New VMU IF team lineup
The VMU IF team is made up of people who work every day to build a stronger, more modern, and more open faculty. We invite you to meet the full VMU Faculty of Informatics team!
- Dean – Prof. Dr. Tomas Krilavičius
- Vice-Dean for Communication and Community – Silvija Misailovė-Ribokė
- Vice-Dean for Studies and International Relations – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Artūras Mickus
- Head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sigita Urbonienė
- Head of the Department of Digital Systems – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Judita Kasperiūnienė
- Head of the Department of Applied Informatics – Prof. Dr. Daiva Vitkutė-Adžgauskienė
We wish the team inspiring success and challenges that encourage growth. May the workload never overshadow the passion for what truly matters!
Visit to EduGame Partners in Albania
During the last week of October, representatives from Vytautas Magnus University, Dovilė Kuizinienė and Judita Kasperiūnienė, visited EduGame project partners in Albania.
The visit included meetings at the University of Tirana and the University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani”. During the discussions, participants reflected on the progress and results achieved within the EduGame project, shared experiences from project implementation, and explored new opportunities for future collaboration and joint initiatives. Moreover, during the visit, meetings were held with Prof. Dr. Mark Marku, Dean of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Tirana, and Elvira Fetahu, Rector of the University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani”.
The meetings provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the partnership between institutions, exchange ideas on innovative educational approaches, and plan upcoming project activities.
Activity agendas from the visit are attached below:
University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani” Agenda
Halloween Game Night #VMUIF
It is said that once there was a professor known only as M, who taught at the faculty and had a strange fascination with board games. He believed that through play, one could understand a person better than in a lifetime, so in his final years of work, he devoted himself to creating seven games that could reveal the true nature of a human being: one measured patience, another – lies, others – guilt, fear, envy, and forgiveness, while the seventh was said to show who a person truly is without all of those.
One evening on October 30, just before Halloween, the professor invited his students to take part in an experiment where all seven games were to be tested for the first time. Everything seemed to go according to plan, yet after that night, no one ever saw the students or the professor again. What happened remains unknown – except for one thing: something terrible must have befallen them.
Since then, every year on the eve of Halloween, something changes in the Faculty of Informatics. The air grows heavy, the lights start to flicker, and it feels as though the shadow of that experiment is once again moving through the corridors.
They say it’s still continuing.
The only question is – will you dare to become part of it?
WHEN AND WHERE?
- October 30, 5:00 PM;
- The foyer of the VMU Faculty of Informatics (Universiteto St. 10, Akademija, Kaunas district), located next to the amphitheater auditoriums.
PROFESSOR M’S requirements:
- REGISTER FOR THE EVENT by October 27 – this will help ensure there are plenty of snacks and drinks for all!
- Grab your favorite board game (not a requirement but Professor M will surely appreciate that you came prepared!)
Registration form: https://forms.gle/UNWgbVnaudE933Ei8
Please note that the event will be photographed and/or filmed, so you may appear in event photos or videos that could be published by various media outlets.
Event sponsor – Adroiti Technologies
EduGame Summer School: Five Days of Learning, Innovation, and Collaboration
The EduGame project’s (coordinated by Vytautas Magnus University) Summer School held from 22 to 26 September 2025 at the University of Sousse, brought together participants for five inspiring days focused on gamification, artificial intelligence, and digital education. The event united teachers, researchers, and innovators from the EduGame consortium – with partners from Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Tunisia – to share ideas and shape the future of learning.
Day 1
The week began with a warm welcome from the Rector and Vice Rectors of the University of Sousse, together with the Dean of ISITCom. Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) opened with a presentation of the EduGame project, followed by a keynote from the University of Salerno on The Pedagogical Foundations of Gamification.
Participants took part in workshops where they explored examples of gamification in education and discussed how it can motivate students. The day ended with interactive Q&A sessions and open discussions about digital learning and teaching design.
Day 2
The second day focused on how artificial intelligence can support education. Experts from the University of Valencia introduced the basics of AI in Education and gave insights into Prompt Engineering for Gamification and AI Research.
Participants analyzed real AI-based educational games and created their own design ideas using AI tools. The day closed with a group reflection on how AI can make learning more personal and engaging.
Day 3
The third day encouraged teamwork and creativity. Project partners shared their best practices, followed by sessions about Social Web and Digital Storytelling and Open Educational Resources (OER) with Creative Commons licenses.
Participants started building their gamified learning prototypes and later joined the Barcamp Gamification & AI. The evening ended with a cultural event that celebrated the diversity and friendship among all participants.
Day 4
Day four featured the Interdisciplinary Research Symposium for Gamification and AI in Education, hosted by IPEN (International Positive Education Network). After the opening and keynote speeches, participants joined sessions on topics such as AI in social sciences, STEM education, gender issues, and EdTech entrepreneurship.
Afternoon workshops offered practical tools for gamification and prompt engineering, followed by a poster session and a panel titled Training Tomorrow’s Teachers. The day concluded with thoughtful discussions on how AI can improve teaching and learning in the future.
Day 5
The final day was all about sharing results and celebrating achievements. Participants presented their prototypes and shared first versions of manuals and toolkits about serious games, digital storytelling, and educational technologies.
After peer voting and a final wrap-up session, everyone received certificates during a cheerful closing ceremony. The event ended with networking activities and plans for future plans within the EduGame partners.
The EduGame Summer School was a week full of creativity, collaboration, and new ideas. We are continuing our teamwork within the project and hope that this cooperation will lead to excellent results and valuable outcomes for higher education institutions across partner countries.
Discover more moments in these videos:
Enhancing Education through Gamification and Artificial Intelligence
Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union Hackathon “Fire Shield: Mission AI 2025” invites innovators to build the future of defence technologies
Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union Hackathon “Fire Shield: Mission AI 2025” invites innovators to build the future of defence technologies
Enough waiting for defence innovation – it’s time to build it yourself. Technology enthusiasts and professionals are invited to join the intensive defence hackathon ️“Fire Shield: Mission AI 2025”, organised by the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and Tech-Park Kaunas. From 10-12 October, over three days, participants will tackle challenges directly linked to national security and contribute to the development of innovative solutions with the potential to shape the future of defence technologies.
This year’s spotlight is on the use of artificial intelligence on the battlefield, as participants address pressing challenges in defence, cybersecurity, and space technologies.
➡️The hackathon will bring together a diverse community of experts – from engineers, developers, and analysts to defence specialists and students. Participants will not only be solving real security challenges, but also building prototypes, working side by side with mentors, and gaining insights from leading industry experts. It is a unique opportunity to dive into fast-paced innovation, expand your network, and gain knowledge that could power your future projects.
Open to all who want to contribute to a safer Lithuania, the hackathon is free to attend, but places are limited.
Registration open until 20 September: sauliuhakatonas.en
Organisers: Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, Tech-Park Kaunas, and partners.
We invite you to follow event updates, the upcoming program, and relevant information on the Facebook event page.
Board Game Night #VMUIF
Tired of endless TV series, late-night Reels marathons, and desperate attempts to figure out “what to do tonight”? Then stop scrolling and overthinking – come to Board Game Night!
You’ll find not only games, but also snacks and drinks, so invite your friends, grab YOUR favorite board game (feel free to bring it!), and get ready for an evening that’s going to be seriously fun! P.S. If you bring your own game, be ready to explain the rules to anyone who wants to join in.
Lecturers, you’re welcome to join.
WHEN AND WHERE?
- September 18, 5:00 PM;
- The foyer of the VMU Faculty of Informatics (Universiteto St. 10, Akademija, Kaunas district), located next to the amphitheater auditoriums.
To keep everyone happy and satisfied, please REGISTER FOR THE EVENT by September 15 – this will help us make sure there are plenty of snacks and drinks for all!
Registration form: https://forms.gle/wtGr3DUHeXnNb31M7
Please note that the event will be photographed and/or filmed, so you may appear in event photos or videos that could be published by various media outlets.
The event is free of charge!
Memos for Bachelor’s and Master’s students
Congratulations on joining the #VMUIF community!
To make your first steps at the university easier and less chaotic, we’ve prepared a memo – a short starter pack to help you begin your studies.
In the memo, you’ll find information about registration for study subjects, academic debts, credits, key dates, the subjects you need to register for this semester, and other relevant information.
❗️First-Year Student Memo’25
❗️Master’s Student Memo’25
Invitation to Participate in the Public Defense of Final Theses
The Faculty of Informatics at Vytautas Magnus University invites you to the public defenses of bachelor’s and master’s theses.
Schedule:
Bachelor’s programs:
Mathematics and its Applications – June 3, 2025 (Tuesday), 10:00 a.m., Room 104
Multimedia and Internet Technologies – June 9, 2025 (Monday), 9:55 a.m., Room 210
Information Systems – June 10–11, 2025 (Tuesday and Wednesday), 9:55 a.m., Room 210
Master’s degree programs:
Applied Informatics – May 30, 2025 (Friday), 10:00 a.m., Auditorium 210
Applied Mathematics – June 3, 2025 (Tuesday), 10:00 a.m., Auditorium 104
The thesis defenses are open to the public, so we invite lecturers, students, and anyone interested in IT and mathematics to come and hear about the students’ projects and research.
Gamifying Teacher Education: International Internship in Kaunas Advances the EduGame Project
From May 5 to 9, 2025, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Kaunas, Lithuania hosted the third international internship of the EduGame – Gamification of Teacher Education project. This Erasmus+ initiative brought together educational experts from Lithuania, Spain, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Tunisia to collaboratively explore the integration of gamification and game-based learning (GBL) in Initial Teacher Education (ITE).
Day 1 – May 5: Deep Dive into Game-Based Learning and Educational Escape Rooms
The internship began at the VMU Education Academy with an introduction to the training objectives. Participants engaged in two hands-on workshops focused on Educational Escape Rooms, led by experts from Tunisia. These sessions explored how immersive escape room scenarios can enhance motivation, collaboration, and critical thinking in higher education settings. The day also included a presentation from Italy showcasing examples of gamification in higher education learning. The evening featured an official opening event complemented by a special International Food Fair, providing a welcoming atmosphere for networking and cultural exchange.
Day 2 – May 6: Deepening Game-Based Learning and Assessment
The second day continued at the VMU Education Academy, starting with a presentation on Game-Based Learning in History: Practical Assignments for Future Educators, highlighting engaging, discipline-specific gamified tasks. A workshop followed with facilitators from Albania, offering further practical applications. In the afternoon, a representative from Tunisia presented on Stealth Assessment in Serious Games, showcasing innovative methods for unobtrusive evaluation during gameplay. The day concluded with a session on applying gamification in literary analysis, demonstrating its potential to deepen engagement in literature studies.
Day 3 – May 7: Creating Practical Teaching Innovations with AI and Gamification
Day three moved to the Faculty of Informatics in Akademija (Kaunas), with a session led by a Spanish representative on Prompt Engineering for AI-Powered Educational Games and Interactive Learning. This included a thorough introduction to Large Language Models and multimodal AI, emphasizing practical techniques such as role prompting and few-shot prompting. Participants then collaborated in domain-based groups (language, history, STEM) to build AI-enhanced educational prototypes. The afternoon included a workshop on modern pedagogical approaches for game-based learning led by experts from Lithuania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other partner universities. The day ended with planning sessions for the upcoming Summer School.
Day 4 – May 8: Modeling Gamified Learning Materials
Returning to the Faculty of Informatics, the day began with a session on Gamified Environments and Virtual Characters, exploring how virtual elements can enhance learning engagement. A practical continuation workshop allowed participants to apply these concepts directly. The afternoon featured a workshop on IT Technologies in STEAM Activities, presented by representatives from the VMU STEAM Centre and the Multimedia laboratory, focusing on integrating technology into science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education. The day concluded with a Q&A session.
Day 5 – May 9: Reflecting and Looking Ahead
The final day began with a workshop on Computers as Mindtools, discussing how digital tools can support critical thinking and creativity. This was followed by an interactive session titled Case Tunisia featuring speakers from Tunisia, sharing their experiences with gamification and digital learning. A wrap-up panel then discussed future directions for the EduGame project, followed by a certification ceremony recognizing participant contributions. The internship concluded with outdoor learning activities, emphasizing experiential education and networking.
This internship successfully advanced international collaboration in gamification and innovative educational technologies, providing participants with practical skills and resources to enhance teacher education.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions, professional expertise, and commitment throughout the internship. Their active engagement and collaborative efforts were fundamental to the success of this event and the advancement of innovative gamification methodologies in teacher education.
Funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ program (Project No. 101128757).
For more information, visit: www.edugame-project.eu
Forest4.0 Centre of Excellence Enters a New Phase
The Forest4.0 initiative has reached a significant milestone in its second year with the formal establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Kaunas, Lithuania. Under the leadership of Vytautas Magnus University and with the close collaboration of project partners, the legal structure of the Centre has now been finalized, and Dr. Nerijus Kupstaitis has been appointed as its Chief Executive Officer. With these key developments in place, the initiative enters a new chapter with high expectations for the years ahead.
The planning of upcoming activities was the focus of a two-day meeting held in Kaunas on April 7–8. The Forest4.0 team dedicated a full day to strategic discussions, reviewing project progress and aligning future priorities.
“The most significant achievement of the past year was the creation of the Centre of Excellence as a legal entity,” said CEO Nerijus Kupstaitis. “This marks a turning point for engaging researchers, fostering collaboration among universities, and building a robust network of stakeholders both within Lithuania and internationally. For the first time, we are seeing real momentum in connecting forestry professionals with digital technology experts. Looking ahead, our ambitions are even greater – we aim to expand beyond the Lithuanian ecosystem and establish Forest4.0 as a recognized international player.”
Ambitions for Growth
The potential for Forest4.0 to disseminate knowledge and influence broader ecosystems was also highlighted by Christine Ingridsdotter, Project Manager at Interior Cluster Sweden.
“Forests, and the issues of sustainability, resilience, and biodiversity, are more relevant than ever,” she noted. “Forest4.0 offers a powerful opportunity to share this knowledge – not just within Lithuania and Sweden, but more widely. Our goal is to equip policymakers, industries, and the public with a deeper understanding of the actions we must take now to preserve forests for the future. It’s essential that we voice clear and sometimes bold opinions on what must change to protect this invaluable resource.”
Cross-Project Collaboration
On the second day of the meeting, the Forest4.0 team joined the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project Diverse Gene Watch for a joint conference. A key focus was forest resilience, particularly the importance of preserving the genetic diversity of keystone tree species.
In his conference presentation, Dr. Arianit Kurti, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Media Technology at Linnaeus University, emphasized the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving innovation in forestry.
“Innovation thrives at the intersection of disciplines,” Dr. Kurti stated. “We must engage forest owners, producers, and stakeholders across the entire forestry value chain. Their insights are vital to shaping effective, forward-looking solutions. Forest4.0 is intentionally positioned at this
intersection – leveraging data and disruptive technologies to transform how we think about forests. They are not merely sources of timber and raw material; they hold far greater potential.”
Looking Ahead
With growing momentum and a range of events and initiatives planned for 2025, Forest4.0 is poised to further solidify its role as a transformative force in sustainable forest management and digital innovation. To stay updated on the project’s progress and upcoming activities, follow Forest4.0 on LinkedIn and Facebook.
