Historical Agreement: Kaunas Universities Join Forces

Universities operating in Kaunas unite for a unique initiative. For the first time, an ambitious agreement is signed, providing for close cooperation in the fields of science, studies, and practice between four higher education institutions: Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuanian Sports University (LSU), and Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

This step is aimed at accelerating the dissemination of science and new technologies in society and strengthening the city’s academic community and the image of Kaunas as an international student city.

The four universities will exchange scientific and technological information, jointly prepare and implement research and other projects, jointly produce scientific works, and participate in scientific and other events.

The cooperation of Kaunas universities opens up a wide range of opportunities for the students of these higher education institutions.

The form of elective inter-university study courses/modules will allow students to freely choose courses of interest in other Kaunas universities, even if those disciplines are not directly related to their study programme. For students who would take such an elective study course/module, the learning outcomes would be validated in accordance with the study regulations of the universities.

Students will be able to choose the first elective inter-university courses/modules at the end of this semester, and from the autumn semester of the next academic year onwards, they will be able to embark on new experiences and knowledge.

It is also planned to create a joint study module addressing the challenges of the city and the region, and to inform the public about various activities and initiatives.

“The centennial of the University of Lithuania for Kaunas universities is not only a symbolic anniversary, but also an opportunity to look back at their origins and give meaning to their rich heritage. Back then, studying at the University of Lithuania was an honour, the university was an important intellectual centre of Kaunas and Lithuania. Today, global change requires from the young generation not only open-mindedness and excellent professional knowledge, but also critical thinking, responsibility, the ability to solve complex problems, lifelong learning and the ability to cooperate. Therefore, remembering our roots, today it is both an honour and an obligation for us to unite the academic and scientific forces of Kaunas universities and to educate a strong generation of young specialists,” said Prof. Rimantas Benetis, the Rector of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.

“As we commemorate the centennial of the founding of the University of Lithuania in Kaunas, it is very important to remember and appreciate the long and difficult path that has led us to what have today. The contribution of hundreds of the greatest minds of Lithuania and other countries who created and built this university and who have educated the people of Lithuania and other countries, commits us to continue our work and becomes the starting point for future endeavours. Today, the cooperation between universities strengthens Kaunas, provides greater opportunities and wider perspectives, and allows the younger generation to share the experiences of all Kaunas universities,” said Prof. Juozas Augutis, the Rector of Vytautas Magnus University.

“It is truly a joyous moment. I consider joining our forces to strengthen the region and the country’s industry to be a valuable step, truly giving meaning to the centennial of University of Lithuania. I have always advocated cooperation and joint activities, replacing gaps and competition with unification for the sake of common goals, which we truly have a lot of these days,” said KTU Rector Prof. Eugenijus Valatka.

“With this agreement, we further strengthen the image of Kaunas as an academic city. Although the cooperation between Kaunas universities has been ongoing to this day, we once again show that it is important for academic communities to share innovations in science and studies, to create an attractive academic environment for students of different fields, and to jointly address the challenges of higher education. From now on, we will be able to offer a wider variety of studies to current and future university students, and we will strive to attract more students from abroad. I hope that the cooperation between Kaunas universities will be an impetus for closer cooperation between other higher education institutions in the country as well,” said Prof. Diana Rėklaitienė, the Rector of Lithuanian Sports University.

Kaunas universities have been cooperating at various levels for several years now; among the best-known previous joint initiatives are the education programme for gifted students and the projects of joint research teams of KTU, LSMU, VMU and the Lithuanian Energy Institute. However, the latest cooperation agreement is exceptional as it covers joint activities of all Kaunas city universities in the fields of studies, research projects, and public communication.