1st of September – the greeting of the chancellor of VMU AA

Dear Community of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy,

We are entering the new study and science year. The arrival of autumn announces that it is the time to embark on learning, growth and travel, to step into the beginning of new goals and opportunities, the time to accept new challenges, make meaningful connections and awaken the potential that lies within you. Ignite the spark of enthusiasm and build a successful year of study and education. Let the journey that begins today be a time for the fulfillment of ideas and set goals as we all work together to create a green, sustainable and rich Lithuania! Vivat Academia!

Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy, prof. dr. Astrida Miceikienė

New Academic Year with Kaunas Universities

Vytautas Magnus University will greet the new academic year together with Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and Lithuanian Sports University. On September 1st, Friday, you are welcome to attend joint festive events.

This year, the event will start at 12 p.m. with Holy Mass at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul (Vilniaus g. 1), followed by a joint oath-taking ceremony in the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilniaus str. 33) at 2 p.m.

Later, the students will march towards Independence Square, led by the KTU brass band The BrassBees. The main event of the celebration will take place here and will be crowned by a festive concert featuring the joint university choir and the singer GJan. At 3.30 p.m., VMU community is invited to enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby of the Great Hall.

Detailed program of the celebration:

12 p.m. Holy Mass at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul (Vilniaus g. 1)
2 p.m. Participants of the festive procession gather in the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilniaus g. 33)
2–2.15 p.m. Students’ speech/oath.
2.15 p.m. Procession of the universities’ community (we depart from the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace, walking down Laisvės Alėja to Nepriklausomybės Square).
3 p.m. Festive concert at Nepriklausomybės Square featuring the joint choir of the universities and GJan!
At 3.30 p.m., VMU community is invited to enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby of the Great Hall (S. Daukanto g. 28)

The event 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.

More information

Student Registration into Study Subjects for Autumn Semester 2023

The first stage of the autumn semester 2023/2024 registration for lectures, seminars and laboratory works is on 25-29 August. At this stage, the registration is open:

For full-time and part-time students of bachelor and integrated studies (excluding 1st year students)
For full-time and part-time students of master studies
For full-time students of professional studies
For part-time free-movers
For part-time exchange students

Registration of first-year undergraduate and full-time students will take place on 31 August.

Enrolment will be performed online only, having connected to VMU Students’ Self-service Portal at: https://studentas.vdu.lt.

A username is: name.surname (lowercase, Latin alphabet letters only) and a password.

If a student has forgotten the password, he/she can set up a new one at the site: https://support.vdu.lt/. Instructions are available here.

ENROLMENT INTO STUDY SUBJECTS

STUDY SCHEDULES

Postdoctoral internships at VMU AA: Call for applications for funding

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

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) invites applications for postdoctoral internships and do an internship at VMU AA in the fields of agriculture, life sciences, business and public management or engineering sciences. Applications for postdoctoral internships are submitted to the Research Council of Lithuanian. Applications for postdoctoral internships are submitted until September 30.

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

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

More information about call for applications for financing postdoctoral internship projects (application process, evaluation procedure, etc.) at Research Council of Lithuania website.

Contact at VMU Agriculture Academy:

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

BIC offering student internships for 2023-2024

Bio-Based Industries Consortium (BIC) is offering some motivating internship placements for the academic year 2023-2024. The students will be guided and supported by BIC staff and be in contact with them and other stakeholders during their assignment.Not only will students be part of the team, they will also receive a specific project to work on. More details about projects and application process can be found here. The BIC team looks forward to welcoming some interns to Brussels, and sharing our knowledge and work in the bio-based industries with them.

Registration for Conference on Innovative Teaching Methods

On 26-27 September, conference Inno-Methods for Quality Curricula will be held in Trieste, Italy. During the event, workshops, a roundtable discussion and the T4EU Innovative Teaching Awards will also be held. Lecturers and researchers are invited to register as speakers at the conference, attend workshops and improve their skills. Application deadline is 15th of August.

Up to 10 teachers per partner university are invited to participate. Researchers, PhD students and staff who are potentially interested in the conference are also very much welcome to attend.

Transform4Europe Alliance will cover the speakers’ travel, accommodation, and substinence expenses.

Digital technologies have transformed the learning ecologies of higher education systems and offer new opportunities to create innovative quality curricula to deal with societal challenges.

Against this scenario, the “INNO-METHODS for quality curricula” conference intends to promote reflection on innovative teaching and quality curricula, share innovative teaching approaches enhanced by digital technologies and build a shared perspective for the T4EU Alliance.

The following topics will thus be explored and discussed:

What competences does the T4EU Alliance intend to foster in students? Which educational purposes are pursued?
How can T4EU monitor quality and innovation in innovative curricula?
What Innovative Curriculum Design methodology can the T4EU Alliance adopt?
What is the role of HE institutions in boosting the adoption of innovative teaching strategies for a joint educational offer?
What INNO methods and tools may foster innovation and support the digitalization of educational programmes within the Alliance?

The final workshops will capitalize on the proposed ideas and methods, and engage participants in developing a set of recommendations to promote innovative teaching within the T4EU alliance.

According to the organizers, the Trieste Conference will be an opportunity for mutual exchange and enrichment, thanks to the participation of professors and experts from the whole T4EU Alliance, as well as of international experts. External invited international experts will include Prof. Paul Ashwin from Lancaster University, and Dr. Daniela Casiraghi, member of METID at the Politecnico di Milano. More external experts will be invited.

Two workshops will also be held during the conference: Smart Learning Design and Identification of Common Guidelines to promote Teaching Innovation across the T4EU Alliance. Additionally, a roundtable discussion will be organised on INNO-METHODS from the Alliance – Experiences from T4EU teachers who implemented INNO-methods.

On September 26th, winners of the Innovative Teaching Award will be announced during a dedicated prize-giving ceremony.

More information

Program

Registration

The Study Model at VMU Enables Students to Design Their Own Study Path

If we had to name a university with the most diverse range of offerings, it would be Vytautas Magnus University, which is currently the most comprehensive university in Lithuania – students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of study programmes, spanning across as many as 14 groups of study fields (by comparison, there are 17 available throughout Lithuania).

Dr. Simona Pilkienė, Vice-Rector for Studies at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), is delighted that the university offers a study model that is highly attractive and popular in the USA, and is the only one of its kind not only in Lithuania, but also in the Baltic States.

Artes liberales – from philosophy to engineering

Why did we mention the abundance of study fields? It is an essential prerequisite for fostering interdisciplinarity and striving for more effective synergy between different areas of science.

“The concept of artes liberales is often understood narrowly or incorrectly because many people associate the Latin term with the liberal arts and humanities. In reality, however, artes liberales is an educational concept that aims to provide individuals with a comprehensive education, rather than a narrow and highly specialised one, through the study of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subjects.

VMU Vice-Rector for Studies Dr. Simona Pilkienė

The uniqueness of this concept lies in the student’s role in the study process and the opportunity to personally design their own study path. While this concept is widespread in the USA, it is not as popular in Europe and is usually applied only to a very small part of studies, such as a single programme or faculty, rather than being implemented university-wide. The study model implemented by VMU is the only one of its kind in both Lithuania and the Baltic States,” explains Dr. Pilkienė.

She says that society has been greatly affected by the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and other unpredictable global events, which have led to the realisation that only individuals with a comprehensive education will be able to succeed in an ever-changing labour market and society, and that interdisciplinary knowledge and skills are the key to all future decisions.

“So, the concept of artes liberales has regained relevance. And for us, it is relatively easy to overcome these challenges because we have years of experience offering exactly this kind of studies, whereas specialised universities are facing issues in transitioning to interdisciplinarity and preparing graduates capable of handling unpredictable challenges,” says the Vice-Rector of VMU.

She is delighted that VMU is able to effectively implement artes liberales: of the 17 groups of study fields available in Lithuania, the University offers 14 (except for health sciences, veterinary sciences, and public security).

When challenges turn into opportunities: gaining international recognition

Recalling the merger of three universities four years ago, when Aleksandras Stulginskis University and Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences merged with VMU, Dr. Pilkienė asserts that it was an unprecedented case:

“Regarding this matter, the experience of foreign countries could not be of much help to us, as there has never been a simultaneous merger of three universities. Nevertheless, we successfully overcame a challenging period in which we had to unify the study process and the approach to quality, and implement the concept of artes liberales in all study programmes.”

According to the Vice-Rector, from today’s perspective, launching programmes with a new concept and simultaneously ensuring a high-quality completion of studies for students who previously enrolled in the former universities seems like a mission impossible.

“I am therefore very delighted that the universities managed to merge successfully in such a short time. What’s more, the restrictions that existed at the time actually turned out to be opportunities. For instance, we were not allowed to run the study programmes of the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, so we had to create new ones in a very short time. Now, we see that this was the reason for our breakthrough in teacher training,” says Dr. Pilkienė.

The largest teacher training centre in Lithuania

Drawing on the experience of foreign partners and the concept of artes liberales, the university has developed unique study programmes for training the next generation of teachers, which have gained international recognition.

“The university has become the largest teacher training centre in Lithuania. It has more than 1,300 students, trains teachers from all branches of education at all three study levels, and admits around 500 teachers each year for further training or retraining.

We have also received international recognition – VMU is the only university in Northern and Central Europe and one of the 50 universities in the world to offer the International Baccalaureate Studies (IBS) and the UNESCO Educational Certificate Studies,” says the Vice-Rector.

Dr. Pilkienė notes that engineering, agriculture, and forestry programmes have also been reorganised into innovative and interdisciplinary programmes.

“We prepare graduates who not only have expertise in their field, but also have the ability to communicate in foreign languages and make timely and informed decisions in complex situations. We achieve this through the concept of artes liberales, which allows students to modify their study programmes, choose minor studies, and thereby broaden their horizons,” says Dr. Pilkienė.

VMU also dedicates attention to the little ones: educational researchers are developing and implementing educational innovations in the university’s kindergarten “Mažųjų akademija” (Academy of the Little Ones) and in the “Gifted” centre, where gifted and talented children from all over Lithuania are educated using a methodology developed in collaboration with partners from Israel.

International cooperation will continue to grow

Another distinctive feature of VMU is its internationality. “VMU is arguably the most international university in Lithuania in terms of student numbers and activities. Around 20% of the students studying here come through exchange programmes and various study programmes,” says the Vice-Rector.

She says that it is precisely the concept of artes liberales studies that creates opportunities for students coming from other countries to choose courses offered by different academic units and study together with young people from both Lithuania and abroad. Teachers also enjoy the excellent working conditions.

“We have around 15–18% of foreign teachers and this number is steadily growing. Together with nine other European universities (Saarland University in Germany, University of Alicante in Spain, University of Trieste in Italy, University of Silesia in Katowice in Poland, Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ in Bulgaria, Catholic University of Portugal, Jean Monnet University in France, University of Primorska in Slovenia, and the Estonian Academy of Arts), and an associated member – Mariupol State University in Ukraine, we have established the European University Alliance Transform4Europe, whose goal is to create a future European university without borders or restrictions,” explains Dr. Pilkienė.

“Processes are underway: joint programmes are already being carried out, joint courses are being taught, and teachers are being exchanged. In addition, our students, together with those from the 10 other universities in the European University Alliance, study modules designed to develop competences for European challenges. These modules consist of 15–24 credits, and upon successful completion, students receive a certificate recognised by all partner universities. We also regularly organise mobility weeks for students and teachers, as well as creative workshops,” says Pilkienė.

The Vice-Rector expresses her delight – over the past years, the university has become a reliable international partner, entrusted with the responsibility of shaping European higher education policy, which is a truly significant step, and the competences of university teachers and researchers in this field are particularly important.

She firmly believes that VMU’s internationality will continue to grow as the chosen activities and strategy become part of the daily routine, inseparable from other activities.

Studies are inseparable from dialogue with business

Dr. Pilkienė says that VMU maintains a constant dialogue with business representatives: “We organise business breakfasts. The opinions of business representatives and changes in the labour market are important to us as integrating business into the study content is one of the aspects of improving our studies.”

The university currently has more than 500 partners from the public and private sectors and more than 4,300 internship positions, where students undertake internships and, in many cases, remain employed.

According to the Vice-Rector, social partners contribute to the development of students’ practical skills by delivering lectures, providing opportunities for practical training in companies, solving specific company case studies and providing solutions, and participating in business and student hackathons.

In certain fields, partners work cooperatively; for instance, at VMU’s Faculty of Engineering, a business cluster comprising agricultural engineering and technology companies such as Dojus agro, Lytagra, EWA, Ivabaltė, and others has been established. These companies organise laboratory work and internships in their infrastructural facilities, participate in the preparation, improvement, and marketing of study programmes, organise and finance student traineeships, and award scholarships to students.

“We understand that businesses are interested in the swift preparation of employees. For certain specialities, vocational education or additional courses may indeed suffice. However, when looking at the long-term perspective and considering what makes a good employee, every employer will say that a good employee is capable of communicating in at least one foreign language, but preferably two or three. Moreover, a good employee is someone who can make prompt decisions in uncertain situations and work in a team. And this requires interdisciplinary knowledge, which can only be acquired through university studies,” affirms the Vice-Rector of VMU.

Dr. Pilkienė asserts that it is precisely VMU that is capable of preparing specialists of the highest level today: “Studies based on the concept of artes liberales are a distinctive feature of VMU not only in Lithuania, but also in the Baltic States. It emphasises interdisciplinarity, internationality, and the highest level of student individualisation.

In the recent international university assessment, one distinctive aspect was highlighted – VMU provides the most extensive range of opportunities for students. And it’s true – we are the higher education institution that has the most to offer to those who choose to study here.”

Provides opportunities for people of all ages to study

VMU provides opportunities for every bachelor’s or master’s student to choose from 50 minor study programmes, enabling them to study two study programmes simultaneously and gain an advantage in the labour market.

The university also offers the Entrepreneurship Academy’s internationally acclaimed Minded programme, which develops entrepreneurial competences and the creative thinking and problem-solving skills crucial for the future labour market, all while using innovative study methods.

Moreover, VMU offers the Academia Cum Laude individual study programme, which allows motivated bachelor’s students to go beyond their main studies, delve into their personal study topics, and work with top-level scientists, researchers, or renowned artists recognised as authorities in their fields.

The Vice-Rector is delighted that today the university offers not only a wide range of studies but also a diverse array of activities. “We have developed a lifelong learning ecosystem: we have a kindergarten, a centre for gifted children, a VMU school and classroom network, the World Lithuanian University, and we conduct all levels of university studies, as well as qualification courses, courses for the public, and other learning activities.

There is no other university in Lithuania with such a broad profile, offering people of all ages the opportunity to choose what and how to study. And we can ensure all of that,” says Dr. Pilkienė.

Article by news portal Delfi.lt

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.

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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