Erasmus+ BIP “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources: autumn course 2024” implemented at the Faculty of Agronomy
The Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “Sustainable use of natural resources: 2024 autumn course” has been implemented at the Faculty of Agronomy of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy. The aim of the programme is to develop students’ competences in solving complex natural resource management problems in order to achieve sustainable development goals.
The programme was attended by 20 international students from the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology, the Estonian University of Life Sciences and the University of Life Sciences in Lublin (Poland). The programme consisted of 2 parts: a virtual component and a physical mobility part. During the virtual component, the students participated in a virtual meeting, during which the theme of the course were developmed and the following topics were revealed: “Main interactions in agroecosystems”, “Transforming global sustainable development goals into national, regional and local community goals”, “A balance between ecosystems and the societal necessity for clean water sources”, “Water in daily life and as an element of the landscape”, “Surface water resources in your country/region: their state, and solutions to improve the situation”, “The state of biodiversity in your country/region: major threats and mitigation strategies”.
The physical mobility part took place from 21th to 25th of October. During the physical mobility week students increased their knowledge on soil-crop-environment interactions and green infrastructure, developed their ability to critically assess the situation of natural resource use, and discussed ways to prevent climate change, diseases of civilisation and public health problems.
During the program students went to a study tour, which tool place at the 700 hectare farm „Farmers Circle“. Students had an opportunity to have a closer look on how the organic farm is operated. Students were presented the sustainable principles of resource use through the production of organic beef from the farm’s Angus cows and organic products made from the farm’s organically grown vegetables, fruits, berries and herbs.
The programme was conducted by 8 lecturers of the VMU Agriculture Academy: prof. dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė, assoc. prof. dr. Ekaterina Makrickienė, prof. dr. Živilė Tarasevičienė, assoc. prof. dr. Povilas Mulerčikas, assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Šileikienė, assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė, prof. dr. Elvyra Jarienė, lect. Otilija Miseckaitė and 2 lecturers from partner universities – Assoc. prof. Dr. Raimonds Kasparinksis from the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology and Prof. dr. Agnieszka Jaszczak from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland). The programme was supervised by Assoc. prof. dr. Aida Adamavičienė and Dr. Monika Medikienė. The coordinator of the programme – VMU AA International Coordinator dr. Monika Medikienė.
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.
