The Most International University VMU: Opportunities for Students

Did you know that more and more foreign students are studying Lithuanian at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU)? And that students of any major can choose to study a foreign language from more than 30 offered?

Assoc. Prof. Vilma Bijeikienė, Vice-Rector for Communication at VMU, discusses the importance of language skills and a multicultural environment, not only for getting acquainted with the achievements and innovations of other countries but also for promoting the Lithuanian language, culture, and scientific accomplishments.

From English to Farsi

“Openness to languages and cultures, cooperation with foreign partners, and exchange programmes for students and teachers signify that the university fosters internationality and scientific progress. Foreign students and staff make up about 20% of the VMU community, and approximately 25% of study programmes are taught in English,” says Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė.

Assoc. Prof. Vilma Bijeikienė

She points out that internationality in higher education can be divided into two segments: internationality at home (fostering an international environment at the university) and international academic mobility (student and teacher exchanges, studies and internships abroad, and international summer schools).

“Through Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange programmes, students have the opportunity to pursue part-time studies and participate in short-term courses at more than 700 universities in 78 countries worldwide. Every year, more than 200 VMU students take advantage of this opportunity. Students can undertake internships lasting from 1 to 6 months in companies and organisations across the globe, as well as in Lithuanian communities and Lithuanian heritage schools abroad. More than 160 VMU students and graduates venture abroad for this purpose each year,” says Bijeikienė.

“One of the main components of VMU’s internationalisation development is the opportunity for students, teachers, and non-academic staff to learn foreign languages. Thanks to the Artes Liberales study model, we have created favourable conditions for students to learn languages, regardless of their study programmes. According to our university’s study model, foreign languages are integrated into both compulsory and elective credits in all first-cycle and integrated study programmes. Students can choose from 30 offered languages,” says the associate professor.

She explains that in addition to the commonly chosen languages in Europe, such as French, Spanish, and German, the university also offers less commonly taught languages. If there are enough interested students to form a group, you might even hear Farsi, Ancient and Modern Hebrew, and Kartvelian languages being taught in the classrooms. And just recently, the university started offering Ukrainian language courses.

“While it is impossible to learn all languages, establishing a certain language learning foundation during student years can significantly ease the process of learning other foreign languages in the future. For example, English is a compulsory competence for all students at VMU. At the same time, it is a gateway to learning other languages since it can be used as a basis for learning Germanic and Romance languages, as these languages have certain similarities. If you learn, let’s say, German, it will be easier to learn Norwegian or Swedish in the future,” says the Vice-Rector.

Language as a gateway to intercultural understanding and higher salaries

“Linguists and anthropologists have long established the theory of linguistic relativity. This means that language influences our thinking, worldview, and perception of the world. Therefore, relying solely on the English language is not enough to create an inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural environment. Language proficiency is not just a means of communication; it is also a competence that allows us to empathise with others and understand how culture is revealed through language,” says Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė.

The VMU Vice-Rector for Communication notes that although the world is becoming more globalised, cultures are intertwining, and we ourselves are becoming multicultural, cultural differences related to our native languages still do exist.

Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė provides data on the pragmatic benefits of language proficiency: “Knowing languages other than English increases the likelihood of obtaining a better job and a higher salary; in Lithuania, this amounts to around 15–20%.”

The Vice-Rector emphasises that language learning also develops creativity and the ability to express oneself. “Linguists have proven that knowing and actively using languages improves cognitive abilities across the lifespan, from early childhood to old age, and helps prevent dementia. Additionally, multilingual schoolchildren are able to complete a wide range of tasks more easily than their monolingual counterparts,” she points out the benefits.

And although there is a popular belief that mastering a language is only achievable in childhood, Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė argues that this myth should be dispelled.

“Learning and mastering languages is possible at any age, but it’s just easier during childhood as the skills acquired then significantly aid language learning in adulthood. The student age is also highly favourable for language learning,” the Vice-Rector explains.

The number of foreigners choosing to learn the Lithuanian is increasing

When discussing internationality at VMU, Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė emphasises that learning and using languages represent only one component of internationality.

“We place great importance on creating an inclusive communication and study environment that allows students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds to successfully integrate into the study process. After all, our university has students from around 80 countries, each bringing their own cultural foundation. Therefore, one of our most important objectives is to create favourable conditions for students to recognise and embrace the VMU study culture,” says the Vice-Rector.

She says that achieving this goal is facilitated by well-functioning mentor, VMU ambassador, and various introductory programmes, which allow students to get acquainted not only with the entire university infrastructure and environment, but also with the study model.

“It is important for us to involve international students in collective activities with Lithuanian students. We have numerous language and culture clubs, and they collaborate to organise various events and create various activities,” says Prof. Bijeikienė, discussing the realities of fostering a university community.

To promote inclusivity, there are opportunities for Lithuanian and international students to study together in groups. The courses are taught in both English and Lithuanian, enabling many foreigners to learn Lithuanian.

“While Lithuanian language is not compulsory, it is strongly recommended. We are delighted that more and more foreigners are learning it, and some are even continuing their studies in Lithuanian,” says the Vice-Rector.

When discussing interaction with the outside world, Bijeikienė is delighted that international businesses are also engaging in the VMU study process. Lecturers from various international companies based in Kaunas deliver lectures, share information about the necessary competences, and invite students to undertake internships.

“I still remember a beautiful instance of cooperation with state institutions: when Lithuania faced an influx of illegal migration from Belarus, VMU international students who spoke various Middle Eastern languages became interpreters,” Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė recounts recent events.

A multicultural environment favourable for the preservation of less-spoken languages

The VMU Vice-Rector notes that in today’s global world, the interaction and blending of languages and cultures is inevitable.

“For us, as for other small nations, this could lead to an unwanted outcome – homogenisation. We are therefore well aware that studying in English does not constitute internationality. We want students to understand that English merely serves as a means of communication and is by no means a substitute for our native language. We want the Lithuanian language to be recognised and visible globally and used in the fields of science and academia,” says Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė.

She points out that studying in a multilingual environment is precisely the key to understanding that multiculturalism and multilingualism are assets that we must foster: “In educating our students, we strive for sustainable multiculturalism. We want them to enter the world with a profound understanding of the importance and value of their native language as well as other languages and cultures.”

Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė believes that this is the direction in which the entire state policy should be oriented: “From the perspective of the university, as one of the actors in the national context, it is important for us that higher education is as widely open to internationality as possible.”

According to the Vice-Rector, attracting teachers, researchers, and young talents from abroad and creating favourable conditions for them should be one of the country’s priorities: “The state should follow the lead of universities and pay more attention to the development of internationality.

We need to position Lithuania as a country with high-quality higher education, attracting both students and researchers. Currently, we haven’t fully exploited the potential of higher education in Lithuania, which is particularly important for a small country like ours.”

Internationality at university – success in life

Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė says that internationality at university develops certain relevant student competences:

“Firstly, flexibility and the ability to adapt to different situations and perceive otherness in a broader sense – not just as linguistic or cultural otherness, but also as the capacity to listen and understand varying perspectives and ways of thinking. It also involves the ability to present oneself more flexibly and diplomatically.”

Secondly, studying in a multicultural environment develops the ability to bring people together and work in teams.

“When you are used to working in various projects with different people, you become more flexible, skilled, and creative in performing various tasks, and tend to foster innovation in the work environment. Openness and the ability to recognise and embrace differences are crucial competences in today’s world,” says the Vice-Rector.

Article by news portal Delfi.lt

VMU Awarded Honorary Doctorate to Ukraine’s Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has bestowed the title of Honorary Doctor on the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The title has been granted to him for extraordinary leadership in the fight for Ukrainian freedom, democracy, and humanist values hereby presenting the young generation with the best example of dignity, determination, and moral strength.

“We are convinced that President Zelenskyy’s remarkable perseverance, unwavering resilience, and wise guidance will lead Ukraine to its well-deserved ultimate victory. VMU community will staunchly stand in the support of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters and we are highly appreciative that he has granted us a privilege by accepting VMU Doctor Honoris Causa and becoming our honorary member”, VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of the Republic of Ukraine, a politician, former comedian, actor, TV show host, and director, who became the head of state in 2019. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Zelenskyy declared mobilisation and martial law, but remained in Kyiv himself, earning international recognition by his actions and leadership and becoming a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance. That same year, Politico named him the most powerful person in Europe, while the Time magazine selected him as the Person of the Year. Zelenskyy was also awarded Freedom Prize by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania.

According to VMU Vice-Rector for Communication Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilma Bijeikienė, the university also supports the values of democracy, freedom, and justice that are important to His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy. VMU maintains exceptional relations with Ukraine’s academic community: the university has over 30 cooperation agreements with the country’s institutions, several of which are with universities on exile from the war-ridden territories.

“In 2022, the university accepted over 300 Ukrainian students, hosting some of them with their families. We are also glad Mariupol State University has been invited as an associated partner to our European University Alliance “Transform4Europe”. But above all, we are especially proud to have joined the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and the First Lady of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė to open the Center of Ukraine at VMU in June 2022”, said Assoc. Prof. Bijeikienė, noting that the Center instantaneously became an important hub of humanitarian support and educational oasis to Ukrainian community. Since its establishment, it has been visited by over 24,000 Ukrainians.

“We deeply value and cherish our strong cooperation with Vytautas Magnus University, which has been and remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine by various means. From strengthening academic ties with Ukrainian universities to supporting the Ukrainian academic community, from welcoming our students to co-creating unique outstanding project the Center of Ukraine, opened under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine and Lithuania. Once again, by bestowing the title of Honorary Doctor on the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, VMU expressed the strongest voice in support of Ukraine in its fight for freedom. We are proud to have partners such as the devoted VMU community and look forward to promoting democracy and shared European values benefiting both our countries today and beyond our common victory”, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Lithuania Petro Beshta emphasized.

About Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy was born in Kryvyj Rih, Ukraine, to Jewish parents. While studying at the School No. 95, where English was taught at an advanced level, he was a good student and the class monitor who participated in various activities. He graduated with a law degree from Kyiv National Economic University. From the start of the studies, he became involved in creative work: the activities of the Club of the Funny and Inventive People (KVN); later, he founded the Studio Kvartal 95, a production company that created successful TV projects, series and feature films.

Zelenskyy has acted in various films, including Love in the Big City and its sequels, 8 First Dates, Me. You. He. She and others. In the popular TV series Servant of the People, Zelenskyy starred as an ordinary history teacher who suddenly becomes famous and is elected the President of Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy won the Ukrainian presidential election with 73 percent of the vote, defeating Petro Poroshenko decisively in the second round. As president, he committed to fight corruption, actively supported the unity between the Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking parts of the country’s population, and contributed to Ukraine’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recession that followed it.

In late 2021, Russia started amassing military forces near the border with Ukraine; on 24 February 2022, it launched a full-scale military invasion. “This battle is not only for the territory, for this or another part of Europe. The battle is not only for life, freedom and security of Ukrainians or any other nation which Russia attempts to conquer. This struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and then their children and grandchildren. It will define whether it will be a democracy of Ukrainians and for Americans — for all”, Zelenskyy said while addressing the U.S. Congress.

In information warfare, Ukraine has acquired a weapon for which Putin has no answer: Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s communication skills, media understanding and long-term experience in the field of entertainment. Both in video recordings and in live meetings, Zelenskyy asked for support to Ukraine from all countries of the world. The Ukrainian President’s efforts were successful: the Western countries sent many anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missile systems, HIMARS etc. Moreover, the sanctions against the aggressor were some of the strictest in history. On 23 June 2022, Ukraine was granted the status of candidate for accession to the European Union.

***

Other VMU Honorary Doctors include Nobel Laureates Czesław Miłosz and Svetlana Alexievich, writer Tomas Venclova, avant-garde filmmaker Jonas Mekas, sociologist, thinker and professor Zygmunt Bauman, President of Yale University (USA) Peter Salovey, anthropologist and environmentalist Prof. Birutė Galdikas, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, presidents (heads of state) Valdas Adamkus (Republic of Lithuania), Michael D. Higgins (Ireland), Bronisław Komorowski (Republic of Poland), Vaira Vike Freiberga (Republic of Latvia) and others.

Apply now: Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

A competition is open for Erasmus+ student traineeship grants. Application deadline is the 31st of July, 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).

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

Apply Now: Free Online English Refresher Course for Students

Are you interested in studies abroad or intrigued by lectures taught in English? Transform4Europe invites students to improve their English skills at a free online course which will take place online from 24 July until 4 August.

The free, two-week compact English refresher course is designed for participants at the B1-B2 level. Through engaging lessons and interactive exercises, you’ll enhance your grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills. Earn 3 credits points while refreshing and advancing your English conveniently from anywhere. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to achieve your language goals.

To sign up, send your name, English level, university name and student email address to transform4europe@uni-saarland.de by 10 July 2023.

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.

Conference keywords: Innovations, Integrity, Bio-resources, Well-being.

Important dates and deadlines:

Until September 15th, 2023 – registration  (extended)
Until September 26th, 2023 – article submission (extended)
Until September 10th, 2023 – payment of participation fee
January, 2024 – publishing of the Conference proceedings

Participation fee	In person (EUR)	Online (EUR)
Authors until August 27th	250	170
Authors after August 27th	300	220
PhD students	125	100
Non-authors	150	Free of charge

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 topic of the presentation.

Certificates of participants will be sent by e-mail after 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.

VMU Agriculture Academy Graduation Ceremonies

On 16-23 June, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) invites everyone to participate in festive graduation events.

On 21 June, a graduation ceremony will be held for the graduates of the VMU Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, and Faculty of Agronomy.

FESTIVE HALL OF VMU AGRICULTURE ACADEMY | STUDENTŲ G. 11, AKADEMIJA, KAUNO RAJ.

10 a.m. Graduation ceremony of the AA Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology

12 p.m. Graduation ceremony of the AA Faculty of Engineering

2 p.m. Graduation ceremony of the AA Faculty of Bioeconomy Development

4 p.m. Graduation ceremony of the AA Faculty of Agronomy

The events will be photographed and/or filmed; therefore, please note that you might be featured in photos or videos which can be published in various media outlets.

Students Invited to Attend T4EU Entrepreneurship School

Would you like a challenge? Do you have ideas for interesting start-ups? Are you interested in entrepreneurship? If so, join the Transform4Europe Entrepreneurship Week on 11-15 September in Katowice (Poland). Students are invited to register online until 20 June.

During the week, the students will solve various challenges in order to improve their entrepreneurial skills. The program includes various activities involving teamwork, presentations of prototypes created for solving of challenges, lectures on robots in medicine and employer branding, a tour of Katowice etc.

Five students from each partner of the T4EU alliance will be selected.

Program of Entrepreneurship Week

Registration

The international networking activity of EIP operational groups 2023

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy organizes „The international networking activity of EIP operational groups 2023“ which will take place on September 27-28, 2023. This event is being organized for the second year in a row, and this year it will be an international event, in which EIP operational groups will participate not only from Lithuania, but also from other advanced foreign countries. During the event, it is aimed to encourage the continuity of the projects of the EIP operational groups, innovations, international partnerships, and integration into new European thematic networks.

The main objectives of the „The international networking activity of EIP operational groups“:

to bring together national and international EIP operational groups and invite them to share good project implementation experiences;
to discuss the priority directions of research and the need for agricultural innovations;
to agree on new project initiatives based on partnership.

The event is free and open to all (new and completed) EIP operational groups and all interested parties. The event will be held in English.

We invite you to register for the event by filling out the REGISTRATION FORM.

The event program is coming soon.

Place: VMU Agriculture Academy

More information: zivile.cerniauskiene@vdu.lt

Organizers: Social Partnership Department of the Business and Social Partnership Center of VMU AA in cooperation with the Cluster of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System.

The conference “Fair of contacts and experiences of EIP activity groups 2023” is carried out by the Rural Network project “Implementation of communication tools for greater public involvement and dissemination of information about KPP” NR. PLKT-PV-23-1-00862- PR001. The tool is financed by the Lithuanian Rural Development 2014-2020 program tool “Technical assistance” activity area “Lithuanian village network”. The project is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the budget of the Republic of Lithuania.

Erasmus+ visit at University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Lecturer Otilija Miseckaitė form the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Water Resources at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) visited University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland on 29 May – 02 June 2023 as part of the Erasmus+ teaching programme.

The University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn was founded on 1st September 1999. The establishment resulted from merging three institutions of higher education in Olsztyn, i.e. the Academy of Agriculture and Technology, the Higher School of Pedagogy, and Warmian Theological Institute. The University offers various studies in the fields of Agriculture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Economic, Management, Technology, Art and other sciences.

Lecturer Otilija Miseckaitė gave lectures and presented VMU and VMU Agriculture Academy, study programs and mobility of Erasmus+ possibilities in VMU AA. Lecturer also participated in Central European Civil Engineering Meeting 2023 (CECEM 2023). CECEM 2023 was as a great opportunity to share knowledge and experience in the field of engineering. The programme included round table discussions, presentations, problem solving cases, lab visits, workshops and social events. The participants also had the opportunity to visit the Wolf‘s Lair and Masurian Canal.

Apply now: Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition. Turn the adventure into an experience

A competition is open for Erasmus+ student traineeship grants. Application deadline is the 30th of June, 2023.