VMU Continues Initiative Dedicated to Eastern Partnership Countries

After the first stage of general admission to university studies, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) has accepted about 20 Belarusian students to its special MA program Administration of State Institutions. A sizable number of students from Belarus have also applied for other VMU study programs. The decision to launch a program where Belarusian citizens could study was made back in March, after discussing potential developments in the neighbouring nation. The studies will be free of charge for all students; special scholarships have been established for them.

“This program will create an excellent window of opportunity to educate young and maybe not so young Belarusians who want to get really comprehensive, modern knowledge in the sphere of public administration and public governance. I think it’s essential because Belarus needs reforms: the country needs to transform its public administration system. Even if the worst scenario happens and Lukashenko stays in power, changes are needed in Belarus”, the program’s coordinator, VMU lecturer Dr. Tatsiana Chulitskaya explained.

According to the lecturer, the purpose of this special program is to provide an opportunity for the Belarusians who studied or have experience in civil society, business, journalism or various other fields to acquire an education in public administration and public governance. In the program, students are taught by VMU political scientists and experts of EU law, politics, public administration and other fields. Some of the lecturers are Belarusian researchers.

Since 2013, in order to facilitate democratic consolidation, Vytautas Magnus University has been giving special attention to students from the Eastern Partnership countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. 20–40 students from these countries are granted special scholarships every year. Another English-language study program, International Politics and Development studies, is also offered for them. Its graduates have launched successful careers in European, U.S. and other institutions.

“This program already has hundreds of graduates and is oriented towards students from Belarus, Georgia, and Ukraine. Significant initial support was provided by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This initiative, which supports students from the neighbouring countries, has become a part of the university’s policies. Every year VMU provides special scholarships to students from Belarus, Ukraine, and Georgia. Nevertheless, there is a serious lack of governmental support provided for such initiatives”, Prof. Šarūnas Liekis, the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy,  said.

Vytautas Magnus University, which is frequently recognised for its international focus, accepts students from 80-90 countries every year.

VMU also provides the possibility of re-admission or continuation of studies for Belarusian students who feel unsafe in their country or are persecuted for civic or political reasons. Applications for studies can be submitted until 1 December on the university’s website.