On the occasion of International Students' Day, VMU students took the positions of university leaders

On the occasion of the International Students' Day, the Vytautas Magnus University Student Representation (VDU SA) carried out an initiative during which university students could take the positions of University leaders. More than 10 students, who replaced the university staff, got to know the inside of the university better, raised existing problems and jointly discussed improving the relationship between VDU SA and students and creating a student campus at the Academy.

The students who took the leadership positions communicated with the employees and students, listened and looked for solutions to the arising problems and could ask the questions that interested them. Silvija, who took the position of director of the Department of Student Affairs, is glad that she had such an experience - "I was able to see all the activities of the department very closely, sometimes we don't even think about how much people in the administration do for the students and how many difficulties they face." Algirdas, who not only monitored the internal communication of the university, but also participated in the discussion "The idea of Europe" and in a conversation with representatives of American universities who want to cooperate with VMU. "The day was full of excitement and dizziness. I come back tired, but the experience was interesting enough that I would like to participate next year," shares the first year of the Academy of Education.

Toma, who was the dean of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of ŽŪA, shares that it was fun to see and collaborate with the students who actively changed the heads of the academy. Doctoral student Justina, who took the position of chancellor, agrees with her - "I had to communicate with all the deans of TSD ŽŪA. We organized a joint meeting, which took longer than planned, but we had an interesting talk about the situation in different departments of the academy, what is good and what is not."

Jurgita, who took over the position of dean of the Faculty of Humanities for one day, says that at first it was scary, but after talking with the dean and vice-deans, she felt welcomed. "During the assigned task, I realized that things do not always go according to plan and that it is not an easy task to call student representatives to the meeting," says the student. "I realized how important the dean's job is and how important it is to communicate with my colleagues. I am very grateful to SA for giving me this opportunity to better understand the university and how its 'organs' work up close."

The working day of the temporary university managers was closed by a general meeting of the rectorate, where everyone discussed the work done and discussed the questions asked by TSD rector Ieva about the inclusion of students in activities and the development of the student campus at the Academy. "It's nice to see and find solutions to problems with active and change-seeking students. We discussed how we could improve the connection between VDU SA and ŽŪA students and how to involve all university students in community activities. We also discussed what is needed in the Academy in order to meet the needs of students. The expressed thoughts will not remain behind the closed doors of the Rectorate, based on them we will strive for changes", shares Ieva.

The VMU Student Representation is pleased with the initiative organized on the occasion of the International Students' Day. We hope that the ideas discussed today will contribute to creating a better life for students. And we wish all students interesting lectures, high results, the most incredible and fun student events and enthusiasm to create the future of all of us!