This year, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) and its community celebrate the significant 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the institution. Over a quarter of a century, Kauno kolegija HEI has grown into a modern, open and innovative educational institution, occupying a strong position among Lithuanian higher education institutions, and the experience gained and the strong community gathered have become the basis that today allows us to achieve the highest scientific, cultural and social goals. This anniversary will be accompanied by the slogan “Creativity, Diversity, and Synergy”.

‘Kauno kolegija HEI unites more than 5,000 students and about 900 employees. This is a huge community that brings together a wide variety of people. At Kauno kolegija HEI, we value the uniqueness of each member of the community, because this is an important part of Kauno kolegija HEI’s uniqueness and strength. Despite our differences, our community is united by a common goal – to improve, learn, and create. This is the message we want to mark this festive year,’ shares Director Dr Andrius Brusokas.

The focused and united work of the community is also reflected in the achievements of recent years: the application for the European University Alliance UNINOVIS was approved, Kauno kolegija HEI holds a leading position in the 2024 ranking among Lithuanian state higher education institutions, an academic division of Kauno kolegija HEI was formed in Alytus, and one of the largest and most complex projects related to the transformation of Kaunas and Alytus higher education institutions and the development of innovations in the region was launched.

‘The 25^th anniversary of Kauno kolegija HEI is a great opportunity to remember the work done, celebrate achievements and set new goals. Kauno kolegija HEI will continue to strive to be a modern, innovative and open educational institution,’ says Director Dr A. Brusokas.

A community that drives higher education institution forward

Vice Director for Science and Organisational Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė notes that diversity has accompanied Kauno kolegija HEI throughout its 25-year period of establishment and development, during which the institution has been established, grown, and strengthened by merging schools in different fields.

‘Last year, another higher education institution joined Kauno kolegija HEI – Alytaus kolegija HEI, which is also diverse in various aspects. However, if you are different, if you are diverse, with proper management of the organisation, this diversity becomes a strength that leads to even stronger unity. Diversity allows us to complement each other and create a new quality that society itself so often lacks – that progress and advancement through interdisciplinarity,’ shares Dr I. Stravinskienė.

She points out that when a community is creative and positively motivated, striving to grow and improve, then the fusion of different fields of study, science, and art creates an impact on society.

‘And we can truly say with confidence – Kauno kolegija HEI has such a creative community, which, being so diverse, but at the same time very united, truly has a significant impact on meeting the need for specialists, art and culture not only in the Kaunas region but also throughout Lithuania,’ says the Vice Director for Science and Organisational Development.

Dr I. Stravinskienė adds that increasingly, the results of applied scientific research created by Kauno kolegija HEI are applied in the activities of business, municipalities and other organisations, so Kauno kolegija HEI, with its diverse structure based on creativity, has grown into a very strong and unified European higher education institution operating at an international level.

‘As it was foreseen in its vision, which was unanimously created five years ago by such a diverse Kauno kolegija HEI community: Kauno kolegija HEI is an advanced and sustainable European higher education institution that fosters Lithuania’s culture and traditions,’ says Vice Director for Science and Organisational Development Dr I. Stravinskienė.

Meanwhile, Vice Director for Studies Jolanta Bareikienė, speaking about the significance of the slogan “Creativity, Diversity, and Synergy” in the context of studies, highlights the relevance of its message.

‘On the one hand, today, more than ever before, studies are accessible to various groups of people – people of different ages, different experiences and social backgrounds. Studies unite people from different countries and cultures,’ shares J. Bareikienė.

On the other hand, notes the Vice Director for Studies, these differences give added value to studies, stimulate the cognitive process, and interest in new areas. During studies, not only knowledge is acquired, but personal growth is also very important, and studies in a diverse environment develop understanding and tolerance.

‘I hope that at Kauno kolegija HEI everyone can discover something interesting and useful, that every lecturer, employee and student finds like-minded people, can boldly express their thoughts, and feel safe and understood. They can feel part of the community,’ adds J. Bareikienė, Vice Director for Studies.