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 >>

The traditional final ceremony for the graduates of KSU was held on Friday, 29 of June at Kazimieras Simonavičius university. 45 graduates received their diplomas this year. 29 of them graduated with bachelor’s degrees and 16 with  master’s  degrees in Law. We invite you the photo gallery of the event here.

Professor Nika Tikanashvili from Georgian Aviation University will give lecture „Aviation Industry“ at Kazimieras Simonavičius University on 29th of November (Wednesday). Lecture will start at 10.15 a.m. in room no. 212.

The professor will present navigation systems overview, human factors in aviation, digitalisation of transport systems and other issues.

Students of Aviation are especially invited to this lecture, but other students are also very welcome as the lecture is open.

Language of instruction – English.

“Development of Society and Organisation Security Programmes 2017”

Implementation period: September 2017 until October 1st 2018.

On September 2017 Turiba University (Latvia), Kazimieras Simonavičius University (Lithuania) and Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland) started to implement NORDPLUS Higher education programme project „Development of Society and Organisation Security Programmes 2017”.

Nowadays world security is the highest priority of any country, including Baltic and Nordic countries. At the moment world is coping such serious security related issues as migration, cyber-security, economic security and security in organisations and companies. Those are new challenges also for Baltic and Scandinavian countries. This influence security of the society as well as security of individual organisations. That why there is a strong need for specialist and well trained professionals who can ensure security of society and individual.

With this project partners will initiate stronger cooperation and exchange among specialists and lecturers of all partner Universities, review teaching methods and share best practices in order to transfer them from one partner to another. Additionally project will initiate cooperation in preparation and development of the teaching materials related to international and cross-border security issues.

During the project partners will meet in experience exchange seminars in Latvia and Finland, will develop and publish the book on Security issues. This book will be used as a teaching material for Security programme students’. Book will be also available for any interested student or specialist in e-version. Main project results will be presented on final Conference in Riga, spring 2018.

Project is co-financed by NORDPLUS Higher education programme, project number: NPHE-2017/10115.

Project academic managers in Latvia:

Ms.Ivita Kīsnica, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Law in Turiba University
Phone: +371 67607662
E-mail: Ivita.kisnica@turiba.lv

Mr.Vilnis Veinbergs, Director of Security programme
E-mail: vilnis.veinbergs@turiba.lv

On the 16th of November, Gediminas Žiemelis, Chairman of the Board of Avia Solutions Group, shared his experience and insights at Kazimieras Simonavičius University. He presented his thoughts as a guest speaker of the second event of the series of talks on aviation industry Aviation in the Making.

Gediminas Žiemelis (Avia Solutions Group photo)

While presenting his topic “Is Open European Airspace Really Open? The Benefits for Countries in Having National Carrier” Žiemelis shared his thoughts on the behind the scenes of aviation industry. He was explaining processes, which according to him are not included into official handbooks, official reports prepared by governmental institutions or universities and are performed “under the table“, as he told himself.

The main idea of his presentation was that Open Airspace is an idea, which is merely related to reality. Žiemelis claimed that “In spite of many agreements on Open Space which were signed by US and most of the EU countries at the beginning of this millennium, there still exist some fundamental restrictions of transatlantic competition and investments in aviation.”

Žiemelis also explained how Governments find ways to subsidize national carriers indirectly. “EU has officially recognized 13 airline companies as being given illegal financial aid by the governments. Directly or indirectly subsidizing, governments try to maintain the national carriers, which face strong competition from the biggest European airlines” told Gediminas Žiemelis. According to him restrictions to subsidize national carriers and International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements should ensure equal opportunities to everybody, but the real situation is different.

Gediminas Žiemelis is a world–renowned businessman. He works in the field of Aviation and is the Chairman of the Board at Avia Solutions Group. He also manages several large companies in the aviation, pharmaceutical and real estate industries. In 2016, Mr. Žiemelis was acknowledged for his visionary business management and development skills by the prestigious European Business Award jury comprised of EU leaders in the fields of economics, education, business and politics.

Aviation in the Making is an informal space where aviation leaders, professionals and students meet. The series of talks on aviation industry is organized by Kazimieras Simonavičius University, the only University in the region with Aviation Management study programme and the company Friendly Avia Support.

Since 2017 September, the Creative Society and Economy Institute (CSEI) of Kazimieras Simonavičius University has been led by Dr. Mindaugas Kazlauskas.

The Director seeks to make CSEI the most important interdisciplinary research center for the creative economy and fashion industry in the Baltic region, maintaining close links with foreign universities and academics, offering high quality, viable and interesting studies.

M. Kazlauskas’ Ph. D. degree is in Humanities from Vytautas Magnus University. His areas of scientific interests are communication theory, philosophy of consciousness and eco-phenomenology.

M. Kazlauskas is experienced in working as a coordinator of programmes and projects in other Lithuanian higher education institutions, as well as an external expert in European Union projects. He also has pedagogical work experience at universities and secondary schools.

The head of the CSEI invites students, lecturers and all those with proposals for the activities of the CSEI to submit them in the meeting or by email: mindaugas.kazlauskas@ksu.lt. For everyday study questions, please contact the study coordinators by e-mail nuolatinis@ksu.lt or istestinis@ksu.lt.

Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University photo

On the 3-6th of October, Kazimieras Simonavičius University lecturer Prof. Dr. Raimundas Kalesnykas participated in the Kharkiv International Legal Forum “Law and Problems of Sustainable Development in Globalized World” (Ukraine). Professor gave a report on Lithuania’s experience in prevention of corruption and moderated the discussion “The World Without Corruption: Myth or Reality?”.

In his report “Prevention of corruption in the public sector of Lithuania: a success story and the best practice” Prof. Dr. Raimundas Kalesnykas presented Lithuania’s good practice in preventing corruption in the fields of law enforcement, civil service and public administration.

Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University photo

The main topics of this year’s Kharkiv International Legal Forum were focused on one of the main goals of sustainable development: promoting the construction of a peaceful and open society, access to justice for everybody and creation of institutions on all levels, which will be fair, accountable and based on broad participation.

The forum, organized by the Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, was attended by high-ranking officials of Ukraine and foreign experts: leaders of Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau and National Anti-Corruption Agency, representatives of the Ukrainian government and ministries, as well as the leaders of international organizations residing in Ukraine (GRECO, USAID, OSCE, UNDP, IFES, etc.), academics, researchers and students of 20 universities from all over the world.

Aviation in the Making 2017-2018

Kazimieras Simonavičius University and the company Friendly Avia Support have joined forces with the intention of concentrating ideas and deepening the knowledge of air transport by organising a series of public discussions about the industry with its leading managers.

The current situation within the world of aviation is very optimistic, although there are a number of contradictions. The big players are buying out the small ones, challenges within aviation security are on the constant increase, and new areas of operation and regulation come into play as drones and commercial space flight become a reality.

Much strategic thinking about the future of air transport needs to be accomplished as it predetermines the economy within the entire region. International Air Transport Association predicts that air travel will double within the next 20 years and freight air transport is already one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy within the European Union. What do aviation leaders think of such predictions?

Sixteen meetings will take place during the 2017-2018 academic year in which distinguished aviation company managers will share their views and insights on the situation within various fields of air transport and evaluate the region’s airport systems within a global context. Aviation industry leaders: Gediminas Almantas, CEO of Lithuanian Airports; Gediminas Žiemelis, Chairman of the Board at Avia Solutions Group; Žilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics will participate in the upcoming Aviation in the Making events.

Ariandas Šliupas, an independent expert, politician and aviation manager launches the series of talks with the topic ‘Evaluation of Airport Efficiency: Profit or State Interest?’ at 5 PM on the 19th of October, 2017 in Kazimieras Simonavičius University premises.

All the events are free to attend, are held in English and certificates will be available for regular attendees at the end of the series.

For more information on the first event follow this link: Evaluation of Airport Efficiency: Profit or State Interest?

Professor Olgica Nestorović from International University Travnik (Bosnia and Herzegovina) will give a lecture „International Economy“ at Kazimieras Simonavičius University on the 2^nd  of October (Wednesday). Lecture will start at 2.20 p.m. in room no. 210.

The professor will present globalisation of the world economy, investments into human capital and Europe 2020 strategy.

Language of instruction – English.

All interested students are welcome as the lecture is open.

KSU Hearthstone Cup super final

Last weekend KSU Hearthstone Cup took place at game culture event GameOn III. The tournament organized by Kazimieras Simonavičius University students attracted around 200 Hearthstone fans – the biggest crowd of Hearthstone players ever gathered in Lithuania.

The winner Tomas Dailidonis was announced on Sunday evening, after the super final duel with the player PuKisM. ‘Some computer games educate contrary to the widespread belief’, says Tomas who studies Finance and Insurance at Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics in one of the universities in Vilnius. Tomas is a huge fan of Hearthstone and is particularly happy that esports tournaments such as KSU Hearthstone Cup is organized by university students. ‘Kazimieras Simonavičius University students are doing the great job!’, he told after the tournament.

The KSU Hearthstone Cup prize pool was 1000 euros. The winner received a ticket to real flight simulator of Boeing737 or Airbus320, and a granite sculpture designed for the tournament by the famous Lithuanian sculptor Kęstutis Musteikis.

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a computer game created by Blizzard Entertainment. The game uses the Warcraft series of themes: actors, symbols, and etc. It was first introduced in 2013. In 2017 the number of its active players has exceeded 70 million.

13 – 18 PM, on the 25th of September the conference ‘Social Innovations and Regional Development’ takes place at the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, in Vilnius.

The conference is organised by Kazimieras Simonavičius University, as a part of the SI-DRIVE project. It focuses on the discussion about the decline of Lithuanian regions and how the notion and practice of social innovation can be useful for their development. The conference organisers are seeking to apply the results of the SI-DRIVE research project in practice, by discussing them with the regional development stakeholders in Lithuania and the international team of researchers.

Kazimieras Simonavičius University scientists together with representatives of the following institutions: Lithuanian Parliament Committee on Education and Science, Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian Parliament Committee on State Administration and Local Authorities, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Institute of Lithuanian Language, Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, and Catholic University of Leuven will be seeking for potential models and opportunities of innovative regional development.

The conference is a part of the four-year international research project ‘Social Innovation – Driving Force of Social Change’ (SI-DRIVE), which includes 16 partners from EU countries and 9 partners from other regions of the world.

Starting from September 14, 2017, Lithuania’s Kazimieras Simonavičiaus University will be accepting payments in cryptocurrency. The university is the first to offer this way of payment for studies in Lithuania, and one of only a handful in the Baltic Sea region.

Students willing to pay for their studies in cryptocurrencies should contact the university’s administration and their payments will be accepted according to the exchange rate of the chosen currency. Using the www.spectrocoin.com service, the university can accept payments in Bitcoins, Ethereum, Dash and other unorthodox currencies.

The university’s Rector, Professor Arūnas Augustinaitis, says that the decision to accept the new currencies in a relatively straightforward step in the implementation of the institution’s overall strategy. “We believe that the university has to show the way for other science and education institutions as well as for business. Payments in cryptocurrencies are more convenient because of the speed and the price. Moreover, this is attractive for foreign students” believes Mr. Augustinaitis. The university also invites other universities and businesses to open up to new ways of thinking and doing business.

Although payments in cryptocurrencies have been around for the last decade, it’s an entirely new approach within education. There remain very few universities that accept payments in cryptocurrency anywhere in the world. Usually they tend to create conditions for students of technological, business or economics programmes. One of the leaders in this field is the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. The university accepts all payments in cryptocurrency, with almost two percent of its students taking advantage of the opportunity. Payment for cryptocurrencies is also accepted in the private University of the Americas as well as in several departments in other Universities around the world.

The financial technologies industry has been turning financial markets upside-down for several years. Lithuanian and international financial institutions as well as numerous regulation offices are shifting their focus away from evaluating the significance of the cryptocurrencies phenomena towards integrating these new business models into the traditional finance sector.