Spaudos centras
Spaudos centras
On September 27, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) hosted a solemn meeting of the VMU Senate, during which Honorary Doctorate regalia were awarded to the former Rector of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (2014–2024), Professor and Leading Researcher Irina Pilvere.
The title of VMU Honorary Doctor was awarded to Prof. Pilvere for her merits in the field of international cooperation and her significant contribution to strengthening agricultural sciences and studies, which are pivotal in creating a sustainable future for Lithuania and the world. Professor Pilvere has earned 42 awards, including several acknowledgements from the Rector of the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture for her long-standing work and significant contribution to agricultural science and close cooperation.
In his welcome speech, the Chair of the VMU Senate, Prof. Ričardas Krikštolaitis, emphasised that since the University’s founding, over a hundred eminent individuals, including the President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, the President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the first Head of the restored state of Lithuania Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, poet Czesław Miłosz, writer Svetlana Alexievich, and many others, have been awarded the VMU Honorary Doctor regalia.
“I am delighted that today we can add Professor Irina Pilvere, who has maintained close ties with the VMU Agriculture Academy through scientific and study projects since 2006, to the list of these distinguished individuals,” said Prof. Krikštolaitis.
Introducing Professor Irina Pilvere to the guests at the solemn meeting of the VMU Senate, the Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy, Prof. Astrida Miceikienė, highlighted that Professor Pilvere is an active international-level researcher who has amassed considerable scientific experience in the fields of economics, rural development, and agricultural policy, having published over 320 scientific publications.
Professor Pilvere has served as project leader or researcher in 24 international and 86 national research projects focusing on agricultural and rural development, land use efficiency, general agricultural policy, and other areas. She has presented her research findings at 88 international scientific conferences.
She has been a visiting professor at the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of the Agriculture Academy for seven years, teaching the course “Bioeconomy.” The researcher is also a lecturer for BOVA courses organised by the Agriculture Academy. She was a member of the dissertation defence committees in the fields of Economics and Management and supervised three doctoral internships at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies. Since 2015, Prof. Pilvere has been a member of the scientific committee for the international scientific conference “Rural Development” organised by the Agriculture Academy. Together with the researchers from the Agriculture Academy, she has implemented scientific and study projects and published the results of joint scientific research in journals indexed in international databases.
“Professor Pilvere is renowned not only as a highly competent scientist but also as a person who consistently upholds her values of honesty, sensitivity, independence, ethics, cooperation, and openness to new ideas,” said the Chancellor of the VMU Agriculture Academy.
In his welcome speech, VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis also expressed his delight at Professor Pilvere joining the University community.
The Ambassador of Latvia to Lithuania, Solveiga Silkalna, who attended the solemn meeting of the VMU Senate, emphasised Professor Pilvere’s contribution to strengthening cooperation between the Baltic states, especially between Latvia and Lithuania, in the academic and agricultural fields. “We are Member States of the European Union, and to achieve the best results in the implementation of agricultural policy at the EU level and to demonstrate leadership, we must stand united. Especially now, when Russia is attempting to disrupt global peace,” the Ambassador said.
Former Rector of Aleksandras Stulginskis University (now VMU Agriculture Academy), Prof. Antanas Maziliauskas, and the Dean of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of VMU Agriculture Academy, Prof. Bernardas Vaznonis, also extended their congratulations to Professor Pilvere.
Upon receiving the VMU Honorary Doctorate regalia, Prof. Pilvere discussed her scientific and academic work, professional journey, implemented projects, and cooperation with VMU Agriculture Academy.
“I believe it is very important not only to accumulate experience but also to share it, especially with students. I hope that our long-standing cooperation with VMU Agriculture Academy will continue to strengthen in the future. I am pleased and proud to be a part of Vytautas Magnus University from this day forward,” Professor Pilvere remarked.
