VMU to hold Conference on Higher Education in Turbulent Times
Vytautas Magnus University, The Lithuanian President Office and The Embassy of Ukraine in Lithuania cordially invites you to participate in the international conference “Higher Education in Turbulent Times: towards European networking and integration”. The conference will be organized on 16 November 2023 in a hybrid way and devoted to the field of Education:
- New opportunities for higher education institutions in co-creating the European Education and Research Area
- New Higher Education Curriculum
- Innovative and Inclusive Pedagogies
The overall aim of the conference is to share and discuss opportunities for higher education institutions from Ukraine and the EU member states how European networks and programmes could support a smoother integration of Ukrainian higher education institutions into the European Education and Research Area.
Target groups: Higher education institutions from Ukraine, Lithuania and EU member states, policy makers, representatives of Diplomatic missions, Institutes of Culture and Youth organisations
Venue: The conference would take place in a hybrid mode. The onsite sessions will take place at VMU Education Academy, Ševčenkos str. 31.
Online link will be provided for participants upon registration
Working language: English
Modernization of Legal Education for the Support of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
The Faculty of Law will participate as a partner in the Erasmus+ project “Modernization of Legal Education for the Support of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine” (EU4UA). The project was awarded funding from the Erasmus+ Program, Capacity building in the field of higher education (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE).
EU4UA is a 36-month-long international project which brings together eight Ukrainian, Polish and Lithuanian higher education institutions (HEIs): Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (Coordinator), Vytautas Magnus University (Partner), Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Partner), Chernivtsi National University Yuriy Fedkovych (Partner), Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (Partner), Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Partner), Zaporizhzhia National University and Ukrainian European Studies Association (Partner).
This project aims to increase the capacity of Ukrainian law schools in providing students with the knowledge and competencies necessary for the legal support of the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine. The project also aims to modernize syllabi of core legal disciplines, as well as disseminate common European values and knowledge on the foundations of the EU and NATO onto the wider civil and political environment.
European and Euro-Atlantic integration is the geopolitical choice of the Ukrainian people and of Ukraine as the sovereign state, their desire for good governance, peace, and security; moreover, since 2016 this course, as well as the European identity, have become part of the Ukrainian Constitution as the provisions of its Preamble. This course’s implementation requires the appropriate comprehensive activities on its enforcement, including legal harmonization and huge changes in different spheres of civil and public life. This activity should be focused on the understanding and spreading in Ukraine of the common European values, principles of unity and diversity, and common cultural, historical, and legal heritage. The key role in these processes is played by HEIs, which, based on cooperation, can have a great impact on the civil environment and public system. The exchange of experience is the shortest way to reaching the aim, especially when it comes to the countries that have already passed the path of EU/EA integration like Poland and Lithuania. Their HEIs have huge scientific and educational expertise in the support of the EU/EA integrational process, which will be very useful for the Ukrainian HEIs.
The project will be focused on four core tasks:
1) Improvement of the content of the core legal disciplines (constitutional, administrative, civil, and criminal law) in law schools of participating Ukrainian HEIs by making their syllabi EU/EA values-based and including into them the EU/EA component.
2) Professional development of the academic staff of the participating Ukrainian HEIs for achieving teaching excellence in teaching the core legal disciplines according to the EU/EA values-oriented approach and renewed syllabi.
3) Dissemination of common European values, as well as knowledge on the foundations of the EU and NATO onto the wider civil environment by introducing a Certificate Program for secondary school teachers.
4) Equipment of public servants (representatives of the staff of the Ukrainian parliament, government, judiciary, prosecutors, and local authorities) with appropriate knowledge by the introduction of a Training Program for public servants on the foundations of the EU and NATO.
VMU Faculty of Law to open exhibitions to mark the Baltic Way
VMU Faculty of Law organizes three exhibitions to mark the Baltic Way – an important historical event of the unity of nations and the path to democracy. The exhibitions, which will be displayed throughout the months of October-March, are organized implementing the EU project „Remember Bacha“ (no.101089965, CERV-2022-CITIZENS-REM, European Remembrance) which seeks to scientifically analyse the work of outstanding citizens in the fight against totalitarianism, as an example of Europeanism and intensive work for a better society, a memory of the fight for freedom and a balanced society.
The exhibitions will be open at VMU Faculty of Law (Jonavos g. 66, Kaunas, on the first floor corridor). Every exhibition is related to the important events of Lithuanian history and its democracy, such as Lithuanian Constitution Day and Lithuanian Independence Restoration Day. The exhibitions will be open on these dates:
- October 23 – November 23, 2023;
- February 5-29, 2024;
- March 4-31, 2024.
A total of 58 photographs capturing selected moments from the three Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) will be shown to the public during the exhibitions.
In addition, to commemorate this important historical event, we invite to watch a short film created by the project promoters.
The exhibitions are open and free of charge to everyone and open during the weekdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
VMU Career Days 2023: for both students and graduates
Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Career Centre warmly invites you to “VMU Career Days 2023: for both students and graduates” scheduled for November 9-10.
This year, we’re revamping the format of the event. Day one will be dedicated solely to students, while day two will be exclusively for graduates, seamlessly blending Career Days with our cherished Alumni Day tradition, held annually on the second Friday of November. However, we will invite students and graduates to participate in both days of the event: everyone will find interesting activities and opportunities for meaningful communication.
On the first day (November 9th), students will have the opportunity to cultivate new connections and network at the traditional employers’ fair, challenge themselves in interviews and selections for actual job or internship opportunities, and engage in discussions, attend lectures, and gain valuable advice on career development.
Before attending the primary Career Day and traditional employers’ fair and putting themselves to the test in an internship or job interview, from October 11th onwards, we will be inviting students to take part in a series of 6 training sessions (CV preparation, self-presentation, the importance of language skills in the labour market, etc.), in which everyone will have the opportunity to improve their competences and gain new knowledge that will be useful for fostering a responsible approach to the commencement of career planning.
On the second day of the event (November 10th) we will host the traditional Alumni Day, inviting alumni to come back to the university and reflect on their career journey, which originated from studies at VMU and brought them to the current career point. This is an opportunity not only to return to your Alma Mater, to talk to your lecturers and former course mates, but also to enjoy the path you have taken to reach your current career achievements and to share valuable experiences with current VMU students.
The experiences, knowledge, and skills acquired during their studies at VMU are highlights that are important not only for students’ future careers but also for the paths already taken by graduates. So don’t miss this opportunity to remember that university is a place that offers not only knowledge but also other meaningful experiences that will be useful in building your future.
More information about the event coming SOON!
International Peer Review of Law Study Field in Lithuania at Vytautas Magnus University
On October 18, 2023, the Faculty of Law of VMU will host meetings of the expert group on the external assessment of the field of law studies with the administration of the VMU Faculty of Law, members of the self-analysis group, teachers, students, graduates and social partners. For experts, a visit to learning facilities will also be organized: experts will see VMU buildings, auditoriums, library and other material bases. Experts will also review students‘ term and final papers (theses), examination material.
Composition of the expert group
For those who are willing to get acquainted with the document of self-evaluation, the document is available for reading at the Faculty of Law or can be send by one’s request by email. All inquiries can be send to tf@vdu.lt
Apply now: Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition
A competition is open for Erasmus+ student and recent graduate traineeship grants. Application deadline is the 30th of September, 2023.
The placement period is from 2 to 6 months.
Selection
All VMU fulltime degree students who have not used more than 10 months of their Erasmus mobility (study / traineeship) period are eligible for the Erasmus grant.
Selection documents
For student traineeship (traineeship during student’s year of studies)
- Filled-in application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Student Traineeship (EU countries)“
- Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory).
For recent graduate traineeship (application must be submitted during the last year of studies)
- Application form „Outgoing-Application for Erasmus Recent Graduate Traineeship (EU countries)“
- Confirmation by the company or organization (obligatory)
- Recommendation by a faculty member (obligatory)
The priority in the selection is given to
- students whom traineeship is an obligatory part of their study programme;
- students who have never been Erasmus traineeship students before.
Selection criteria
- student’s motivation;
- good knowledge of the language which will be used during the traineeship;
- student’s work, study, traineeship, participation in the international / academic projects, social activities experience in Lithuania and abroad;
- conformability between the chosen traineeship and student’s study programme;
- study results (first year MA students should attach transcript of records of their BA/MA degree to the application form).
The competition results will be sent to every participant via e-mail.
Competitions for Erasmus+ traineeships are taking place each month.
Registration for Sports and Arts Activities Has Started
We invite students of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), who are studying in Kaunas, Akademija (Kaunas District) or Vilnius, to register for sports and (or) art activities of Autumn semester 2023 / 2024, organized by VMU Sports Centre and VMU Arts Centre.
All VMU students can attend sports or art group activities regardless of where and what they are studying (e.g., if you are studying Lithuanian philology, you can attend the folk-dance group “Sėja” of the VMU Academy of Agriculture, etc.).
All activities for VMU students are free-of-charge. Students can register for several activities, so you are welcome to join the activities on offer.
Registration procedure for Arts Centre collectives
Students who wish to act, dance, sing, or play must join one (or several) of the VMU Arts Centre groups based in Kaunas, Akademija (Kaunas district), or Vilnius. You can do this by registering for the ongoing activities by following three steps:
- should log in to the student self-service portal and select the Registration tab from the menu bar;
- in the bar that appears, click on the button Registration for the Sports/Arts Centre;
- then select Arts and in this section, you need to select the desired arts activity, tick it, click on the Continue button, and click on the I agree to the rules and the REGISTER button.
* The same principle applies to registration via menucentras.vdu.lt/registration/
The student will see the classes of the sports he/she has registered for in the student portal, under My activities. You can also withdraw from the selected activities in the student portal.
Once you have registered for a group at the Arts Centre, you can start attending activities as soon as possible, at the times indicated in the group’s timetable.
More information:
Registration procedure for sports activities
All VMU students who want to participate in sports at the VMU Sports Centre facilities (Studentų str. 11 and Studentų str. 9A, Akademija, Kaunas district) can register for the sports activity classes.
Students wishing to register for VMU Sports Centre activity classes should log in to the student self-service portal and select the Registration tab from the menu. In the bar that appears, click on the button Registration for the Sports/Arts Centre. In the next step of the Activity Registration select Sport. In this section, you need to select the desired sport, tick it, click on the Continue button, and click on the I agree to the rules and the REGISTER button.
* The same principle applies to the registration via sportas.vdu.lt/registration/
The student will see the classes of the sports he/she has registered for in the student portal, under My activities. You can also withdraw from the selected activities in the student portal.
More information:
New Academic Year with Kaunas Universities
Vytautas Magnus University will greet the new academic year together with Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and Lithuanian Sports University. On September 1st, Friday, you are welcome to attend joint festive events.
This year, the event will start at 12 p.m. with Holy Mass at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul (Vilniaus g. 1), followed by a joint oath-taking ceremony in the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilniaus str. 33) at 2 p.m.
Later, the students will march towards Independence Square, led by the KTU brass band The BrassBees. The main event of the celebration will take place here and will be crowned by a festive concert featuring the joint university choir and the singer GJan. At 3.30 p.m., VMU community is invited to enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby of the Great Hall.
Detailed program of the celebration:
- 12 p.m. Holy Mass at the Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul (Vilniaus g. 1)
- 2 p.m. Participants of the festive procession gather in the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (Vilniaus g. 33)
- 2–2.15 p.m. Students’ speech/oath.
- 2.15 p.m. Procession of the universities’ community (we depart from the courtyard of the Historical Presidential Palace, walking down Laisvės Alėja to Nepriklausomybės Square).
- 3 p.m. Festive concert at Nepriklausomybės Square featuring the joint choir of the universities and GJan!
- At 3.30 p.m., VMU community is invited to enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby of the Great Hall (S. Daukanto g. 28)
The event will be photographed and/or filmed; therefore, please note that you might be featured in photos or videos which can be published in various media.
Financial-Legal Literacy Manual for Europe
As part of the EU co-funded Erasmus+ project (Unique Code: 2020-1-FR01-KA204-080562 ; KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices) titled “Financial-Legal Literacy for Europe” (FIN-LEG-LIT) (https://finleglit.eu/), the Financial-Legal Literacy Manual for Europe (the Manual), was developed Finleglit | Financial-Legal Literacy for Europe
Since its launch in October 2020, the FIN-LEG-LIT project has united five partner organizations from four participating countries (in alphabetical order):
• Bulgaria (European Multicultural Association)
• France (Eurl Aristote and OENE – Organisation for Empowerment and Non-Formal Education)
• Italy (RFS EUROFORM)
• Lithuania (VšĮ Finansų teisės institutas).
The lead author of the Manual is Dr. Tomas Veršinskas, supported by Rokas Lazdauskas and Rokas Liaudinskas, all from VšĮ Finansų teisės institutas. All project partners contributed specific data and knowledge collected during the project, supporting the elaboration of the Manual and ensuring the translation of the Manual into their respective linguistic versions. The illustrations of the Manual were prepared by Hervé Pinel. The Manual was reviewed by the financial expert Andrius Normantas and the legal expert Mantas Meizeraitis.
This Manual is a comprehensive resource aimed at enhancing the financial and legal literacy of citizens across the European Union. Based on the materials of the Manual, the FIN-LEG-LIT project has also developed the Online E-learning Tool (the E-Tool), offering accessible online financial-legal education, enabling learning in any environment, at any time. The Manual and the E-Tool are available in five languages: Bulgarian, English, French, Italian, and Lithuanian. The Manual was published in both paper format and pdf version, available at Finleglit | Financial-Legal Literacy for Europe
#ERASMUSDAYS
DON’T MISS ERASMUS DAYS EVENTS ON THE 19th, 20th and 21st of September!
During these events, coordinators from the International Cooperation Department will present exchange opportunities, answer all your questions, and assist you in choosing your Erasmus+ destination.
You can find more information here #ERASMUSDAYS | VDU
