Diogenis Papiomytis

A remote lecture, named “The State of the Aviation Industry post COVID-19”, by Diogenis Papiomytis, a lecturer at Business School of Kazimieras Simonavičius University, will be held on April 20 at 5 PM. The lecture is intended for aviation professionals, partners lecturers, students and graduates of Kazimieras Simonavičius University. Duration of the lecture – 45 min.

Diogenis Papiomytis – KSU Aviation Management bachelor’s study programme visiting lecturer for International Aviation module, Senior Manager at IATA Consulting. He is an expert of industry research reports and strategy consulting projects, with clients coming from Airlines, Airports, Aircraft Manufacturing and Aviation Aftermarket segments. Lecturer has an experience in the Commercial Aviation research and consulting practice of Frost & Sullivan, a global aviation consultancy.  He previously worked in Corporate Strategy department as Corporate strategy Manager of CEO Office at Etihad Airways and as a Senior Lecturer in Aviation Studies at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK. Diogenis holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and International Business, a MSc in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University and a MBA from Cass Business School at London City University.

KSU Business School Director Deimantė Žilinskienė

Students starting their studies in Aviation Management from 2020 September will study under the renewed program. It will be complemented with a second foreign language, Russian or Spanish optionally.

The need for aviation staff to speak more than one foreign language emerged during regular meetings between Kazimieras Simonavičius University Business School and aviation companies.

“We meet periodically with human resources specialists from aviation organizations to analyse our Aviation Management curriculum and to discuss the competencies and specific skills needed for a person interested in working in the aviation industry,” says KSU Business School Director Deimantė Žilinskienė.

The cooperation with industry partners and additional analyses have made it possible to identify that one of the most important additional competencies for a person wishing to work in the aviation sector is the knowledge of foreign languages, which opens up more opportunities for both the employee and the employer.

“While KSU’s Aviation Management degree program is conducted in English and students are proficient in this language through additional Aviation English training, we decided to supplement the program with Spanish and Russian language subjects. The student will be able to choose which of these languages ​​to study and will have the opportunity to master the language throughout the study period to the level required for fluent communication and work. We think that this integration of additional foreign language into the study program will enable our students to better and faster establish themselves in the labour market and open up wide opportunities to work worldwide,” says Deimantė Žilinskienė.

An annual survey of Aviation Management graduates of Kazimieras Simonavičius University revealed that all graduates work in the aviation industry. Majority of the graduates started working in their specialty during their studies, the rest of them got job within a month after graduation.

Aviation Management graduates work for companies such as GetJet Airlines, Wizz Air, Avia Solutions Group, Avion Express and BGS.

These employability indicators show that Aviation Management students are well prepared for work in the aviation industry, which requires specific knowledge and skills. Graduates are successful in a variety of sectors such as aviation security, communications, sales, and human resources in wide range of companies including airports, airlines, aircraft service centres and international airlines.

Deimantė Žilinskienė, Director of Kazimieras Simonavičius University Business School said, “There are several key aspects to the proper preparation of students for employment in the aviation industry right after graduation; close cooperation with business sector, internationalization (KSU students are taught by internationally renowned aviation experts – practitioners), and a multicultural environment specific to aviation companies. We also strive for bachelor theses to be focused on real aviation organization performance and process improvement, which allows the student to have deeper understating of the industry, improve expertise, develop analytical and critical thinking”.

The Aviation Management graduate’s employment rates also reflect the fact that the demand for Aviation Management professionals in the industry is very high and, it will keep growing according to various forecasts.

All students of Aviation Management are invited to participated in the competition for participation in International Aviation School which will be organized in frames of Erasmus+ project “SPREAD YOUR WINGS”.

The main aim of this project is to increase the quality and relevance of knowledge and skills of Aviation Management students in response to the needs of the labour market and the socio-economic environment. There will be created a new course “The Development of Sustainable Aviation” which will include the topics related to a new conceptual model of responsible and conscious aviation that sees its development in line with the interests of the social and natural environment and takes into account existing ecological barriers and expectations of the society.

Project is implemented by three partners:

• University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Poland (project leader);
• Kazimieras Simonavičius University, Lithuania;
• Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Latvia. 

International Aviation School will take place in Latvia, Riga on 23-27 September 2019.

Selected candidates will have to prepare and participate in activities in Latvia, and will be awarded with 6 ECTS credits according to their completion of the assignments during the activities.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

All candidates must submit the following documents:

• Application form;
• Cover Letter (up to 1 page; in English);
• Short essay about sustainable aviation (up to 1 page, in English).

The documents must be provided to the International Relations Office (room no. 201). The submitted materials will not be returned.

Jury will select 3 applications rated as the best among the submitted applications. Only these 3 applicants will participate in International Aviation School together with other 6 students from Poland and Latvia. 

DEADLINE

Documents must be submitted no later than 25.04.2018.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The schedule of the International Aviation School will be provided to the participants at least 2 months before the activities.
• Students are expected to attend all classes during International Aviation School.
• Each participant will receive 455 EUR for living and travel costs for activities in Latvia.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact by e-mail international@ksu.lt or phone +370 686 34423.

On 19-23 November KSU hosted the 2^nd session of International Aviation School which is the part of Erasmus+ project „Spread your wings“. The 1^st session of International Aviation School took part in October in Poland. Aviation Management students from University of Information Technology and Management (Poland), Transport and Telecommunication Institute (Latvia) and KSU took place in this session.

Students had activities which were arranged according to the teaching materials which were already prepared during the project. During lectures and workshops students got acquainted with terminal and airside capacity optimization, sustainable airport facilities management and international initiatives for sustainability.

The main objective of the „Spread your wings” project is to increase the quality and relevance of knowledge and skills of bachelor and master degree Aviation Management and related disciplines students’ in response to the needs of the labour market and the socio-economic environment. An innovative course titled „Development of Sustainable Aviation” will be developed in a partnership of three organizations (from Poland, Lithuania and Latvia). The course will include topics related to a new conceptual model of responsible and conscious aviation that sees its development in line with the interests of the social and natural environment and takes into account existing ecological barriers and expectations of the society.

The project is financed by Erasmus+ programme. Project No. 2017-1-PL01-KA203-038782.

On the 22-26th of October, Kazimieras Simonavičius University lecturer Prof. Dr. Viktoras Bolotinas holded a lecture on „Human factor in aviation“ in University of Turkish Aeronautical Association (Ankara) and discussed the cooperation opportunities between institutions.

Maciej Wilk

On 26th of September we invite you to the lecture of Chief Operating Officer at LOT Polish Airlines by Maciej Wilk. The speaker will share experience ind ideas on LOT development as a hub carrier in Lithuania with examples recent new connection between Warsaw and Kaunas.

Maciej Wilk is associated with LOT since 2010, when he prepared as a PwC Poland consultant the LOT Restructuring Plan for the purpose of proceedings before the European Commission. In 2013, he started working in the company as the Head of Planning and Controlling Department, after which he became a Proxy and for two years supervised financial and economic issues, coordinated the preparation of the Strategy for Profitable Growth and the selection of a new vehicle fleet.

In April 2017, he was in charge of the Operating Division and his tasks revolved around, among others, maintaining top transportation quality and safety, the improvement of punctuality and regularity of flight connections, as well as the increase of cost efficiency.

The lecture is free with registration on eventbrite: https://aviainthemaking8.eventbrite.com

Want to obtain a wider picture about the interrelationships between the key stakeholders involved in making air transport? We invite you to the special airport business course by dr. Konstantinos Kalligianis on 8th 9th and 10th of October, time 17.30-19.45.

The Airport Business course has been designed to give participants a comprehensive and holistic overview about all essential areas of an airport by focusing on the airport’s key elements, functions, business and legal frameworks.  Participants will be able to obtain a wider picture about the interrelationships between the key stakeholders involved in making air transport an efficient, secure and safe form of transportation and get an overview of the fundamental elements of airport system and infrastructure, operations and management.

Dr. Konstantinos Kalligiannis has a strong aviation focused background both in terms of his academic qualifications (both Master’s & PhD degrees specialized in aviation) as well as in terms of his professional career (international aviation consulting) as well as in academia (teaching aviation courses in several countries) and in providing airport professional training courses for several leading international airports.

In terms of his Academic Qualifications, Konstantinos holds a PhD in Airline Branding from Cranfield University, an MSc in Airport Planning and Management from Loughborough University, an MSc in Air Transport from Cranfield University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Luton University

In terms of his Airport Professional Training Career, Konstantinos is providing a wide range of airport training courses for Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Gulf Center for Aviation Studies.

Price: 300 eur. Registration form: here.

The world’s leading tourism group TUI is looking for future international trainees for International Graduate Leadership Programmes in Aviation and Commercial (read more: http://tuitravelgraduates.com/) that are graduated (or soon will be) from Aviation Management (BA) at Kazimieras Simonavicius University.

During this 20-months trainee program our trainees will be doing:

• Four assignments in different TUI Group locations mostly in Europe (e.g. Germany, UK, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands)
• An exciting mix of day-to-day business and project work in different aviation departments (e.g. Air Operations, Ground Operations, Supplier Management & Procurement)
• One assignment in a commercial discipline (e.g. Strategy, Purchasing, Product Management, Sales & Distribution)
• One 8-week leadership assignment
• Tailored personal development with workshops, coaching, mentoring and feedback sessions
• Exceptional experience in all aspects of our organisation, shaping the future of travel
• Working with senior managers from our global businesses in projects, conferences and events

They can look forward to:

• 20 months Graduate Programme including international projects, extensive networks and individual development
• 38.000 EUR salary per year, additional support with expenses associated with international assignments and travel concessions
• Active involvement in project selection
• Real responsibility in your role from day one
• Excellent career prospects and international opportunities post your Graduate Programme

Programmme starts in March 2019 with application closing date October 14th for commercial and December for Aviation.

Apply online

Kazimieras Simonavičius University in partnership with Friendly Avia Support starts new season of #AviaInTheMaking this month.

On 19th 6 PM we invite you to the lecture by CEO of DOT LT Evaldas Petkus and his presentation: How to Survive in the Modern Airline Business – Niche Aviation Segments.

Short lecture plan:
1. Different kind of airline business;
2. Future perspectives in aviation worldwide and in the Baltic region;
3. Airline’s “DOT LT” experience finding own way in the aviation:
– History of the bad and good;
– Mistakes analyses;
– Enhancing the best success;
– How to find the best airline’s structure;
– Pros & cons of the model;
– Future threats.

Evaldas Petkus is the head of DOT LT since 2003. He is also a professional pilot and navigates Airbus 320 and ATR42/72 as the master of the plane and instructor as well. In 1986 he was graduated from Aktiubinsk civil aviation institute and received the licence of the pilot. In 2002 he was graduated from Kaunas technology university Bussines management master‘s degree.

KSU international students

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. Joyously unspoilt mountains capes, stark craggy ridges, and rolling summer pastures (jailoos) are brought to life by semi-nomadic, yurt-dwelling shepherd cultures. It has the most liberal tourist visa policy in Central Asia and one of the most progressive post-Soviet governments in the region. This semester Gulzar Muratalyeva, Ernest Salizhanov and Aidai Kanatbekova from International Atatürk-Ala-too University (Kyrgyzstan) studies at Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU). How does it look to live in Lithuania and study at KSU from their point of view? Let‘s ask them!

How do you feel in Lithuania?

Gulzar: Studying and experiencing the new culture in Lithuania feels like “being out of a comfort zone” absolutely in a positive way to which majority of people are not used. Living here for almost 2 months broadened my horizons in all spheres of life firstly concerning about getting more matured. Moreover, Vilnius is the city of bright and fresh ideas in street art, which we can find out in each street and that gives a unique and original atmosphere of the city.

Ernest: I feel very good here because it is my first travel and everything is good.

Aidai: I feel good in Lithuania and I like Vilnius. Except very cold days before. There are a lot of beautiful places here, interesting street art.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourselves? What are your interests and hobbies? What would you like to become in the future?

Ernest: I‘m interested in technology engineering. My hobby is playing basketball and kickboxing.

Gulzar Muratalyeva

Gulzar: I am in love with art to be specific it is modern and street art especially with the works of “Aykut Aydoğdu” “Wenqing Yan” “Chiara Bautista” “Miho Hirano” and an illustrator “James Zapata”. One of the reasons why I like these unique and talented artists is that I am practicing in drawing and calligraphy. Furthermore, I give a lot of attention to painting, which I have been doing from my early ages. Like majority of youngsters, I give a great preference for listening to the music (“jazz” “country music” “pop” and “RnB”) and I am into playing volleyball, table tennis and swimming. Of course, the major part of my life is considered to the reading of many books of all genres.

If we try to look into the future after finishing my bachelor, I would like to continue studying my Master degree in Germany or in Australia. As long with it, I would like to become a professional simultaneous interpreter and a teacher at the universities.

Aidai: I am interested in psychology and I want to be a psychologist. I love to read psychological books. My favourite one is “When Nietzsche Wept” by Irvin D. Yalom. My hobby is tennis. I like everything about this sport, especially girls’ uniforms. I think tennis is a graceful game.

What do you study at your university in Kyrgyzstan?

Gulzar: I am studying at the 2^nd grade of the International Atatürk-Ala-too University in the department of Humanitarian Sciences and my faculty is Simultaneous Interpretation. This branch of studying to be concrete “simultaneous interpreting” is being taught only in our university so it can be said that it is a great opportunity for the future willing translators.

Ernest: In my country, I’m studying simultaneous interpretation.

Aidai: I study Psychology in my country at my International Atatürk-Ala-too University.

What is your impression about your studies at KSU? What do you like the most in KSU studies?

Gulzar: While studying in KSU the most important part, which I liked a lot, was about the “Education system”. To be concrete is a well-qualified professors who are always ready to pay a great attention to the any kind of ideas coming from all students. Also taking into account the interesting lectures in which the teachers are trying not only to cover their duty but also giving a useful information on how to be creative, innovative and fresh minded. What’s more, I really do like my new met intercultural friends with whom we are exchanging all our experiences, knowledge and creating unforgettably funny memories.

Ernest: First of all, attitude of the teachers and their method of teaching. I love atmosphere at KSU. The most I like here is the organization.

Aidai: My impressions about KSU is very good. I like polite people, especially International coordinator Vaiva. The University is very comfortable inside and its location is good. The most in KSU studies I like the teachers. They are simple, their attitude to students is simple, they understand and respect our traveling, and it means they understand when we ask to postpone some exams. Even better thing is our schedule, which lets us travel.

Does studies here and in Kyrgyzstan differ? How?

Ernest: Yes, the method of study.

Gulzar: Studies in Lithuania and Kyrgyzstan differs in some ways. We can illustrate for example the system of taking the exams. In our country, it is stricter but it helps students to study harder. In Lithuania I really like the system of having right to choose the subjects you are interested in and in which you want to major your bachelor degree. It is prevailed to provide the democracy for all the students which is not that much improved in our country. But day after day our education system is developing to catch up with the newest systems of studying which is of course really good for all the youngsters willing to study at the universities in the near future.

Aidai: The studies here is mostly the same as in my University, except the opportunity to choose the lectures. Here we can choose that lectures which we want and need. In our University we have fixed credits which we have to have.

What do you do on your free time here? Do you find any interesting activity?

Aidai Kanatbekova

Aidai: Actually, we have a lot of free time here but it passes so fast. We do a lot of activities like jogging together, visiting many new places in the city, ice skating, bowling, clubbing, doing home works together etc.

Gulzar: Each time I have a free time I love to spend it with my friends. It is one of the most interesting parts of my life nowadays because I have great friends from all over the world as France, Germany, Bosnia, Turkey, Spain, and Italy. Each time we are together, we are jogging around, going to ice-skating and at the same time exploring Vilnius and a huge amount of new information, which is extremely amazing. Also I really love reading and drawing.

Ernest: Most of free time I am walking around city.

Do you travel from Lithuania to other EU countries? How do you choose the countries where to travel?

Gulzar: Apart from Vilnius, I have already been to Poland to be specific to Krakow, Auschwitz and Warsaw. We are also planning to go travelling with all my friends to other possible European countries. We don’t choose countries by some specific criteria’s because all of them are original, have some unique charm and we just go there to enjoy and explore it.

Ernest: No, but I’m going to travel in April.

Aidai: Thanks for this opportunity coming here and travel. Traveling was one of my big purposes coming here. It is my first time being here in Europe and I have been in Germany (Berlin), Poland (Warsaw, Gdansk) and Latvia (Riga) and soon in free week studying I’m going to France (Paris). I choose cities to travel by the popular and interesting places to visit, for example in Paris of course I want to see Eiffel Tower and Disneyland!

Is there anything from Kyrgyzstan, which you miss the most while being here?

Gulzar: I really miss my own motherland. I miss the fresh air, which is so fresh every morning, the warm weather, the crystal like pure and blue sky. Furthermore, I miss my language, my cuisine that is so diverse with all its odors and spices. Mountains! Oh yes I miss it so badly because unfortunately in Vilnius I am not able to observe it. However, Lithuania has nature charms in its own unique way, which I really love too.

Ernest: I think my parents. And food.

Aidai: I miss a lot our cuisine and my mom’s meal. However, we cook here in dorm. Thanks to my mom, she taught me cooking so it is ok. Once I wanted to cook “Lagman” and looked for the vegetable green point. I searched whole day in every super market. Finally, I found it on the next day in bazaar.

Is it worth to come here to KSU and Vilnius? Would you recommend studies at KSU for your friends?

Ernest: Of course, I will recommend to my friends to study at KSU.

Gulzar: I will highly recommend for all the future university students to try their best to apply to the KSU and study in Lithuania. This is one of those universities, which are providing for all of us the useful and new facilities of knowledge as long as with giving opportunity to bring our ideas, aims to the reality.

I would also like to recommend Lithuania in general because it is one of those countries, which differs in culture, in art, in sightseeing, in travelling so much that there is only on step to fall in love with it for the whole of the life.

Aidai: I will definitely recommend my friends and students from my University to study at KSU!

Admission to Aviation Management or Entrepreneurship and Management study program >>