VMU AA Erasmus+ BIP programmes – new knowledge and experiences for students at all levels
The first Erasmus+ BIP programmes at VMU Academy of Agriculture: “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” and “New Challenges for Land Administration in Post-Land Reform Countries”, aim to provide an immersive learning experience, combining face-to-face interaction with scientists and professionals in the field with virtual learning activities. Participants enjoy enhanced theoretical knowledge, engaging discussions with experts and motivating practical experiences.
Students are active participants in the Erasmus+ BIP programmes
Monika Medikienė, International Coordinator of VMU-AA, notes that there is a growing interest in Erasmus+ BIP (Blended Intensive Programmes), students are happy to register and participate in courses organised by other universities, and more than 21 students from VMU-AA are participating in Erasmus+ BIPs organised by foreign universities in the current academic year.
Most popular programmes were: Erasmus+ BIP “Multipal use of Forests”, North Karelia, Finland; Erasmus+ BIP “Climate-smart Forestry”, Krakow, Poland; Erasmus+ BIP Entrepreneurship – Spin-out2Good | Technological Entrepreneurship: tackling regional challenges (Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, Portugal); Erasmus+ BIP Nature Conservation and Artificial Intelligence, Portugal; Erasmus+ BIP “Strategic Sustainability Management” in ŠKODA AUTO University, Czech Republic.
Monika Medikienė pointed out that the number of Erasmus+ BIP programmes offered by foreign universities is growing, so she advises those interested in participating to keep an eye on the latest Erasmus+ BIPs abroad, which are emailed to the students of the respective programme according to the topics of the courses organised.
The International Coordinator says that students receive €70 per day to cover travel and accommodation expenses. She emphasises that only the days of the physical visit count. Virtual meetings precede the trip, the number and duration of which depend on the programme organisers, and can range from a single log-in to a month-long lecture series.
VMU-AA programme attracts great interest
According to Monika Medikienė, the Erasmus+ BIP programmes organised for the first time at VMU-AA were also very popular. A total of 23 students from Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Lublin University of Life Sciences, as well as 3 students from the VMU-AA, registered and participated in the course “Sustainable use of natural resources”. The course “New challenges for land administration in post land reform countries” attracted 22 students from abroad and two from VMU-AA”, says Monika Medikienė.
The International Activities Coordinator reveals that two more programmes are planned for VMU-AA in the near future. On 19-23 June, the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development is organising a programme “Management for Business Startups”, where participants will deepen their knowledge about the first steps of creating their own business and managing a startup. In the autumn, the Faculty of Agronomy plans to repeat the programme “Sustainable use of natural resources”. Monika Medikienė points out that VMU-AA Erasmus+ BIP programmes are also open to students of the Academy.
New knowledge and experiences for students at all levels
Erasmus+ BIP projects aim to reach students from all fields and levels of study. “During the Physical Week, students from the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources programme at VMU-AA attended lectures and participated in discussions prepared by fifteen lecturers. The lecturers presented their topics of scientific interest related to the use of sustainable resources.
The Erasmus+ BIP gave the students the opportunity to look at the topic of sustainable resource use from different perspectives, as the project was implemented by lecturers from all faculties of VMU-AA and 3 foreign lecturers, prof. Agnieszka Jaszczak (University of Warmia and Mazury, Poland), Dr. Baiba Rivža (Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology) and Assoc. Prof. Osama Youssf (Mansoura University, Egypt)”, says Monika Medikienė about the Erasmus+ BIP programme at the VMU-AA.
The topics presented included: “Crop, soil and environmental interactions”, “Sustainable food production: The effect of growing technologies on quality of plant products for food”; “The National Sustainable Development goals Target Setting Methods for Natural Resources”; “Green infrastructure conceptualization and solutions”; “Green Towns for Green Therapy”; “Environmentally friendly concrete”; “Wastewater Reuse for Soil Irrigation”; “Biodiversity – to be or not to be?”; “From “Green” – to “Deal”“; and more.
Theoretical knowledge and practical examples
According to the International Coordinator, the Erasmus+ BIP “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources” was designed to provide students not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with experiences that motivate them to explore the topic of sustainable use of natural resources. “The course participants visited the Dubrava Reserve, where, on their first visit, people feel like they are walking through a prehistoric forest. The only one of this kind in Lithuania, this reserve is most appreciated for its natural raised bog. The excursion to the reserve was led by Evaldas Makrickas, a doctoral student, who shared his knowledge about its uniqueness and significance with visitors”, says Monika Medikienė.
On the last day of the programme “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources”, students took part in an educational excursion to the 700 ha Farmers Circle. “The farm, located in Ukmergė district, operates on the principle of a circular economy, selling its produce at farmers’ markets and offering a restaurant serving seasonal dishes made from local produce. The owners of the farm emphasise the importance of ecology and sustainability, they assume that sustainability equals responsibility for all our actions. Students got a closer look at examples of sustainable use of resources and the application of sustainability ideas in practice,” says the International Coordinator of the first Erasmus+ BIP programme at VMU-AA, explaining that the programme goes beyond the theoretical lectures.
The students who participated in the programme highlighted the theoretical knowledge they gained about sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the new contacts they made with colleagues from other countries who are interested in similar topics. “I am delighted with my decision to try the Erasmus+ BIP programme as it was the last chance for me as a second year Master’s student. I really regret not doing it sooner. It was interesting and useful to see a well-known topic from different perspectives, to hear about the latest technologies and to find like-minded people. After this programme, I felt an even greater need to take an interest in the topic of sustainable use of natural resources,” says Katarzyna Kachniarz, a participant in the programme “Sustainable Use of Natural Resources”.
