NOVA-BOVA is glad to welcome Rūta Skinkytė � a new contact person at the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy (LVA). Since September 2002, Ruta works at the Office of International Relations at LVA and is PhD student in animal genetics. She is temporarily substituting Violeta Saladiene due to a maternity leave.

At the same occasion, we would like to introduce Ruta�s colleague Darius Patinskas. Darius graduated the Vytautas Magnus University, Institute of Political Science and Diplomacy and, since November 2002, is coordinator of international projects at the same office of LVA. Darius will assist Ruta in relevant NOVA-BOVA activities.

During October, PhD students from Baltic countries had a chance to apply to three NOVA PhD courses that take place in December 2002 � February 2003. In total, 25 applications were received. NOVA course organisers Arne O. Skjelv�g, Sigute Kuziene and Lindis Skipperud are cordially thanked for admitting the students and elaborating applications to NorFa.

The final decision about the admission will depend on NorFa funding possibilities.

Students will be accepted under the condition that NorFa grants the requested amount to support their participation.

In November 8, 2002, BOVA secretary Alvidas �arlauskas and LZUU coordinator Minvydas Liegus visited Nordic Council of Ministers� (NCM) information office in Vilnius. They presented the latest developments in NOVA-BOVA cooperation to office director Knut Hjorth-Johansen and adviser Brigita Urmanaite.

The discussions focused on NOVA-BOVA conference that is planned in October 2003. NCM regards it an important event in developing the Nordic-Baltic collaboration in the higher education and wishes to see its representatives taking part at the conference. Representatives of the information office suggested preparing an application to NCM for a financial support.