During the period of Lithuania’s membership in the European Union, Kaunas University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) recorded impressive indicators of cooperation with the EU. In a period of 16 years, in order to respond to international requirements and the needs of the community, this higher education institution implemented several projects that attracted investments from the European Union: EU funds were invested in infrastructure renewal, programmes improvement, and teacher qualification.

One of the strategic goals of the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences is the formation of modern infrastructure, therefore, every year, because of the European Union’s investments, progress is observed in creating an attractive and competitive study environment, ensuring high quality and comprehensive opportunities for students to learn and improve.

“I think that it is important for students, what kind of conditions are created in the higher education institution for studying and resting. After all, studies do not only consist of time spent in lectures. Here, at the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, we have a new, modern library where you can not only read books or search for sources but also use computer equipment and consult with the library staff. There are also closed rooms where you can study separated from other library visitors,” says Julius Antanaitis, a third-year Office Administration student, adding that he usually comes to the library to do individual tasks or work with the project group.

Motivation for students to develop research competencies

At Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, a lot of attention is paid to involving students in applied science activities and developing their abilities to perform applied research. Therefore, 12 projects financed by EU funds have been implemented in recent years. Students, according to the individual programme, under the guidance of the supervisors, carried out scientific research work. One such research work is the project of Julius Antanaitis “Effects of implementation of green zones from the point of view of sustainable development: the case of the city of Šakiai”, during which theoretical material on issues of green infrastructure, green zones and sustainable development was analyzed.

“After conducting a survey of residents of Šakiai, their opinion on the implementation of green zones in Šakiai was heard. Residents expressed their satisfaction and submitted proposals regarding the development of green infrastructure. Also, in communication with the specialists of the Šakiai district municipality, information was collected and analyzed, how the green infrastructure is developed in Šakiai when green areas are implemented, what projects are planned to be implemented, or are being implemented now”, says J. Antanaitis.

This helped J. Antanaitis, who will soon hold a professional bachelor’s degree in his hands, gain experience, knowledge and see in practice how science can help change urban green spaces.

Focus on social and emotional skills

During the project financing period, EU fund investments allowed Kaunas University of Applied Sciences to pay more attention to developing social and emotional skills. According to Dalia Ilevičienė, Dean of the Faculty of Business of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, EU structural fund funds allowed to organize teacher training, update study programmes, acquire the skills of teaching methodical tools, as well as thanks to the investment, a description and manual for updating the modules was prepared, and a modular system of study programmes was implemented.

“We hope that the new EU-funded projects will help develop the lines drawn by the faculty, that is, sustainability, the green course, which is what most of the projects are currently focused on. We hope that we will continue this activity in the future, we will pay great attention to it. From what we can see from the set EU goals, it will be quite difficult to achieve them by 2030. Therefore, we must mobilize large forces and train young people to meet these needs,” says D. Ilevičienė.

Since 2007 Kaunas University of Applied Sciences has already implemented EU projects worth almost 13 million euros, for which more than twenty laboratories and a practical training base were renovated and established, an academic campus was formed, on the territory of which all objects necessary for a rich and intensive academic life are concentrated, a new Kaunas University of Applied Sciences building was built, which houses an information resource center, areas for independent studies, auditoriums for active and creative learning.

Infrastructure that ensures a higher quality of studies

“The priorities that we had before and now remain: updating the infrastructure and improving the qualifications of the staff, improving the living conditions of students in the dormitories, improving the quality of studies, and involving students in applied research activities. The strategic goal of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences is to join the International Alliance of European Universities, so we want to match our students’ scientific production, infrastructure, and staff qualifications,” Paulius Baltrušaitis, director of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, shares the plans.

Kaunas University of Applied Sciences has many buildings throughout Kaunas. Some of them were built in the interwar period, others in the Soviet years. In 2000 after several educational institutions merged and Kaunas University of Applied Sciences was established, the maintenance and renovation of these buildings were one of the biggest challenges.

“They were not of such a quality that they could represent a higher education institution and we could compete with European schools. When there was an opportunity to use the structural funds, we took advantage of these opportunities and this fundamentally changed their aesthetic image: the outside, the inside, the microclimate also changed, i.e. working conditions, satisfaction between teachers and students improved”.

The director says that with EU investments, the study base, laboratories, auditoriums, and workshops have been updated while ensuring a higher quality of studies. According to P. Baltrušaitis, these processes will not stop at the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences – investments in infrastructure will continue, as this is one of the necessary conditions for ensuring high-quality studies.

During the preparation and implementation of national and international projects supported by structural funds of the European Union, the indoor and outdoor spaces of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences are managed and the equipment is updated, listening to the needs and recommendations of the community.

The directions of the projects planned to be developed in the future in this higher education institution remain the same – upgrading the infrastructure, improving the competencies of employees, developing the scientific research abilities of students, improving the quality of studies and increasing internationality.

The article was prepared during the implementation of project no. 2020CE16BAT099 “Cycle of information tools on EU Cohesion Policy and its impact on citizens’ quality of life”. The project is implemented by the Department of Management and Law of the Business Faculty of Kaunas Kaunas University of Applied Sciences.