From 21–27 January, lecturers Carolina Martin-Gamez and Dolores Madrid from the University of Málaga (Spain) visited the Department of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Arts and Education, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution. The visit was carried out under the Erasmus+ programme, aiming to strengthen international academic cooperation and promote the exchange of experience between higher education institutions.

The University of Málaga is a member of the European University Alliance UNINOVIS, and this visit contributes to the purposeful and sustainable strengthening of cooperation between alliance institutions, opening up new opportunities for the development of study programmes, teaching, and innovative educational practices.

During the visit, the lecturers from Spain became acquainted with the activities of the Faculty of Arts and Education, the specific work of the Department of Pedagogy, and the implementation of study programmes. Through discussions and meetings, experiences were shared regarding the education systems of different countries, teaching methods, teacher training, and the integration of practice and theory in pedagogical studies.

On the initiative of Aurėja Šarkauskaitė, a visit to Kaunas nursery-kindergarten Girinukas was also organised. The guests were welcomed and introduced to the institution’s activities by the kindergarten director, lecturer-practitioner Renata Drulienė, and the deputy director Regvita Zieniuvienė. During the visit, the guests were familiarised with the principles of early childhood education, innovative teaching methods, and their practical application in daily work with children.

The Erasmus+ learning visit programme was further enriched by a visit to Kauno kolegija’s Alytus Faculty STEAM Centre, where an innovation-driven educational culture is nurtured from early childhood education through to higher education. The guests were presented with initiatives for popularising science, training future researchers, opportunities for professional development for regional teachers, and ways to engage the public in scientific research and the dissemination of innovations.