Visit to the Khmelnitsky National University

Professor Juozas Padgurskas (Institute of the Transport and Machinery Engineering) visited Khmelnitsky National University on 02 – 06 December2019 (https://www.khnu.km.ua/root/page.aspx?l=0&r=8&p=26880).

Khmelnitsky National University – is the largest higher educational institution in Podolia region. The University was founded in 1962.

The main aim of the visit is to provide a course of lectures on green tribology, engineering materials testing, to educate the students who can follow engineering testing developments and apply it in the research.

Prospects for further cooperation in the educational field were discussed in the meeting with V. Oleksandrenko, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering mechanics, S. Posonsky, the Deputy Dean, A. Dykha, the Head of the Department of Tribology, Automobiles and Materials Science and with the staff of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Mandziuk I., Prysiazhna K. and Ivanishena T.

ERASMUS+ teaching visit to Cady Ayyad university, Morocco

Assoc. prof. dr. Dalia Perkumiene and lecturer dr. Rasa Pranskuniene from Bioeconomy Development Faculty, Business and Rural Development Research Institute have visited Cady Ayyad university, (Morroco) during the 24th – 30th of November. They were invited by prof. Youssef Makloul and PhD student Jaouad Chaab from National School of Commerce and Management in Marrakesh. PhD student Jaouad Chaab, writing the PhD thesis about sustainable development and responsible tourism, has spent 2019 spring semester at VDU Agriculture Academy. During their visit Dalia and Rasa presented the lectures for the fifth year students in the fields of Law and Tourism and the communicative aspects via the use of the social networks like channels of communication. As well, they discussed the possibilities for exchange studies at VDU Agriculture Academy. During the stay at the Cady Ayyad University the possible cooperation in research, the inter-university cooperation within the framework of the Erasmus+ program establish and strengthen the scientific cooperation were discussed as well.

Cady Ayyad university is a university in Marrakesh and one of the largest universities in Morocco. Cady Ayyad university was established in 1978 and operates institutions in the Marrakesh-Safi region of Morocco in four main cities, including Kalaa of Sraghna, Essaouira and Safi in addition to Marrakesh. Cady Ayyad University has 13 institutions which are: Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, Faculty of Law, Economic and Social Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacie, National School of Applied Sciences, National School of Commerce and Management and Ecole Normale Supérieure, all in Marrakesh; Ecole Supérieure de Technologie in Essaouira; University Center in Kelaa of Essraghna; Ecole Supérieure de Technologie, Faculté Polydisciplinaire and National School of Applied Sciences in Safi.

Building networks for the future starts

Vice dean of Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology dr. Aida Stiklienė and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė from the Institute of Environment and Ecology visited the University of Applied sciences (AERES) during the 02 – 06 of December. At the beginning of training mobility was visit to university, to Agri Innovation Centre and meeting in International Cooperation Department. During International visit we met participants from more than 15 countries and colleagues of Aeres. Participants shared their experience of billaterial study changes, and discussed the possibilities of future study collaboration during the meetings. dr. Aida Stiklienė and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė visited the main laboratories of animals welfare, greenhouses of Aeres.

ERASMUS+ training visit to University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

In November 25–29 associated professor Rytis Skominas from the Faculty of Water and Land Management and associated professor Bernardas Vaznonis from the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development participated in 7th International Staff Week, organized by University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. During International Staff Week the biggest attention was given for Erasmus+ mobility organization problems, Erasmus digitalization possibilities (Erasmus without papers), preparation of double and joint degree programmes, improvement of intercultural communication and language skills, presentation of different departments of University of South Bohemia. The Staff Week had the following elements: lectures, group discussions using a brainstorming format, workshops.

During the visit to University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice not only training activities were attended, but also were discussed future collaboration possibilities in research and study projects between VMU and University of South Bohemia.

Vytautas Magnus University visited Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain)

The head of Entrepreneurship Laboratory Aistė Čapienė, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development Vytautas Magnus University was visited Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) under the ERASMUS+ staff training programme during 18 – 22 of November. 2019. A.Čapienė was attended in the courses “19th STP Valencia: Languages & IT training for university staff”. The main objective of this course program was had strengthened oral communication skills and increased competence in the English language. Participants jump at the opportunity to improve the key professional skills working on the technical and social abilities in an authentic international setting. There is no doubt that the programme brought together representatives of universities from different European countries: Sweden, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Slovenia, France, Germany and etc.

During this staff training week the most important topic was ‘Communication skills’ working in international area. How to communicate and understand people from different counties? How to guarantee international project success? How to understand international student’s behavior at lectures and help them with difficulties? All the participants shared their various experience form different universities, discussed the issues and found the way how to be capable of communicating and accept people for what they are. It was worth develop communication and English language skills, receive expert training and know-how on building capacities and partnerships among universities.

During the visit was been presented Faculty of Bioeconomy Development and Entrepreneurship Laboratory. Aistė Čapienė had discussions about the possibilities for cooperation in projects, common scientific articles, student’s and lecturer’s exchange opportunities between institutions.

HORIZON 2020 event „2020 SOCIETIES BROKERAGE in Bratislava, Slovakia

In 12-12 November, 2019 assoc. prof. Jolita Greblikaite and lecturer Rolandas Rakstys (Facultyr of Bioeconomy Development) were participating in HORIZON 2020 event „2020 SOCIETIES BROKERAGE in Bratislava, Slovakia.. The event eas dvoted for presenting particular Horizon 2020 programmes as well as particular tips and new rules of new Horizon programme were presented. The event was important in terms of managing and writing proposals (new rules). Brokerage meetings were held as well. Participant were from different countries: Project managers, researchers, administrative staff.

Erasmus+ training visit at Delft University of Technology

On 4-8 November, Vytautas Magnus University Faculty of Bioeconomy Development Entrepreneurship Laboratory administrator Deimena Montvydaitė was visiting Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands) as Erasmus+ training visit. During the visit, D. Montvydaitė participated in “TU Delft International Staff Exchange Event”, organized by TU Delft Guest Centre. The event brought together representatives of universities from different European countries: Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Austria, Turkey, etc. The main goal of the Event was to share the knowledge and experience from different universities in order to learn from each other. The major topics, discussed during the training, were: Admission and Student Exchange, International Partnerships, Strategic Development, Corporate Policy Affairs, Global Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, Entrepreneurship, Student Drop Out, Working with Alumni Relations to reach the goals of university etc.

In the Event there was considered the latest admission processes at TU Delft, trends in admission over the past years and general admission developments within the Netherlands. All the participants shared their experience form different universities and discussed the issues on student admission. Talking about international relationships, there were debated trends and developments within international partnerships, preferred partnerships and international cooperation. In the Event there was also presented the main strategic principles of the TU Delft and further elaborate on the process of getting to the strategic framework. In the field of global engagement, there were discussed the issues related to developing and implementing a global engagement framework/strategy, managing (strategic) partnership programmes and creating global impact. Representatives of the universities shared their experience in the strategic and global engagement fields as well. During the Event, participants were introduced to The Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship, which provides education programs at bachelor and master level and contributes to PhD training as well as other teaching programs. What is more, The Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship has the vision to be a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation research and education. In terms of students drop out, there was highlighted the aim at quality, not quantity and the importance to make sure that students’ choice for university is thought through. More interactivity and dialogue in the study choice process, was discussed. Talking about engagement of the alumni community, there was held a debate about alumni role in strategic decisions and communicative processes. In all the sessions participants discussed their own universities strengths as well as problem areas and searched for solutions while sharing different experiences. Beside the knowledge learning, the Event included campus tour, that allowed participants to get a closer look at individual units’ work spaces of TU Delft.

Erasmus training visit at Delft University of Technology and participation at “TU Delft International Staff Exchange Event” provided an opportunity to explore the different cultures of different universities, to share the experience and to gain knowledge on current issues, as well as to establish contacts for potential future cooperation.

SMARTRURAL project – 1st Meeting

Assoc. prof. Aušra Rutelionė and dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty, Business and Rural Development Research Institute has attended the first meeting of partners in the Erasmus + KA203 project – Strategic Partnerships for higher education Towards smart rural tourism development in Europe (acronym SMARTRURAL). The first meeting of partners took place at Eskisehir Osmangazi Universitesi in Turkey from 7th to 10th of November. The meeting was attended by representatives of 7 Universities, including: Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithunia), Unipegaso (Italy), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Economics in Prague (Czech Republic), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland) and Alicante University (Spain).

The project, which has a 24-month implementation period, aims to create the training content required for developing smart applications and creating smart business models in rural tourism destinations. It is important to build an open training platform that will support the development of rural areas.

On the first day, all partners presented the profile of their universities and scope of activity in the project during a meeting with the authorities, employees and students of the host university. The meeting was attended by the Rector Prof. Dr. Kamil Çolak, Vice Rector Professor Dr. Rifat Edizkan and Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Professor Dr. Yasar Sari, who is also the responsible person for the project from the Turkish side. After the official presentation, representants of consortium worked on a plan for future project activities. On the second day, the partners visited the Municipality of Inönü, where they met with Mayor Kadir Bozkurt and had a short visit to the touristic destinations. After meeting with officials they started discussing individual activities and setting priorities for the next reporting period in the project. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the next meeting would take place at the end of March 2020 at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi: Visiting teacher under European Union ERASMUS+ Programme, November 2019

Professor Olaniyi Jacob Babayemi, is from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. He is a former Head of Department of Animal Science and the present Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture of the same University. He is a specialist in Ruminant Production and Management. He teaches ruminant nutrition, pasture and range management, conservation and utilization by cattle, sheep and goats. He handles the Bachelor and Postgraduate students in the area of scientific reporting, the experience he garnered as supervisor and reviewer of articles for high reputable journals.

Professor O. Jacob Babayemi came to the University of Vytautas Magnus, Kaunas, Lithuania, as visiting teacher, in the frame of European Union ERASMUS+ programme STA. He was hosted by Dr Romas Ruibys of the Faculty of Agronomy for the period of stay. During the period, the visiting professor from Nigeria, delivered a lecture to about 65 students and four professors. The lecture, titled “Writing scientific reports” was based on the critical area of needs by the students for project and article submissions. With wrap attentions by the audience, the lecturer presented his teaching on the principle for having attractive project title, exclusive abstract, well justified introduction, unambiguous review of literature, repeatable materials and methods, systematic flow of results, convincing discussion, succinct conclusion and credible bibliography. The lecture was adjudged good and well applauded by the students. Prof Jacob Babayemi is a teacher indeed, and we desire he comes every year to teach the students in this uncommon subject. In order to show our pleasure, a certificate signed by the Dean of the Faculty was presented to him.

FAO International Conference on Rural Development and Tourism in Spain

Associate Professor of the Faculty of Water and Land Management Virginija Gurskienė on 6-8 of November 2019 has participated in the FAO International Conference on Rural Development and Tourism “On the Road to the Rural World”. This conference was held in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The conference attracted over 200 participants from over 35 countries in Europe and Central Asia. The work took place in four sections. The first section of the FAO LANDNET section was entitled „Territorial development – challenges and opportunities“. The main causes of land abandonment and available and planned land management measures to address this issue were discussed here. Land consolidation and its benefits were discussed too. The links between land policy and rural development were analyses during conference . The draft FAO Land Consolidation Legal Manual was presented with its application. On the last day of the conference, one of the prepared projects was visited. The project used measures for land management and soil improvement.

In many countries, land management problems are very similar: rural areas are growing unused land, with more older people living in rural areas, with the majority of young people moving to cities, urbanization in suburban areas and more. Various solutions to problems have been proposed.

The implementation of advanced solutions and technologies is actual/interesting to all countries. It is proposed to solve the emerging problems in a complex way, working together with larger groups of scientists. This kind of communication offers new opportunities.