On August 25, 2025, an EU-funded project OPUS – Open and Universal Science (No. 101058471), whose main objective was to develop coordination and support measures to reform the assessment of research(ers), is nearing completion. The Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University was one of the 18 partners in this project. The experience of project participants, especially organisations that have piloted various practices for evaluating scientific results using open science criteria, shows that open science dimensions can be integrated into the context of both research-performing and research-funding organisations.

Assoc. Prof. Aurelija Novelskaitė and Assoc. Prof. Raminta Pučėtaitė, the researchers implementing the project at the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, had the task of offering pilot organisations indicators that would contribute to ensuring gender equality in science by implementing open science promotion processes. In practice, this was not easy, as each organisation had different gender equality and open science policies and implementation plans and differed in the specifics of their activities. Moreover, not all partners wanted to integrate these two areas, even though they are related.

From 10 June to 9 July, the Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University was hosting an intensive beginners' (A1 level) Lithuanian language and culture course. World Lithuanians, foreign university students, lecturers and scholars were invited to spend the first month of summer in Kaunas: to learn the Lithuanian language free of charge, to deepen their knowledge about the culture and history of Lithuania and Kaunas in particular, and to establish international contacts with participants from all over the world. This year, 10 participants from Brazil, Scotland, France, Italy and Georgia took part in the course.

The summer course at Kaunas Faculty started with the event "Taste the Language", during which foreign students gathered at the Faculty for the first time. They met the lecturers, introduced themselves and discussed the course programme. The climax of the event was a degustation of Lithuanian dishes. The degustation showcased Lithuanian culinary heritage, living traditions and the cuisine of Lithuania's ethnic minorities, whose dishes are popular and widespread throughout the country today.

From September 2025, six new PhD students will join the academic community of Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University (VU KnF). They will carry out research in the fields of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Technological Sciences. This reflects not only the diversity of the Faculty's scientific interests, but also its consistent commitment to promoting the advancement of science in both Lithuania and internationally. The new researchers will join the Faculty's high level of interdisciplinary research and active academic community.

Viltė Nausėdaitė, Humanities, Philology,
Giedrė Breiterė, Social Sciences, Management,
Eglė Grigaitytė, Social Sciences, Management,
Ivas Drungilas, Social Sciences, Economics,
Gintarė Košubienė, Natural Sciences, Informatics,
Oleksii Chalyi, Technological Sciences, Computing.

The graduation season is just around the corner, when St Johns’ Church and other venues chosen for the official diploma-awarding ceremonies will be filled with the joyful bustle of graduates. As we approach this celebration, please be reminded that you are welcome to wear a VU cap during the ceremony.

‘The student cap is a special symbol for all students. It is a distinctive sign that allows us to identify with our Alma Mater even more and carry forward the spirit of studenthood with determination. By wearing the cap, we show that we are part of the Vilnius University community, which embraces and cherishes the University’s traditions and values,’ President of VU SA Klėja Merčaitytė said.

The end of the academic year celebration is an excellent opportunity to remember our academic roots and show our pride in the VU community. The cap distinguishes VU graduates from those of other higher education institutions and also helps maintain a uniform and recognisable style. Moreover, it is also a much more comfortable option for summer graduation ceremonies.

The VU cap is a symbol that reflects the academic spirit of VU, respect for knowledge, and community spirit. The cap was one of the most important signs of belonging to the academic community of the University, which the Jesuits founded in the 16th century. It reflected a student’s dedication to scholarship, the pursuit of knowledge, and respect for the University. These shared values have inspired the revival of the tradition of student caps today.

VU caps and other merchandise are available from the online shop and at the physical VU merchandise store at Šv. Jono g. 12, Vilnius (entrance from Pilies Street).

The Research Council of Lithuania seeks to create favourable conditions for students of Lithuanian research and higher education institutions to become acquainted with the international academic environment that encourages student involvement in scientific research. At the same time, students are given the opportunity to present their academic interests, establish connections with international student communities and researchers, and foster international cooperation. To support this goal, the Council reimburses the expenses of students participating in summer school programmes abroad.

Eligibility – Bachelor’s and Master’s level students whose weighted average grade for all subjects taken in the most recent semester is not lower than 8.0 (on a 10-point scale).
At the time of application and throughout the summer school period, students must have a valid study agreement with Vilnius University.
Summer school period – The start and end dates of the summer school programmes are determined individually by the institutions organising the programmes. Therefore, they may not coincide with the summer holiday periods of Lithuanian or foreign higher education institutions.

Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics continues the series of seminars initiated by Professor Vladas K. Gronskas, dedicated to analyzing sustainable state development in the context of a mixed economy.

The fifty-first seminar will take place on June 3, 2025, at 13:00. The link to join the seminar online via Microsoft Teams online platform. Seminar Topic: Assessing Sustainable Agriculture in the EU/Baltic Countries Using Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and EUROSTAT Data Using Stakeholder’s View.  Language of the presentation will be English.

The seminar will discuss the evaluation of sustainable agricultural development in the Baltic countries in the context of EU strategies such as the Green Deal and Common Agricultural Policy. We will explore how environmental, economic, and social indicators – such as soil health, water use, and biodiversity can be assessed using the TOPSIS method to support evidence-based policy and practice.

About the speaker

Dr Ahmad Bathaei is a researcher at the Lithuanian Center for Social Sciences, Institute of Economics and Rural Development. He holds two doctoral degrees: a PhD in Economics from the Lithuanian Center for Social Sciences and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, focused on the economic assessment of agricultural sustainability in the Baltic States, and a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, with a specialization in agile and sustainable supply chains in the Iranian automotive industry.
His interdisciplinary research includes sustainable development, circular economy, supply chain resilience, and the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. Dr. Bathaei has collaborated on international research projects and published widely in high-impact journals. His recent work explores the potential of digital transformation in enhancing circularity and sustainability in manufacturing and global supply chains.

On behalf of the organizers,

Prof. Habil. Dr Remigijus Čiegis

On 20 June, 2025 (Friday) the VU Kaunas Faculty will hold the graduation ceremony for the class of 2025 at the Kaunas Lutheran Holy Trinity Church (Muitinės Str. 8a).

The event will also be streamed live via Kaunas Faculty YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

The Faculty courtyards will be open for guests of the ceremony from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Family members, friends and lecturers are invited to congratulate the graduates after the diplomas are awarded and are welcome to take photos in front of the Sundial or the VU KnF photo wall at the Linden Courtyard.

Photographs and video recordings will be made during the event.

PROGRAMME

From 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM the diplomas will be awarded to:

- Graduates of the full-time Bachelor programmes: English and Another Foreign Language (Swedish), Audiovisual Translation, and Lithuanian Philology and Advertising;
- Graduates of the Master programmes: Audiovisual Translation, Public Discourse Linguistics, and Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing.

From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM the diplomas will be awarded to:

- Graduates of the full-time Bachelor programmes: Applied Systems of Finance and Accounting, and Economics and Management;
- Graduates of the Master programmes: Marketing and Sales Management and International Business Management.

We look forward to seeing you at the ceremony.

*Graduates unable to attend the event may collect their diploma from the Dean’s office. Please contact the Study Department by phone: +370 37 422 523 or by e-mail   for an appointment to collect the diploma during summer time.

Join us for an informal discussion on how a well-known taste can become a powerful communication and marketing tool. The practitioners will answer the moderator's (and your) provocative questions, share proven recipes for starting a business and talk about their ambitions to conquer international markets with Lithuanian flavours.

And most importantly, you'll find out whether šaltibarščiai really belong in Lithuanian cuisine. What is the difference between the ones our ancestors enjoyed and the ones we now enjoy at our mothers' houses?

“We founded Lucci Bakery as a family bakery. We are true food enthusiasts: it's not just about taste, it's about what people put in their mouths. We wanted to create a place where we could share our values, our love for quality food and fulfil our dream of owning a private business,” says Eglė Lučinskienė, a founder of the Italian bakery “Lucci Bakery”, and a graduate of the Business Administration programme at VU Kaunas Faculty.

“Lithuanian vegetables on foreign markets are becoming a story about clean nature, responsible farming and deep traditions rather than just a product. Our aim is not only to sell, but also to convey the values that are encoded in every product,” Tadas Žirgulis, a Commercial Manager at “Kvedarų ūkis” Ltd., a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Economics and Master's degree programme in Marketing at VU Kaunas Faculty, is convinced.

“Borscht (hot or cold) is one of the oldest dishes in our region. One version of borscht, batviniai, has been associated with Lithuanian gastronomic identity for almost 400 years. The cold version of borscht has been called Lithuanian since the early 19th century. We have a unique dish, and I am very happy that šaltibarščiai is such an important element of Lithuanian gastronomic identity even today, in the 21st century,” says Prof. Rimvydas Laužikas, a heritage communication researcher, historian, archaeologist, professor at the Faculty of Communication of Vilnius University, and a member of the Evaluation Commission of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.

The discussion will be moderated by Martynas Radzevičius, a business development and marketing professional, lecturer and researcher in digital marketing, sales and risk management at VU Kaunas Faculty

Encourage each other to take part and invite the students – the content of the event relates to many study programmes, and it is worth introducing foreign students to traditional cuisine.

🥣 A tasting of traditional šaltibarščiai with Prof. Rimvydas Laužikas.
📅 28 May 2025, 11:15 am
📍 Muitinės str. 12, Linden Yard
🎟 The event will be held in Lithuanian.