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VMU Connections: Career Day

On November 8, Vytautas Magnus University will become a space that brings people together. Whether you are looking for an internship or your first job opportunity, or you’re a graduate wanting to shift your career in a new direction, you will find all the answers at VMU Connections.

The traditional VMU Career Day, along with the “Matuokis profesiją” (Try Out a Profession) event for school students and VDU Alumni Day for graduates, are expanding into a unified format. This offers a unique opportunity for students, VMU graduates, school students, business representatives, and everyone else to meet in one day, share knowledge, experiences, and professional opportunities.

Come prepared – starting October 14, we invite you to participate in remote training sessions where everyone can enhance their skills and acquire new knowledge that will be useful in planning and building your career. Presentations and advice from specialists will help you get ready for the job fair with companies and organizations taking place on November 8.

REMOTE TRAINING PROGRAM

 

CAREER DAY PROGRAM

During the Career Day, you will have the opportunity to establish valuable connections and contacts. You will also be able to participate in interviews and selection processes conducted by companies and organizations for real existing job or internship positions. This is a great chance not only to hear useful information and learn about the opportunities offered by companies and organizations but also to discover your desired internship or job position.

More information about VMU Connections can be found HERE.

 

Cultural Diplomacy Continues to be Viewed Short-Sightedly

“Cultural diplomacy is not just a bridge that facilitates cooperation between nations. I am convinced that cultural diplomacy can prevent wars,” says Dr. Giedrė Pranaitytė, Coordinator of the Centre of Francophone Countries at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

Her love for the French language and culture, which began in childhood, not only opened up professional opportunities for her but also made her realise the importance of cultural diplomacy in preserving a country’s identity. She strives to instil these values in her students as well.

From Joan of Arc to diplomatic studies 

“My mother, Salvinija Pranaitytė, was a history teacher. Her stories about the Middle Ages, particularly about Joan of Arc, fascinated me. I also remember the paintings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary that hung at my grandparents’ house, painted according to the mystical visions of the French saint, Margaret Mary Alacoque. So my first acquaintance with France was through its history and spiritual traditions,” explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

Although there was no opportunity to learn French at school, she never gave up on this dream. Later, having enrolled in English philology studies, she chose French as an additional subject.

“I attended every possible lecture and course to learn this language. Additionally, I pursued vocational studies and obtained international certificates. At that time, travelling to France was not so simple, and it was expensive. Since, at the beginning of Lithuania’s restored independence, the main way to travel abroad as a student was through the Taizé monastic community, my coursemates and I took advantage of this opportunity to organise our first trip to France,” she recalls.

Having worked as an English and French translator from the first year of her studies, Dr. Pranaitytė assures she has never been short of job offers. “At that time, Lithuania was preparing to join the European Union, so there was a need to translate many legal documents related to this area. This became my stepping stone into politics,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, who worked for several years in the EU Committee of the Regions. Living in Brussels and having had the opportunity to observe many political processes up close, she wanted to find an area where she could combine her love for languages and her interest in politics. That is why she chose to pursue doctoral studies in International Diplomacy at VMU.

“When I returned to Kaunas, I deliberately chose to research the field of cultural diplomacy between the US and France. During my doctoral studies, I travelled to France several times. But this time, it was to meet the first French diplomats who resided in Lithuania after the restoration of our independence. Philippe de Suremain, the first French ambassador to Lithuania, made a particularly strong impression. Cultural diplomacy came into my life very harmoniously and became my great passion. I try to pass on everything that interests me personally to my students,”­ says the teacher of the VMU Francophonie studies programme.

Dr. Giedrė Pranaitytė

We tend to underestimate the power of culture

Cultural diplomacy plays a particularly important role in times of strife and war. And wars, according to Dr. Pranaitytė, arise when diplomats can no longer communicate effectively. “Now, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, we see manifestations of military or hard power. Meanwhile, soft or cultural power is based on the endeavour not only to attract future partners but also to communicate with opponents or even enemies. Ultimately, all wars end in negotiations, so we must learn to lay the foundations of security architecture not just through military means,” ­Dr. Pranaitytė discusses the importance of cultural diplomacy, which she believes is still viewed short-sightedly in Lithuania. There’s a prevailing belief that only what remains after resolving economic and social issues is sufficient for culture.

“Even Winston Churchill, during the Second World War, told his pilots that it was especially important to protect museums and cultural institutions in Great Britain. For if there is no culture, there is nothing left to defend. This is still true today. If we lose our national culture and identity, we will have nothing to offer the world. We will have nothing to defend and will ultimately become spiritually impoverished,” says the representative of the VMU Centre of Francophone Countries.

Unfortunately, she notices a tendency among students to undervalue their own culture. “In this case, I encourage them to look into our country’s literature. Take the poet Oskaras Milašius, our first representative in France during the interwar period, who wrote in French all his life, although a collection of his works in French was only recently reissued. Consider the retrospective exhibition of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis held at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris in 2000 or the 2018 exhibition of Baltic symbolist artists, marking the centenary of the Baltic states, which was also honoured by a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron. And let’s not forget the achievements of our theatre artists, who often receive significant attention and win first prizes at the international Avignon Theatre Festival. All this is not only the merit of our artists but also of the diplomats who support and implement these initiatives with limited financial resources,” Dr. Pranaitytė lists Lithuania’s achievements in the French cultural field.

Learning the subtleties of cultural dialogue in lectures

A good understanding of another country’s culture and etiquette rules can help establish good business relations, believes Dr. Pranaitytė, who presents both theoretical and practical material in these areas to her students during lectures.

“I strive to ensure that students, before they enter the labour market and interact with people from French-speaking countries, understand the prevailing cultural codes there. For example, suppose we need to call a business partner to resolve an urgent matter. What do we Lithuanians do? When we call, we immediately state our problem. Meanwhile, the French would start the phone conversation by apologising for the disturbance, asking about the other person’s family or hobbies, and only then move on to the matter at hand,” explains the VMU teacher, describing the practical nuances of applying etiquette.

In her lectures, she also aims to convey theoretical material through specific historical and cultural events. “During diplomatic French lectures, we discuss diplomatic phenomena with students, such as the Algerian War, one of the most dramatic moments in French history, or when discussing the role of Senegalese riflemen in the First World War, I integrate literary works on this topic. This not only broadens the students’ intellectual field but also serves as a medium for initiating intercultural dialogue,” says Dr. Pranaitytė, discussing the importance of understanding cultural context.

French philosopher Pascal Bruckner (in the centre) with VMU students

Study years shape broader worldviews

According to the speaker, one of the most enjoyable aspects for her is seeing how students, who start learning French from scratch, reveal their talents and find themselves over the four years of their bachelor’s studies. “Many students choose minor study courses alongside their main study programme. Some opt to pursue a career as a teacher, while others are interested in literature and specialise in translation. Currently, with the increased demand for French literature in Lithuanian publishing houses, this field has become particularly promising. For another group of students, Francophone studies serve as a bridge to further studies in diplomacy and international relations – a path that I myself have chosen,”­ explains Dr. Pranaitytė.

She is convinced that no matter what subject you choose to study, without passion, reaching professional heights will be difficult. “Starting a professional career too early and relegating studies to the background is also not very positive. The university years are the best time to absorb all possible knowledge and experiences, and to travel. In that case, whatever professional activity you later choose will offer more fulfilment. And knowing yourself better, you will become more attractive and valuable to future employers,” concludes Dr. Pranaitytė.

More information about the Francophone Studies programme.

Lack of German-Speaking Workers – A Strategic Problem for Lithuania

While Germany is one of the most significant investors in Lithuania and, from now on, a key NATO collective defence partner (with a transfer of 5,000 troops and civilians from the German brigade to Lithuania by 2027), there remains a shortage of German-speaking workers in our country.

“Some of the German Brigade soldiers and civilians will come here with their families, who will need various services such as preschool and primary education, language training, etc. The deployment of the troops is gradually beginning, and meticulous Germans are already interested in whether Lithuania has enough workers to provide these services,” says Assoc. Prof. Rūta Eidukevičienė, a Germanist and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Vytautas Magnus University.

Knowledge of German opens broad career opportunities

According to the associate professor, the shortage of German-speaking professionals is not only a concern for the country’s security sector. Representatives from the business and education sectors are also sounding the alarm bells.

“Currently, the majority of the country’s municipalities plan to discontinue Russian as a second foreign language in schools from September and offer pupils a choice of one of the European Union (EU) languages. Most commonly, Year 6 pupils are offered German or French, and in some schools Spanish, but there is a lack of teachers for these languages, especially in the regions. Data show that an increasing number of pupils are choosing German; however, given the close ties between Lithuania and Germany and the career prospects that the German language offers, the percentage could be higher,” asserts Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė.

She also notes a new trend where schools have to compete with the business sector for German language specialists – both Lithuanian and international companies operating in our country consider knowledge of the German language to be a very important skill, hence career opportunities in companies for students who choose German studies often open while they are still studying.

“In response to this need, a few years ago we restructured our German studies programme – starting from the very first semester, we offer students career planning internships, during which they visit various companies working with the German market, hear from specialists about the competences expected by future employers, perform tasks assigned by them, and in later semesters return to complete longer internships at the company. Today’s German Studies are much more focused on the development of practical skills and providing broader knowledge about Germany,” the teacher of the VMU first-cycle study programme Foreign Languages and Cultures: German Language and Communication outlines the future prospects for prospective specialists.

Assoc. Prof. Rūta Eidukevičienė

Due to specialist shortage, several potential investment projects have been lost

According to Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė, companies operating internationally recognise that, often, knowledge of English alone is no longer sufficient and that what separates successful businesses from “average” ones is that communication is conducted in the language of the country where the business is developed or in the language spoken by the clients.

“When it comes to the German market, business representatives emphasise that there is a significant shortage of employees who not only speak German but also understand certain communication and cultural nuances, and this need is expected to grow in the near future,” asserts Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė, who has extensive experience in the business sector and currently assists companies in developing employees’ intercultural communication skills with German-speaking countries.

Andrius Veršinskas, Head of the Business Division at KaunasIN, concurs, noting that the demand for German language skills in the labour market is high and increasing across Lithuania, particularly in Kaunas. Germany remains not only one of Lithuania’s main export markets but also the country with the most investors, who are the largest in Lithuania and Kaunas.

“Investors based in Kaunas are expanding not only in the sectors that brought them to Lithuania. For instance, companies like ‘Continental’ and ‘Hella’, which manufacture electronic components for automobiles, have opened their business services (finance) centres where German is highly prioritised, and sometimes required. In fact, due to the shortage of German-speaking specialists, we have lost several potential investment projects in Kaunas,” says Andrius Veršinskas.

Andrius Veršinskas (Kaunas IN photo)

According to him, it should come as no surprise that German is one of the foreign languages (with English having become the market standard) whose proficient command can by itself guarantee a job in business service centres or sales teams, even without other industry-specific knowledge or education. “Even for engineers or employees with clear specific knowledge, competences, and education in other fields, knowledge of foreign languages, especially German, often translates to an additional few (or more) hundred euros each month,” Veršinskas asserts.

The demand for German-speaking specialists, which has been growing for several years, is also emphasised by Mantas Butkus, Head of Technical Support Services – German Language Team at Festo, a German capital company based in Kaunas, which employs a large number of VMU German Studies graduates.

“It is gratifying that we have educational institutions in Lithuania that pay great attention to the development of intercultural communication skills. This is particularly beneficial in helping new employees quickly integrate into international teams and successfully collaborate with colleagues from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland,” Mantas Butkus reflects on the German Language and Communication study programme at VMU.

Mantas Butkus (Photo source: Festo)

Studies focus on improving not only language skills but also intercultural competences

Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė points out that the VMU study programme German Language and Communication stands out because it is designed for those who not only want to learn German (with the possibility to start from scratch or advance existing skills) but also wish to learn more about the history, culture, and economic systems of Germany and other German-speaking countries, undertake internships in these countries, and participate in international student projects.

“When choosing study courses, students of the German Language and Communication programme can decide for themselves in which area – business, law, media, advertising, or tourism – they wish to improve their German language skills. Additionally, alongside German, students can study another EU language – French, Italian, or Spanish. German philology students, in addition to their main study programme, can choose a minor, which provides additional opportunities to find a job they like. Starting this year, students who opt for minor studies in Pedagogy receive a scholarship of 357.50 euros,” explains one of the programme’s teachers.

She also highlights the broad international opportunities offered by the University. The VMU German Language and Communication programme closely collaborates not only with local social partners but also with partner universities in Germany. One of these is Saarland University, which, like VMU, is a member of the European University Alliance Transform4Europe.

“Alliance partners continually discover new activities and initiatives that creatively and innovatively transform studies and research. One such initiative, starting this September, sees VMU and Saarland University jointly conduct a study module ‘Intercultural German Language Didactics’, which VMU students of German philology or other foreign philologies can attend either in person or online, earning a certificate from Saarland University (InterDiDaF). This course takes place in mixed intercultural groups, where students jointly carry out various practical projects, acquire competencies in German language didactics, and prepare for teaching German in an international context,” Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė details.

According to Elisabeth Venohr, Study Coordinator at Saarland University, interdisciplinarity, multilingualism, and the development of intercultural competences are the main pillars of this partnership. “The InterDiDaF studies and certificate encourage students and lecturers to view language teaching and learning from a new perspective, expand intercultural competences through German, and prepare to apply them in multilingual contexts, especially in border regions,” Dr. Elisabeth Venohr explains.

Dr. Elisabeth Venohr (Photo source: Saarland University)

Elena Yorgova-Ramanauskas, the State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digital Affairs, and Energy of Saarland, welcomes the strengthening partnership between the two universities and emphasises the importance of collaboration with future employers. “Meeting the growing demand for qualified specialists is a challenge that politicians, the business sector, and universities must address together in the coming decades. We are facing a shortage of workers prepared to fill vacant positions. It is crucial that during their studies, students acquire not only foreign language skills but also additional competencies, including intercultural communication skills, as we want our employees to feel comfortable when they arrive here. The cooperation between higher education institutions and companies in introducing young people to the business environment is mutually beneficial,” says Elena Yorgova-Ramanauskas.

Elena Yorgova-Ramanauskas (Photo by Oliver Dietze)

VMU Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė believes that one of the key tasks of the German Language and Communication programme, which she curates, is not only to teach students the German language but also to give them the opportunity to engage in academic and professional networks as early as possible, and to acquire practical skills and international exchange experience.

“Collaboration with Saarland University and the newly established certificate, the opportunity to choose a minor alongside German Philology, and to get acquainted with the realities of the labour market at an earlier stage – all this not only helps students pursue personal careers but also ensures the University’s contribution to addressing the need for qualified German language specialists in Kaunas and throughout Lithuania,” Assoc. Prof. Eidukevičienė explains.

Opportunities for studies or traineeship abroad

Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) International Cooperation Department invites all university students to use the opportunities for studies or traineeship abroad.

Additional competition for VMU bilateral exchange and Erasmus+ studies (in non-EU/EEA countries).

Submit your applications by 30 September.

Competition for the Erasmus+ traineeship grants in all of world countries.

Submit your applications by the 30 of September.

On September 12th, 3 p.m. we invite you to join the online presentation (in English) and learn more about study and traineeship opportunities. Click here to join.

NOTE! An additional Erasmus+ competition for studies in EU/EEA countries will NOT be announced for the spring semester of the AY 2024/2025. The main competition for the AY 2025/2026 (autumn and spring semesters) will be announced in February, 2025.

More information.

Methodological Training on Meta-Analysis

Methodological Training on Meta-Analysis: an Introduction and an Overview of Advanced Topics

Session 1 (October 2, 3 – 5 P.M.): meta-analytic process, research questions, searching, coding, statistical integration.

Session 2 (October 8, 3 – 5 P.M.): heterogeneity, moderation analyses and advanced topics.

Language – English.

Duration of the workshop – each session/90 minutes lecture + 30 minutes Q&A (2,5 academic hours).

Format – online workshop via MS Teams. Please register for the workshop here.

All registered participants will receive MS Teams link to the workshop a few days before the training.

Certificates will be issued after the training for participants who attend all two sessions. No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary.

Trainer: Dr. Gunnar LemmerPhilipps (University Marburg, Germany), Department of Psychology, section: Psychological Methods. Gunnar has been giving lectures and seminars on statistical methods for several years. He has been working with meta-analyses for a long time in the field of psychology and is the author and co-author of several publications of research using meta-analyses.

Training will be moderated by V. Kavolis Institute Project Expert dr. Gintarė Pocė.

Description of the training

Meta-analysis is a statistical method for the combination of multiple quantitative studies on the same research question. Our training will cover the entire meta-analytic process.

At the beginning of session 1 of our training, we will get to know the structure of the meta-analytic process. We will then deal with meta-analytic research questions, searching for relevant studies, and coding relevant studies in terms of study characteristics and effect sizes. At the end of this session, we will get to know meta-analytic models for the integration of the effect sizes of the included studies (i.e., fixed effect model and random effects model).

Session 2 will start with methods for the analysis of heterogeneity of effect sizes. In order to be able to explain heterogeneity, we will then deal with meta-analytic models (e.g., mixed effects model) and meta-analytic methods (e.g., meta-regression) for moderation analyses. This session will also give a short overview of more advanced topics like three-level-meta-analysis and meta-analytic path models.

For more information about the workshop, please send an email to vki[eta]vdu.lt.

The workshop is a part of the project “Strengthening the R&D activities of the Vytautas Kavolis Transdisciplinary Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities (SOCMTEP)”. The project is funded by the Research Council of Lithuania and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, Contract No S-A-UEI-23-13 (2023-12-27). The funding programme is the “Excellence in Universities Initiative” (No V-940).

Opportunity to Apply for a Paid Internship in Lithuania

VMU Department of International Relations invites foreign students and graduates of full-time studies to apply for internships in Lithuanian market. The main aim of the internship is to provide an opportunity for foreign VMU students and graduates to acquire practical skills in Lithuanian companies and organisations. The internship will contribute to the development of professional knowledge and skills, help to improve Lithuanian language, provide an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and help to establish professional contacts, thus increasing the chances of employment and successful integration into the Lithuanian labour market.  

VMU full-time international students requirements:

  • The duration of the students’ traineeships – min 2 months, max 4 months.
  • Estimated total number of hours of internship – minimum 20 hours per week.
  • Traineeship scholarship – EUR 650/month.
  • Number of scholarships – 24.

VMU full-time international graduates requirements:

  • The duration of the graduates’ traineeships – 6 months.  
  • Estimated total number of hours of internship – minimum 30 hours per week.
  • Traineeship scholarship – EUR 650/month.
  • Number of scholarships – 20.

The competition is open to full-time students in the first to third study cycle (except first-year students). The internship is not part of the study programme, it is complimentary. Also, please note that the internship can’t be performed at the company at which the applicant is currently employed.

The list of available traineeships can be found here.

Required application documents: 

Candidates are evaluated according to the following criteria: 

  • Good academic performance: grade average of the last 2 semesters is 8 points;
  • Motivation: motivation letter and interview, indicating relevance of the traineeship to personal career design;
  • Additional points: experience in academic, professional or social activities abroad and in Lithuania; pre-arranged and agreed internship place; knowledge of Lithuanian language.

The decision on the candidacy is made by the special UPinLT selection committee approved by the Rector of VMU. The selection process will respect the basic principles of transparency, equality and non-discrimination. The final selection results will be communicated to the participants personally by e-mail and via the VMU student portal, not later than 2 weeks after the application deadline.

More information about contest 

Registration for Transform4Europe Course Offer at Bachelor Level

The university network Transform4Europe invites students to choose its track courses for bachelor students which aim to train a new generation of young Europeans who will work together across disciplines and acquire digital, intercultural and entrepreneurial skills. This training enables you to actively shape the necessary transformation processes in Europe. Most of the courses are conducted online.

The Transform4Europe Alliance gives you the opportunity to incorporate a succinct programme – a European-oriented Bachelor Track that leads to a certificate with up to 24 ECTS – into your studies.

All the selected courses are recognised at your university either as part of your main field of study or alongside as additional elective courses.

The Transform4Europe Track consists of common core modules on the topics of:

  1. Knowledge Entrepreneurship;
  2. Languages & Intercultural Competencies;
  3. European History, Politics, Culture, Law, Economy.

Also, you select the track according to your needs and interests from 3 optional challenge-based tracks:

  1. Digital transformation
  2. Environmental transformation
  3. Societal transformation

Once you graduate and complete the Track, you receive a certificate testifying the completion of a Transform4Europe Bachelor Track under the challenge-based track or cluster title.

What are additional benefits for students?

  1. Exchange ideas with students from other academic disciplines.
  2. Gaining and developing European competences in a narrower relevant subfield.
  3. Increase your career opportunities by unique profile development.
  4. Increase future research and career opportunities in interdisciplinary fields.
  5. Networking possibilities with students from other European universities.
  6. Subsidised international mobility.

Autumn/Winter Semester 2023

In the list below, please pick the institution at which you would like to attend a course and proceed as advised.

University of Trieste

Course start: 23 September 2024 (check for each course)
Registration Period: until 6 September 2024
End of Teaching: 21 December 2024 (check for each course)
End of Exams: 21 February 2025 (check for each course)

Register now

Saarland University

Course start: 14 October 2024 (check for each course)
Registration Period: TBC – 15 September 2024
End of Teaching: 07 February 2025 (check for each course)
End of Exams: 31 March 2024

Register now

University of Primorska

Course start: Check for each course
Registration Period: 15 July – 25 August 2024
End of Teaching: Check for each course
End of Exams: Winter examination period: 14 February 2025

Register now

Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Course start: 6 November 2024
Registration Period: until 15 October 2024
End of Teaching: 12 December 2024
End of Exams: 11 December 2024 (final presentation), 12 December 2024 (exam)

Register now

List of modules and registration:

A list of modules and a registration form can be found here.

For more information please contact sd@vdu.lt

UPinLT internship opportunity at the startup Timespex

JGM company offers international students internship opportunities at one of its companies, Timespex. The internship can be combined with the UPinLT scholarship program and is available in marketing, sales, customer communication, information processing, and other areas relevant to working in the foreign market.

If you are interested in the opportunity, please contact:

Irmantas Jagminas (CEO), irmantas.jagminas@gmail.com

Read more information about the UPinLT internship program here.

T4EU Online Course on Matlab and Data Analysis for PhD Students

The European university alliance Transform4Europe and Saarland University invite PhD students to register for the online course Matlab and Data Analysis, which will be held on Microsoft Teams on the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 10th of October at 3–7 p.m. (Lithuania time). Online registration of participants is open until 14th of September.

In this course the participants will learn the basics of programming and in particular how to use Matlab for universal data analysis. It is a course for beginners. The aim is that participants without prior knowledge learn how to use Matlab for data analysis, statistical evaluation and presentation of results.

The students will get accounts from our IT-center “HIZ” for full functionality of Saarland University’s video conferencing software Microsoft Teams. If students do not have access to a Matlab license, they will get an Email address from Saarland University to access its license. Further registration at Saarland University is not required and no fees are charged.

The course is free of charge. Up to 10 students can participate.

Registration of participants

More information

VMU: Designed to Develop Individuals Prepared to Tackle Challenges

“During a recent international expert assessment, experts noted that the Artes Liberales studies at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) are distinguished by the highest level of student study individualisation and are unique within the context of higher education across Europe. This is the highest recognition we have aimed for,” says Dr. Simona Pilkienė, Vice-Rector for Studies at VMU.

The advantage of Artes Liberales studies

This year, VMU not only celebrates the 35th anniversary of its re-establishment but also the 35th anniversary of the liberal arts concept in Lithuania. “The historical events of the Soviet era were painful for the university, as it was closed by the Soviets. It was a dark period, but it also offered an opportunity to revive the university based on Western traditions. We see how difficult it is for higher education institutions that operated during that era to free themselves from the legacy of Soviet thinking and embrace innovation and Western values. In this regard, VMU was very fortunate; it did not need to struggle to free itself from the clutches of Soviet thinking. With efforts from the American diaspora, the university was re-established on new foundations, based on the liberal arts model of Harvard University,” explains Dr. Pilkienė.

Dr. Simona Pilkienė

As is known, for a long time in Lithuania, the focus was on training specialists for specific job placements, and studies based on the Artes Liberales concept were considered a luxury. “Preparing not narrowly specialised specialists but rather broadly skilled individuals is expensive in terms of time and finances. However, when global crises struck – the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the crisis of democracy in Europe, and sudden changes in the job market – we see that an education grounded in this concept gives graduates an absolute advantage,” asserts the VMU Vice-Rector for Studies, adding that studies based on critical and analytical thinking, which involve not merely studying one’s speciality courses but designing one’s educational path according to the Artes Liberales concept, develop each student as an individual.

Updated study programmes and additional benefits upon graduation

As Dr. Pilkienė explains, students are mature individuals entrusted with designing their own educational and career paths; therefore, VMU is expanding its selection of wide-ranging study programmes, thereby relieving students of the need to choose a particular programme.

“In other universities, you have to choose one programme and may not always have the option to switch to another. At VMU, however, the programmes are designed so that the choice involves several stages. For example, if you select the ‘Foreign Languages and Cultures’ programme, you can choose to study Italian Studies and Romance Languages, German Language and Communication, or French Language and Francophone Studies. Choosing the Regional Studies programme gives you time to decide whether to study the languages and cultures of the Asian or Scandinavian region. This year, a similar model is offered for Political Studies – do you wish to study Political Science and Leadership in Lithuanian, International Politics and Development Studies in English, or perhaps you are interested in World Politics and Economics? Even if you opt for History studies, you can decide whether to study classical history or philosophy and history of ideas. This principle of designing study programmes is embedded in the Artes Liberales concept and is precisely what allows for the implementation of globally highly-regarded studies,” the Vice-Rector affirms.

Additionally, this year, in response to labour market changes, some programmes are introducing additional competency profiles. For instance, those entering the Land Use Planning and Real Estate Valuation programme will receive qualification certificates enabling them to work as real estate planners and appraisers. Those entering the Social Work and Psychosocial Counselling programme will acquire competencies to provide psychosocial support and counselling. Moreover, music studies have been expanded to include a specialisation in Popular Music, which will allow new entrants to attend classes taught by performer Mantas Jankavičius.

From Europe to the United States or Asia

VMU is the most international university in Lithuania, with around 20% of international students studying here each year, offering international and interdisciplinary study opportunities. Through the Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange programmes, students have the opportunity to pursue part-time studies and participate in short-term courses at over 700 universities in 78 countries worldwide. Every year, more than 200 VMU students take advantage of this opportunity. Additionally, students can undertake internships lasting from 1 to 6 months in companies and organisations across the globe, as well as in Lithuanian communities and Lithuanian heritage schools abroad. More than 160 VMU students and graduates venture abroad for this purpose each year. But that’s not all.

“Every student at VMU can also choose to study at a partner institution within the European Universities Alliance ‘Transform4Europe’, gaining additional competencies through the ‘Bachelor Tracks’ courses at nine universities: Saarland University (Germany), the University of Alicante (Spain), the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Catholic University of Portugal, the University of Primorska (Slovenia), Jean Monnet University in Saint-Étienne (France), the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland), Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ (Bulgaria), the University of Trieste (Italy), and Mariupol State University (Ukraine). There are also numerous other opportunities offered by international partnerships,” explains the Vice-Rector for Studies.

Additionally, in order to meet the challenges of the global world and maximise opportunities for students, the university continues its collaboration with Coursera, the world’s largest learning platform, where lectures are delivered by academics from leading universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.

“VMU studies employ student-engaging methods, utilising a variety of real and digital environments, innovative tools, and approaches previously considered unconventional, such as Coursera courses,” explains Dr. Pilkienė, providing several examples: “For instance, students enrolled in the university study course ‘Theory and History of Photography’ enrich their experience and expand their competencies by independently studying the ‘Seeing Through Photographs’ course offered by New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Likewise, students and future teachers at the Education Academy tackle ‘The Science of Wellbeing’ course, taught by a Yale University professor during their ‘Emotional Intelligence Development’ study course,” lists the Vice-Rector for Studies. According to her, these opportunities significantly enhance students’ abilities to solve complex problems by applying theoretical knowledge in real-life situations, broaden the context of their knowledge, and increase their engagement in the study process.

“In summary, when reflecting on the distinctiveness of Artes Liberales studies, one can recall the idea expressed by VMU professor and philosopher Dr. Leonidas Donskis: ‘Regular studies are a sprint; Artes Liberales studies are a marathon. Everyone chooses according to their own preference’, but after completing the marathon, the victory is much more valuable,” says Dr. Pilkienė.