vgtu Archives - Study in Lithuania

April 2, 2019

Establishing the Unique Centre of Excellence for BIM Advancement in the Baltics

Technological advancements has a positive impact on the development of countries worldwide, including Lithuania. Building Information Modelling (BIM) application for building design, construction and operation represents one of the most significant steps in advancement of technology. In the context of the growing digitalisation of the construction industry Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) has signed the Agreement of Cooperation with Riga Technical University and Tallinn University of Technology for joint development of the first unique Centre of Excellence for BIM Advancement in the Baltics.

Activities of the Centre of Excellence for BIM Advancement will be based on consolidated human and technical resources of the three partner universities and encompass training of highly qualified BIM professionals, adjusting the methodology and training curriculum, developing and implementation of joint study programmes, sharing the research results.

VGTU Rector Alfonsas Daniūnas claims that “Digitalisation and application of BIM solutions constitute an integral part of the competitive and innovative growth of the construction industry. The fourth industrial revolution is making its pace around the world, thus digitalisation is expected to have the profound impact on most areas of life both locally and globally. In response to the growing labour market demand for civil engineers VGTU has initiated the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for BIM to be developed in cooperation with the leading technical universities in the Baltic region. The Centre of excellence is expected to contribute to the practical implementation of the BIM methodology, training of highly qualified professionals in the area of civil engineering, architecture, environmental and infrastructure engineering, even more so the industrial community will be prepared to meet the challenges of digitalisation”.

Construction market is characterised by the growing demand for the qualified staff, especially trained in the field of digital technologies. This demand is driven by the huge regional project development, such as Rail Baltica. Therefore, main activities of the Centre of Excellence will be targeted at integration of BIM technological, management and practical skills into the training and upskilling programmes and update of the existing training programmes content. The best examples of the global infrastructure projects will be taken into account in the course of implementation of the abovementioned activities.

Riga Technical University Rector Leonids Ribickis expresses its support for the establishment of a common centre of excellence and is convinced of its success. It has been started in the right time and direction. There are large-scale infrastructure projects in the European Union that are very important for our common future. Such a BIM Centre of Excellence is in line with our strategic goals and will contribute to the global growth of university ratings.

TalTech Rector Jaak Aaviksoo welcomes the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for BIM as an important landmark for all of us. “TalTech civil engineering is known from solid achievements already for last 100 years and it is good to see that this field with extremely strong traditions is capable for dynamic development also today and tomorrow towards digitalized and sustainable construction. Because of largest possible products and typically unique architecture, digitalization and automation in construction has turned to be one of the most challenging compared to other industries. However, big turnover of the sector and high prices of buildings call for the productivity and recourse efficiency improvements expected to be resulted in benefits for large number of end customers. Co-operation and knowledge sharing are the key terms when building leading building information modelling competences in Nordic and Baltic scale. BIM can be expected to be a similar success and possibility for high-quality built environment as energy efficiency already has shown a model example how a small country can rapidly develop to be among leading players in this field.”

The founders of the Centre commit themselves to the development and maintaining close university, industry and business relationship, further development of BIM methodology and its practical implementation in the construction, transport, infrastructure and real estate maintenance sector as well as supporting public and private sectors in creating the digital society. These activities will be implemented by sharing best practices, ensuring mutual cooperation and public awareness on the benefits of BIM.

Source – Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

March 19, 2019

4 Lithuanian Universities are Ranked Among the Top Universities in the World

The latest “QS World University Rankings by Subject” are in and Lithuanian higher education field can not be prouder! For the first time ever, one of the Lithuanian universities is ranked among the top 100 best universities in the world. In total 4 Lithuanian higher education institutions are listed in the rankings.

According to the latest “QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019” (published on February 27^th) Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) continues to grow strong and gains wider recognition. The university ranks in 51-100 place in Engineering – Civil and Structural subject group. In the subject area of Engineering and Technology VGTU ranks at 256 place. So far VGTU is the first university in Lithuania to reach such a high position in the ranking.

Vilnius University (VU) is listed in the rankings under the subject areas of Linguistics (201–250 place), Physics and Astronomy (251-300 place), Accounting and Finance (251-300 place), Natural Sciences (383 place), Social Sciences and Management (384 place), Arts and Humanities (393 place). In addition, VU is ranked in the subject groups of Business and Management Studies (401-450 place), Medicine (451–500 place), and Biological Sciences (451–500 place). Also it is ranked in subject areas of Informatics and Information Systems (451–500 place), Engineering and Technology (451–500 place).

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) this year is ranked in subject group of Electronics and Electrical Engineering (401–450 place) and in the subject area of Engineering and Technology (451–500 place), and in the subject group of Business and Management Studies (451-500 place). Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) is also among the ranked universities. It is listed on 251–300 place in the Law subject group.

January 8, 2019

An American student chooses his dream studies in aviation at VGTU

Probably many Lithuanians would leave the country without hesitation to enjoy the warm Florida’s sun at least for some time. Meanwhile, 22-year old resident of this state Ty Yamnitz has done the opposite and chose to pursue his career in Lithuania. Floridian was looking for a change and decided to choose his dream studies in aviation in an unknown European country; and, so, he came to Lithuania.

“It was a last minute decision. I chose Vilnius and did not regret it for a moment,” said the student.

Recently, he took another step important for his career as he started working for Avia Solutions Group – the largest aviation holding company focusing on aviation business solutions in Central and Eastern Europe.

Chose his dream studies

While in Florida, Ty Yamnitz was looking into the best universities in Europe educating aviation engineers and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University attracted his attention. Entering the university for a person who has been interested in aviation since childhood was not hard, but filling in all documents remotely took quite some time. He barely made it for the start of the school year.

The American was seriously concerned when his classmates have started their studies while he was still in the USA. The minute he received the final confirmation, he bought the ticket for the nearest flight and in three days he has left home for his studies in Lithuania.

“It was completely new to me because it was my first time in Lithuania. Nevertheless, I have only positive experience. The quality of studies stands up to the highest standards of the European Union. The only thing I am worried about is the financing of studies. It seems that education institutions do not receive enough funding as in other countries and students have less opportunities,” noted the student.

He believes that a person needs to gain a lot of experience and be creative in networking to be in demand after graduation in Lithuania.

Admires Lithuania

When asked about his first impression after his arrival to Vilnius, T. Yamnitz was joking that Vilnius seemed small and compact at first, and it took only a few days to get used to the city.

“Of course, the hardest thing is to get used to the cold climate. On the other hand, I love the forests and that the country is very safe,” added the American.

At first, Lithuanians seemed closed and focused on their own affairs, but his opinion had changed once he got to know them better. “In fact, you are reserved, but at the same time friendly and nice people,” T. Yamnitz praised Lithuanians.

Studies are not enough

The American decided not to waste time and find a job matching his profession during his study years.
“I am convinced that it’s not enough just to study. Work experience is also very important. It is an opportunity to get to know people and build your professional network,” he told.

The student wanted to find a job in an international company, and Avia Solutions Group was on his list for quite some time. He found information about the company online.

First, he sent his CV via email and was eager to hear from the company. Unfortunately, he was informed that currently there are no vacancies, and aviation holding company will inform him when they will be looking for new employees.

“Later, representatives of Avia Solution Group participated in the university’s career days. I decided not to give up and went for a conversation with the company’s employees from Human Resource department. I introduced myself, described my background and said that I want to work for the company,” he remembered.

Reached his goal

In a few days he received a long-waited message – he was invited to a job interview and was offered a two-month internship at Communication department.

After a successful internship the student was offered a job. “I am very happy. My job schedule is flexible; I can plan it according to my classes at the university. Every day at work is like a new challenge. I am learning to work in a team and with various departments. It is very interesting to see the results of all hard work which we are doing,” said the American.

Student, satisfied with his studies and work, shared that he could imagine living in Lithuania, but on the other hand he is open to new career challenges abroad.
“A person who is too closely attached to one place in a way sets the top limit to what they can reach. Lithuania is very important to my long term goals even though I cannot stay here for the rest of my life,” shared T. Yamnitz.

Source – Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

December 12, 2018

VGTU’s Festive season’s surprise – a flying Christmas tree

While Lithuanian cities are competing whose Christmas tree is the nicest, the creation of Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute’s at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) community is definitely the most unique. As befits true aviators, a Christmas tree made by the institute’s faculty and students can fly.

A 1.2-meter Christmas tree is made from polyurethane foam. Engine of the tree is on the top and at the bottom – four steering wheels. This radio-controlled unconventional evergreen can fly in various directions or just hang in the air. The Christmas tree lights can be switched on remotely.

“We have agreed with students to dedicate Fridays for unconventional creative tasks. On one of those Fridays, we were brainstorming what would be a nice surprise to the university’s community for Christmas. We decided that it would be interesting to create a different Christmas tree. We all are from A. Gustaitis aviation institute; thus, is was natural, that our Christmas tree must fly,” explains Aleksandr Lapušinskij, Head of the Laboratory of Aeronautics. According to him, it took three days to put this idea into reality.
Creators of the flying Christmas tree are convinced that such a unique surprise will please not only VGTU’s community, but also the Santa Claus. “We are certain, that Santa Claus has deep expertise in technologies. Each year he chooses and brings to children enormous number of smart phones, tablets, video games, and other technological gifts. What kind of present one could put under a flying Christmas tree? Of course, a flying one!” says jokingly representative of the university, hoping that a flying Christmas tree will raise interest in aviation among the youth and children.

The flying Christmas tree isn’t the only symbol of the festive season interpreted in a modern way by the university’s community. Last year, VGTU and its partners have attracted international attention by creating the world’s smallest nativity scene. The scene was an exact replica of the nativity scene at the Cathedral square in Vilnius. It has been reduced 10 000 times and it could be placed on a single human eyelash. The nano-nativity scene was presented to Pope Francis as a gift on behalf of the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. Also it has been submitted for review to a panel of judges from the Guinness World Records. Organisational partners of the project: Vilnius Archdiocese, “Go Vilnius”, public body “Invest Lithuania”, the patron of the idea – the Presidency of the Republic of Lithuania.

Watch the video of the flying Christmas tree:

Source – Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU)

Tag: vgtu

Establishing the Unique Centre of Excellence for BIM Advancement in the Baltics

4 Lithuanian Universities are Ranked Among the Top Universities in the World

An American student chooses his dream studies in aviation at VGTU

VGTU’s Festive season’s surprise – a flying Christmas tree