Alumni Discussion: “VMU Alumni – The New Generation of Sensemakers”

As part of the traditional Alumni Day on November 14 at Vytautas Magnus University, we invite you to join a hybrid discussion titled “VMU Alumni – The New Generation of Sensemakers.”

This event aims to bring together international alumni, current students, and the entire VMU community to explore how we find meaning in studies, internships, the uncertainty of the future, and life after graduation – in other words, what’s the point of it all?

The hybrid discussion will take place on Friday, November 14, from 16:00 to 17:30, both online via Microsoft Teams and onsite at the VMU Senate Hall (S. Daukanto g. 28, Kaunas). The event will be conducted in English, and registration is required.

The discussion will feature international alumni from Ukraine, Nigeria, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Mongolia, and more, who will share their honest stories about the challenges and successes they faced while finding their paths after graduation.

All participants are welcome to ask questions, seek advice, and gain practical tips on job searching, career development, adapting to change, managing stress, and turning ideas into meaningful action.

The preliminary lineup of speakers for the hybrid discussion “VMU Alumni – The New Generation of Sensemakers” is as follows:  

Yesui Bayar from Mongolia, a former Olympic swimmer, graduated from the Bachelor’s programme in International Politics and Development Studies in 2023. After completing her degree at VMU, she continued her studies at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, pursuing a Master’s in Advanced Studies in European and International Governance. Currently, she works as a Coordinator Training Operations at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and previously worked at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Geneva.

Topic: "Sensemaking Through Action: From VMU to International Geneva" – Online 

Oleksii Minenko (Ukraine) – VMU alumnus (MA in Diplomacy and International Relations, 2019). Currently a Dispute Administrator at Phoenix and a freelance recruiter and career consultant. 

Topic: “Inner Balance as Sensemaking: Aikido, Crisis, and the Quiet Return to Self” – On-site

Oleksii shares his journey from burnout to renewal, reflecting on Aikido principles, silence, and inner balance as tools for rediscovering authenticity. 

Tamta Kakauridze (Georgia) – VMU alumna (MA in International Economics, 2017), Project Manager of the Economics Olympiad in Georgia, and VMU Unibuddy Ambassador. 

Topic: “From Ideas to Impact: Making Sense of Change through Purposeful Action” – Online

Tamta explores how purpose and curiosity drive meaningful change, showing how uncertainty, resilience, and small steps can transform ideas into lasting impact. 

Gulkhanim Dunyamaliyeva (Azerbaijan) – VMU alumna (MA in Applied English Linguistics, 2022), currently pursuing a second Master’s in Business Logistics. 

Topic: “From Linguistics to Logistics: Sensemaking Through Change and New Beginnings” – On-site

Gulkhanim reflects on navigating change – from language studies to logistics – and how uncertainty can foster growth, adaptability, and new perspectives. 

Olumide Felix Owajoba from Nigeria earned a Master’s degree in Social Anthropology in 2023 and is now pursuing a second Master’s in Social Work: Social Work in the Context of Global Crises. Currently, he works as a Program Support Officer at the Lithuanian Samaritan Association in Vilnius, contributing to social programs for elderly care, food aid, and emergency relief. 

Topic: “Beyond ‘You Can’: Building the Strategy that Unlocks Your Future” – Online

Mostapha Alahiane from Morocco graduated in 2025 with a Master’s degree in Educational Management. This September, he begins a new chapter as an English teacher at Kaunas Jonas Jablonskis Gymnasium.

Topic: “From Campus to Career: How Being an Active Student Shapes Your Future” – On-site

Mostapha will share how active involvement in ESN, the Mentorship Program, and the Ambassador initiative at VMU helped him build leadership, teamwork, and cross-cultural skills that prepared him for his teaching career. He’ll also offer practical advice on turning student experiences into professional success.

Azzam Ahmad, a Jordanian–Bahraini lawyer and researcher. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business Law (2021) and currently serves as the Head of the Legal Department at two international companies – Euro Workforce and Smart Choice. Azzam is also a PhD candidate at Vilnius University, specializing in commercial and arbitration law, and recently completed a fellowship as a Visiting Researcher at Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania. He is presently on a diplomatic mission with the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Africa. He will join us online.

Topic: “Building a Career Between Systems and Realities” - Online

In his talk, Azzam explores what it truly means to build a career in law while navigating between different legal systems and realities.

Let’s meet for a meaningful discussion!