Enhancing the attractiveness of study programs in biosystems engineering at Lithuanian University of Agriculture

Abstract

Lithuanian University of Agriculture uses various ways to enhance attractiveness of study programmes of Agricultural Engineering via printed publications, multimedia and internet. University organizes conferences, open door days, researchers’ nights, exhibitions and fairs for introduction of the profession of Agricultural Engineering, infrastructure of the University, study and research projects, core curricula of the study programmes, learning outcomes and employment opportunities. Additional information about studies and research in Agricultural Engineering is available in the web-sites of the University and the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, University facebook site. Promotion of the practical training for students at enterprises involved in the field of Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering is possible by direct relations between departments and enterprises, assistance of the Career centre of the University, direct contacts between students and enterprises, cooperation with International department of the University for international practical training, cooperation with professional associations. The site of International department of the university informs students about opportunity of practices abroad. Students can apply ERASMUS support for such practice. There are more schemes for promoting mobility of students, graduates and staff of the faculty of Agricultural Engineering within and outside Europe. They can use various study, research and exchange programmes, bilateral agreements between universities, cooperation with international enterprises. Experiences of the partners of ERABEE thematic network in the field of studies and research of Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering were used for preparation of the application grant for the introduction a new study programme “Biomass engineering” with a topics of Bioenergy and Biomaterials.