New VMU Vice-Rectors Have Been Approved
The Council of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has approved the university’s vice-rectors for the upcoming term. The newly approved Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance is Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, Vice-Rector for Studies is Assoc. Prof. Rytis Pakrosnis, and Vice-Rector for Research and Innovations is Dr. Rolandas Urbonas. The approved vice-rectors will start work in their new positions on 1 October, together with VMU Rector-Elect Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė.
Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė
Prof. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė is currently the Chancellor of the Agriculture Academy at VMU, previously Dean and Vice-Dean. The professor is a member of various Lithuanian and foreign organisations and has extensive management experience as the chair of the Association Board at Nemunas Valley, member of the presidium of Kaunas Area Industrialists and Employers Association, member of the advisory councils at Ekoagra and Lithuanian Zoological Garden, founder and board member of the Agriculture Academy Alumni Club (former president and vice-president), member of the Agricultural Sciences Council at the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania, representative of Lithuanian research institutions in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Network etc. The professor has authored and co-authored over a hundred scientific articles and has participated in H2020, FP7, and other international and national projects.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rytis Pakrosnis
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rytis Pakrosnis is associate professor at VMU Dept. of Psychology and member of VMU Senate and Commission of Ethics. At VMU Faculty of Social Sciences, he is a Council member, Chair of Plagiarism Prevention Commission, and member of the Psychology (BA) and Health Psychology (MA) study programme committees. The associate professor led the work group that drafted the Regulations on Prevention of Plagiarism in Student Papers at the Faculty of Social Sciences. He has also worked as psychologist-consultant, prepared and implemented training programs for managers as well as organization development projects and consultations for organizations. At VMU, Dr. Pakrosnis teaches subjects related to management and consulting in organizations. He has experience of working in the boards of national and international NGOs and chairing their committees. The scientist is a member of editorial boards and editor of scientific journals, he has read papers at international conferences, has participated in and coordinated national and international projects, has held training seminars and public lectures.
Dr. Rolandas Urbonas
Dr. Rolandas Urbonas is a Senior Researcher at Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI). His previous positions include Deputy Director and Scientific Secretary-Head of Information Department at LEI and expert at the Research Council of Lithuania and Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education. He has participated in international policymaking as former member of Kazakhstan Higher Education Institutions’ Accreditation Commission, Lithuania’s expert and representative in the energy-related committees of 6th Framework Programme, 7th Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, European Horizon etc. In 2024-2025, he served as a member of a working group at the Research Council of Lithuania which was tasked with development of internationalization tools and preparation of recommendations regarding promotion of internationalization of the R&D system under its responsibility.
