We are developing a strategic partnership between NUBiP of Ukraine and Vytautas the Great University (Vytautas Magnus University – VMU) in the field of agricultural education, engineering and bioeconomics
Guided by the common desire to implement a joint master's program in «Biotechnology Engineering», the University delegation took part in a working meeting on the basis of Vytautas the Great University (Republic of Lithuania) at the representative office of the Agrarian University of Krakow (Republic of Poland). The meeting was attended by vice-rector for scientific and pedagogical work and international activities Oleksandr LABENKO and dean of the faculty of mechanics and technology Vyacheslav BRATISHKO. On the Polish side, professor, vice-rector for international cooperation of the University of Agriculture in Krakow, Andrzej SECHMAN, took part in the program, as well as the head of the international cooperation department Dominika DANKIEWICZ and deputy dean for academic affairs of the faculty of engineering Urszula MALAGA-TOBOŁA, prof. URK.
The official part of the visit began in the main building of Vytautas Magnus University, where the delegation was received by the vice-rector for strategic development and finance, professor Dr. Astrida MICEIKENE. The meeting was also attended by the dean of the faculty of engineering professor Rolandas DOMEIKA and professor Saveliy KUKHARETS.
During the dialogue, the parties presented university profiles, their achievements in science and education, as well as outlined common interests in the areas of agricultural engineering, bioeconomics, sustainable environmental management and digitalization of the educational process.
Special attention was paid to discussing the possibilities of implementing joint educational programs and consortia, participation in ERASMUS+ KA171 and Horizon Europe, as well as expanding inter-faculty cooperation between the divisions of VMU, NUBiP of Ukraine and the Agrarian University in Krakow. The parties considered the formats of double diplomas, short-term mobility and joint summer schools for students and teachers.
Ideas for holding joint conferences, thematic seminars and study visits with a focus on the "green" transition and innovations in agriculture were discussed separately.
The delegation visited the Agrarian Academy of Vytautas the Great University, located in an academic campus near Kaunas. The guests were met by the chancellor of the Agrarian Academy, professor Dr. Vigilius JUKNA, who presented the history of the Academy, its structure, key areas of training of specialists and scientific priorities, in particular in the field of agricultural engineering, bioeconomics and natural resource management.
During the presentation, they noted the openness of the Agrarian Academy to international cooperation, participation in European educational and scientific networks, as well as its readiness to accept students and lecturers of NUBiP of Ukraine and the Agrarian University in Krakow for internships, joint research and advanced training programs. The parties agreed to work out the possibility of creating joint educational trajectories for students of agricultural specialties using the VMU laboratory base.
The next stage was working at the faculty of engineering of the Agrarian Academy, where the delegation got acquainted with modern laboratories, training workshops and digital solutions used in training engineers for the agricultural sector. Representatives of the faculty presented practice-oriented training modules and elements of dual education that combine classroom training with internships in companies and farms.
A separate block of meetings was devoted to the faculty of bioeconomics, where prospects for the development of bioeconomics, the implementation of the European Green course and the integration of bioenergy into educational programs were discussed. The parties outlined possible topics for joint research and publications, and agreed to find partner grants for the creation of joint scientific laboratories and research platforms in the field of circular economics and sustainable nature management.
During the visit, a series of presentations was held, during which the parties got acquainted in more detail with each other's educational proposals and scientific potential. Representatives of the Agrarian University in Krakow presented the structure of their faculties, training areas, scientific achievements and participation in international rankings, paying special attention to their strong positions in the field of biotechnology, ecology and engineering.
Oleksandr LABENKO presented history and modern achievements of NUBiP of Ukraine, in particular, the development of infrastructure, participation in international projects, the growth of publication activity and the University's position in global and national rankings. The importance of partnerships with EU universities for bringing Ukrainian agricultural education closer to European standards and joint training of personnel for the restoration and modernization of the agricultural sector of Ukraine was noted.
As a result of the meetings, the parties confirmed their interest in deepening strategic cooperation between NUBiP of Ukraine, Vytautas the Great University and the Agrarian University in Krakow. It was agreed to prepare roadmaps for the development of academic mobility of students and instructors, create joint educational programs, expand scientific cooperation and coordinate participation in European grant competitions.
Visit to VMU showed the high level of openness of Lithuanian colleagues to cooperation and became a solid basis for the implementation of new joint initiatives in the field of agricultural education, engineering, bioeconomics and sustainable nature Management, which is especially relevant in the context of the post-war restoration of Ukraine and integration into the European educational space.