Lithuanian University of Agriculture

Lithuanian University of Agriculture is a university in Lithuania, located in Noreikiškės near Kaunas.

History

After restructurisation of the Agronomy - Forestry Department at the University of Lithuania (in Kaunas) and Dotnuva Agricultural College, the Agricultural Academy was established on September 3, 1924 in Dotnuva.

The Council of Professors and the first rector of the academy, professor P. Matulionis, were elected. Despite the fact that the economic situation in Lithuania was complicated and the Government could hardly support the newly established higher school, the Academy developed and grew stronger. In the period of 1924 - 1937, 125 graduates passed the final examinations and defended diploma theses. However, World War II disrupted usual work. Many of the professors and lecturers from the academy were deported to Siberia and others were able to escape deportation by withdrawing to Western countries.

In 1945 the Academy was transferred to Kaunas. In the beginning of 1946 Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization and Faculty of Water and Land Exploitation were established. As the number of students increased and Extramural department was established, it was decided to build a new campus of Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture in the outskirts of Kaunas. In 1964 the Academy was moved to the new campus in Noreikiškės, suburb of Kaunas.

The faculties of Water and Land Management and Economics with lecture-rooms, training laboratories were settled in the campus in 1979. The building of Forest Management Department received the first students in 1982. As a component of Academy campus 9 dormitories for students and residential area where at present most of the staff university live were built. The training premises were equipped and Experimental station was established.

After the independence of Lithuania was reestablished in 1990, the new system of studies was implemented. New qualification degrees (eg., Bachelor, Certified specialist, Master), together with new concepts such as modules and credits, were introduced. Fundamental theoretical subjects became the basis of studies and learning. Applied studies were organized under the resolution of the Councils of Faculties. In this way Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture became a university. Under the resolution of Parliament on October 8, 1996, Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture was granted the name of Lithuanian University of Agriculture.

Present

Lithuanian University of Agriculture includes the following subdivisions: 5 faculties - Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Economics and Management, Forestry, Water and Land Management; 3 institutes - Institute of Rural Culture, Institute of Environment and Institute of Informatics Technologies; 35 departments; Park of Agricultural Science and Technologies; Innovation centre; Experimental station; Training farm.

At present University has 6032 students, of which:· 3115 are full-time students,· 2371 - part-time students,· 471 - Master students, · 75 - doctoral students.

Pedagogical personnel of the University - 525 people: 33 professors and doctor habilitatus, 179 associated professors, 126 lectors and assistants, 178 - supplementary teaching staff.The University occupies the area of 862 ha. There are 5 training buildings, experimental station, training centre, training premises with total of 40 lecture rooms, 42 training studies, 80 laboratories, library with funds of 600,000 books (volumes).

Administration of University

Legislative bodies of the University are Academic Assembly, University Senate and University Council. Executive bodies - Rector and Rector’s office.

Rector Prof. dr. habil. Romualdas Deltuvas

Vice-Rector for Studies Asoc. prof. dr. Jonas Čaplikas

Vice-Rector for Research Prof. dr.habil. Albinas Kusta

Chairman of University Senate Prof. dr.habil. Algirdas Sirvydas

Department of Studies:Head of Department assoc. prof. Steponas Raudonius

Department of Research:Head of Department dr. Egidijus Šarauskis

International Department:Head of Department Minvydas Liegus

tudies

The University provides two levels of studies: basic (undergraduate) studies (Bachelor and applied studies) and Master degree (postgraduate) studies. After the main studies graduates receive Bachelor degree or qualification degree of profession (engineer, agronomist, etc.) in the corresponding field. The main studies take 4 years, part-time studies - 5 years. Having finished the main studies the graduate may choose one of two possibilities - specialist professional studies or studies for Master degree. The duration of specialist studies - 1 year, of studies for Master degree - 2 years. After specialist studies the diploma of certified specialist is conferred, after Master's studies - diploma of Master degree.The basic study volume unit is study module containing independent study object. Module include various forms of studies: lectures, laboratory work, training, seminars, student’s individual work, projects etc.

The main unit of modul volume is credit. One credit point is equivalent to one study week which refers to 40 hours. This corresponds to 1.5 ECTS credit point. The duration and extent of undergraduate studies are expressed in credit points. A student admitted on to a degree programme is eligible to receive Diploma upon successful completion of total 160 credits and taking final examination or after successful defence of diploma thesis.

Academic year at Lithuanian University of Agriculture is divided into two semesters, 20 weeks each:Autumn semester begins on September 1st; Spring semester, begins on the first week of February.

OCRATES studies in Lithuania

The students of SOCRATES partner institutions from EU are invited to come for studies in frame of SOCRATES exchange to the Lithuanian University of Agriculture.

External links

* [http://www.lzuu.lt/ University website]