On the initiative of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty (VU KnF), an exhibition of photographs by the “Kauno Fotodraugija” and the KTU historical dance group “Saltus Gladii” has been opened in the building nicknamed Napoleon's House (Muitinės St. 14). The exhibition invites the visitors to think back to the time when the French army was briefly stationed in Kaunas, and Napoleon was staying at the home of the then resident, Mr. Echel.

Located in the Faculty's territory, the Napoleon House, a 16th-century stone building with Gothic cellars, is a popular tourist destination and an architectural gem in the city's representative area. The house is listed as an architectural monument in the Register of Cultural Heritage, and urban legends testify to the visit of the famous knight.

An acquaintance of like-minded people became an idea for an exhibition 

“We are very glad to be friends with the Faculty’s community. It was interesting to learn more about the history of our beloved city and to create some theatrical pieces together. It is a pleasure to work with models who know not only the rules of attire, but also the rules of etiquette of that time: the photos seem to tell stories themselves,” says Andrius Lindžius, the Chairman of “Kauno Fotodraugija”. For the exhibition poster, he himself created the image of the great warrior using artificial intelligence.

“As none of us is a professional model, we do not always feel comfortable or know how to behave in front of a professional camera. But this group of photographers made us feel like we knew what we were doing. The idea of the photoshoot itself is also very original – by combining the centuries-old architecture with the work of modern historical reconstructionists, the photographs managed to bring the past alive, even if only for a moment,” says Eglė Kukytė, the member of the KTU historical dance group “Saltus Gladii”. Aistė Osinskytė and Ingrida Zinkevičienė took part in the photoshoot of the exhibition as well. Two of the dresses were made by Eglė herself, the third was sewn by another club member.

“One could say that we have a long tradition of empathising with history, from active participation in the Hansa Days to traditional evenings with the Faculty’s folklore ensemble “Uosinta”. Visuality is very effective in today's communication, so it is encouraging to have the involvement of like-minded people and to be able to realise the idea in such a professional way,” says Monika Būblaitytė, the author of the idea and the VU KnF public relations representative.

According to her, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Kaunas Faculty, there are more surprises in store to remind us of its unique place in the history and everyday life of Kaunas.

Historian encourages to remember and be proud

According to the notes of a contemporary of the events, a senior of the Bernardine monastery, the French Emperor Napoleon, after crossing the Nemunas River to Kaunas on 24 June, 1812, stayed with his army at the Carmelite monastery and spent the night there. During his stay, Napoleon wrote 16 official letters and addressed three of them to his beloved Joséphine. It is alleged that Napoleon, after losing the war, retreated on 7 December, 1812, and briefly stayed again at the home of the above-mentioned Kaunas resident Echel.

“It is believed that Napoleon may have stayed in this room, which is now an auditorium. Maybe he tasted Lithuanian mead when he came here, or maybe something else as well... Oddly enough, his beloved Joséphine did not find out about this visit,” intriguingly narrates Prof. Dr Virginija Jurėnienė, the historian of VU Kaunas Faculty. She has no doubt that an excursion in the ensemble of historic buildings can be dedicated to this event alone: “Here was the central entrance, so it is quite plausible that Napoleon Bonaparte himself walked through this glorious entrance on the night of 24th to 25th June, 1812.”

21 June 73 bachelors and 37 masters graduated from Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty in a solemn ceremony at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity.

Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude diplomas were awarded to 12 graduates:

Bachelor’s graduates:
Ina Danilenko, English and Another Foreign Language (Swedish), Cum Laude
Agnė Sūnilaitytė, English and Another Foreign Language (Swedish), Cum Laude
Martyna Mačiuikaitė, Audiovisual Translation, Cum Laude
Klaudijus Čalka, Applied Systems for Finance and Accounting, Cum Laude
Ieva Šilingaitė, Applied Systems for Finance and Accounting, Cum Laude
Kamilė Daujotytė, Lithuanian Philology and Promotion, Cum Laude

Master’s graduates:
Gabrielė Jakaitytė, Audiovisual Translation, Cum Laude
Brigita Fedorčak-Vyšniauskienė, Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing, Cum Laude
Rugilė Gronskytė, Marketing and Sales Management, Cum Laude
Karolina Liukumaitė, Marketing and Sales Management, Cum Laude
Kristina Šerkšnienė, Public Discourse Linguistics, Cum Laude
Austė Vilimienė, Audiovisual Translation, Magna Cum Laude;

The audience was greeted by Prof. Dr Vilmantė Pakalniškienė, the Vice-Rector of Organisation Development and Community Affairs of Vilnius University: “Wander, create, be imaginative, argue to discover, question to help us all find the answers, make the most of all the possibilities and opportunities to achieve the goal, but do not lose respect for each other.” The Vice-Rector encouraged and invited the graduates to visit their Alma Mater anytime, because every ending can lead to a beautiful beginning.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Giedrius Romeika, the Dean of the Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, admitted that the position of dean is still a relatively new responsibility for him, which he wants to carry out with the utmost commitment, so the signing of the Diploma Supplement was a very memorable experience: “There is every reason to believe that your theoretical knowledge, practical skills and, most importantly, your ability to learn, develop and think critically are all the prerequisites for you to achieve the goals and objectives you have set yourself.”

In the first part of the ceremony, the graduates were congratulated by Prof. Dr Daiva Aliūkaitė, the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, Prof. Dr Danguolė Satkauskaitė, the Head of the Institute of Languages, Literature and Translation Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr Dovilė Vengalienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Bachelor's Study Programme in English and Another Foreign Language (Swedish), Assoc. Prof. Dr Jurgita Astrauskienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Bachelor's Study Programme in Audiovisual Translation, Assoc. Prof. Dr Rita Baranauskienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Bachelor's Study Programme in Lithuanian Philology and Promotion and Master’s Study Programme in Public Discourse Linguistics, Prof. Dr Jadvyga Krūminienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Master’s Study Programme in Audiovisual Translation, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Skirmantė Šarkauskienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Master’s Study Programme in Lithuanian Literature and Creative Writing.

The guests of the ceremony, social partners of the Institute of Languages, Literature and Translation Studies and alumnae of the Kaunas Faculty, were Agnė Burovienė, deputy marketing manager of the National Kaunas Drama Theatre, and Lina Buividavičiūtė, a poet, literary critic, and lecturer.

In the second part of the ceremony, the graduates were congratulated by Prof. Dr Daiva Aliūkaitė, the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, Dr Indrė Ščiukauskė, the Head of the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics, Assoc. Prof. Dr Ilona Kiaušienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Bachelor's Study Programme in Economics and Management, Giedrė Urbanavičienė, the Member of the Committee of Bachelor's Study Programme in Applied Systems for Finance and Accounting and the Head of Human Resources at NKT Lithuania, Prof. Dr Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Master’s Study Programme in Interntional Business Management, and Prof. Dr Asta Mikalauskienė, the Chair and Lecturer of the Master’s Study Programme in Marketing and Sales Management.

Academic celebrations at Western universities are not complete without the student anthem "Gaudeamus Igitur". It was performed by the singers of the Kaunas Faculty's Academic Singing Studio "Veni Gaudere".

The recording of the ceremony is found HERE 

The photos of the ceremony are found HERE 

On 21 June, 2024 (Friday) the VU Kaunas Faculty will hold the graduation ceremony for the class of 2024 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.

The Research Council of Lithuania launches an annual call for applications for funding student research projects during semesters to encourage students to actively participate in scientific activities and improve their scientific competence. In 2023-2024, the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) funded 3 student research projects at the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics, Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty.

One of the funded projects is “Methods for Integrating Expert Information and Generative Artificial Intelligence to Investigate the Content of Unethical and Misleading Advertising”. The project was carried out by Jonas Panceris, a student of the Marketing Technologies Bachelor's programme, and supervised by Dr Dalia Krikščiūnienė, Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics.

In this busy period, just before the end of the school year, let's take a short break in the shade of an oak tree to enjoy a refreshing drink, savour the very first berries, share the challenges of the academic year and reflect on our plans for further studies.

The Dean of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty invites the community of lecturers, students, and non-academic staff to a conversation on the grass.
We especially invite members of the thesis defence commissions, guests and students to join us for the picnic under the oak tree during the break.

Tempus Disputandi – Time to Discuss Picnic Under the Dean’s Oak
On Wednesday, 5 June, 11.15 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
In Napoleon's Courtyard, under the Dean's Oak (If it rains, at the Student Lounge in the cellar of Building III)
Event menu:
• a discussion with study programme committee members and mentors about Master’s studies at Kaunas Faculty;
• highlights of the current academic year;
• Vitamin feast.

The defence of the Bachelor’s and Master‘s Thesis is open to the public. All those interested are welcome to attend.

The defence in English language of the Bachelor study programme:

English ant Another Foreign Language (Swedish) on 5 June 2024 at 10:00 EEST, at  J.Jablonskis auditorium.

Audiovisual Translation on 6 June 2024 at 10:30 EEST, at Video Conference studio

The defence in English of the Master study programme:

International Business Management on 3 June 2024 at 10:00 EEST, at auditorium No V.

Audiovisual Translation on 7 June 2024 at 10:30 EEST, at Video Conference studio

Good luck to the undergraduate and graduate students. See you at the graduation ceremony on June 21 (we will share more detailed information about the graduation ceremony soon).

Gabija Stanislovaitytė, a PhD student at the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics, Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, is a person who is impossible to miss. She is characterised by initiative, enthusiasm for work and purposeful self-expression in scientific activities. Her colleagues appreciate her motivation, responsibility, and purposeful pursuit of goals in her academic career and in the University's complementary, community-oriented activities. Gabija's achievements speak for themselves - her paper was recognised as one of the best at the 18th Prof. Vlado Gronsko International Scientific Conference in 2023.

"My studies helped me understand what I wanted to achieve in life and gave me the tools to do it. The confidence and the experience I have gained, the contacts I have made and the opportunities that have opened are just a few examples of what I have acquired from my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University. I was able to dig deeper into the phenomena I was interested in and to believe that I could really change the world if I wanted to," Gabija is delighted with her choice and has no doubt that a university education gives everyone the opportunity to grow together with like-minded people.

English opens more opportunities

"In my opinion, studying in English makes more sense these days because of the internationalisation of the language. In addition, from a scientific, professional perspective, English is richer in terms and scientific work is much more accessible due to the number of people who can read it. I am working on topics of global significance, so I want to reach wider audience with my scientific work," says G. Stanislovaitytė, a graduate of the University of Surrey in England.
Choosing among all master's programmes in VU related to management, Gabija considered the studies taught in English in Lithuania a special priority. "When I came back after studying in the UK, I realised that the language, especially the academic language, was different, so I wanted to continue my studies in a way that was familiar to me," she says. Although there are several VU faculties that offer studies in English, she found the subjects taught in the International Business Management program at the Kaunas Faculty to be the most interesting and the most applicable in practice.

"Maybe it's a subjective opinion, but English hasn't made it harder to study. On the contrary, it even encouraged me to improve my skills, to take a closer interest in foreign scientific works and literature," says G. Stanislovaitytė. Even those who doubt their English language skills can gain more confidence in their studies, she said. She stresses that for most students and lecturers, English is also their second language, so everyone supports, encourages, and helps each other when things get difficult. Gabija is convinced that English skills are highly valued in the Lithuanian labor market, so the habit of communicating in a foreign language acquired during her studies facilitates her future career path. Another reason is interculturalism, which brings foreign and Lithuanian students closer together and broadens their horizons. "I think the experiences we share with the students are invaluable," she says.

Enriching different points of view

"The academic culture in British and Lithuanian universities is very different. One of the most significant differences for me is the culture of communication between students and lecturers," says Gabija when asked to compare her studies abroad and in Lithuania. In Lithuania, she says, there is still a divide between lecturers and students. Communication is exclusively formal, and respect is superficial/formal. In her experience, this divide is almost non-existent in the UK, and communication is warmer. "Students and lecturers are part of the same university community and often spend time together. At events or during breaks, lecturers invite students to discuss issues or current affairs," says Stanislovaitytė.

The doctoral student became a lecturer this year and admits that it is not easy to work with students who are only two or three years younger than her, but the need to share her expertise is huge: "Of course, the beginning is difficult, it takes time to prepare for the lectures, and there is still a lack of confidence, but the students who get involved in the study process make up for it," she says. However, G. Stanislovaitytė believes that young age is an advantage, allowing a better understanding of the realities of student life, and if a young person has academic questions, he or she is more encouraged to seek help from experts recognised in the world of science, who are also colleagues. "It is a great honor to interact and collaborate with such leaders in their field as, for example, the Research Professor Štreimikienė and others, whose research is well-known not only in Lithuania, but also in the world," says the young scientist, who has discovered her academic career.

"I think it is important to emphasize that due to its uniqueness, the community of Kaunas Faculty has a closer relationship with each other. It is great that despite many different fields of study and two separate institutes, everyone knows each other, helps each other and is very friendly towards students," she emphasizes, already able to see the situation from both perspectives.

Academy - a breeding ground for growth

"Vilnius University gave me the opportunity to fall in love with science all over again and to realise how much good can be done. It is an honor to study in a place where there are so many opportunities for students. It is great to grow together with the University community, to see the development of scientific dissemination and practical study activities. The University has a long tradition, but it remains innovative. Most importantly, a lot is being done for the students, so everyone feels part of this privileged organisation", says G. Stanislovaitytė.

She is pleased that the master’s studies have deepened her existing knowledge and opened career opportunities: "bachelor’s studies are often either very broad or very focused on one subject, so the master’s studies help to solve this problem, to see oneself in a wider context. The master’s degree focused on the application of theory in real life, which I think is often lacking in undergraduate studies", says Stanislovaitytė, sharing her experience of coherent studies.
"Doctoral studies are very individual, so every encounter with other researchers is very important. I hope to overcome all the challenges of these studies, and to continue, together with other like-minded people, to successfully strive for a better quality of studies at Vilnius University. My dissertation topic is related to the assessment of the drivers of the transition to a low-carbon economy in the forest sector", says Gabija. It was this topic that was awarded one of the best prizes at the 18th Prof. Vlado Gronsko International Scientific Conference.



Gabija Stanislovaitytė at the "Higher Education Fair 2023", a public discussion "All roads are open. Which one to choose? Answers to the most important questions of graduates" organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport. Gabija Stanislovaitytė took part in the discussion together with the former Minister of Education, Science and Sport Jurgita Šiugždinienė, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sport Ramūnas Skaudžius, Deputy Director of the National Education Agency organising the matriculation exams Asta Ranonytė, Director of the State Study Fund Ernestas Jasaitis, and Communications Manager of the Lithuanian startup association Unicorns Lithuania Rūta Pukenė.

On 14 May, translation Conference for students and early career researchers TELL ME MORE 2024, which took place at Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty, brought together a large number of speakers from the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Piotrków Academy in Poland, Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty and Faculty of Philology, and the University of Ioannina in Greece. The audience of listeners was also international: in addition to the Lithuanian students who came to VU Kaunas Faculty, young researchers from Portugal, France and Poland participated remotely.

First held in 2013, the TELL ME (the name is a Lithuanian acronym that translates as Between the Lines: Media Space of Linguistics, Literary Studies) conference has brought together scholars from all over the world throughout the years, and in 2021, its organisers have taken up the challenge of hosting an interdisciplinary conference on the topic of multidisciplinary translation, the MultiMeDialecTranslation8. TELL ME MORE, which returned last year after a pause, attracted the interest of Lithuanian students as well: students and young scholars from all levels of study gathered to share their research results and discuss the importance of translation and its problems. The conference was organised by a large team of Audiovisual Translation undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as PhD students in the field of Philology whose initiative was not diminished this year either.