News Archives | Page 24 of 54 | VDU Žemės ūkio akademija

ERASMUS + teaching visit at Batumi State University

Prof. dr. Astrida Miceikienė from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) participated in Erasmus teaching visit at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU). During this visit, professor participated in the IV International Batumi week under the Erasmus+ program. The week is held within the framework of the academic and administrative staff exchange Erasmus+ program and aims to promote the internationalization of the university, popularize BSU, plan joint international programs and projects, and deepen cooperation. During 5 days, 9 professors from 5 European universities gave lectures to BSU students, and representatives of foreign partner international offices will conducted training on issues of effective management of exchange programs.

The academic and administrative staff of Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Mikolas Romeris University (Lithuania), Daugavpils University (Latvia), Wroclaw University (Poland), Coimbra Polytechnic Institute (Portugal) have been participating in the IV International Batumi Week.

The event served as a remarkable platform for students, academics, and professionals from across the globe to come together, celebrate cultural diversity, and foster international collaboration. With an array of engaging activities, interactive workshops, and enlightening presentations, Batumi State University successfully promoted cross-cultural understanding and provided participants with an enriching experience. The event aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where participants could exchange ideas, learn from each other, and build meaningful connections that transcend geographical boundaries.

The International Batumi Week featured a series of engaging workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics, spanning from global economics to sustainable development, intercultural communication to technological advancements. Prof. dr. A. Miceikienė gave lectures on the topic “Environmental taxation”, and presented Vytautas Magnus University and VMU Agriculture Academy, study programs and mobility of Erasmus+ possibilities in VMU Agriculture Academy.

The 4th International Batumi Week also served as a platform for students to explore opportunities for academic exchanges and collaborative projects. Representatives from partner universities shared information about study programs, research initiatives, and internship opportunities, encouraging students to embrace international experiences. This emphasis on global engagement will undoubtedly contribute to the development of well-rounded, culturally sensitive individuals ready to tackle the challenges of a globalized world.

Networking opportunities were plentiful throughout the event, with participants having the chance to connect with professionals from various industries. The International Batumi Week facilitated meaningful conversations, allowing attendees to establish valuable contacts, share ideas, and explore potential career paths in an international context. The event undoubtedly played a vital role in broadening horizons and opening doors to exciting global opportunities for both students and professionals.

International scientific conference „Research & Innovation, Educations ant Best Practice for Bioeconomy Development“

On June 5 at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) invites to participate at the international scientific conference „Research & Innovation, Educations ant Best Practice for Bioeconomy Development“.

Place: June 5 (Monday)
Time: 09.30-13:45
Place: VMU Agriculture Academy IV building  (Universiteto str. 8A, Akademija, Kaunas district)

VMU to Hold Graduation Ceremonies

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

On 16 June, a graduation ceremony will be held for graduates of the Faculty of Law.

On 20 June, diplomas will be awarded to first-cycle and second-cycle graduates of VMU Education Academy in Kaunas, as well as to graduates of vocational studies in Pedagogy. Certificates of teacher retraining modular studies of VMU Education Academy in Kaunas will also be awarded. A graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Faculty of Catholic Theology will also be held on this day.

On 21 June, a graduation ceremony will be held for the graduates of the Faculty of Economics and Management, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, as well as for the graduates of VMU Agriculture Academy (Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, and Faculty of Agronomy), and for the graduates of first-cycle and second-cycle studies and vocational studies in Pedagogy of VMU Education Academy in Vilnius. Certificates of teacher retraining modular studies of VMU Education Academy in Vilnius will be awarded as well.

On 22 June, diplomas will be awarded to graduates of the Faculty of Humanities. On 23 June, diplomas will be awarded to graduates of the Faculty of Informatics, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Music Academy.

Vytautas Magnus University’s diplomas will be solemnly awarded to the graduates in the premises of VMU.

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.

Contests for Teaching and Training Visits under Erasmus+ Programme

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

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

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

The announced contests are:

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

Scholarships Awarded to Students for Academic or Artistic Achievements

For the first time this year, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) announced a competition for scholarships for scientific or artistic achievements for VMU students, which aims to encourage students to pursue scientific or artistic activities.

Following the public announcement of the competition, 72 students in total have submitted their applications to present their scientific and/or artistic activities for the previous calendar year (2022). Candidates with at least one scientific publication, a conference presentation, or a public presentation of their work were eligible for the scholarship. Following an evaluation of the applications by a panel of experts, scholarships of 500 EUR (five hundred euros) were awarded to 14 students from different fields of study, who had the highest and most significant achievements, as assessed by the corresponding points of scientific (artistic) production and activities.

Scholarships were awarded:

  • Engineering Sciences and Technological Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bachelor’s study program Biotechnology.
  • Mathematical Sciences, Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Bachelor’s study program Biology and Genetics; to the student of the Faculty of Informatics, Bachelor’s study program Informatics Systems; to four master students of the VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences, study programmes of Applied Biotechnology, Biochemical Analysis, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology; to student of the Faculty of Informatics, master’s degree program Applied Mathematics.
  • Arts: to the student of the Music Academy, bachelor’s degree program Performing Arts.
  • Social Sciences, Law, Business, and Public Management: to a student of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, VMU Academy of Agriculture, a Bachelor’s study program Logistics and Commerce; to the Law student of the Faculty of Law.
  • Agricultural Sciences: to the student of the Faculty of Agronomy, Bachelor’s degree of Agronomy.
  • Humanities: to a student of the master’s degree program Comparative Cultural Studies at the Faculty of Humanities.
  • Educational Sciences: to the master’s student in Education study program at the Academy of Education.

The results of the scholarship competition for academic or artistic achievements were announced by sending a personal email to each student,  who participated in the competition (email send to VMU Outlook Mailbox).

More information:

  • Student centre (Student Affairs department)
  • AddressK. Donelaičio g. 52-111, LT-44244, Kaunas
  • Phone(8 37) 751 175
  • Emailstudentas@vdu.lt

Landscape design afternoon at VMU AA: meeting with the president of IFLA and opening of the exhibition

Vytautas Magnus University Academy of Agriculture (VMU AA) invites to the “Landscape Design Afternoon” on June 5. During the event, the exhibition of the European region of the International Union of Landscape Architects (IFLA) “Rethinking Nature” will be opened, VMU AA Landscape Design studies will be presented, the afternoon participants will have the opportunity to hear IFLA President Bruno Marques’ presentation “IFLA is all of us: why we need a unified landscape architect profession ?”.

International Union of Landscape Architects (IFLA) European Regional Exhibition “Rethinking Nature”

The exhibition presents large and small-scale landscape architecture projects from 20 countries (including Lithuania), which are in harmony with nature and use nature-based solutions. The exhibition will be open until June 30, 2023.

IFLA is all of us: why we need a unified landscape architecture profession

Although the world has changed a lot since its inception, the International Union of Landscape Architects (IFLA) and landscape architects around the world are fighting the same battles. We are a 21st century profession and well equipped to deal with the pressures that will shape new lifestyles and creativity for generations to come. This talk will review the state of the profession and present the essential role landscape architects play in advancing the profession by demanding the highest standards of education, training, research and professional practice. Together, we will continue to raise awareness of landscape architecture around the world and promote the sustainable management and design of our natural and built environments.

Jacqueline McIntosh and Bruno Marques at Zealandia

REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT

Event date: June 5. (Monday)

Event time: 1:00 p.m.

Place of the event: VMU AA Central palace 505 aud. (Studentų str. 11, Akademija, Kaunas district)

More information:

Lekt. Mantas Pilkauskas

mantas.pilkauskas@vdu.lt,

+370 615 78995

The Erasmus+ project “Medical beekeeping – for beekeepers”

Bees provide a crucial ecological service by pollinating plants, which is essential for plant life. Beekeepers use these insects to harvest honey, pollen, bee pitch, royal jelly, wax, bee venom, and other useful and helpful elements for health. These products, however, must be produced in a secure and proper way.

The Erasmus+ project “Medical beekeeping – for beekeepers” (MEDI-BEEB) addresses these issues. Adnan Menderes University (Turkey) is the project coordinator, project partners include the Confederation of Italian Farmers of Umbria, Onsekiz Mart University of Cenakale, Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences, Aydin Province Beekeepers’ Association, and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). The third meeting of the project “Medical beekeeping for beekeepers” took place on May 16-17 at the Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences (Poland). Prof. dr. Virginija Dulskienė and assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė of the Department of Environment and Ecology at the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology at VMU Agriculture Academy participated in the meeting. The training materials being prepared in a virtual environment, where video topics of best practice examples are discussed to diversify, develop and increase the value of the production produced by beekeepers and its application for apitherapy purposes. Soon this information will also be available on the project website and mobile app. The final meeting of the project will be held on November 8-9 at Vytautas Magnus University.

More information about the project can be found at the project website: https://www.medibeeb.eu/

SKF company representative visited VMU Agriculture Academy

SKF (Luton, UK) company Operation manager and Visual management expert Colin Chapman 24-28 April 2023 visited Faculty of Engineering at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA). SKF is worldwide know company (distributors can also be find in Lithuania). SKF opened its first UK sales office in London during 1910 and the following year bearing production commenced in Luton, at its first manufacturing facility outside of Sweden. Today, SKF Limited has 13 locations throughout the UK, including ten manufacturing facilities (four rolling bearings and six machined seals), with approximately 1,250 employees. One of SKF office is located in Lithuania as well.

SKF was listed as one of the world’s most sustainable companies by both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for Europe. SKF has achieved a Platinum Medal from EcoVadis, one of the world’s most trusted providers of sustainable ratings for use in supply chains on 15th December 2022 (Gothenburg). This is the third year SKF has been awarded the Platinum medal and now ranks in the top 1 percent of all companies assessed by EcoVadis. In addition, SKF has received an A- Climate Change rating from the CDP, the global non-profit that runs the world’s largest climate and environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions.

University students have got acquainted with the principles of development of engineering management and types of engineering management in a world-class company. Students were introduced to CDP Climate Change and 5S visual management score that provides a snapshot of a company’s disclosure and environmental performance. The scoring methodology provides a comparable dataset across the market. Visual management technique enables production operatives to identify “abnormal vs normal” in the workplace using the “at a glance concept”. This in the fast pace of manufacturing saves time and reduces waste which in turn make the facility more profitable (delivering a quality product to the customer on time and in good quality. The sort stage of 5s sorts necessary from unnecessary (basically sorting through items of little to no value to items of value and need) clears the work place of clutter and only relevant and needed items remain.

5s is now part of the culture at SKF Luton which was first developed by the car manufacturer Toyota.

To earn leadership recognition, companies must show environmental leadership, disclosing action on climate change. Setting new standards and creating partnerships to contribute to the development of clean technology solutions, improvements in energy efficiency, and the needed reduction of CO2 emissions across industries. SKF solutions play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions across a range of industrial applications. SKF also committed to decarbonizing them entire production by 2030 and having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in our full value chain by 2050.

VISIT OF TEACHERS OF VMU AGRICULTURE ACADEMY TO CZECH UNIVERSITY OF LIFE SCIENCES PRAGUE

The teachers of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) assoc. prof. dr. Midona Dapkienė (Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Engineering) and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė (Department of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) according to Erasmus+  Mobility agreement on May 8th to 12th 2023. The University is located in the city of Irbid, about 20 km from the Syrian border.

Jordan University of Science and Technology offers 143 undergraduate and graduate (MSc and PhD) degrees through its fifteen faculties and institutes. More than 23 000 students are currently enrolled at JUST, international students comprise approximately 15% of students.

The Faculty of Engineering joined the Jordan University of Science and Technology in 1986. The Civil Engineering Department is one of eight departments in this Faculty and includes 45 members with several research interests. The Department has laboratory facilities that are furnished with high quality state-of-the-art equipment facilitating advanced experimental work for teaching, research and consultancy.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy had an opportunity to familiarize with the study process and research at JUST, to visit the laboratories of the Faculty. The head of Department of Civil Engineering professor Ayman Nureddin Ababneh and professor and senior consultant of civil and environmental engineering Wa’il Abu-El-Sha’r introduced the methodologies and innovative equipment used at laboratories of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics, Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineerings, Materials of Construction.

Assoc. prof. dr. M. Dapkienė and assoc. prof. dr. D. Šileikienė presented the VMU Agricultural Academy to the University’s academic community and students, participated in a discussion regarding the possibilities of the joint projects in the field of environmental engineering.

The representatives of VMU Agriculture Academy discussed with academic exchange section assistant Rola Hseinat about Erasmus+ mobility perspectives. They encouraged the students of the Faculty to use mobility opportunities.

During the visit to Jordan, there was also an opportunity to visit Petra, a historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The Student Survey “Teaching and Learning Evaluation” is Underway

At the end of each semester, all students of bachelor, master, integrated and professional studies are invited to share their opinion about teachers’ and their own work during the study courses. The Spring semester survey has started at University, and it will be open until the 14th of June.

The link to the survey Teaching and learning evaluation can be found on the main window of the Student Portal, the survey is anonymous. Students have a possibility to follow the data on the participation in the survey as they can see the number and percentage of questionnaires received for each study course on the Student Portal.

The survey is of a summative nature, so teachers will be able to respond to students’ suggestions while preparing for the study courses of the next semesters. While the survey is ongoing, teachers can monitor the information about student participation on the Teacher Portal, and they will be able to get acquainted with students’ responses from the middle of June.

Teachers are asked to encourage students to take part in the survey Teaching and learning evaluation.

More information: