The University will cooperate with the Ministry of Health
Acting Permanent Minister of Health Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, LSU Rector Prof. Habil. Dr. Albertas Skurvydas, Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr. Rasa Jankauskienė, the Deputy Chancellor of the University Sonata Rimdeikienė and representatives of the Ministry participated in signing the agreement.
“Survey and study results on physical activity of the Lithuanian population are not encouraging, therefore, it is essential to combine the efforts of the Ministry and the University in the development of physical activity promoting programmes, which are important for healthcare. The agreement will enable to include LSU experts into work groups, committees and boards of the Ministry. The University will be able to contribute to the development of legal acts, related to fostering health-promoting physical activity, for example, increasing the number of compulsory Physical Education lessons at schools. I believe, that LSU representatives’ suggestions on the promotion of physical activity will be taken into consideration while developing the plans of the Ministry for the coming years as well as the need of appropriation for specific programmes will be provided. The assistance from the European Union's Structural Funds for the programme "Health for All” has been planned. I believe that the University will provide significant suggestions in this matter”, said the Minister of Health Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.
The Rector of LSU believes in the benefits of the agreement. “Our mission is very simple – to service to the people of Lithuania. Physical activity is the most effective way to promote health. Moreover, the scientists claim, that physical activity is very important to mental activities; it improves memory. Regular physical exercise, healthy living are very important in the modern society, where physical activity is artificially restricted because of information technologies, means of transport and urbanization. Scandinavians understood this relatively a long time ago, and we are just trying to take the first steps. The experience of many European countries shows that about ten percent of the funds spent on treatment can be saved by promoting healthy lifestyle and physical activity”, said LSU Rector Prof. Habil. Dr. Albertas Skurvydas.
Lithuanian Sports University is the only university in Lithuania, where professionals of health-promoting physical activity are trained. The study programme Physical Activity and Public Health allows students to gain knowledge in public health problems, their monitoring and health promotion methodology and its application. This autumn a new international joint study programme with five European institutions of higher education “European Bachelor in Physical Activity and Lifestyle” was introduced. The language of instruction of this exceptional study programme is English; it prepares physical activity and healthy lifestyle consultants-personal trainers. The best health-promoting physical activity teachers of Lithuania read lectures at LSU. Many of them are attested sports coaches of European level, who have European Register of Exercise Profesionals qualifications; there teach doctors in Biology, Public Health and Education, as well as attested coaches of individual or group wellness trainings.
