VMU representatives visited the Republic of Azerbaijan
On 9-11 of March, Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) representatives visited Baku, Azerbaijan. The goal of the visit was to strengthen the partnerships with the current partner universities, meet with the VMU alumni community, and presented the study opportunities for students from Azerbaijan.
During the visit, VMU Vice-Rector for Communication, Dr. Vilma Bijeikienė visited ADA University, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, and Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport. At the same time VMU International Cooperation Department representatives visited the language school “Time Academy”, “Kaspi” Lyceum, and the Educational Fair.
The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan helped us to organize the official meeting with VMU graduates in Baku and welcomed the VMU delegation.
The meeting brought together more than 20 VMU alumni – recent graduates and those who graduated long ago. The event included a meeting with Minister Counsellor of Ambassador of Republic of Lithuania in Azerbaijan Justinas Bakūnas, watching the movie “Vivat Universitas Vytauti Magni” directed by Arvydas Barysas and dedicated to the occasion of the Centennial of the University of Lithuania, and VMU flag assignation to the most active alumna from Azerbaijan Halimat Isayeva. VMU graduates shared their memories about their studies at VMU, professors, and students’ life in Kaunas, and talked about their current career and future plans.
Mrs. Halimat Isayeva, VMU graduate of the Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism study programme, lives in Baku, and has become the VMU Flag Bearer. She works at the International Relations Department of the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport. The Vice-Rector for Communication, Dr. Vilma Bijeikienė, emphasized the importance of the VMU Flag Bearer’s mission to keep in touch with the University and promote the University’s ideas in Baku and Azerbaijan for strengthening future partnerships.
In addition, VMU representatives met with the Azerbaijani students and introduced them to the university, study programmes, scholarship opportunities, etc. These meetings were held at the invitation of VMU graduates who gladly invited the representatives to share information about Kaunas and Lithuania.
Nigar Yahyazada, VMU graduate of the Sociolinguistics and Multilingualism study programme, works as a Lead English Teacher at TIME ACADEMY, a language school. Samil Niftalıyev, VMU graduate of Diplomacy and International Relations study programme, is the Director of Kaspi Global, an education company.
On 11 March, Vytautas Magnus University participated in the International Education Fair in Baku, which drew in hundreds of students and their parents. They showed a great interest in studies abroad, and specifically the study programmes and higher education quality at VMU. University representatives invited Azerbaijani pupils and students to study at VMU – a university with a globally oriented, free-spirited, liberal mindset.
The first students from Azerbaijan came to VMU for full-time studies in 2010. The number of students who choose VMU and Kaunas continues to grow each year. Over the last 12 years, more than 80 students from Azerbaijan have become graduates and have returned to their home country or work abroad. At the moment, more than 40 students from Azerbaijan are studying at the university in different Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.
Education Exchanges Support Foundation provides 5 grants per year if Azerbaijani students intend to obtain a full-time master’s degree in Lithuania. Moreover, VMU provides a tuition fee waiver for Azerbaijani applicants for the entire study period of a full-time Bachelor´s and Master’s degree programme taught in English.
