Assoc. Prof. Ilona Kiaušienė and Assoc. Prof. Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė, researchers at the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics of Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, attended a training course in Slovenia (ACADEMIA Maribor) from 28 November to 2 December 2022. During the training, participants listened to lectures and presentations related to strengthening learning curricula to foster innovation and the creation of sustainable Business 4.0, visited the green concept company Menerga (winner of the European Commission's Green Building Award 2011), and the bank NovaKBM.
The following were discussed enhancing labour market relevance and outcomes of higher education (Dr Andrea-Rosalinde Hofer, Slovenia), aspects of short-cycle higher education (Dr Žan Dapševič, Maribor ACADEMIA, Slovenia; Alicia Leonor Sauli Miklavčič, Association of Slovene Higher Vocational Colleges, Slovenia), sought answers to the questions 1) eWhy? (Why should we teach new technologies? Is it inevitable? Should we teach in order to avoid problems, reduce fears, reduce conflicts?); 2) eWhy? (What should we teach – eHistory? eAdaptation? eAnalytics?); 3) eHow? (How should we teach – personal eAthways? Should we include art and creative thinking?) (Dušan Vrban, ACADEMIA, Slovenia).
It also explored the digital view of the global workforce in the context of the LinkedIn network (Stewart Samkange, Academic Talent Solutions, Head of Africa, CEE&SEE – LinkedIn), analysed aspects of customer experience management (Ms Tanja Verhovnik, ACADEMIA, Slovenia), discussed the use of virtual reality tools in the learning process (Prof. Alessio Alonne, InforElea, Italy), organisations that adapt to changing situations and trends, that are able to absorb change and survive in a completely adverse environment (Dr Mihai Pascadi, AVANTERA, Romania), the application of artificial intelligence in the creative sector (Prof. Emma Selene Ixchel Iturriaga Sauco, InforElea, Italy).
Participants attended the Climathon Slovenia conference, where they learned about climate safety solutions used by various organisations. They visited Menerga, a company applying green energy solutions (sustainable building design, etc.), where they listened to a lecture on good practices in eco-sustainability (Dr Vlasta Krmelj, Slovenia). Menerga has developed and produced innovative ventilation and air conditioning systems for extensive fields of application since 1980. The meeting with representatives of NovaKBM Bank was interesting. During the meeting, the environmental initiatives taken by the bank to reduce its environmental impact were presented (electricity from renewable sources, sustainable mobility (employees use the bank's bicycles), use of tap water during meetings, digital signature, etc.).
Assoc. Prof. Ilona Kiaušienė and Assoc. Prof. Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė are participating in the project “Transnational cooperation initiative fostering developing forward thinking skills of students, teachers and workforce in sustainability-relevant sectors posed by Business 4.0 trends through innovation in Business & Engineering education and training (SMART skills 4.0)”. The project is coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Bucharest (Romania) and implemented with partners from Italy, Slovenia, Lithuania and Greece. The aim of the project is to support the development of forward thinking skills of students, teachers and workforce by designing, deploying and scaling-up the Educational Initiative (future-oriented curricula) facilitating innovation in business & engineering education and training, intercultural knowledge exchanges in various sustainability-relevant sectors of Business 4.0 and enhancing civic and responsible behavior.
More about project SMART skills 4.0: https://www.smartskills4.com/
Grant Agreement: 2020-1-RO01-KA203-080019
Assoc. Prof. Dr Ilona Kiaušienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė
Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics
Visit to Menerga
Lecture on the use of virtual reality tools in education
A moment in training at ACADEMIA (Maribor)
On 27 January, 11:00 EET the VU Kaunas Faculty will hold a graduation ceremony for the class of Winter 2023 at the Grand Conference Hall of the Archdiocese of Kaunas (Papilio st. 5, entrance from the Town Hall Square).
