“ERASMUS+” training visit to Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar

On November 7–11 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) representatives – dean of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development assoc. prof. dr. Bernardas Vaznonis and director of Bioeconomy Research Institute, assoc.prof. at the Faculty of Engineering dr. Rytis Skominas visited Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar under the “ERASMUS+” programme.

Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar is an integrated,
accredited higher education institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, consisting of the eight faculties: Agromediterranean Faculty, Faculty of Economy, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Information Technologies, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Education and Faculty of Law. Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar is aiming to be a flexible, functional and socially responsible higher education institution, recognized in the region for its modern study programmes of all cycles, and oriented towards cooperation, internationalization and high quality.

During the visit VMU AA representatives had meetings with Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar International relation office and academic staff. There were discussed possibilities to collaborate in study and research fields. A visit was complemented by the tour at the Dzemal Bijedic University of Mostar with the aim to get acquainted with the scientific infrastructure.

Innovative ideas and solutions at the conference “AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change”

On October 26-27, the 4th international scientific conference “AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change” was held at the Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA). The participants of the conference shared knowledge on topics relevant to the agro-sector – the focus was on the soil health and carbon sequestration for sustainability, soil and crop management towards a chemical pesticide-free agriculture, biodiversity, crop and production diversification, precision farming and digital technologies, food quality and safety, climate change mitigation.

Seeks to focus efforts on finding ways to reduce pesticide use

Welcoming the participants, the chairman of the conference organizing committee, researcher of the Faculty of Agronomy of VMU Agriculture Academy, assoc. prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė was happy that this time the conference was held not online, but in a regular format. “This year, about a hundred participants from different countries: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Belgium, Turkey, Moldova, Brazil and others can meet and communicate in person. For researchers, this is a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, make connections, and for our students – to learn from the leaders in the field”, – said dr. Z. Kriaučiūnienė.

Head of the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy at VMU Agriculture Academy, prof. dr. Vaclovas Bogužas noticed that the conference, which is being organized for the fourth time, is characterized by an abundance of exceptional presentations and a great interest of scientists and students. “Sustainability of agroecosystems is a very relevant topic in today’s context, because, taking into account the Green Deal of the European Union (EU) and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, agriculture aims to reduce the use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers and maintain healthy soil. Many challenges arise in the implementation of these goals, scientists conduct research and look for the new solutions. This conference is a great opportunity to share research results and insights, to spread innovative ideas and to find solutions by pooling our strengths”, – dr. V. Bogužas emphasized the importance of the international conference.

The importance of research in finding relevant solutions

Emphasizing the relevance of the conference topics in the context of the EU Green Deal, chancellor of VMU Agriculture Academy prof. dr. Astrida Miceikienė pointed out that the topics are important for all states. “I am glad that scientists from different countries, institutions and different fields, who want to share knowledge, experience and cooperate in finding new solutions to global challenges, are participating in the conference. It is important to find the ways to achieve your goals with as little negative impact on the environment as possible. To illustrate this aspiration, it is worth sharing the idea of John Stalk, who states that if insects disappeared from the earth, the life of all the planet would disappear after the five decades, while if people disappeared, living nature would flourish just after the fifty years”, – said prof. dr. A. Miceikienė.

Kristina Simonaitytė, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania, speaking on behalf of the minister, drew attention to the issue of ensuring food supply, which has gained special importance on the political agenda due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and its impact on agricultural supply chains. According to the representative of the ministry, it is very important not to forget the continuing trends of climate change and biodiversity loss, which pose an increasing threat to the security of global food supply chains.

According to the vice-president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences academician prof. habil. dr. Zenonas Dabkevičius, although much attention is now being paid to the issue of climate change, the agricultural sector faces not only the problem of climate change, but also the equally challenging rise in the prices of all resources. “We can abandon some elements of agrotechnology, but we need to know to what and how to replace them. Modern agriculture requires modern knowledge and abilities, and for this it is necessary to have recommendations and solutions based on scientific research”, – said prof. habil. dr. Z. Dabkevičius, pointing to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the expected recommendations of the scientists.

A unique opportunity to get acquainted with innovative scientific research

Dean of the Faculty of Agronomy at VMU Agriculture Academy, assoc. prof. dr. Aida Adamavičienė emphasized that this international conference is an exceptional opportunity for the academic community to get acquainted with the innovative research and results of the scientists looking for solutions to the challenges of the agro-ecosector.

“We are the ones who have to take care that the soil be healthy, and that people eat healthy food, that there is no hunger, that we ensure the smooth functioning of important areas, that is why this conference is especially important. We are glad that many high-level scientists, who are conducting research related to the globally relevant topics of the organic agro-sector, have arrived from various countries. Scientists, presenting reports and participating in discussions, openly shared their experience and research. They are the leaders, who can contribute to the initiation of the adoption of laws that are extremely important for agriculture and to the attraction and retention of the young generation of scientists in the field of scientific research”, – assoc. prof. dr. A. Adamavičienė summed up.

VMU AA scientist visited the Polytechnic Institute of Beja

On November 8-11 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė from department of Environment and Ecology at Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, visited the Polytechnic Institute of Beja (Portugal), as part of the “Erasmus+” teaching programme.

The impact of agricultural activity on the environment, eutrophication of water bodies, changes in biodiversity, and prospects were discussed with students and faculty representatives. The possibilities for exchanges, studies, double diploma degrees, and internships at VMU AA were discussed with interested students and professors.

Prospective research collaborations and ways to improve scientific collaborations with staff members of the Department of Technologies and Applied Sciences at the Polytechnic Institute of Beja were explored on behalf of the International Responsible for Bachelor and Master of Environment Engineering, dr Jorge M. R. Tavares.

“Erasmus+” teaching mobility visit in the University of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) professor dr. Eglė Jotautienė and assoc. professor dr. Antanas Juostas from Department of Agricultural Engineering and Safety at the Faculty of Engineering visited the University of Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat (ALKU).

ALKU aims to provide qualified higher education in an international learning environment. ALKU has eight faculties (Business, Engineering, Medicine, Education, Tourism, Sport Sciences, Health Sciences, Dentistry), three graduate schools (Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences) and five vocational schools. The University offers variety of associate degree, undergraduate and graduate programs. With approximately 8000 students, the University has been growing rapidly since its establishment.

Professor dr. E. Jotautienė and assoc. professor dr. A. Juostas presented study programs and possibilities of “Erasmus+” mobility in VMU, and lectures on topic “Innovative technologies in agrimachinery”. During visiting ALKU time were taken to participate in International Congress on Sustainable Devopment in the Human Enviroment-Current and Future Challenges, where two presentations were presented: “Innovative technologies for safe food production and costs saving” in the plenery section and “Data Analysis of the Grain Harvester Remote Monitoring System Towards the Sustainable Development of Agriculture”. Professor Eglė Jotautienė was chairmen of the section in the Congress.

Prof. dr. Eglė Jotautienė

Congratulations on International Student Day!

Dear students of VMU Agriculture Academy,

We congratulate you on International Student Day! Be brave, ambitious, open to the future. Be a voice to the world!

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to the Estonian University of Life Sciences

On October 25-27 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy associated professor dr. Linas Stabingis of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development visited the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu under ERASMUS+ programme and provided lecturing on following topics “Principles of selection of software for accounting data processing“, „Evaluation of the quality of software used for accounting data processing“ and “Use of clouds based technologies for accounting data processing“. The lectures attended more than 35 bachelor students of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

During the meeting with senior lecturer Juri Lehtsaar there were discussed opportunities for scientific cooperation in areas of population financial literacy and students’ entrepreneurship development that could allow preparation of joint scientific publications.

Invitation to participate in online lectures of Visiting Professor Irina Pilvere

We kindly invite you to participate in the lectures of the visiting lecturer prof. dr. habil. Irina Pilvere.

The topic is “Bioeconomy Development: Challenges and Possibilities”.

The lectures will be held online on November 21 – December 2, 2022.

Registration and detailed lecture schedule.

We sincerely invite you to participate in the lectures to expand your field of knowledge!

VMU AA representatives visit to the Republic of South Korea

Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) chancellor prof. dr. A. Miceikienė and VMU AA international coordinator assoc. prof. dr. Ekaterina Makrickiene, invited by the Embassy of Lithuania in the Republic of South Korea, together with the delegation from the Ministry of agriculture visited Seoul – the capital of the Republic of South Korea.

The aim of the visit was to strengthen the partnerships with the current partner universities and to establish new connections for the cooperation both in scientific and study fields. The Embassy of Lithuania in the Republic of South Korea helped to organize the visits to the universities, and the ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania Ričardas Šlepavičius and the minister of agriculture Kęstutis Navickas joined the visits together with VMU AA delegates. During the visit, VMU AA delegates visited Seoul National University, Korea University, Chungnam National University, Jeonbuk National University and National Institute of Forest Research.

The representatives of the Korean institutions were invited to visit Lithuania. It is planned that the collaboration with the existing and new partners will be performed in the fields of common research, double diploma programmes, student and staff exchange in the priority research areas of VMU AA.

4th International Scientific Conference AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: “Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change”

On October 26–27 the 4^th International Scientific Conference AgroEco2022: Agroecosystem Sustainability: “Links between Carbon Sequestration in Soils, Food Security and Climate Change” will be held at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA).

Main scientific topics of the conference:

Soil health and carbon sequestration for sustainability
Soil and crop management towards a chemical pesticide-free agriculture
Biodiversity, crop and production diversification
Precision farming and digital technologies
Food quality and safety
Climate change mitigation

Programme and abstracts

Contact e-mail: agroeco@vdu.lt

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to high school “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs”

On October 11–13 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) associated professors of Faculty of Engineering Rytis Skominas and Raimondas Šadzevičius visited “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” according to the programme ERASMUS+. “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” is situated in Caen, France. The main goal of the school to provide its engineering students with a practical and operational opening to the civil engineering industry.

During the visit scientists R. Skominas and R. Šadzevičius had lectures about durability, repair, inspection and maintenance of hydraulic structures for master students from Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management study programmes.

VMU AA associated professors R. Skominas and R. Šadzevičius had meetings with International Relation office and academic staff, wherepossibilities to collaborate in study and research fields were discussed. A tour at the “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” took place with the aim to get acquainted with the scientific infrastructure. The Wawe Flume channel left a big impression. The 40 m long and 1.50 m deep wave channel has been installed at “Builders Ecole d’ingenieurs” since 2018. This equipment, which is unique in France, allows large-scale testing of the impact of swell on coastal equipment (dykes, jetties, coastal protection, etc.).