Third Transnational Partners Meeting of the Erasmus+ project “The digital Blue Career to overcome the Carbon Crisis – Innovations in Aquaculture Curriculum” [DiBluCa] at the Dubrovnik University

The third partner meeting of the international Erasmus+ project “The Digital Blue Career to overcome the Carbon Crisis – Innovations in Aquaculture Curriculum ” (DiBluCa, No. 2023-1-LT01-KA220-HED-000154247) was held on January 21–22 at the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia).

During the meeting, the curriculum, which was developed by researchers from the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Thessaly, was discussed, and the educational materials were analysed and further developed. The overarching objective of the project is to prepare a higher education and training program that is aligned with the future needs of the aquaculture sector, as well as comprehensive educational materials that address the impact of climate change on aquaculture. The initiative will also entail the creation of an e-learning platform comprising interactive modules, complemented by a handbook and an e-book, which will be available in English and the partner countries’ languages.

The educational modules are to encompass a range of topics, including the impact of climate change on water quality, breeding and biotechnology in aquaculture, shifts in feeding practices, adaptation of aquaculture systems, the influence of climate change on the environment and diseases, and preventive measures. The dissemination of these educational materials will be conducted during events in the partner countries, with the objective of sharing project results and best practices. These results are of particular significance for Ukraine, as they will contribute to enhancing the quality of education in the domain of aquaculture and assist the country in addressing challenges in the aquaculture sector that have been exacerbated by the war.

The second day of the meeting included a technical visit to the University of Dubrovnik’s Laboratory for Mariculture, located in Bistrina, Malostonski Bay, the largest production area of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) in the Mediterranean. Since 2023, the laboratory has operated a new hatchery for growing juvenile European flat oysters, which have the capacity to adapt for the breeding of other mollusk species. This ensures a steady and high-quality supply of juveniles for the local mollusk industry. Additionally, the laboratory participates in educational programs, such as “Most za znanost,” which introduces schoolchildren to mollusk ecology and breeding, thus contributing to the dissemination of marine biology knowledge.

Meeting participants engaged in deliberations concerning strategies for dissemination, the initiation of pilot training sessions within each participating nation, the organization of dissemination events, and a range of additional organizational and project-related matters. The project partners include the following institutions: Balikesir University (Turkey), the University of Dubrovnik (Croatia), the National Odesa Technological University (Ukraine), the University of Thessaly (Greece), and the coordinator, Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania).

The final project meeting is scheduled to take place in September 2025 at Balikesir University (Turkey), where an international conference dedicated to the dissemination of project results will be held.

The project implementation period is from November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2025.

BOVA meeting took place at VMU Agriculture Academy

The BOVA meeting held on January 16–17 at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Agriculture Academy covered a range of key developments for the network, which unites agricultural universities in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. During the meeting, the BOVA financial report for 2024 was presented and approved, signaling the network’s financial transparency and planning. The approval of funding for 12 short courses, with four of them hosted by VMU Agriculture Academy, marked a continued commitment to providing advanced education opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary sciences.

The meeting also focused on strategic matters, such as the discussion and development of a new BOVA strategy and the 2025 action plan. This forward-thinking approach is designed to strengthen collaboration among the member institutions and enhance the impact of BOVA’s educational offerings and research initiatives.

Additionally, BOVA’s 30th anniversary conference the planning, which promises to be a significant milestone for the network was initiated. Established in 1996, BOVA has been integral in promoting educational exchanges, research collaborations, and the development of joint programs across the Baltic region. Its involvement with the NOVABA program from 1996 to 2000, focusing on master’s-level courses, laid a strong foundation for its current work.

Since the establishment of the BOVA secretariat in 2002, largely supported by the K&A Wallenberg Foundation, the network has continued to thrive. The secretariat, which is now managed by the member universities, including Estonian University of Life Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, VMU Agriculture Academy, and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Veterinary Academy, coordinates various activities such as joint research projects, short courses, and the creation of collaborative networks in the agricultural sector.

Through initiatives like these, BOVA continues to contribute to the advancement of higher education and research in agriculture and related fields across the Baltic states and beyond.

Webinar. E-commerce: friend or foe?

Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of online shopping? Yet e-commerce poses many challenges not only in the EU but worldwide. The rise of companies like Shein and Temu, offering inexpensive products or that often fail to meet EU product standards and safety regulations and the staggering speed with which the number of e-commerce imports increases, has made e-commerce reform a highly debated topic. How should the EU address safety concerns? How does e-commerce impact the level playing field for EU companies? What would the removal of de minimis mean in practice?

The webinar will explore the following issues:

Why is e-commerce a problem: volumes and lack of checks
The EU UCC Reform response to the e-commerce problem
Practical challenges and potential consequences of EU’s proposal
Alternative proposals

REGISTRATION

Select the option in the registration form > CKC/LCPA Member
It is recommended to use VMU email for registration.

If you want to receive news about webinars and other activities, VMU staff can connect to CKI platform. You do not need to pay anything, as the VMU pays membership fee and the number of staff is not limited. Here are the instructions on how to get CKC membership.

1. Find the website

2. Click on the ‘Join CKC’ button in the upper right corner.

3. Fill in the application form using a personal VMU email.

In the section ‘Type of Membership’ choose Company or Organization and then option ‘Apply and pay after receipt of an invoice’ (no payment should be done).

At the end press the ‘Send’ button.

4. Users should receive automatic replies about their registration.

5. After receiving application forms I will manually (not immediately) grant access and send a link to set up a password.

Using this link, users can come up with their password and enjoy communication on the CKC forum.

If you or other users will have any questions, please contact me by email community@customsknowledgeinstitute.org.

Erasmus+ blended intensive programme “Wildlife Management and Conservation in Human Altered Ecosystems” implemented at the Faculty of Forestry and Ecology

In November of 2024 Erasmus BIP “Wildlife Management and Conservation in Human Altered Ecosystems” has been implemented at the Faculty of Forestry and Ecology of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA). This programme introduced participating students to currently relevant topics of wildlife management and conservation in forest and agricultural ecosystems.

There were 31 students from 9 universities participating in the program: students from Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Karelia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University of Agriculture in Krakow (Poland), Brasov University of Transylvania (Romania), Shota Rustaveli State University of Batumi (Sakhartvelli), L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan), University of Lodz (Poland) and Polytechnic Institute Unilasalle (France).

The programme consisted of theoretical and practical training, including online lectures and a week of face-to-face training at the Faculty of Forestry and Ecology. The intensive programme included discussions moderated by the lecturers, independent learning and presentations by the students, as well as study tours to the European Bison Reservation in Dzūkija National Park and an educartional hunt at the VMU AA educational hunting site.

The programme provided students with a deeper understanding of wildlife management in different socio-economic contexts in a wide range of northern and southern European countries: the management of large predator populations (brown bears, wolves) and conflicts with society, the role of wildlife populations in forest ecosystems and agriculture. It also touched upon the very important aspects of wildlife population management in the context of climate change in fire-affected ecosystems.

The content of the programme and the expertise of the lecturers allowed students to gain knowledge and practical experience of contemporary wildlife population management in different regions of Europe, including EU protected species (e.g. the impact of human disturbance on alpine populations in regions of high tourism intensity and the management of non-significantly abundant indigenous game, as well as the management of invasive animal species).

The course included an educational excursion to the Čepkeliai State Reserve and a cultural programme at the Dzūkija National Park Visitor Centre. The cultural programme ended with a tasting of Dzūkija national dishes.

The practical experience of educational hunting was an exceptional part of the course programme. According to the students’ feedback in the questionnaire, this was the most significant event of the programme, an exceptional opportunity to see hunting areas in Lithuania and to get acquainted with the traditions of Lithuanian hunters. According to the students’ expressions of gratitude, it was an experience they will remember for a long time and impressions they will share when they return to their universities.

The programme was taught by 5 lecturers from the VMU Academy of Agriculture (Prof. Dr. Gediminas Brazaitis, Dr. Michael Manton, Dr. Artūras Kibiša, Dr. Renata Špinkytė-Bačkaitienė and Doc. Mindaugas Bakševičius) and 6 professors from partner universities – Dr. Edgars Dubrovskis (Latvia), Dr. Mari Hautala (Finland), Prof. dr. hab. inż. Michał Ciach (Poland), Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Ionescu and Darius Hardalau (Romania), and Prof. Dr. Charles Ruffner (USA).

The main outputs of the programme were student presentations on the wildlife population management system in their country and presentations on topics prepared by the lecturers in advance, in groups of 4-5 students.

The Erasmus BIP programme was organized and coordinated by dr. Jolanta Stankevičiūtė, assistant professor of the Department of Forest Sciences and dr. Monika Medikienė, International coordinator of VMU AA.

Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The Erasmus+ project GREENEUR has been launched, in which scientists from the VMU AA will develop an environmental impact calculator for EU-funded projects

The GreenEUR project was launched on 1 October 2024. The project is coordinated by the University of Lorraine (France) and partnered by Eskişehir Technical University (Turkey), the University of Vigo (Spain), the European University Foundation (EUF) and Vytautas Magnus University.

In recent years, the European Union has prioritized sustainable development, with ambitious goals to integrate environmental responsibility across all its initiatives. These priorities are embedded in EU policies that increasingly seek to address the environmental impact of projects funded under Erasmus+ and beyond. While many EU-funded projects contribute positively to education, research, and innovation, they also generate an ecological footprint—from travel and materials to energy consumption and waste. However, without a standardised framework for assessing their impact, the environmental risks linked to these activities remain unaddressed.

The GreenEURproject sets out to change this by creating a green label that evaluates the environmental impact of EU-funded projects, providing a first-of-its-kind approach for sustainability in project planning and implementation. This label, alongside tools such as a user-friendly impact calculator and detailed assessment guidelines, will empower project leaders to minimize ecological impact from the outset. Through these resources, the GreenEURproject aims to support and motivate project leaders, EU institutions, and evaluators to adopt eco-conscious practices, contributing to a collective effort for a greener future.

Project title: Assess and label the environmental sustainability of European projects.

Period: 2024-2026

Funding: Erasmus+ Key Action 2, total budget: 300790 EUR

Key project results:

Environmental Impact Calculator: a quantitative tool to assess the sustainability performance of projects, helping stakeholders to identify and mitigate environmental risks.

Green Label: a clear and accessible label awarded to projects based on their environmental performance, increasing transparency and promoting best practice.

Guidelines and Handbook: A comprehensive guide tailored for a wide range of stakeholders – project managers, EU institutions and national agencies – describing environmentally friendly practices and key indicators for project evaluation.

Policy Guidance: A set of recommendations for EU policy makers to promote green practices and integrate sustainability into project appraisal processes.

With practical tools and a long-term vision, GreenEURproject aims to become a benchmark for environmental transparency, helping projects to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable objectives.

Website

Apply Now: Arts Festival for Students in France

Jean Monnet University, partner of the Transform4Europe (T4EU) Alliance, invites students of VMU and other T4EU universities to take the stage at Fest’U 2025, an arts festival held in Saint-Etienne, France on 21-23 May. Registration deadline is 8 January.

The festival invites students with a passion for performing: musicians, actors, comedians, dancers, or emerging artists. Fest’U provides a unique opportunity for the students to appear in front of a large audience: it brings together nearly 3,200 spectators and 300 artists.

Fest’U is an annual celebration of the arts in all their forms. From music bands to acoustic duos, stand-up comedy to cinema-themed activities, and a freestyle space, the festival is brimming with creative energy. This year, special spots are reserved for international T4EU students who wish to showcase their talent on stage.

According to the organisers, participation in the event is a great opportunity to perform in front of an enthusiastic and welcoming audience. Moreover, the performance can be combined with the T4EU course offer, and benefit from a Erasmus+ BIP financial support. Finally, it is an unforgettable experience, which allows students to collaborate with artists, enrich their artistic journey, and enjoy a unique cultural immersion.

Funding

Limited scholarships are available to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

More information is provided by email at Transform4Europe@vdu.lt.

Fest’U Photos

Fest’U Aftermovie

Registration

VMU Agriculture Academy Chancellor’s holiday greetings

Apply Now: Transform4Europe Buddy Programme for students

Vytautas Magnus University has opened a call for students’ applications to join the Transform4Europe Buddy Programme. This initiative offers students the opportunity to participate in an international academic and cultural exchange, supporting incoming community members from partner universities and contributing to the integration and engagement efforts of the Transform4Europe network. Applications can be submitted online before 31 December.

The Buddy Programme is part of the broader Transform4Europe (T4EU) initiative, which unites eleven universities across Europe in fostering an inclusive, multi-campus university. The program is designed to assist incoming students from partner universities in adapting to their new academic, social, and cultural environments. Buddies play a crucial role in this process, ensuring that incoming community members feel supported, engaged, and integrated into their host institution and city.

Participants in the Buddy Programme will assist incoming students by welcoming them upon arrival, providing academic and administrative guidance, and facilitating their cultural and social integration. Furthermore, Buddies will have the opportunity to contribute to the planning and implementation of T4EU events, including cultural activities and other programs and initiatives, ensuring these events are inclusive and impactful.

Participation in the Buddy Programme also offers significant benefits to students. Buddies will receive priority access to T4EU mobility programs and initiatives, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development through the enhancement of intercultural communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

The call is open to students enrolled in Bachelor, Master, or PhD programs at Vytautas Magnus University. Applicants should possess a good command of English (B2 level or higher), demonstrate knowledge about their university and city, and exhibit enthusiasm and commitment to supporting international community members.

Applications shall be submitted via the online application form by 31 December. For further information or assistance, please contact Transform4Europe@vdu.lt.

This call represents an excellent opportunity for Vytautas Magnus University students to engage in meaningful international collaboration and contribute to building a connected European academic community.

Students and Teachers – New Partnerships in Customs

Sustainability and professional development are becoming the most important elements in today’s customs sector. With increasing demands to integrate sustainability principles into the business and public sectors, it is necessary to constantly update knowledge and strengthen cooperation with social partners. This mission will be continued at the conference “Customs Current Affairs and Sustainability” on 12th December 2024, where Assoc. Prof. Dr. Milita Vienažindienė, Head of the Department of Business and Rural Development Management of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of VMU ŽŪA and Chair of the Business Logistics Committee of the Master’s Programme, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erika Besusparienė, Chair of the Customs Process Management Committee of the MBA programme, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilma Tamulienė, Chair of the Logistics and Commerce Committee of the Bachelor’s programme, deepened their knowledge in the most relevant areas of customs.

The event was organised by the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania together with the Customs Practitioners Association, of which VMU is a member. The event became an excellent platform not only for the application of theoretical knowledge, but also for strengthening relations with social partners. In the modern global context, the sustainability and effectiveness of customs institutions’ activities require continuous professional development and cooperation with various institutions.

VMU Faculty of Bioeconomic Development teachers with Customs Practitioners Association Head E. Naujoke

The conference focused on key aspects of the customs reform, including the digitalisation of customs procedures, the entry into force of new regulations and the practical implications of their implementation. The application of the EU Deforestation Regulation, which has become one of the most important sustainability issues, was discussed, as well as the adaptation of companies to new requirements, product passports and certification. Much attention was also paid to the use of artificial intelligence tools to more effectively manage the implementation of sustainability standards and ensure smoother movement of goods through customs. Enrika Naujokė, head of the Customs Practitioners Association, presented the customs knowledge assistant PICOCO, which will help simplify complex customs and international trade procedures. These topics not only highlighted the importance of sustainability, but also the need to constantly update knowledge and adapt to changing regulations to ensure the effective development of the customs sector.

The conference participants, including students, teachers and practitioners, emphasised the importance of education as a key factor contributing to the formation of a sustainable and responsible professional community in the customs field. The teachers of the VMU Faculty of Bioeconomy Development are pleased that the students of the MBA programme Customs Process Management are actively involved in the activities of the Customs Practitioners Association, creating valuable contacts with professionals and strengthening the knowledge base. At the conference, the teachers had the opportunity to meet with alumni and current students of the MBA programme Customs Process Management.

The conference “Customs Current Affairs and Sustainability” has become an important step not only for professional development, but also for ensuring long-term sustainability in the customs field.

Applications are now open for the autumn 2025 semester, and teachers are inviting international candidates interested in customs and logistics to apply via https://vytautasmagnus.dreamapply.com/ . Don’t miss the opportunity to join our programme and explore the field of customs management and international trade:

31st International Scientific-Practice Conference “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY 2025”

It gives us immense pleasure to invite You to the 31^st International Scientific-Practice Conference “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY 2025”, which will take place in Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania, 7–9 May, 2025. The annual conference “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY” is organized on occasion of the International Days of Health, Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety & Health.

The aim of the Conference is to discuss interrelated human safety & health and environment protection problems, present the results of the newest research and to create opportunities for scientists and young researchers to share the research results not only among researchers and students, but also between farmers, agricultural experts, representatives from forestry and other sectors. Also, to promote a safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Sections of the Conference:

Biosystem Engineering;
Environment and Health;
Ecology, Nature-based Solutions, Sustainable Forestry.

Conference Seminars:

Medicinal (Aromatic) Plants (MAP’s) Research Traditions, Contemporary Trends, Innovations and their Rational Use (7^th May 2025, VMU Botanical Garden, 12:00-16:00).
Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions (9^th May 2025).

Important dates:

until 10^th February 2025 – registration;
until 7^th March 2025 – publication submission;
until 21^st March 2025 – participation fee;
until 31^stMarch 2025 – editorial board decision on the suitability of the article for printing.

Scientific articles will be published in the selected papers of 31^st International Scientific-Practice Conference “ŽMOGAUS IR GAMTOS SAUGA 2025 / HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY 2025”. Edition of the selected papers is indexed by Central & Eastern European Academic Source (EBSCO).

Contacts:
Chairperson of Organizing Committee – acad. prof. dr. Egidijus Šarauskis
Tel. +370 686 47539;
E-mail: egidijus.sarauskis@vdu.lt
Conference administrator – Nijolė POŠKIENĖ
Tel. +370 37 752357;
E-mail: nijole.poskiene@vdu.lt

Conference e-mail: zmogaus.sauga@vdu.lt

Conference website: https://zgs.vdu.lt/en

Conference events will be organized in-person.