On 4–8 April, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) representatives – Vita Popaitė, Senior Specialist of the Study Administration Unit, Aurimas Galkontas, Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit, and Eimantas Zaksas, Cultural Activities Coordinator – participated in study exhibitions held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), where they introduced Kauno kolegija HEI, study programmes implemented in English, and the Lithuanian higher education system to those interested in studying.

More than 40 higher education institutions from Europe and Asia participated in both exhibitions. During the visit, Kauno kolegija HEI representatives also visited four schools in Hanoi and three schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

‘One of them – Lawrence S. Ting School – hosted a discussion about Vietnamese students’ studies at various foreign higher education institutions. Each higher education institution that participated in the event presented its experience of how it succeeds in integrating students from Vietnam. Since we do not yet have students from Vietnam at Kauno kolegija HEI, it was useful to learn about the challenges other higher education institutions face,’ shares V. Popaitė.

She reveals that the visits to the schools left a very good impression – all schools are different, with their own educational philosophy and spectrum of students’ interests. In some schools, business or technology directions dominate, in others – health sciences or arts. The students were active, asking many questions about studying abroad, living conditions in Lithuania, and job opportunities: ‘There was a genuine interest, and the involvement and friendliness of the community members left a warm impression.’

During the visit, the British Vietnamese International School, British International School, Viet Duc High School, Dwight School Hanoi, British Vietnamese International School HCMC, BIS HCMC and Lawrence S. Ting School were visited. V. Popaitė shares that several significant meetings also took place during the visit.

‘We communicated individually with the managers and consultants of six educational service companies. The first contacts regarding cooperation agreements were established, and the conditions for including Kauno kolegija HEI in their lists of recommended higher education institutions were discussed. This is a long-term process, but we already have clear signs that these contacts can develop into real student flows,’ says V. Popaitė.

A. Galkontas adds that meetings took place with representatives of other higher education institutions during the exhibition – potential areas of cooperation in the areas of student exchange, both for the development of study and internship opportunities, were discussed with them.

‘Such contacts are important to expand Kauno kolegija HEI’s network of international partners and create conditions for our students to gain international experience. We also had the opportunity to meet with UNINOVIS alliance partners – representatives of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt. During the visit, we discussed future joint activities that strengthen mutual cooperation between institutions,’ shares the Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit.

Students are interested in studying at Kauno kolegija

The main goal of the visit to Vietnam is to introduce Kauno kolegija HEI to the Vietnamese market: to introduce students, their parents, teachers and consultants to the Kauno kolegija HEI and to encourage them to choose to study in Lithuania. V. Popaitė notes that Vietnam is one of Kaunas kolegija HEI’s priority markets for international development, from which it is expected to attract motivated students.

‘The expectations related to visibility and networking have certainly been met. Meanwhile, the real results related to admission will be clearer later – after the admission process is completed,’ notes V. Popaitė.

A. Galkontas reveals that although Kauno kolegija HEI already has experience in participating in international study exhibitions in various countries, it was the first visit to Vietnam: ‘It was a great opportunity to get acquainted with the specifics of this market, the education system and gain valuable insights that will help in shaping further strategies.’

He reveals that although Lithuania is not yet well known to some students, this did not prevent them from becoming interested in studying at Kauno kolegija HEI.

‘After presenting the study options, many expressed a desire to learn more about our country, its culture, climate, cost of living and study programmes. We paid a lot of attention to explaining what makes Lithuania different from other EU countries and why it is worth choosing Kauno kolegija HEI. There was definitely a tangible interest from both the students and their parents and consultants,’ says A. Galkontas.