed out that the number of Erasmus+ BIP programmes offered by foreign universities is growing, so she advises those interested in participating to keep an eye on the latest Erasmus+ BIPs abroad, which are emailed to the students of the respective programme according to the topics of the courses organised.

The International Coordinator says that students receive €70 per day to cover travel and accommodation expenses. She emphasises that only the days of the physical visit count. Virtual meetings precede the trip, the number and duration of which depend on the programme organisers, and can range from a single log-in to a month-long lecture series.

VMU-AA programme attracts great interest

According to Monika Medikienė, the Erasmus+ BIP programmes organised for the first time at VMU-AA were also very popular. A total of 23 students from Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Lublin University of Life Sciences, as well as 3 students from the VMU-AA, registered and participated in the course “Sustainable use of natural resources”.  The course “New challenges for land administration in post land reform countries” attracted 22 students from abroad and two from VMU-AA”, says Monika Medikienė.

The International Activities Coordinator reveals that two more programmes are planned for VMU-AA in the near future. On 19-23 June, the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development is organising a programme “Management for Business Startups”, where participants will deepen their knowledge about the first steps of creating their own business and managing a startup. In the autumn, the Faculty of Agronomy plans to repeat the programme “Sustainable use of natural resources”. Monika Medikienė points out that VMU-AA Erasmus+ BIP programmes are also open to students of the Academy.

New knowledge and experiences for students at all levels

Erasmus+ BIP projects aim to reach students from all fields and levels of study. “During the Physical Week, students from the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources programme at VMU-AA attended lectures and participated in discussions prepared by fifteen lecturers. The lecturers presented their topics of scientific interest related to the use of sustainable resources.

The Erasmus+ BIP gave the students the opportunity to look at the topic of sustainable resource use from different perspectives, as the project was implemented  by lecturers from all faculties of VMU-AA and 3 foreign lecturers, prof. Agnieszka Jaszczak (University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland), Dr. Baiba Rivža (Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology) and Assoc. Prof. Osama Youssf (Mansoura University, Egypt)”,  says Monika Medikienė about the Erasmus+ BIP programme at the VMU-AA.

The topics presented included: “Crop, soil and environmental interactions”, “Sustainable food production: The effect of growing technologies on quality of plant products for food”; “The National Sustainable Development goals Target Setting Methods for Natural Resources”; “Green infrastructure conceptualization and solutions”; “Green Towns for Green Therapy”; “Environmentally friendly concrete”; “Wastewater Reuse for Soil Irrigation”; “Biodiversity – to be or not to be?”; “From “Green” – to “Deal”“; and more.

Theoretical knowledge and practical examples

According to the International Coordinator, the Erasmus+ BIP “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” was designed to provide students not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with experiences that motivate them to explore the topic of sustainable use of natural resources. “The course participants visited the Dubrava Reserve, where, on their first visit, people feel like they are walking through a prehistoric forest. The only one of this kind in Lithuania, this reserve is most appreciated for its natural raised bog. The excursion to the reserve was led by Evaldas Makrickas, a doctoral student, who shared his knowledge about its uniqueness and significance with visitors”, says Monika Medikienė.

On the last day of the programme “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources”, students took part in an educational excursion to the 700 ha Farmers Circle. “The farm, located in Ukmergė district, operates on the principle of a circular economy, selling its produce at farmers’ markets and offering a restaurant serving seasonal dishes made from local produce. The owners of the farm emphasise the importance of ecology and sustainability, they assume that sustainability equals responsibility for all our actions. Students got a closer look at examples of sustainable use of resources and the application of sustainability ideas in practice,” says the International Coordinator of the first Erasmus+ BIP programme at VMU-AA, explaining that the programme goes beyond the theoretical lectures.

The students who participated in the programme highlighted the theoretical knowledge they gained about sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the new contacts they made with colleagues from other countries who are interested in similar topics. “I am delighted with my decision to try the Erasmus+ BIP programme as it was the last chance for me as a second year Master’s student. I really regret not doing it sooner. It was interesting and useful to see a well-known topic from different perspectives, to hear about the latest technologies and to find like-minded people. After this programme, I felt an even greater need to take an interest in the topic of sustainable use of natural resources,” says Katarzyna Kachniarz, a participant in the programme “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources”.

Apply now: Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

A competition is open for Erasmus+ student and rencent graduate traineeship grants. Application deadline is the 30th of September, 2023.

The placement period is from 2 to 6 months.

Selection

All VMU fulltime 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

Registration for T4EU Course Offer at BA Level (regularly updated)

The university network Transform4Europe invites students to choose its track courses for bachelor students which aim to train a new generation of young Europeans who will work together across disciplines and acquire digital, intercultural and entrepreneurial skills. This training enables you to actively shape the necessary transformation processes in Europe. Most of the courses are conducted online. Registration is conducted online.

The Transform4Europe Alliance gives you the opportunity to incorporate a succinct programme – a European-oriented Bachelor Track that leads to a certificate with up to 24 ECTS – into your studies.

All the selected courses are recognised at your university either as part of your main field of study or alongside as additional elective courses.

The Transform for Europe Track consists of common core modules on the topics of:

1. Knowledge Entrepreneurship;
2. Languages & Intercultural Competencies;
3. European History, Politics, Culture, Law, Economy.

Also, you select the track according to your needs and interests from 3 optional challenge-based tracks:

1. Digital transformation;
2. Environmental transformation;
3. Societal transformation.

Once you graduate and complete the Track, you receive a certificate testifying the completion of a Transform4Europe Bachelor Track under the challenge-based track or cluster title.

What are additional benefits for students?

1. Exchange ideas with students from other academic disciplines.
2. Gaining and developing European competences in a narrower relevant subfield.
3. Increase your career opportunities by unique profile development.
4. Increase future research and career opportunities in interdisciplinary fields.
5. Networking possibilities with students from other European universities.
6. Subsidised international mobility.

Autumn/winter semester 2023 (regularly updated)

In the list below please pick the institution at which you would like to attend a course and proceed as advised. The following list of institutions will continue to be updated.

Saarland University

Course start:  October 23, 2023
Registration Period: August 19 to September 22, 2023
End of Teaching: February 9, 2024
End of Exams: approx. end of February, 2024

Register now

The Estonian Academy of Arts

Vytautas Magnus University

Course start: September 4, 2023
Registration Period: August 16 to August 29, 2023 
End of Teaching: December 1, 2023
End of Exams: from December 4 to December 23, 2023; Retakes from January 3 to January 5, 2024 

Register now

List of modules and registration:

A list of modules and a registration form can be found here.

For more information please contact sd@vdu.lt

T4EU Online Course on Matlab and Data Analysis for PhD Students

The European university alliance Transform4Europe and Saarland University invite PhD students to register for the online course Matlab and Data Analysis, which will be held on Microsoft Teams on the 10th, 12th, 17th and 19th of October at 3–7 p.m. (Lithuania time). Online registration of participants is open until 14th of September.

In this course the participants will learn the basics of programming and in particular how to use Matlab for universal data analysis. It is a course for beginners. The aim is that participants without prior knowledge learn how to use Matlab for data analysis, statistical evaluation and presentation of results.

The students will get accounts from our IT-center “HIZ” for full functionality of Saarland University’s video conferencing software Microsoft Teams. If students do not have access to a Matlab license, they will get an Email address from Saarland University to access its license. Further registration at Saarland University is not required and no fees are charged.

This course is the fifth round of “Global Classroom”.

The course is free of charge. Up to 10 students can participate.

Registration of participants

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