Vilniaus kolegija / University of Applied Sciences completed the implementation of the Erasmus + Strategic Partnerships' project "Adapting of problem-based learning methodology in the preparation of Veterinary nurses"


Vilniaus kolegija is finalizing the implementation of the Erasmus + Strategic Partnerships project "Adapting problem-based learning methodology in the preparation of veterinary nurses" in 2016. September 22 The final conference of the Erasmus + Strategic Partnerships project "Adapting problem-based training for veterinarians training" (2014-1-LT01-KA202-000541) was held. The project lasted 2 years. The aim of the project was to adapt the problem-based learning methodology in the preparation of veterinary nurses. Project partners from Bulgaria (European Quality Center), Romania (Timisoara Agricultural and Veterinary University) and Italy (Abivet) participated in the project.  Within the project were organized 5 international meetings of the project team, conducted focus group studies, developed methodological guides for participants, problems' situations,  implemented testings on  problem-based teaching methodologies, held 6 national level and one international conference on project's dissemination and valorisation, published articles in the press and on the Internet sites about the progress and results of the project. 2016 September 22 The international conference was attended by a large network of social partners at the Vilnius kolegija, Faculty of Agrotechnology: Jakovas Veterinary Center, National Institute of Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment, ZOO Universe, V. Saudargiene Veterinary Clinic, Buivydiskes Veterinary Clinic, UAB VET-1, Animal Care Organization " Lese", LSMU VA Dr. L. Kriauceliunas Small Animal Clinic, UAB "Grinda", Vilnius Homeless Animal Sanitary Service, Public Health Company "Felium domus", Veterinary Clinic "TOTO", Julius Vernis Veterinary Services Company, "Alltech Technologijos" UAB and others. More than 30 members of the European Veterinary Nurses Association (VETNNET) members from England, Portugal, Norway, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Denmark participated in the conference. The conference was welcomed by the president of the VETNNET Association Dr. Joao Mequita, Director of Vilniaus kolegija dr. Gintautas Bražiūnas and Dean of the Faculty of Agrotechnology dr. Nijole Liepiene. Speeches  of the conference was delivered by the project manager and expert dr. Mikas Balkevicius (PBL Institute), director of UAB "Alltech Technologijos" Tomas Karalis, expert of the Royal College of Veterinary Medicine Julia Dugmore and Victoria Hedges, future veterinarian nurses of Vilnius College - Sabina Rabkovskaja and Ruta Einoryte. The project manager presented the project implementation process, the results, the possibilities and perspectives of using the product of the problem education project. Students presented a practical example how ato approach to  the problem and shared the impressions of the PBL learning process. Director of UAB "Alltech Technologijos" emphasized the importance of innovative PBL methodology from employers' point of view: stressed the importance of problem-solving skills in solving practical problems in a professional environments. Representatives of the Royal College of England hosted practical workshops explaining how to apply problem-based learning methodologies to organizing veterinary exercise tests for practitioners. Project manager dr Mikas Balkevicius (PBL Institute) emphasized that the project had a positive influence on the level of the culture of teaching and learning of lecturers and students of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the Vilnius kolegija / University of Applied Sciences: the lecturers have become convinced in simplicity and efficiency of application of innovative methodology, and learners became more interested in PBL methodologies  asking to cover diverse subjects and disciplines under this methodology. According to the project leader, the reason for this success is simple - teamwork based on dialogue, mutual trust, active communication and cooperation, which was realized in the project both - in educational activities and in organizational work.
​Project website: www.vet-pbl.eu.