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Invitation to the Webinar: “Next Chapter: Opportunities for VMU Graduates”

The VMU International Cooperation Department invites all international soon-to-be graduates, current students, and alumni to our upcoming webinar, “Next Chapter: Opportunities for VMU Graduates.” This event is designed to equip future graduates with the essentials for their next steps after graduation.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 10:00 a.m. EEST, online via Microsoft Teams.

Attendees will gain insights into admission pathways for Bachelor’s graduates to Master’s Degree programmes, explore PhD study opportunities at Vytautas Magnus University for Master’s graduates, and discover how to engage with our alumni network, utilize the alumni platform, and participate in the Unibuddy ambassador program. The session will also cover important aspects of Temporary Residence Permits and other migration questions, provide insights into career opportunities through a presentation from the VMU Career Centre, and introduce the DON@ project.

This webinar is highly recommended for:

• Soon-to-be VMU graduates
• Current students planning for life after graduation
• VMU alumni interested in exploring new opportunities

Please register here to secure your spot for this informative session.

We look forward to welcoming you!

VMU Student on Her Book-Worthy Exchange Studies in Brussels

“When I was selecting a country for my Erasmus+ exchange studies, I really wanted to go to Spain or Portugal – because of their exceptional architecture, languages, and warm climate. However, I ended up going to Belgium, which was actually my third choice. After getting there, I realized that it was one of the best decisions of my life. I could probably write a book about how much I enjoyed it”, says Ugnė Karkazaitė, a Public Communication (BA) student at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). Last spring, as part of the Erasmus+ Programme, she studied at the Institute for Higher Social Communication Studies (IHECS) in Brussels.

Ugnė describes Brussels as a safe international city with no shortage of cultural activities and a vibrant nightlife. She was also impressed by Belgian cuisine. The student observes that Belgian culture is very diverse, particularly in Brussels, where the population includes people from many different parts of the world. Belgians are warm, pleasant, and peaceful – living up to the popular Lithuanian expression, “as calm as a Belgian”.

“I really loved the culture of the people in Brussels, they are much more open and warm. Public transportation is good: there’s the underground, trams, buses, and trains, so getting around is simple and convenient. I liked the active nightlife too: I’d heard that it was unsafe but I never felt that way at night – whether in the city centre or in other areas”, Ugnė assures, adding that Brussels offers a multitude of engaging activities both in central and more remote neighbourhoods.

Ugnė Karkazaitė

A priceless experience: volunteering with the Red Cross

Sharing her impressions of the studies, Ugnė notes that she liked the informal, warm interactions that the IHECS teachers had with the students and their genuine efforts to teach new things. The courses were conducted in English and were well-adapted for international students. Aside from a truly cozy atmosphere, she also enjoyed many of the taught subjects, including Civic Engagement, which included a requirement to complete at least 30 hours of volunteering to help others.

“My friend and I decided to help the homeless and refugees; we volunteered at several organizations, including the Red Cross. At times, it was difficult and uncomfortable to talk to the homeless, but in the end, it was an invaluable experience. It taught me to appreciate what I have and to stop complaining about trivial things because some people would dream of having problems like mine”, Ugnė remarks, pointing out that the volunteers were a large crowd and this was a great opportunity to meet new people from many different backgrounds.

The VMU student particularly enjoyed the Audio Narratology course, during which students analysed various sounds from films, audiobooks, or other audio narratives – the teacher explained how these sounds are created and how they inject more life into a movie one is watching or a story one is listening to. At the end of the semester, working in groups, the students created their own narratives where everything had to be described using just sound.

Brussels: a student-friendly city

The decision to spend four months studying in Brussels proved highly rewarding, the student confirms, explaining that the gained experience will be truly beneficial both in her further education as well as career development.

“I think that determination to travel as part of Erasmus+ may show the employer that this is a person who is not afraid of challenges. The lectures I had were truly relevant to me as future communication specialist: from digital marketing, where we learned about Google Ads, to audio narratology, which is important in social media content creation. Volunteering taught me how to interact with a variety of people. I also improved my foreign language skills significantly: not just English but French as well”, Ugnė Karkazaitė reveals.

Ugnė Karkazaitė

The Belgian capital, she argues, is a great choice for students, thanks to the many benefits available to them. “The city is student-friendly: you can get many discounts in shops, cafés, and bars. Public transport and museum tickets are much cheaper for students too. Also, some organisations offer food at reduced prices or bring together international students so they don’t feel lonely”, the student explains.

Exchange studies abroad: a worthwhile decision

Vytautas Magnus University, often ranked as Lithuania’s most international university, provides students with exceptional opportunities to travel abroad for a few months or even a year, giving them a taste of studies or internships across the globe: from Argentina, Malaysia, and South Korea to the U.S., Italy, and Mauritius. Every year, hundreds of VMU students make use of the opportunity to visit one of the university’s many international partners.

Ugnė encourages students to try exchange studies abroad: it is truly a worthwhile decision. “Go, and don’t hesitate! In my opinion, it is one of the best things that a young person could experience. Erasmus+ not only gives you a chance to study at the world’s best universities but also helps you grow as a person”, Karkazaitė claims.

Discussing her future plans, Ugnė is currently focused on completing and defending her bachelor’s thesis. After that, however, she is considering continuing her studies in Belgium.

“In the summer, I’ll try to apply for Master’s studies in Brussels. Of course, before that, I’ll need to take care of various documents. That’s not so easy to do when you’re also working on your bachelor’s thesis. So I’m not talking much about my future plans just yet”, she smiles.

Call for Registration: European University Alliance T4EU Innovation Agora

Registration is currently open for the Innovation Agora, which will take place during the Strategic Assembly meeting of the European University Alliance Transform4Europe (T4EU) on October 21–22 at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Kaunas, Lithuania. The Strategic Assembly will also feature the T4EU Conference on Higher Education Transformations and the Global Partnerships Forum. The university community, as well as national and international partners, are encouraged to register for the Innovation Agora and present technological and non-technological innovations, initiatives, and to find partners for the further development of ideas.

The conference will focus on the same theme that underscores VMU’s presidency of the alliance this year: resilience, which has become critically important at both societal and individual levels. The conference will bring together leaders from academic institutions, experts, and students, as well as high-level European and Lithuanian politicians, global partners, business representatives, and other stakeholders. Resilience will be discussed in the contexts of digital and societal transformations, among others. Based on the insights from the conference, a strategic resilience policy document will be prepared.

Concurrently, the T4EU Innovation Agora will function as an open space for dialogue and collaboration, showcasing diverse resilience initiatives from across Europe. The organizers invite presentations in poster and interactive formats that highlight:

• Innovative educational practices and research findings;
• Innovations developed in collaboration with local and global partners (e.g., patents, prototypes, jointly developed technologies or solutions, etc.);
• Initiatives promoting resilience and solutions in well-being, governance, knowledge security, and digital transformations;
• Change-driven and impactful social initiatives from your institution.

Each T4EU partner is encouraged to nominate two strategic global partners or stakeholders to take part in this exchange. Participation in the T4EU Innovation Agora includes:

• A dedicated stand or booth space (table setup);
• Visibility during the main events attended by high-level guests, including government officials, EU representatives, academia, bisness & industistry, NGO;
• Poster exhibition or best-practice video showcase;
• On-request technical support (equipment availability to be discussed individually).

Up to 30 showcase spaces will be hosted within the main conference venue at VMU, ensuring high international visibility & matchmaking.

For registration and further information, please contact: kateryna.horiunova@vdu.lt.

For VMU Graduates – Last Chance to Apply for the Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

VMU students graduating this semester are invited to take advantage of the final opportunity to apply for the Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition, which includes EU/EEA countries. Application documents can be submitted until May 31, 2025.

 Main Features of the Erasmus+ Traineeship Competition

• The traineeship is available in all EU and EEA countries.
• The traineeship must be carried out within 12 months after graduation.
• The duration of the traineeship is from 2 to 4 months.
• Traineeship grant is provided to help cover travel and part of living expenses.
• This is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons, build international connections, and strengthen your professional path.

 More information and selection criteria

Registration for inter-university elective study courses (modules) at Kaunas universities has started

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Kaunas University of Technology (KUT), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS) and Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) continue cooperation for four years now and offer students to choose and study inter-university study modules at another university free of charge in the academic year 2025-2026.

The new modules will allow you to enrich your studies with new experiences, complete a course that is not directly related to your study programme, and study with students from another university. The newly acquired knowledge will help you expand your personal and professional competencies and provide you with additional career prospects.

You will study the optional course as an unclassified student and have the opportunity to submit it for recognition of the learning outcomes under your university’s internal procedures. Concluding an unclassified student’s contract and completing the study subject is free of charge.

Registration form. The registration deadline is 30 May 2025. Use your university email for the registration. The number of positions in the modules is limited.

List of courses. Before selecting a course, please read its description and consider in which semester (autumn or spring) it is taught. You can choose one course that corresponds to the cycle of your studies and is taught at another university.

VMU Study Department

Email: sd@vdu.lt

T4EU Welbeing: Intuition Imagination Innovation and Suicidology Conference

On 28-29 May 2025, Transform4Europe Alliance will organize T4EU Welbeing: Intuition Imagination Innovation and Suicidology Conference. This year’s theme is ‘Intervening with a suicidal person: what to do and what to avoid doing?’. Taking place over Zoom, the event will include not just numerous discussions from world renowned experts from the field of suicidology, but also a T4EU mental health workshop in the format of a group discussion. Those wishing to participate are invited to register.

The event is aimed at a wide audience, including students, professionals, academics and practitioners with an interest in suicidality and mental health within the Transform4Europe Alliance and beyond.

Why Join?

• Expert-Led Discussions: Gain insights from leading professionals in suicidology.
• Interactive Sessions: Engage in discussions and Q&A opportunities with speakers.

Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology conference is an international annual conference organised by the Slovene Centre for Suicide Research (Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Slovenia) in memory of the late Prof. Andrej Marušič (around the time of his birthday) to promote intuition, imagination and innovation in research and prevention of suicide and suicidal behaviour. This year’s special edition will see the conference organised as part of the T4EU effort to support mental health and university psychological counselling services.

During the last years, the conference has connected many people in the field of suicide research and prevention and will this further expand its mission within T4EU. The conference has developed into a platform for fruitful discussion between distinguished experts, interacting with young and perspective suicidologists or other eager professionals in the field.

The programme encompasses suicide research and clinical practice and covers theory, research, prevention and interventions in suicidology. The format allows speakers to present their expertise in depth while encouraging participants to contribute their perspectives. Challenges in both research and clinical settings are discussed in depth.

Students, professionals, scholars, practitioners or others interested in the topic of suicidal behaviours from different fields and different parts of the world are invited to attend the conference.

More detailed programme will be announced in the near future.

Programme

Registration

Opportunity for Youth to Join the “Erasmus+” Project “Celebrate!” in Norway

We’re sharing news about the opportunity to participate in the “Erasmus+” youth exchange project – “Celebrate!”, which will take place in Hamar, Norway, on June 9–18. Eligible participant age: 18–30 years.

The information package with all the necessary details about the project is available HERE.

Contacts for more information:

info@savanoriaikulturistai.lt

+37067165843

Apply Now: T4EU Transformation Lab Fair and Stakeholder Challenge for Students

Transform4Europe (T4EU) Alliance’s Environmental Transformation Lab (T-Lab) “Smart cities & regions” invites students of VMU and other alliance universities to participate in a three-day Fair on 2-4 June 2025 at the Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bulgaria. Registration deadline is 5 May.

The topic of the fair is “Climate Change and European Cities: Adaptation to Urban Heat Island Effect and Nature-Based Solutions”. During the event, students will get to know the activities of the T4EU Labs, participate in thematic discussions and workshop, in a geospatial research & technologies Fair, meet stakeholders & businesses and observe a stakeholder challenge for students.

More information

Registration

22nd Edition of the Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers Released

We invite you to explore the 22nd edition of the Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers Catalogue, published by the VMU Career Center. This edition is dedicated to all university students and features internship and volunteering opportunities offered by companies, government institutions, and non-governmental organizations. We hope everyone finds the perfect match!

Catalogue of Internship and Volunteering Offers No. 22 / April, 2025

The catalogue provides standardized information about each opportunity, including details about the company, institution, or organization offering the position, the title of the internship or volunteering role, and the requirements that prospective interns or volunteers must meet. Each listing specifies whether the activities can be combined with studies, the period during which interns or volunteers are accepted, positions available for students with special needs, and roles conducted in foreign languages, making them accessible to international students as well.

We hope this catalogue helps you find an internship or explore volunteering opportunities, paving your way into the job market!

Note: VMU Career Center is not responsible for the content of the opportunities listed in the catalogue. Companies and organizations independently determine the terms of internships and/or volunteering roles.

VMU Career Centre Invites You to the Informal Seminar Series “Towards Yourself’25: Business Starts with You”

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Career Centre invites students, alumni, and the entire university community to participate in the online meetings of the informal seminar series Towards Yourself ’25 in March and April and take advantage of the virtual CV Clinic.

This year’s theme, Business Starts with You, highlights that entrepreneurship is not just about starting your own company, nor is an entrepreneurial person solely a business owner. Entrepreneurship also means taking responsibility for your career, proactively shaping your career path, and presenting yourself effectively in the job market. It starts with skills that are valuable not only for launching a business but also for advancing in any career—such as the ability to sell your ideas, represent yourself well, and stand out from other candidates.

During the seminars, together with industry professionals, we will explore how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, build a personal brand, and understand why it is essential to “sell” your competencies to employers. We will discuss self-confidence and ways to leverage your strengths to achieve professional or business goals. Entrepreneurship begins with telling yourself—Yes, I can! So let’s develop our entrepreneurial skills together in the Towards Yourself’25 seminar series!

Towards Yourself ’25: Business Starts with You Program:

CV Clinic – Perfecting Your Resume

In March and April, university students and alumni will also have the opportunity to participate in the virtual CV Clinic. This service allows you to consult with a career professional to review your CV, receive feedback, gain valuable insights, and get tips on how to tailor your resume to meet all the necessary requirements. Want to get expert advice? You can send your CV via email to: cv@vdu.lt.