This spring, on 13 March, Kaunas will welcome Ryan Davis from the USA. During his visit, he will conduct a training session for “Southwestern Advantage” students and will also deliver a guest lecture to students at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University.

Ryan Davis is a skilled communicator who easily engages with young people. Over the past few years, he has delivered lectures at Riga Technical University, the Estonian Business School, the University of Tartu Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Vilnius Tech, and Vilnius University Business School.

His lecture "Leadership in Action: What Works, What Fails" focuses on practical tools for developing leadership and establishing a clear vision. Ryan Davis's lectures were very well received by students and University representatives, so we are pleased to organise several meetings with him this year as well. The lecture will take place on 13th March at 13:45 (V. Gronskas Auditorium).

Ryan Davis is from Nashville, Tennessee, USA. He has worked in the Southwestern Advantage sales and leadership programme for eight years, meeting more than 20,000 potential clients and becoming one of the top salespeople of all time, signing contracts with over 2,000 clients. In 2011, he was invited to work at the company's headquarters in Nashville, specialising in business development through social media marketing, and was later promoted to Sales Development Director. In the spring of 2020, Ryan Davis started developing “Southwestern LEΔD”, an international leadership development and mentoring programme aimed at helping young people acquire the skills and values needed to reach their life goals. To date, he has taught more than 10,000 young professionals across the USA and Europe.

The challenges of climate change, energy transformation, and the pursuit of a sustainable economy have become some of the most significant topics on political, economic, and social agendas. However, technological solutions and political strategies alone do not guarantee successful transformation. One essential factor enabling the transition to a climate-neutral economy is societal support and engagement. It is precisely this relevant and complex topic that is the focus of the monograph titled “Public Acceptance of Green Growth and Decarbonisation” by Professor Dr Asta Mikalauskienė, Senior Researcher Prof. Dr Dalia Štreimikienė, and Researcher Dr Ignas Mikalauskas from the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University.

Social Dimension of Sustainable Transformation

“In the monograph, we examine the importance of public opinion and participation in implementing green growth and decarbonisation processes,” explains Professor Dr Asta Mikalauskienė. The researcher’s studies include assessments of sustainability, the development of sustainable behaviour, and expressions of social responsibility. She is the author of numerous international scientific publications and actively contributes to the development of sustainability research. “The book provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis, empirical research, and practical examples that reveal how societal attitudes, values, and behaviour can accelerate or slow down the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, as green growth transformation requires significant infrastructure changes, new consumption habits, and social solutions,” clarifies Prof. Dr Asta Mikalauskienė.

From 19 March to 5 April 2026, Gabija Stanislovaitytė, a doctoral candidate in Economics at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, will undertake a research visit at the Yale University School of Environment (USA), one of the world’s leading centres for environmental economics and sustainability research. The purpose of the internship is to strengthen methodological competencies and foster collaboration with internationally recognised experts in the economics of climate change.

During the visit, the doctoral candidate will work with Professor Robert Mendelsohn, one of the most prominent scholars in climate change economics, as well as other internationally acknowledged specialists. The consultations will focus on deepening expertise in the following areas:

• Standardisation of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies and system boundary definition for wood product evaluation, with particular attention to carbon accounting trade-offs and the overall efficiency of the Low-Carbon Economy (LCE).
• Integration of regional forest disturbance data into economic models, enabling a more accurate assessment of the economic drivers influencing the adoption of Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) practices.

“This research visit will further strengthen the collaboration between the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University and the Yale University School of Environment,” notes doctoral candidate Gabija Stanislovaitytė. “The exchange of methodological knowledge will contribute to more advanced CSF and LCE policy development in the Baltic region and across the European Union.”

The visit is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania under the programme Support for Doctoral Mobility in the First Half of 2026, as well as by the doctoral study fund.

The Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (LT VCA), together with Vilnius University (VU), is organising the course “Breaking into the Finance World: Private Equity and Venture Capital” for the fourth consecutive year. The course is open to VU students, alumni, and anyone interested in the world of finance.

Participants in the course will have the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of private equity and venture capital. Over the eight-lecture series, attendees will explore the structure of private equity and venture capital funds and the ways they generate returns, gain insight into the decision-making processes behind closed doors, learn how investors assess startups and companies, discover what distinguishes great deals from costly mistakes, understand how value is created post-investment, and examine the reasons why some companies fail.

Professor Danguolė Satkauskaitė and Associate Professor Jurgita Astrauskienė from the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University participated in the international conference “Reimagining Translation and Literary Studies in the Age of Digital Humanities, AI, and Gamified Narratives”, held at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain. The event brought together researchers, lecturers, and representatives of the creative industries from around the world, all seeking answers to the same question: how is the digital age changing translation and literary studies?

When translation goes beyond the text

The programme of the international conference clearly showed that translation and literary studies are inseparable from technology. The keynote presentations focused on the ethics of artificial intelligence, the role of language in creating an immersive digital environment, and authenticity in intercultural communication in the AI age. The discussions examined technical, legal, and institutional issues concerning the future of translation, emphasising that solutions arise not only in academia but also through cooperation with technology developers and policymakers. Empirical studies were presented in thematic sessions and ranged from humour and subtitling analysis to comparison of human and AI translation strategies, translation of culture-specific items, and intersemiotic communication. The programme also emphasised the practical dimension: workshops were held on game development, interactive storytelling, personalised learning in an AI environment, and the application of eye-tracking methods in research. 

The Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University continues a series of seminars initiated by Professor Vladas K. Gronskas, now named in his honour, dedicated to analysing sustainable state development within a mixed economy.

The fifty-sixth seminar will take place at 14:00 on 5 March 2026 at Room No. 3 (III auditorija), Building No. 1 (Address: Muitinės Str. 8, Kaunas). Seminar Topic: “Heritage management, preservation and conservation through the use of indigenous knowledge systems by rural communities of Africa: lessons for external stakeholders”. Language of the presentation – English.

The seminar will discuss the use of African indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and cultural/traditional practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of heritage. Various African IKS principles and cultural practices, such as totemism, taboos, and sacred sites, will be assessed to determine whether they can be useful for the sustainable use, management, preservation and conservation of heritage.

About the speaker

Dr Owen Gohori is a Postdoctoral Fellow (ERA Fellow) researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics, Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, Lithuania. He holds a PhD in Tourism Management from the North-West University in South Africa. His PhD focused on the potential of tourism to alleviate poverty and bring about community development in rural communities of developing countries.

His interdisciplinary research encompasses sustainable development, community development, pro-poor tourism, heritage management, inclusive tourism, and the use and incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems in development projects and initiatives. Dr Gohori has presented at international conferences and published widely in high-impact journals. His current European Union-funded project aims to assess the potential of tourism social entrepreneurship to bring about sustainable community tourism development by utilising heritage in rural communities.

On behalf of the organisers

Prof. (HP) Dr Remigijus Čiegis

Dear members of the Faculty community,

Our tradition attracted a large crowd of merrymakers last year. This year, longing for spring, we invite you once again to the Shrove Tuesday feast!

The festivities will take place on February 17 (Tuesday).

From 11:15 a.m., during breaks, a pancake-making workshop and tasting session will take place in the Student Lounge (in the basement of Building III). These activities will continue until the pancakes run out.

The members of the Faculty's folk ensemble "Uosinta" will also help create a lively Shrove Tuesday atmosphere, welcoming spring.

Those wishing to continue the festivities are invited to attend the Shrove Tuesday evening event "Winter Farewell Celebrations" at 6 p.m. in the Council Hall, organised by the folk ensemble "Uosinta."

Prizes await those who arrive wearing a Shrove Tuesday mask!

Let's celebrate together and chase winter away with a boisterous feast!

On Friday, February 13th at 6:00 PM, we are hosting Erasmus Night at the Kaunas Faculty leisure space “Lambada” (basement of Building III), and you’re all invited!
It’s a student-organized evening where we come together to share our cultures and just have a great time. You’re welcome to bring anything that represents your culture - a traditional dish, a song, a dance, a game, a symbol, or whatever you’d love to share with others.
All students are welcome!
Come meet new people, exchange experiences, and enjoy a relaxed evening full of fun, good vibes, and cultural diversity
Let’s celebrate our differences and enjoy the night together - hope to see you there!

Erasmus Night Team