Scientists of the Faculty of Transport Engineering – Members of the Research Expansion Alliance

This year at the festival, lecturers and students from the Department of Graphical Systems represented the university with an interactive exhibition titled "VILNIUS TECH: Synergy of Creativity and Technology." Additionally, Bachelor's students in Multimedia and Computer Design and Master's students in Digital Animation Technologies presented their work to visitors and creative industry professionals. Some of them even became speakers in the official BLON educational programme. "In the Multimedia and Computer Design study programme, we follow a simple principle: students' practical assignments must be created not just for grading, but in a way that allows them to be showcased publicly. At the BLON Festival, students present their projects to a real audience, answer questions from visitors and industry professionals, and receive direct feedback. This develops not only their professional skills but also their communication abilities, helping them integrate into the industry more smoothly. For the industry, meanwhile, it is an opportunity to evaluate the students' practical abilities and determine if their skills align with company needs," says Assoc. Prof. Dr. R. Semėnas, Technical Artist and Vice-Dean for Alumni and Partnerships at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Fundamental Sciences. Technologies Could Not Only Be Seen but Also Experienced Running for four days at the Klaipėda Culture Factory, the VILNIUS TECH interactive exhibition became a space where visitors could not only see the works created by students but also try out modern creative technologies themselves. Virtual reality, video mapping, 3D graphics, and interactive projects provided a closer look at how technology is used in creating animation, video games, and virtual reality content. The exhibition featured course projects and final theses by Bachelor's students in Multimedia and Computer Design and Master's students in Digital Animation Technologies. To showcase them, virtual reality workstations were set up using Meta Quest headsets, a video mapping system, and other technical equipment dedicated to creative projects. This allowed visitors not only to observe the final results but also to gain a better understanding of the technological side of creating these projects.   Students: Not Just Festival Participants, but Also Speakers One of the most important highlights of VILNIUS TECH's participation in the BLON Festival was the students' involvement in its official programme. Elžbieta Poliakova spoke about the possibilities of stylized lighting in CGI animation; Sabina Mamedova presented the application of woodcut-style animation in a VR 360 project; Jovilė Gečaitė examined the rotoscoping method in animation; and Anastasija Aušra Simaškaitė shared her experience in applying hybrid animation techniques. The educational programme was also enriched by presentations from VILNIUS TECH lecturers and specialists: Dr. Tomas Mitkus presented the map of the Lithuanian animation industry in 2026 and examined the role of generative AI in European animation, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rokas Semėnas spoke about the training of technical artists at VILNIUS TECH.   Creative Technologies: From Study Projects to Professional Careers Participation in BLON also reveals the broader direction of training technical artists: when animation, sound, graphics, and interactive content merge into a single project, a creator can no longer rely on knowledge from just one field. Alongside artistic and creative skills, technological proficiency—the ability to understand the project's platform and technical limitations—is becoming increasingly important. Soft skills, especially the ability to present one's work to different audiences, are equally crucial. "During the event, students have to briefly pitch their work multiple times and communicate clearly with various people who ask different questions and have different communication styles. This process significantly contributes to the development of students' soft skills and a smoother transition into the industry," emphasizes R. Semėnas. The VILNIUS TECH exhibition was visited by over 400 people, including schoolchildren, their parents, teachers, lecturers, and professionals from the Lithuanian and international animation and gaming industries. Conversations went beyond just presenting study programmes: visitors were interested in the VILNIUS TECH students' projects, their creation process, the technologies used, and professional opportunities in the animation and video game sectors.

In response to the increasing number of air raid alerts, we remind you how to act during yellow and red alert levels: 1. Pay attention to the importance of alerts received on your phone (“YELLOW” generally means a threat is likely but not yet occurring; “RED” means seek shelter immediately).   Upon receiving a notification instructing you to take shelter [red alert level], immediately move to the safest areas around your living place or within University buildings (in all campuses/buildings): basements, semi-basement premises, windowless rooms with solid double walls, lower stairwell floors, corridors between lecture halls, offices, or dormitory rooms – as far away from windows and doors as possible. Here you can find map of evacuation points in Lithuania and other useful information.     Turn on LRT Radio live broadcasts and follow the apps: 72.lt and the Vilnius app “Kovas”. Check notifications on your mobile phone. 2. If  you can't reach the nearest designated wartime shelter within a few minutes, use the safest available room in the current building (a basement, semi-basement room, or another windowless room with solid walls and ceilings).  If the shelter is reachable quickly, get dressed and proceed there immediately. Bring documents, money, non-perishable food, drinking water, personal protective equipment if available, essential medication, toiletries, a portable radio with spare batteries, and a mobile phone capable of sending and receiving messages. 3. Do not panic. Stay calm, avoid unnecessary stress, focus, and compose yourself. Warn your relatives and neighbors.  Avoid making unnecessary phone calls to relatives, friends, or acquaintances using mobile or landline phones so communication lines are not overloaded or blocked. Call only to report urgent assistance needs, injuries, or unexpected danger. 4. It is not recommended to go outside. Do not leave your home/workplace without a serious reason, and avoid walking in streets or open areas. 5. If you remain at home, take protective measures: switch off lights, close curtains, tape windows if possible, bring pets indoors, and stay in a windowless room (if available) or shelter in a basement or other protected area. If hiding in a basement, inform neighbors or friends so rescuers can locate you in case of collapse.  If instructed to evacuate or leave, switch off electricity, shut off gas and water valves, close windows and shutters, lock doors, and complete all usual preparations you would make before leaving for several days. 6. If the civil safety signal “Air Raid Alert” catches you on the street or elsewhere, seek shelter immediately (a ditch, trench, underground pedestrian crossing, tunnel, basement, etc.). 7. If you are driving, stop in a safe place where you are protected from above (for example, under a bridge or roof) and remain in your vehicle.In a car, turn on the radio and follow official announcements and recommendations. We ask all department heads to remind their teams of emergency procedures and to set a proper example by responding quickly.   Lecturers conducting classes must also react promptly and guide students to a safe location. We are attaching the Emergency Situation in University Management Plan (in Lithuanian language). You can find it here: Emergency Situation Management Plan If you notice a suspicious or unidentified drone: Do not approach fallen or spotted drones – they may be dangerous. Do not attempt to catch or destroy the drone. Observe the drone’s direction and movement from a safe distance. If possible, record information discreetly and report it by calling 112. Do not share recorded footage on social media – this could assist the enemy. Follow instructions from responsible authorities and monitor official announcements. Protect children, seniors, and animals – help them reach a safe place. Close doors and windows to reduce the risk of injury from shrapnel or shockwaves. Keep an emergency kit ready (water, first aid supplies, documents) in case of a prolonged situation. Inform people nearby about the danger posed by the drone. More information is available at 72.lt. If you have any questions, please call +370 52745036.