VMU Infrastructure
The infrastructure of Vytautas Magnus University consists of premises, science and art base, technical and software systems, communication and information systems. The university’s infrastructure is constantly monitored, evaluated and improved in order to create a strong and effective platform for interdisciplinary research and development and to provide open access to research infrastructure for business and science cooperation.
VMU has a total of 75127,42 sq. m. of premises managed by trust and property rights, 11754,81 sq. m. of which consists of the VMU Kaunas Botanical Garden’s buildings. Together with the rented premises, the total building area used for VMU’s operations is 75127,42 sq. m. (year of 2017), which has increased by 8,49 % since 2014 (2013 – 75031,35 sq. m.; 2014 – 69251,28 sq. m.; 2015 – 75306 sq. m.; 2016 – 75049,28 sq. m). All the premises are strategically located in the center of the city.
Some of the infrastructure units were improved by undergoing reconstruction and major repairs in 2013-2017. The buildings for science and studies that were renewed or modernized include the faculties of Social Sciences and Law (Jonavos Str. 66), Faculty of Arts (Muitinės Str. 7), VMU Central Building and VMU Great Hall (S. Daukanto Str. 28). The renovated laboratory building of the VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences was opened at VMU Kaunas Botanical Garden (Ž. E. Žilibero Str. 2). Furthermore, the main building of VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences (Vileikos Str. 8) was renovated and adapted to the requirements of modern laboratories. The superstructure of VMU Faculty of Natural Sciences was built to set up proper and modern locations for the Neuroscience Laboratory, the Polygraph Room, the Virtual Studies, Audiovisual Technologies, Video Technology Studio, the Videoconferencing and Virtual Learning Environment Room.
In addition to this, the Biotechnology Laboratory Complex of the Natural Sciences, which consists of General and Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Biophysics and Bionanotechnology Laboratory, and Biophysics Research Laboratory, was also updated. Notably, new constructions have been erected: the Multifunctional Center for Studies and Research, located at V. Putvinskio Str. 23, was opened in 2016, and became the home of the faculties of the Humanities and Political Science and Diplomacy. The Vaclovas Biržiška Library (K. Donelaičio Str. 52) was renovated to ensure comfortable working spaces for information search and R&D activities.
VMU Library
VMU Library has 585 workspaces, 204 of them are computer-equipped. Technical services are provided: copying, printing, scanning, binding etc. The library has 17 individual and group workspaces (73 work places), rest zones. Persons with special needs are provided height-adjustable desks and chairs, special keyboards, software, desktop video magnifiers for the visually impaired, and a Braille printer. RFID-based self-service facilities of borrowing and return of books are available for reader convenience. Using it, the readers can borrow or return books and extend the loan term. Self-service facility for returning books is available 24 hours a day outside the central library building.
Cutting-Edge Research with the Most Modern Equipment
List of Laboratories
Computer Equipment and Software
VMU has updated its computer equipment and software. New computers, software and laboratory equipment has been purchased for all faculties and several of the laboratories, new lecture rooms have been equipped with multimedia projectors and screens. Additionally, video conference equipment has been updated with installations of VMU Adobe Connect, LieDM Adobe Connect, VMU CISCO, and LieDM CISCO. In 2017 VMU signed a new agreement with Microsoft which made it possible to integrate Office 365 services into the IT infrastructure while also providing IT services not only for the employees but for the students as well. New authentication system of IT users has been implemented, allowing users to connect to all IT systems using a single login name and password. To achieve this goal, new systems of LDAP, Microsoft AD, Azzure AD, Microsoft Office 365 were assimilated and introduced. Based on this system, the printer network was created in which all employees and students can use printing, copying and scanning services at all VMU facilities. The FirstClass e-mail system, which was used for many years previously, was abandoned as a result of failing to meet the needs of its users.