Alumni benefits, sustainability, and innovation – a discussion on the future university and sustainability

October 18, 2024

An Alumni Evening took place at the VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Centre to address current hot topics: alumni engagement, sustainability, and their impact on the university as  well as business environment. Each speaker shared their insights and encouraged discussions on the long-term effects of strong collaboration between universities, businesses, and alumni.

Dr. Milena Serzante, Director of the VILNIUS TECH Strategic Partnership Centre, emphasized the importance of alumni engagement. In her presentation, she highlighted that by sharing their experiences alumni not only create value for the university but also contribute to innovation development.

“Alumni involvement allows students to see real career opportunities, while the business community finds new talents with fresh ideas and solutions,” she explained.

Dr. Serzante presented the opportunities and benefits available to university alumni: free studies in elective courses, the chance to exercise for free at the Sports and Arts Centre, free or discounted participation in university-organized conferences, a 10% discount on second bachelor’s or master’s studies, among others.

Darius Snieska, President of the VILNIUS TECH Alumni and Friends Club, encouraged greater alumni community involvement in university activities. He pointed out that alumni can provide support not only through advice but also by actively participating in university reforms and development projects.

“Alumni can provide invaluable experience and help the university adapt to market needs,” said Snieska.
VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas emphasized that alumni and the business community ideas are always welcome at the university and invited them to contribute more actively to university initiatives.

“We are open to new ideas and always appreciate alumni initiatives that contribute to the university’s growth and benefits both the academic community and businesses,” stated the rector.

Prof. Dr. Donatas Cygas, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering, presented changes and key reforms within his faculty. He drew a special attention to the support of alumni and business that contributes to the university’s scholarship system.

“Many business representatives are already supporting university reforms by providing scholarships to the best students. This is an important step toward attracting talented youth and fostering innovation,” the dean remarked.

Doc. Dr. Raimondas Grubliauskas, head of the Sustainability Centre, identified sustainability as one of the main strategic goals of universities. He noted that sustainability is not only an environmental protection measure but also a crucial factor in business decision-making.

“A sustainable university is our aspiration, as it opens up opportunities for long-term growth that benefits society as a whole,” said Dr. Grubliauskas.

The main speaker of the event, Tomas Dauskurdas, a graduate of Building Energy and head of “Lords LB Asset Management – ESG,” emphasized that sustainability is not just a “nice idea” but part of business decision-making. He spoke about the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, corporate responsibility, and efforts to comply with EU sustainability standards.

“Forward-thinking companies regard sustainability as a key decision-making factor, as it determines their long-term competitiveness,” he stated. Dauskurdas also pointed out the EU taxonomy requirements that direct investments toward sustainable projects.

The VILNIUS TECH alumnus emphasized that integrating sustainability into business processes and monitoring risks is necessary not only due to regulatory environments but also because of increasing attention from investors and consumers. It was also highlighted that sustainability is not a short-term trend; it is a long-term strategy that helps organizations grow and become more competitive.

The Alumni Evening demonstrated that collaboration between universities and businesses can become a significant force encouraging a responsible and sustainable action from both the academic and business communities. Alumni engagement and sustainability solutions are integral to modern responsible business practices, so the future university should consistently integrate these ideas into its strategy and activities.

We invite you to participate in other Alumni Evenings. The next event, titled “Robotic Solutions: What is holding back progress and how artificial intelligence is changing production?” will take place on November 19 at 6 PM at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Mechanics, in the Industrial Robotics Laboratory, Plytines st. 25. More information will soon be posted in the alumni Facebook group.

We encourage active registration, as the number of participants is limited: https://forms.office.com/e/vZX47SUv0B

Speaker Slides Shared:

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Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
When starting your studies, it is not always clear during the first week where you can park your car or bicycle, which building your seminar will be in, or where you can eat or heat up your own food during breaks. To make settling into the academic year easier, we have prepared this memo. Student Car Parking: Students attending lectures at Saulėtekio al. 11 can park their cars in the lot located on Šatrijos Raganos Street. There is no barrier in this lot. How to find the lot: Driving from Saulėtekio al. – going up the hill past the roundabout and the university buildings. Or entering from Pragiedrulių, Mileišiškių sodų, or other streets onto Šatrijos Raganos Street – going down the hill before the roundabout and the university buildings. Students attending lectures on Plytinės Street can park in the lots located there. Students can enter the gated lot by tapping their activated student ID card at the terminal. Entrance to the lots is from Plytinės Street. Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) students, lecturers, and students or staff arriving at "Linkmenų fabrikas" can park in all lots. The barrier opens by tapping an activated student or staff ID card at the terminal. There are no dedicated parking lots for students attending lectures at the Old Town Campus (Trakų rūmai). Canteens and Cafes: Saulėtekis Campus: "Maisto imperija" (Building S2, 1st floor) – weighed food (you can build your own plate) – 1.70 € per 100 g, lunch of the day – 7.50 €, snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:00; Friday: 08:00–15:00. "ARC BISTRO" (Building S3, 1st floor) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 11:00–15:00. Plytinė Campus (P2, 1st floor): "Confetti" – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 09:00–16:00; Friday: 09:00–15:00. Old Town Campus (Senamiesčio rūmai): "Confetti" (Islandijos str. 3) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 07:45–15:00. Places where you can heat your own food in microwaves: When using microwaves, please maintain cleanliness, follow safety rules, and respect others: do not put in or heat items with shiny surfaces (e.g., cutlery, aluminum foil, etc.), do not slam the doors or other surfaces, wipe or clean the inside of the microwave or other surfaces (including the kitchenette) if needed, do not cut in line, and do not stop someone else's food from heating without permission, etc. Saulėtekis Campus: In the "Maisto imperija" canteen (Building S2, 1st floor), as well as in the Sustainability Centre (Building S5), and the 5th and 6th-floor kitchenettes in Building S6. Plytinė Campus: In the "Confetti" cafe (Building P2, 1st floor). Old Town Campus: In the Faculty of Architecture's 2nd and 3rd-floor kitchenettes (at the end of the corridor). AGAI: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette of the old building (near the Dean's office). It is planned that microwaves will also be available in the new building in the future. Linkmenų Campus: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette at "Linkmenų fabrikas". Library: Room 119, 1st floor. You can also make tea/coffee here. Places to leave your bicycle: Saulėtekis Campus: At special bike racks near the entrance to Building S2, and in the Central Building parking lot. Plytinė Campus: In the two designated bicycle shelters in the courtyard between buildings P1 and P2. Old Town Campus: At special bike racks near the entrances to each building. AGAI and Linkmenų Campus: At special bike racks near both departments. Library: At special bike racks near the entrance. Department/Building Abbreviations: Saulėtekis Campus (Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius): S1 Central Building (Administration, International Studies Centre, International Relations Office, etc.) S2 Classroom Building S3 Educational Building (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Business Management) S4 Classroom Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S5 Educational Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S6 Laboratory Building (Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Information Technology and Systems Centre, Academic Support Centre, etc.) S7 Laboratory Building Plytinė Campus (Plytinės str. 25, Vilnius): P1 or P Laboratory Building P2 Educational Building (Faculty of Electronics, Faculty of Mechanics, Faculty of Transport Engineering) P3 Educational Building Linkmenų Campus (Linkmenų str. 28, Vilnius): L1 Building (Institute of Building Materials) L2 Building (Road Research Institute) L3 Building L4 Building L5 Educational Building (Linkmenų fabrikas) L6 Educational Building (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute) Old Town Campus (Trakų str. 1, Vilnius): T1 or T Educational Building (Faculty of Architecture) T2 Educational Building (Faculty of Creative Industries) T3 Educational Building T4 Educational Building T5 Educational Building Old abbreviations that might still appear in some contacts: SNR – Senamiesčio rūmai (Old Town Campus) SRK-I – Saulėtekio rūmų pirmas korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus First Building) SRK-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Building) SRL – Saulėtekio rūmų laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Laboratory Building) SRL-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Laboratory Building) MAC – Saulėtekio centriniai rūmai (Saulėtekis Central Building) AGAI TLK – Antano Gustaičio Aviacijos instituto Treniruoklių ir laboratorijų korpusas (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute Simulator and Laboratory Building). Other Addresses: Kyviškės Airfield: Lakūnų str. 7D, Kyviškės Sports and Art Centre: Saulėtekio al. 28, Vilnius Library: Saulėtekio al. 14, Vilnius Lithuanian Maritime Academy: I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda. Thematic Reading Rooms in Faculties: Architecture and Creative Sciences Reading Room (Trakų str. 1, T1, 1.15, Vilnius) Technology and Management Sciences Reading Room (Saulėtekio al. 11, S1, C03, Vilnius) Mechanics, Electronics, and Transport Sciences Reading Room (Plytinės str. 25, P2, 179, Vilnius) Maritime Sciences Reading Room (I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda)
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