Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering University of Applied Sciences (KMAIK) is established close to Kaunas city (central Lithuania) and provides higher education -grants Professional Bachelor's degree. We offer several study programs in fields of agricultural and engineering (technological) sciences and prepare specialists/engineers of Forestry (silviculture, forest management, forest tourism, etc.), Landscape Design, Hydrotechnical Engineering, Horticulture (Gardening), Cadastral Surveys and Real Estate Valuation, and Land Management. Also, the University provides vocational training and various professional courses for forest and greenery workers (e.g. for forest machinery operators, chainsaw operators, urban greenery maintenance specialists, etc.) and other specializations.

The University dates back to 1927, when first country’s Forestry School was founded in Alytus city. In 1939, the school was moved to Vilnius, and in 1963 – to its current place in Girionys (Kaunas region). In the Soviet period the school was reorganized into Forestry Technicum, while after Lithuania regained its independence, it became Higher Forestry School. In 2002, the school acquired a new status – it became Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering University of Applied Sciences (KMAIK), and its activities have intensified. In addition to forestry education, several new study programs have been launched: Landscape Design (2002), Land Management (2003), Hydrotechnical Engineering (2003), Recreation (2006), Cadastral Surveys and Real Estate Valuation (2007) and Horticulture (Gardening) (2016). The number of students since 2002 has augmented almost 3 times, and now the University hosts about 800 students.

In 2003, to develop advisory services, an Information Centre has been established. The Information Centre organizes in-service courses for foresters, private forest owners and farmers, raises public awareness, that of the youth in particular, and disseminates news from sectors of forestry, landscape architecture and environmental engineering.

The University participates in ERASMUS, NORDNATUR and other international exchange programs, and has made bilateral student and lecturer exchange agreements with higher education schools of forest management, landscape architecture and environmental engineering from Scandinavia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Hungary, Turkey and other countries. Every year about 5-7% of the University students study or go for a practical training abroad; in the frame of the exchange programmes KMAIK also offers studies in English and Russian languages for foreign students.

Since 2004, the University participates in international research and education projects. Our partners are forest research institutions from Scandinavian and Baltic countries, Poland, Germany, Ireland, Belarus, Ukraine and other countries. Since 2007, the University successfully implements projects funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania promoting collaboration between Lithuania and East European countries. KMAIK organizes national and international workshops and conferences, where various up-to-date issues in the fields of forestry and environmental engineering are discussed. The University publishes a peer-reviewed journal “Miškininkystė ir Kraštotvarka” (“Forestry and Landscape Management”).

Since 2005, the University is carrying out projects financed by Leonardo da Vinci, EU structural and other funds. As a result of these activities, the intellectual potential and material training basis of the University has enriched significantly. Implementation of the projects has led to adoption of new training methodologies and establishment of a modern training basis for preparation of forestry, landscape design, horticulture and hydrotechnical engineering specialists in compliance with EU standards. New laboratories (modern harvesting machinery, landscape architecture, floristry, environmental studies, hydrotechnical engineering, forest surveying) have been established and the old ones have been renovated.

The University campus (Girionys settlement) is situated in a beautiful area surrounded by parks and forest stands, close to Kaunas Sea. We closely collaborate with our neighbors – Dubrava regional department of the State Forest Enterprise that shares its basis for teaching purposes; most of the practical courses are given within a close distance from the University.

A short presentation about KMAIK University of Applied Sciences given at a virtual international study fair on December 18, 2020.

Facing rapid changes within forestry and environmental engineering sectors, ongoing higher education reform in Lithuania, and rapid development of the University activities, the following mission and vision of the University have been proposed.

Mission:
- By adopting advanced worldwide-accumulated experience, to prepare specialists of higher vocational education aiming to satisfy needs of country's forestry and environmental engineering sectors;
- To ensure a modern study process in compliance with European standards, providing lifelong learning possibilities;
- To elaborate new technologies in forestry, environmental engineering and to carry out applied research;

- To raise public awareness on environmental, cultural and national issues.

Vision:

Kaunas Forestry and Environmental Engineering University of Applied Sciences is an institution of higher education recognized in the country and across Europe providing high-quality education in the fields of forestry and environmental engineering and performing applied research.

More information could be found at www.kmaik.lt/study-programs