Professor Vladas Gronskas can be confidently described as the founder of Lithuanian economics. It was he who undertook the academic mission of teaching the younger generation Western principles to help the country become more European.

“The history of economic thought is a kind of intellectual "kick-start" to overcome the inertia of economic thinking and to look to the future of the science of economics” This is a quotation by Prof. Gronskas placed on the wall of the auditorium named after him. Vilnius University (VU) Kaunas Faculty hosts seminars in his name and fosters a philosophy that inspires every lecturer and researcher to turn change into science-based progress.

Cyberattacks are constantly evolving in their form and content ‒ from the first pop-up ads on your computer screen promising a chance to win a new mobile phone at the click of a button or emails about a long-lost relative’s inheritance to a more sophisticated scheme with messages containing active links from your bank requesting a password change. Moreover, you may soon expect scammers to replicate a familiar person’s voice for fake calls to attempt to steal your money.

So, how should we recognise cyberattacks and avoid them? What is their impact on organisations? What are the remaining gaps in our cybersecurity approach? Assoc. Prof. Dr Kęstutis Driaunys, a researcher from the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics at Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University, has the answers to these and many more questions.

We invite you to take part in a 4-hour canoeing trip on the Žeimena River in Aukštaitija National Park and have fun together at Sarių karčema – country style restaurant dinner. 

The bus will be chartered for the trip and is scheduled to return to Kaunas by 10:30 PM on Saturday evening. You can also use your own transport to travel, but consult concerning the logistics of the car. 

The following items are recommended for canoeing: swimwear, comfortable clothes and footwear that are likely to get wet while paddling, a raincoat, a hat and sunscreen, insect repellent, drinking water and snacks, a sturdy polythene bag to store your gear in the kayak so it doesn’t get soaked. It is also recommended to have another set of clothes to change into and spend the evening outside in the campsite. 

Students, lecturers and faculty staff interested in participating, please register by 5 September. The number of participants is limited. REGISTRATION LINK  

7.30 AM we gather in the courtyard of Kaunas Faculty, pack, count and go to the bus, which will be waiting for us in front of the Church of Vytautas Magnus in Karaliaus Mindaugas Avenue.  

8.00 AM we will leave by bus for Seniškės recreation site by the Žeimena River, Švenčionys district. 

11.00 AM–12.00 PM. In pairs, we will set off by canoes on the Žeimena River towards Švenčionėliai. 

4.00–5.00 PM We will arrive at the Platumai beach site (finish coordinates 55.169948, 25.984796 Žeimenos g. 49, Švenčionių r.) 

5:00 PM we go by bus to the Sariai Inn for dinner. Dinner menu: kugelis (potato pie), steaming soup, tea, coffee and apple pie baked by the local hare. 

8:00 PM Departure by bus to Kaunas. Planned return by 10:30 PM. 

The Faculty and the Erasmus Project Fund will cover the cost of the canoe rental, dinner and bus rental. 

Participants shall take care of personal drinks and snacks during the trip and the canoeing trip. 

Dear students, lecturers, staff and alumni of Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty,

First of all, congratulations to all first-year students who have become members of the Kaunas Faculty community! We wish you a smooth start of your study process. We hope you meet like-minded people for discussions, projects and other activities within and outside the Faculty. Whether the study years will be a special experience depends to a large extent on your own initiative, which Vilnius University particularly supports and encourages. We hope that the studies you have chosen will carve a path not only for your professional but also for your personal growth and development.

We also congratulate all faculty members, senior students and staff on the new academic year and invite you to raise issues of importance to society, and to propose creative solutions to topical problems and new ideas in your work. Even as you close the Faculty's doors and embark on your professional career, we invite you to come back and share your knowledge and experience with current students.

The academic new year will be a special one for the Kaunas Faculty – students, lecturers and administrative staff are gathering here for the 60th time, and we invite you to join us on 2 September for a special anniversary celebration of the Academic Year.

On 2 September, Vilnius University (VU) will invite students and lecturers of all faculties to a traditional procession along Gediminas Avenue from the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania to the VU Great Court and a solemn ceremony of RENOVATIO STUDIORUM. Also, in the first week of September, the University will invite all first-year students to the #StudentAUK integration days, where they will have the opportunity to not only find out all about studying, leisure and life at the University and in their faculty, but also to get to know their groupmates and senior students, lecturers and faculty heads. It's a great opportunity to feel part of a big VU community. For more information on all Vilnius University events, please visit: https://www.studentauk.vu.lt/en/

Thirsday, 29 August 2024

WELCOME EVENT FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Where? Compensa Concert​ Hall, Kernavės St. 84, Vilnius

09:00–10:00 AM Registration of Exchange Students

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Opening of the Orientation Week

WELCOME

INSIGHT INTO EXPERIENCE OF STUDYING ABROAD
International student of the Institute of International Relations and Political Sciences

ME & VILNIUS UNIVERSITY
International student of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration

CULTURE CENTRE INVITES
Vilnius University Culture Centre

HISTORY OF LITHUANIA: DO WE HAVE TO KNOW IT
Faculty of History

EXPERIENCE OF STUDYING ABROAD

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM Lunch

WELCOME TO VILNIUS
International House Vilnius

GETTING ARROUND IN VILNIUS
Public Transport in Vilnius city

WAKE UP WITH HEALTH AND SPORTS CENTRE
Vilnius University Sports and Health Center

BE SAFE
The Emergency Response Center
Community well-being department at Vilnius University

DON’T MISS IT
VU ESN

STUDY INFORMATION (For degree seeking students)

GETTING TO VILNIUS. Erasmus Coordinator Livija Grikietis is coordinating the participation of internationational students from VU Kaunas Faculty in this event. If you wish to participate, you can travel from Kaunas to Vilnius by train together with other students. We can take the 08:00 AM train (please arrive at Kaunas train station by 07:50 AM at the latest).
If you have an ISIC card, your train ticket will cost you half the usual fare, since students get a 50% discount on intercity travel. Please show your student card when buying the ticket, and keep it throughout the journey. Same discount applies to city transport (buses/trolleybuses) in Vilnius. It is recommended to get a public transport ticket when buying the train ticket on the app, since this will make things a lot easier when in Vilnius (we will take a bus from the station to the venue). You can also buy train tickets at the station or online: https://bilietas.ltglink.lt/ if you do not want to use the LTG Link app.

If you wish to go to Vilnius together, please e-mail to Livija Grikietis at , so that she knows how many students to expect.

Friday, 30 August 2024

10:00–11:00 AM [WEBINAR] Vilnius University eServices. First Steps for First Year Students (in English) LOGIN LINK

 The introductory days will start with remote lectures on VU’s electronic systems and how to use them.

Monday, 2 September 2024

OPENING OF THE 60TH ACADEMIC YEAR AT THE VILNIUS UNIVERSITY KAUNAS FACULTY

Linden Courtyard, Muitinės Str. 12, Kaunas

Welcome to the start of the new academic year! There will be music, surprises, new acquaintances and a  special gift from the Dean for every first-year student.

10:00 AM –12:00 PM Speed Friending chat game and shakes of academic discussions for students, lecturers and administration staff in the Linden Courtyard

It's a great opportunity to get to know the friendly and creative community of the Faculty, members of the Students‘ Representation, lecturers, and administrative staff, to broaden your social life and to make friends or partners! Let‘s take part in the Speed Friending chat game.

12:00 PM preparation to leave to Vilnius to take part at the traditional Vilnius University procession and RENOVATIO STUDIORUM celebration.

REGISTRATION for students, lecturers and faculty staff wishing to go to Vilnius.

12:30 PM Departure by bus to Vilnius (from Karaliaus Mindaugas Ave. in front of the Church of Vytautas the Great). NB! Snacks and raincoats will be provided in the bus!

2:45 PM Ceremonial procession of the Vilnius University community along Gediminas Avenue from the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to the Great Courtyard of Vilnius University.

The procession unites students, lecturers and alumni from all faculties. Join this unique opportunity (at least once in a lifetime) to participate and feel the power of community and togetherness! Don't hesitate to register (Registration for the bus), wear your KnF branded T-shirt and share some festive cheer!

3:00–4:30 PM Ceremony of the beginning of the academic year RENOVATIO STUDIORUM in the Grand Courtyard where VU leaders and guests will greet everyone, the first-year students will take their oath, and the beginning of the new academic year will be officially announced.

5:15 PM Departure from the bus parking lot at Simonas Daukantas Square in front of the President Palace back to Kaunas. Return to the church of Vytautas the Great is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

FIRST-YEAR MASTER'S STUDENTS MEETING WITH STUDY PROGRAMME COMMITTEES AT THE VILNIUS UNIVERSITY KAUNAS FACULTY

4:30 PM International Business Management students' meeting with the Chairwoman of the committee of the study programme Assoc. Prof. Dr Ingrida Šarkiūnaitė at Auditorium No II (Building I, Muitinės Str. 8, Kaunas) and online, LOGIN LINK

Tuesday, 3 September 2024 

INTRODUCTION DAYS FOR FIRST-YEAR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

 9:00–10:00 AM Information Systems and Cyber Security students’ meeting with the Chairman of the committee of the study programme Assoc. Prof. Dr Ilona Veitaitė at Auditorium V (Building I, Muitinės Str. 8) and online LOGIN LINK

10:00–11:00 AM Proud to Study at Vilnius University or Hinc itur ad astra. Lectio prima on the history of Vilnius University by Prof Virginija Jurėnienė at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

3 September is the first of the Introductory days for first-year Bachelor students. Plunge into the academic life by listening to your Lectio prima! Let‘s meet at  the largest auditorium of the Faculty named after Professor of Economics Vladas K. Gronskas! We will start the day with an inspiring and very useful lecture by Professor Virginija Jurėnienė.

11:00 AM –12:00 PM Meeting with the Kaunas Faculty administration. Moderator: Orinta Kasparavičiūtė, the HR Coordinator at the Students’ Representation of Kaunas Faculty, at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

Participants: the Dean of the Kaunas Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Giedrius Romeika, the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs, Prof. Dr. Daiva Aliūkaitė,  the Vice-Dean for Infrastructure and Development , Prof. Dr. Saulius Masteika, the Director of the Institute of Languages, Literature and Translation Studies Prof. Danguolė Satkauskaitė, the Director of the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics Assist. Prof. Dr. Indrė Ščiukauskė, and the Head of the Studies Division Jolita Malinauskienė.

It is a great opportunity to start your acquaintance with the Faculty and its leaders.

1:00–1:30 PM A smooth study experience: key tips for fresh students about organisation of your studies and help. International Studies Administrator Indrė Višinskaitė

International study opportunities at Vilnius University. Presented by Livija Grikietis, International Studies Coordinator

at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

Briefing on the most important things a first-year student needs to know in order to successfully integrate into the study process and take advantage of the benefits and support offered by Vilnius University.

Have you heard about Erasmus? Do you dream of trying your hand at studying at a foreign university? Find out what opportunities Erasmus offers and how to take advantage of them. Livija will give you an in-depth presentation of the opportunities for international studies.

1:30–2:00 PM Presentation of the services and resources of the Kaunas Faculty Library. Senior Librarian Viktorija Mačiulyte, at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

A place you will definitely visit often is the Library of the Kaunas Faculty! Find out how to use its resources and how to make the most of its services.

2:00–2:30 PM My well-being is your well-being: what the University offers. Community Psychologist Inga Abramavičienė and Disability Coordinator Skaistė Grudzinskaitė, at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

2:30–3:00 PM Student services: what to do when you don't know what to do? Career consultant Tadas Karosas, at the Prof. Vladas Gronskas' Auditorium (Building II, Muitinės Str. 8 Kaunas)

Concise and useful information that you simply must know.

3:00–3:40 PM Guided tour of the building ensemble of Kaunas Faculty

The Kaunas Faculty is housed in buildings that have withstood various historical periods. The corridors of the Faculty recall the visit of Emperor Napoleon, the attics are haunted by ghosts, and there are legends of merchants' treasures stored in the cellars. If you are eager to learn the history of the Faculty's foundation, see the most secret corners and hear the legends, visit the Library and auditoriums where you will have lectures, join the tour.

The tour starts in the Liutheran Courtyard (Muitinės Str. 8, Kaunas)

4:00–8:00 PM Barbecue evening and concert

The barbecue evening, organised by the Students' Representation at Kaunas Faculty, will feature hot dogs, refreshments and a concert by a musical band. *The event is free of charge for members of the Faculty community.

Linden Courtyard, Muitinės Str. 12, Kaunas

Wednesday, 4 September 2024

7:00–9:00 PM Dance party with folklore ensemble “Uosinta”

Linden Courtyard, Council Hall in case of rain, Muitinės Str. 12, Kaunas

The singing, dancing, performing and never-bored members of the VU KnF folklore ensemble "Uosinta" invite you to join them for a fun leisure evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays. Membership in the ensemble means new friends, fun and travel. You are welcome to join Uosinta every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 PM at the Council Hall, Muitinės Str. 12, Kaunas.

Friday, 6 September 2024

INTEGRATION FESTIVAL “AD ASTRA” IN VILNIUS

At the beginning of the new academic year, the Integration Festival Ad astra is back for the 5th time!

The festival is organised by the Vilnius University Students’ Representation (VU SR). Enjoy the true student spirit, engage in discussions, a contact fair of various students‘ hobby clubs, NGOs and scientific societies, workshops, a concert and more! The Vilnius University community will be here, so don't miss out!

WHY AD ASTRA? Because starting from here we rise to stars!

So what are you waiting for? Are answer – you! Whether you are a fresh student or already one, a member of the VU community or a visitor to Vilnius, have never participated or a frequent one, in this year’s Ad Astra: VU SA Integration Festival there’s something for everyone!

The event will be filmed and photographed.

REGISTRATION for those who want to go by bus from Kaunas to Vilnius (and back). The visit will also involve the tour around the oldest University in Lithuania and a possibility to attend Lectio prima by the Rector, Professor of History Rimvydas Petrauskas.

11:00 AM Departure for Vilnius by bus. The bus will be waiting in front of the church of Vytautas the Great (Aleksoto str. 3, Kaunas) at 11 am, with a planned return to Kaunas by 11.30 PM.

1:00 PM Guided tour around Vilnius University

1:00–10:00 PM Integration festival of student clubs and societies Ad astra at the courtyards of Vilnius University headquarters and concert, Universiteto Str. 3, Vilnius

10:00 PM Departure by bus from the bus stop in front of the Vilnius Cathedral. Scheduled return to Kaunas around 11.30 PM.

This September will mark the 30th anniversary of the boisterous and vibrant procession in which students, teaching staff, and other members of the Vilnius University (VU) community march together down Gediminas Avenue in Vilnius. Over the years, it has become a key element of the 1 September events in Lithuania’s capital. As we celebrate its anniversary, let us reflect on the origins of this tradition.

The idea of the Renovatio Studiorum parade first came to light in 1994 when Prof. Rolandas Pavilionis, the then VU Rector, proposed to Sigitas Sunelaitis, who was responsible for managing the University’s affairs, the idea of organising a University-wide procession along the city’s main street.

Kaunas Faculty of Vilnius University invites Master students, PhD students and other researchers working in the field of social sciences and applied informatics to share their findings, scientific ideas and establish academic contacts at the 19th International Scientific Conference of Prof. Vladas Gronskas, which will take place on 29 November. Abstract submission and registration will be open until 29 October.

Students wishing to deepen their knowledge in economics, finance, management, business administration and marketing and interested in getting to know the subtleties of these studies and science as early as possible are also invited to participate.

This summer, VU Kaunas Faculty is hosting 5 student summer internship projects funded by the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) for €20 000. Four of the projects are being carried out at the Institute of Language, Literature and Translation Studies while one project is being curated by the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics. The total amount of funding for a summer internship is €4 000, which includes a €1000/month scholarship for the student. The projects are implemented for 2 months from 1 July to 30 August.

This initiative aims to encourage students to engage in active research activities and to develop their scientific competence. The main results are expected to be review articles and conference presentations.

As Donatas Misiūnas, the VU KnF Specialist for the projects, says, Kaunas Faculty researchers regularly involve motivated students of all study levels and courses in projects and research.

During the summer internship, the students use the University library and international databases, as well as the equipment and software of the Kaunas Faculty laboratories. Important research on a wide range of cultural, social and technological issues is being carried out.

“More and more students are determined to swap summer holidays for professional and personal development, competing for internships,” says D. Misiūnas happily. According to him, summer internship projects are particularly valuable because, during a relatively short but intensive period, students acquire new knowledge, skills and competences which they need for further studies, research and future professional activities. The project helps the students put theoretical knowledge into practice, increase their independence and confidence in their research skills.

“It is important to note that the students also strengthen their communication skills while preparing to present their research results in a persuasive way, improve their technology skills with data analysis software and multimedia processing, and acquire practical research skills such as data collection or questionnaires,” explains the Faculty specialist.

Projects carried out at VU KNF during the summer of 2024

The project Soft Power Narratives: The Use of Linguistics and Multimodality in Film (P-SV-24-169) is conducted by Augustė Jurgilaitė, the third-year student of the Bachelor’s study programme English and Another Foreign Language (Swedish), curated by the Institute of Language, Literature and Translation Studies. The supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Živilė Nemickienė.

“I have chosen 3 films from different cultures to analyse: “Requiem for a Dream” for American culture, the Spanish film “The Platform” for European culture and “Parasite” for Asian culture. Currently, I have analysed 2 of the 3 selected films and I can say that the soft power (which I had not heard of before) is evident in them. What fascinates me is that the soft power is very subtle and sometimes unnoticeable to an individual, but it nevertheless has an impact on consciousness. Through this work, I started to notice and reflect on these subtle hints and how they can affect both me and other people,” says Augustė.

The project Studies of Lithuanian Interwar Periodicals: The Diversity of Women's Literary Criticism and Its Relationship with Humanistic Literary Criticism (P-SV-24-76) is carried out by Emilija Gedgaudaitė, the third-year student of the Bachelor’s study programme Lithuanian Philology and Promotion, curated by the Institute of Language, Literature and Translation Studies. The supervisor: Prof. Dr Gabija Bankauskaitė. 

“I am glad for an opportunity to look back at a very significant period in Lithuanian culture. Interwar literary criticism truly shows us what a complex, but at the same time winding in its varieties path Lithuanian literature is. The research helps me to get to know the authors from a different point of view: instead of a range of works, I have the opportunity to see what literature means to Lithuanian authors,” says Emilija.

The project Subtitle Positioning and Visual Perception: A Comparative Analysis of the Reading Experience of Deaf and Hearing Viewer (P-SV-24-258) is being implemented by Rugilė Žvirblytė, the third-year student of the Bachelor’s study programme Audiovisual Translation, curated by the Institute of Language, Literature and Translation Studies. The supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Jurgita Astrauskienė.

“Together with the supervisor of the project, Jurgita Astrauskienė, we are trying to find out what SDH (subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing) are most suitable for the deaf and hard of hearing viewers. I work intensively in the oculography laboratory, where it takes about 20 minutes to examine one respondent. Participants watch excerpts from the science fiction film "Vesper", filmed in Lithuania, through an oculograph. The excerpts are prepared with different types of SDH and focus on questions relevant to the research. The respondent then completes the questionnaire and we compare the data obtained,” tells Rugilė.

The project Reception of Visual-Verbal Play in Dubbed Animation: A Pilot Viewer Study (P-SV-24-78) is carried out by Vaida Furmanavičiūtė, the third-year student of the Bachelor’s study programme Audiovisual Translation, curated by the Institute of Language, Literature and Translation Studies. The supervisor: Prof. Dr Danguolė Satkauskaitė.

“The visual-verbal play occurs when words interact with an image on the screen, but both of them have different meanings, thus producing a humorous effect. These cases pose significant challenges for translators and are therefore sometimes not reflected in the translation. Our study consists of two parts: an oculographic examination and a semi-structured interview. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will be shown excerpts in the original language and the participants of another group will see the same excerpts in Lithuanian. This will allow us to see whether the translation strategies used have achieved the same audience response as in the original language. I hope that the results of our research will be useful and that they will contribute at least a little to future research on audiovisual translation with new insights,” says Vaida.

The project Analysis and Prevention of Cyber Vulnerabilities Among Working-Age Internet Users (P-SV-24-325) is carried out by Yehor Poliarskyi, the second-year student of the Bachelor’s study programme Information Systems and Cyber Security, curated by the Institute of Social Sciences and Applied Informatics. The supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Renata Danielienė.

“The main goal of my research is to create targeted cyber security recommendations for Lithuanian residents by analysing survey questionnaires on cyber incidents experienced by participants and the preventive measures used together with experts’ suggestions. Currently, the most difficult part for me has been to conduct the survey with at least 200 participants, because a lot of people are on vacation during the summer and do not want to engage in such activities. With the help of Student’s Representation and my colleagues and classmates I completed this phase of my research successfully. Now I start communicating with the experts. After that, I will be ready to prepare final recommendations and defend my project,“ tells Yehor.

Participate next summer! 

Students can take part in the Student Summer Internship projects, where they carry out research during their summer holidays on an individual programme, under the guidance of a research supervisor. Duration – 2 months (July - August). Projects are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, except for those in their final year of study at the time of application. The weighted average of the student's grades in the last semester of all the subjects studied must be 8.0 or higher.

At the end of the summer internship, the students will participate in a conference organised by the Research Council of Lithuania, where they will present the results of the carried out research either in oral or poster presentations.

https://lmt.lrv.lt/lt/veiklos-sritys/mokslo-finansavimas/karjeros-mobilumo-sklaidai-skatinimo-priemones/studentu-tyrimai-vasaros-metu/

If legends like Apple Computer can be born in a garage, it is not that surprising that the formation of the VU KNF Basketball team started with a conversation in the Student‘s Representation. What matters is whether words become actions. Giedrius Romeika, the dean of the Faculty, is certain that there is only one formula for increasing student involvement in the University life: to listen, to encourage and to support, and hopes that this great example will be an incentive for the less daring. Mantas Kalinauskas, the student of the Economics and Management study programme, agrees with the dean. He has taken the lead without fear of the inevitable bureaucracy and is determined to turn this venture into a beneficial experience.

“We discussed the matter, created a survey and shared it on social media. After collecting the answers, we organised the first training session to get to know the players and assess their skills and potential,” says Mantas Kalinauskas, the team leader. Together with him, the first members of the team were Titas Repšys, the then chairman of the Students' Representation, and Marijus Našlėnas, the first-year student of the Finance Analytics study programme. The first meeting of the players was followed by negotiations with the administration of the Faculty, which not only helped to set the goals but also to secure the necessary funding.