"Can we come back to Lithuania with you? Maybe you need someone to carry your things. Can I be your assistant, I want to visit Vilnius very much?"– such requests Professor Edmundas Saliklis received from his students of California Polytechnic State University (CalPoly), who at least once participated at the engineering summer school in Lithuania.
It is the third time already, when Professor Edmundas Saliklis, together with his students, is coming back to the international summer school ‘‘VGTU-CalPoly‘ 2015‘‘, initiated by him at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU). This year, there are 22 students from California Polytechnic State University and 12 students from the Faculties of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering of VGTU at the international summer school ‘‘VGTU-CalPoly‘ 2015‘‘ in Lithuania.
’’Back home after our summer school in Lithuania, in our faculty I often hear Lithuanian words ’’labas‘‘(hello), ’’ačiū‘‘(thank you) and during the diploma celebration – even Lithuanian songs, as well as chanting ’’Valio, valio, valio!“(Hooray, hooray, hooray!) – told Professor E. Saliklis about the expression of the unforgettable memories of his students. Professor E. Saliklis is sure that his students have brought home good memories and new valuable experiences from Lithuania, acquired studying the course of engineering in the international environment, communicating and collaborating with Lithuanian students.
When asked, why Lithuania and VGTU, the Professor from California gives a quick answer – my Lithuanian roots. ‘‘I was able to choose Barcelona or London, but I have chosen Vilnius, because of a very simple reason – I am a patriot. I want to achieve here a lot, by introducing my pedagogic methods to Lithuanian students and showing this small country – Lithuania, and especially Vilnius, to American students, who otherwise, would have never seen it‘‘.
E. Saliklis admits that every time he comes to Lithuania, he admires VGTU students: "My course is intense and difficult, but Lithuanian students are very receptive and gifted, as well as persistent in performing tasks, so their results do not differ greatly from these of my students, who are accustomed to my tempo and teaching methods.
The "VGTU-CalPoly" project is widely known in California thanks to students’ word-of-mouth stories. Professor E. Saliklis says, that not only the students, who participated at summer school, but also their parents, friends, relatives and acquaintances, know Lithuania. "Those who are just getting ready to join the CalPoly, have already heard about the project. I could not believe it myself, but this year a student Denis told me that he has chosen the CalPoly, in order to participate in this program‘‘ – said the Professor, emphasizing the fact that every year the number of volunteers to visit Lithuania is increasing.
It is not so easy to get to the summer school in Lithuania – the preparation is going on during the entire year, starting from September. ‘‘Not all of them are going to visit Lithuania – they have to pass their exams and carry out a number of tasks, which I require. If they fail, they do not go. We are very strict at this selection, and it is easy for us to do that, because there are many students who want to go to Lithuania, ‘‘- said Professor E. Saliklis.
The summer camp is only for the students who have successfully completed their second year course. ‘‘But already after the first year, students are constantly asking me to write them down on the waiting list for joining the next summer school at VGTU. Can you imagine? Lithuania has become an exotic and legendary country for them. We joke that California is a paradise, but Vilnius has already become a heaven in the eyes of the students in California,“ – the Professor is smiling.
Professor E. Saliklis is famous for his interesting and interactive lectures not only in Lithuania, but also in California. His hobbies – singing and painting – influenced his non-traditional ways of teaching, such as integration of theoretical information into the melody of a well-known song, or drawing tasks for homework. ‘‘Artistic interests are also affecting my job – teaching my students. Creation work is like a source that encourages further creativity‘‘, – highlights the Professor.
Students often refer to Professor E. Saliklis as ‘‘tsunami‘‘, because he is a very active person. The Professor considers himself as an extravert person and notes that such personal qualities help him to deliver interesting lectures. However, according to the professor, not all teachers should be like him. ‘‘There are different ways of teaching. It is important to show the real ‘‘myself‘‘ to your students and share small things with them, which are important to you‘‘, – says the Professor of California Polytechnic State University, who has already impressed not only VGTU students, but also all academic community.
During the few weeks, which E. Saliklis is annually spending in Lithuania, the professor from California seeks to build more relationships with various people, to expand and strengthen cooperation between Lithuania and California, in particular, between VGTU and CalPoly. Professor E. Saliklis has also shared his dream – to have architecture students of both universities at his summer school, as well as to carry out exchanges of the postgraduate students and the teachers from the universities of both countries.
