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.

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.