Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) is one of the best and is the largest institution of higher education in biomedical sciences in Lithuania with 100 years of academic experience and great potential for development. Medical teaching and research are primarily based on cooperation with the largest health care institution in the Baltic States – the Hospital of LSMU “Kauno klinikos”. Veterinary Academy is the only establishment in Lithuania to train veterinary surgeons. A number of other health-related programmes (Odontology, Pharmacy, Food Sciences, Public Health, Nursing, etc.) are offered to students here. You will get an opportunity to expand and deepen your knowledge in a variety of disciplines, to improve your skills within the modern and innovative environment and to become highly qualified specialists in a fast-changing world of health sciences. We trust our students enjoy the advantages of a pleasant atmosphere at our University and beautiful historical Kaunas city.
Study@LSMU
study_at_lsmu
The experts noted a number of factors guaranteeing the quality of veterinary medicine studies implemented at the Faculty, highlighting the close cooperation between staff and students, academic support to ensure the progress of students' studies, and the direct implementation of the suggestions and recommendations of students, graduates and employers to improve the quality of studies, students in difficulty receive excellent psychological support, well-equipped study facilities, outstanding infectious diseases and neurology departments, excellent implementation of practical studies in food safety and hygiene, clinical competencies are assessed by a standardized Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and a number of other progress factors.
Programme. An engaging schedule of face-to-face activities will offer participants a wide variety of presentations, lectures, and insights on the University’s everyday life. 5 days of great experience is guaranteed including:
On May 2nd-6th University’s International Relations and Study Centre (TRSC), Academic Mobility Division (AJS) and colleagues from Aldent University (ALU, Albania) organized Erasmus + staff mobility activities at LSMU. The purpose of this visit from ALU was to exchange knowledge and experience about the processes of project administration and Erasmus+ mobilities’ organization both at LSMU and ALU. ALU is a private university founded on the initiative of Professor Adem Alushi, specializing in medical sciences. The university prepares specialists for nursing, physiotherapy, dentistry, pharmacy and medical laboratories. The teaching staff consists of selected specialists in the respective fields, most of whom improve their skills in Italy, Germany, the USA, etc.
The coordinators presented figures of mobilities implemented during the past few academic years and the factors which influenced them. The most popular mobility destinations / countries have been highlighted. Good practice was also shared in organizing events not only to disseminate the Erasmus + programme, but also to inform future mobility participants and promote exchange.
students not only to study, but also to spend their free time playing sports. During the intense subject programme, ALU delegation visited the Faculty of Public Health, Pharmacy, Study Center, Career Center. Incoming specialists also gained experience in the departments of the Faculties of Medicine, Odontology and Nursing. TRSC AJS is especially grateful to all LSMU divisions who devoted their time, attention, prepared rich academic content programmes and presentations which fully met the expectations of foreign guests.
The secret of alchemy cuisine is not only flavors from all over the world, but also traditional dishes and recipes passed down from generation to generation. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Lithuanian eats about 250 g of potatoes a day, so almost 100 kg a year! There is not much to say about Lithuanian cuisine traditions - we all know, and almost all of us love the pride of our cuisine – “Cepelinai”. The audience had the opportunity to taste this cultural heritage of ours. For many international students, this was their first time, and hopefully not the last. The guests enjoyed Lithuanian kvass and “kisielius”.
We learnt about the differences in folk music and in instruments, such as “Kanklės”, based on Lithuania’s ethnographic regions. By looking at kanklės one can tell about the region that it was made peculiarities, historicity, and development of kankle’s development. Some of the musical instruments that were not Lithuanian but from various other parts of the world have also been recognized by our international students.
LSMU Alumnus Dr. Ariel Krutouz: I am a proud LSMU Alumnus, class of 2017 from Israel, I work in Shamir Medical Center in Internal Medicine department. I was born in Ukraine and moved to Israel when I was 2 years old. When the war began, I immediately wanted to help the people of Ukraine. I was looking for different opportunities. Israel sent a lot of delegations to different refugee camps, but only one delegation was on Ukrainian soil, I applied to this delegation and was accepted as the Head of Hospitalization department. ''Shining star'' hospital (''KOHAV MEIR'' called after Israel's first female prime minister Golda Meir that was born in Ukraine) is located in the city of Mostyska, 15 km from the border with Poland.
At 10 a.m. the bus departed heading towards Ukmergė with us students looking forward to having a good day with bags full of food, treats and toys for animals. At the shelter, our group was greeted by Ilma Germanienė, the owner of Klajūnas, and barking of exited dogs. Also, we could not contain our excitement, and it did not take long until everybody was petting the dogs and cats and giving away out treats. During this, we learned more about stories of the animals and what happened to them before they arrived in the shelter. Klajūnas is training dogs that come in, so that they can be placed with a new family, which might be challenging, as they are often scared because of how they were treated by their previous owners. Furthermore, cat people in our group were not disappointed either, because there was a room full of cats that were just waiting to play with us.
Klajūnas is not just about animal care. It is about love and respect for quadrupeds, care, the search for new homes, educational events for all ages, the fight for animal rights. The NO-KILL principle is followed here: animals are not put to sleep, they are cared for regardless of their age, appearance, or character, until their natural death. Four years of operation – and one and a half thousand saved four-legged hearts. Two of the many highlights of the day were the possibility that we could meet puppies that were just a couple days old, and that every student could go for a walk with one of the dogs. We had an amazing day while doing something good, and we realized once more that if you want to get a pet you should adopt, not shop. Big thanks to Klajūnas for letting us visit them and to ESN LSMU, ICOSA and the Erasmus+ coordinator Žydrė Vengalytė for making this trip possible.
Organizers says huge THANK YOU to those, who joined this action by bringing food for these animals. We aren’t the only ones, who are grateful, but you also have big thanks from all workers in that shelter, and of course from animals, who will have a slightly better life. The only way to experience the joy of selfless bonding and love is by visiting the nearest animal shelter today, as rightly said by Anatole France, “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains awakened”.
LSMU IRO with student organizations ESN LSMU and ICOSA is trying to involve international and Erasmus+ students into social and volunteering activities. Such initiatives promote social responsibility among students and facilitate their social integration into the local community while exploring the added value. Volunteering activities enable students to engage in society-beneficial activities bringing them closer to the local community they live in. Through various activities, we promote social awareness towards international students, while at the same time, combining formal and informal education with intercultural experiences.
To the public Giedrė was more familiar as a passionate, singer with a unique voice and the winner of X-Factor Lithuania. She created a music band, sang jazz – however, in her life there was always a second passion – to ride horses, which encouraged her to choose the studies of veterinary medicine at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).
In one of the photos of the period – a horse, stretching out his leg towards the young specialist. Looking from aside – it is simply a beautiful moment, however, truly it is part of an osteopath’s examination, when not only the flexibility of animal’s joints is checked, but gently and carefully an examination of spine, internal organs and the whole-body systems’ functionality takes place.
Even school students who are still just thinking about their future studies pursue their interest in person, often they ask – whether it is possible to become specifically just horse or dog doctor?
On April 4, the Dean of the International Relations and Study Center at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Prof. Ingrida Janulevičienė, and Vice-Dean Alvidas Šarlauskas gave the students small gifts for their significant contribution to the well-being of the Lithuanian state through their work and example. During the meeting, the International Relations office administration welcomed the students and noted that such individuals, full of enthusiasm and bright ideals, are an example of focus and unification against an enormous challenge.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė, the Chairman of the Lithuanian Science Prizes Commission Academic Jūras Banys, Minister of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania Jurgita Šiugždinienė, laureates, members of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, and other guests.
My name is Alberto Ordoñez Cordoba, I am from Valencia, Spain and I am studying Physiotherapy at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) for the exchange semester. I have always been a sporty guy who has been playing football since I was five years old. During this period, I have had a lot of injuries: sprains, strains, fractures, etc. So, the physiotherapist of my team tried to convince me to study Physiotherapy.
A meeting of the Erasmus + strategic partnership project DITEPRACT took place on January 11-14 at the University of Malardalen (Sweden) with the participation of the head of the Nursing Department prof. A.Blaževičienė and Živilė Kepežinskienė, Coordinator of International Programmes. Teachers of nursing and health sciences from Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Turkey, Latvia and LSMU Nursing Clinic are participating in the project. The aim of the project is to develop, apply digital or hybrid teaching and learning methods to develop practical skills.
Constantly increasing use of digital technology has led to new ways of teaching and learning in education, and has encouraged teachers to acquire digital competencies to attract generation Z students to the content of their lectures and to make complex subjects more engaging and inclusive. Digital technologies in education pave the way for new pedagogical approaches that stimulate active participation. Digital technologies are used in higher education institutions for many purposes, such as the development of course material, the sharing of content, the development of presentations and courses, academic research, and student enrollment. Teaching and learning methods using digital technologies (e-learning, blended learning and mobile learning) can improve the quality of teaching and learning and contribute to the quality of education, at least as a complement to other methods.
“The foundation for Kaunas universities was laid 100 years ago. The decisions made in that time created a solid foundation for Lithuanian medical studies and for our university today. The century of growth and improvement has nurtured an open, community-based, international, innovative Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, where life is respected, academic traditions are nurtured, and health professionals are educated for the future,” notes LSMU Rector Prof. Rimantas Benetis.
On the occasion of the centenary, 2022 has been declared the year of the University of Lithuania - and there will be many events that will spread throughout Kaunas. An opening cultural and intellectual event representing the life of Kaunas is planned to commemorate the centenary on February 16 at the Žalgiris Arena. Participants of the festival will listen to music, get acquainted with literary works, see performances, dance and other performing arts scenes, film episodes popular in Kaunas in 1922–2022.
My name is Ujunwa Ekweogu, I am from the southeastern state of Nigeria called Imo. In 2020, I made the decision to get a foreign education different from what I am used to in my home country. I started looking for study opportunities in various countries of the world and eventually found myself in Lithuania.
The challenges I faced most often have always been related to language. I usually had a hard time expressing myself and having friendly conversations. When I called for a meeting at an organisation, sometimes I wasn’t considered competent in terms of language and it would annoy me for a moment, but I told myself it wasn’t their fault at all. I am a foreigner who has to learn their language. In addition, I also had an interesting experience at a bank where the person serving me did not speak English. Even though that person couldn't communicate with me, they were still very nice and understanding - we used Google translate to handle my business at the bank. 
LSMU Rector, Prof. Rimantas Benetis, congratulated the Veterinary Academy on the occasion of these significant anniversaries during the festive celebration. The merger of two strong academies into the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences more than a decade ago has led to fundamental change and progress.
Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at LSMU VA, Prof. Vita Riškevičienė, added that the achieved international EAEVE accreditation and the popularity of study programs both among Lithuanian and foreign students undoubtedly prove the quality of veterinary studies.
Leadership on the international scale
Thanks to “Guosta’s“ fantastic hospitality all of the participants got to enjoy a filling lunch, after which they were all ready and excited to kick off the afternoon activities in the beautiful autumn sunshine. Activities ranged from the classic egg and spoon race and the sack race to group problem solving like attempting to de-tangle the human knot. The competitive spirit was especially strong this year because the participants could score points for their team in each activity, leading up to a big prize for the winning team at the end of the camp.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 4:30 p.m. all Kaunas dwellers, not only medics, but also those who promote a healthy lifestyle, are invited to join and participate in the cycling trip!
According to Dr. Birutė Karvelienė, Head of the LSMU Veterinary Academy’s (VA) Dr. L. Kriaučeliūnas Small Animal Clinic, the demand for magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) in veterinary medicine is increasing daily.
MRT imaging can be conducted on all areas of animal body.
Another step towards the more precise diagnosis of animal diseases – magnetic tomography scans in orthopaedics. The attitudes towards animals are changing really fast in society, often the pet – is a fully-fledged member of the family, therefore their owners are inclined to invest into complex, modern diagnostic tests, which are conducted on animals more and more often.
Professor Birutė Galdikas. We organized several Joana’s photography exhibitions: at the Academy, Aleksandras Stulginskis Agricultural and Vilnius Universities, Family Medicine Clinic. A total of five years of volunteering, spent in wild monkey sanctuaries, in difficult conditions, providing assistance to primates, participating in research expeditions in the jungle, as well as working in zoos. “I wanted to help wild animals not with words, but with deeds,” says Joana. “I am also bound by the Veterinarian’s Oath that I took.”
In August, Joana visited the Academy Museum. We talked. After volunteering, Joana got a job at a large Small Animal Clinic in South Florida. The Clinic, founded in 1979, has many departments: neurology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, animal behavior, cardiology, dental care, rehabilitation, and last year, a specialist in exotic animals started working there. A few years ago, the Clinic began providing emergency assistance to wildlife in collaboration with reserves. Animals that transmit infectious diseases are cared for by the Wildlife Center, so Joana does not get to meet them.
communication, what the posture or look should be... People come to the Clinic at night, barefoot, stressed, so not only animals need help, but their owners need reassurance as well.
After obtaining a veterinarian’s license, Joana, who loves challenges, started looking for a job as an emergency veterinarian, but there was no such position at the Clinic. When colleagues learned that she was about to leave, they approached the administration with requests to find a way to keep an excellent employee who had earned the respect of co-workers: a position was created based on Joana’s preferred conditions; a three-year employment contract as an emergency veterinarian has been signed, and a mentor has been appointed for her. “The best thing was that I received a lot of support from everyone around me, especially when it was difficult,” rejoiced Joana.
During the celebratory meeting, the Dean of IRSC Prof. Ingrida Janulevičienė congratulated the students for having joined a large international student community. This year, the already large LSMU international student family was expanded further with 348 first-year-students from 48 countries. Also 85 ERASMUS exchange programme students have arrived at the LSMU from 12 countries, they have chosen to study at LSMU for either one or two semesters. With music playing, the students could MEET the staff of the IRSC team, other students, mentors and ask their many pressing questions.
In the third part of the event – EXPLORE, the students were invited to take part in orienteering activities, where they had to find famous objects and places in Kaunas, this way getting to know the city where their academic journey begins. The three teams who completed the tasks the fastest and most precisely received LSMU souvenirs.
The participants from around the world (Dominican Republic, Iran, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Portugal, Russia) started the courses on 8th March. The online classes were given by LSMU professors: MA, MF Biochemistry department’s Assistant lecturer Svaja Dubickienė; VA, GMF Biology System and Genetic Research Institute’s lecturers Jelena Loginovič and dr. Laimutis Kučinskas. Not only students had a chance to learn new things in Biology or Chemistry, but discovered more about LSMU as well.
Why did you decide to study abroad?
My answer to why I chose Veterinary Medicine is probably the same as of the majority of students in this program; it was a dream from a very young age, and I have always felt a special connection with animals. But since getting into Vet-school was practically impossible for me in Sweden, I started to give up on this dream, and I did not even think about the option to look for a Veterinary education abroad. After browsing the internet, I found an event in Sweden about studying abroad, more specifically, in Australia, where they offered a Business Management program. I thought that it would not hurt to go to the event and listen to what they had to say.
How did you hear about the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and what made you choose to apply to LSMU? 
Do you have “Kaunastic” experiences?
The funding relies on the Income Share Agreement. The principle is to study now, payback later, but not like a normal loan where you have the pressure to pay back fixed amounts. The payback is income-based, so whenever you earn above the minimum income threshold, your income-based repayments will fund the education of current students. 
Slapšinskaitė, a lecturer at the LSMU Sports Medicine Department and the head of the Sports Injury Research Laboratory, was not sure what to be while at school. Agnė chose Physiotherapy after a year of studies in Cultural Management. After entering the Faculty of Nursing at LSMU to study Physiotherapy, Slapšinskaitė never regretted her decision. Agnė claims that it was not just a specific study program that she chose, but also a University that is a leader in Health Sciences in Lithuania.
Later, Slapšinskaitė started pursuing scholarships for studies and internships abroad. Every time she came back from those endeavors with a valuable experience or yet broke certain stereotypes. After receiving an Erasmus scholarship, Agnė first went to the University of Bergen in Norway. Like other Physiotherapy students, here she helped train Paralympics participants. Thus, Agnė breaks the stereotype of who a disabled person is. “There I saw a man with amputated legs, skiing down a mountain at a speed that many healthy people would not be able to. His fellow Norwegian physiotherapists, rather athletic men, could not catch up with him. I started asking myself what is a disabled person, and who is called a healthy person?” According to Agnė, this was when she realized the full extent of work that needs to be done in Lithuania to adapt the environment in order to enable the disabled.
While studying, Slapšinskaitė points out that she felt great support from lecturers of the LSMU Faculty of Nursing. She calls the Faculty, which offers undergraduate studies in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Obstetrics, exceptional. Students studying here receive thousands of hours of internships; thus, graduates can right away start working in hospital departments. In addition, the LSMU Occupational Therapy study program is the only one in Lithuania that has received a certificate from the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, and the University Bachelor of Obstetrics study program in Lithuania is implemented only at LSMU.
Fateful summer
Teamwork
Gina Šegždaitė’s thoughts most of the time revolve around the children and their parents. “When children smile I can feel their live emotions; when children allow me to enter their world - it’s a small victory for me. Step by step together with parents, this is exactly how I can help the child improve their life.” Every moment at work is crucial for her to create a sincere and open relationship based on trust with the children and their families.
Currently, students of two master’s degree programs at the Faculty of Public Health (Applied Public Health and Public Health Management) have the opportunity to study in the DDP. The duration of the studies is a standard two-year period. The DDP study scheme is not complicated; during the first year, students study at LSMU following the usual study plan, and during the second year, they go to the University of Maastricht and study based on the plan of the Governance and Leadership in European Public Health program.
1. Why have you chosen this specialty? What did you expect from this program?
Genetics Science allows exploring diseases applying the most recent methods at the smallest molecular level. We learned research methods not only theoretically, but also practically during laboratory work in newly equipped laboratories. Every student had to conduct one’s own research. We also went to other labs, e.g., the Institute of Crop Production in the Babtai town, where we could see how research on plants was conducted, not just study about it from books.
“Applying AI to image analysis will give veterinarians a “second eye” for determining diagnosis faster and more accurately and help to provide timely treatment. The system will be able to identify the metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint from new images and determine in which projection is the image taken. The area of this joint is the most vulnerable spot among sport horses. Also, the models will be able to identify two critical radiographic findings from new X-ray images – fractures and osteochondral fragmentation. It will take another 2-3 years for the product to be developed,” estimates Dauliūtė.
A team assembled by the veterinarian is currently developing a prototype of software for automating the evaluation of equine radiological images: three IT professionals have already developed a platform and full internal system architecture for image processing, an artificial intelligence expert is developing model algorithms, 14 international students are involved in image categorization, and 10 veterinarians from the UK, Lithuania, Italy, Denmark and France mark X-ray photographs.
According to the veterinarian, only one company in California, USA is developing a similar solution in the horse market: “They have a system that automatically makes various measurements of horse hooves used by blacksmiths and veterinarians. As the horse market is relatively small, we keep in touch with this company, exchange news and hopefully will combine products in the future. The other four companies developing algorithms with computer-aided diagnosis operate only in the small animal market.”
LSMU university takes care about international student’s psychological health and provides different services. Students can get individual psychological consultation or participate in Psychological resilience group.
Following very successful EHEVF events held in India in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, the Delegation of the European Union to India, in cooperation with EU Member States, organized a three-day virtual fair on 25–27 November 2020.
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) has a new leader. Professor Rimantas Benetis was elected Rector for a five-year term at the LSMU Council meeting held on October 23. The elected Rector will take office on November 4; he will replace the academician, Professor Remigijus Žaliūnas, who has been the leader of the University since 2002.
Professor Ingrida Janulevičienė, Dean of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences said,
Annually growing interest of foreign youth, globally competitive alumni and constantly growing internationality – this is how the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) celebrates its 30th anniversary of international studies. On October 10, to commemorate the special anniversary of the University, first foreign graduates, as well as current and former LSMU leaders reviewed the work accomplished, as a result of which today, LSMU is one of the most international universities not only in Lithuania, but also in the entire region.
The majority of Pharmacy graduates are employed as pharmacists. These divide into two main groups: hospital pharmacists and community pharmacists. Other options include research, whether in universities or in industry. Pharmacists are highly employable all over the world – they often appear on governmental lists of professions to be given preferential treatment in immigration processes – and a vanishingly small amount of Pharmacy graduates are unemployed. A pharmacist’s starting salary may well be higher than that of a junior doctor and rises rapidly with experience. To round this off, pharmacists have excellent job security – making this a very appealing path to take for anyone with the aptitude.
The study programme is intended to prepare qualified Animal and Human interaction specialists, who would be able to apply the most up-to-data information and research results for creative work with therapy-assisted and recreational animals, to select advanced breeding methods, to ensure responsible animal care and nutrition, and to develop human-animal communication skills. During 1,5 years of studies, you will learn breeding, selection, nutrition and responsible care of therapy animals, methods and technologies of possible uses of such animals, individual and group work with clients and peculiarities of such work. You will perform professional practice in rehabilitation centres, the Canine Therapy Aid Centre and other organizations that are cooperating with specialists of rehabilitation and recreation. Moreover, you can practice in Lithuania, abroad or in your native country. Under ERASMUS + and other study programmes, you will be able to go to study or practice at foreign Universities.
‘In 2019 I attended a Lifestyle Medicine conference in Kaunas as a representative of the Czech Republic. There I learned about the Lifestyle Medicine programme offered by the LSMU – as the first University in Europe. I had such a good time at the conference that I decided to join the crew, start Czech Society of Lifestyle Medicine and complete my education with online studies at the LSMU.
The study duration is 4 years during which students study professional and medical subjects. The studies have a very strong focus on clinical practice and students complete about 1296 hours of hands-on experience as a part of the studies in a number of Lithuanian hospitals, mostly at the largest Lithuanian hospital- Kauno klinikos. Students are taught by top-level lecturers with extensive clinical experience and well-known guest lecturers from foreign universities.
A brand-new modern Master programme has been launched at LSMU. Clinical health psychology programme will be conducted in English language from 2020 fall. Two-year Clinical Health Psychology master programme is a specialized programme which combines clinical and health psychology teaching with research methods training and practice.
To show appreciation and gratitude of a community of LSMU Victoria, Nick, Sia and Samah have got the certificates of appreciation signed by the Rector of LSMU prof. Remigijus Žaliūnas during the meeting of LSMU senate. The students were awarded for their great awareness, prompt reaction, extraordinary service and accomplishment of a civic virtue, while saving life of a fellow student and for being an example for all other members of LSMU Community.
Like the profession in the rest of the developed world, pharmacy in Lithuania is moving towards new horizons in practice and education through the provision of world-class healthcare for its population and a first-rate education system for its health care practitioners. "All pharmaceutical professionals must adapt to new challenges and be integrated partners in the health system" - was the main announced message by FIP president Dominique Jordan. The conference outcomes included innovation topics, such as 3D medicines printing. These days, pharmaceutical companies are investing in 3D medicines printing technology. It has proven to be a way of prototyping new products in a cost-efficient and effortless manner. In addition, the technology is now moving into a new realm: printing the finished drugs themselves. The new pills can be tailored to patients in terms of its dose, size, appearance and delivery, making drugs safer and more effective.
LSMU representatives responded to visitors’ questions, introduced study programmes in English, also the state scholarships offered by the Republic of Lithuania to the residents of Sakartvelo and further employment opportunities after completing their studies in Lithuania. Young people studying at Sakartvelo Universities were interested in opportunities to study at LSMU master degree programmes or participate in exchange programmes and study at LSMU for a semester or a full academic year. The group of Sakartvelo students from Lithuanian Language and Culture Center helped Lithuanian higher education institutions and encouraged visitors to study in a friendly country.
LSMU and Sakartvelo Universities seek funding for the Erasmus + programme for mutual students exchange for studies, traineeships as well as lecturers and staff mobility activities, so visits to universities and meetings with international programmes coordinators, faculty representatives and students from partner universities have been important for the successful preparation of the Erasmus+ project implementation and administration. 
