On 10–14 March, the SPRINT Innovation Festival was held at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), bringing together students from various countries and fields. Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) was represented at this event by 10 students from the Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technologies.

The SPRINT Innovation Festival is an intensive week designed to develop students’ entrepreneurial, creativity and teamwork skills. Kauno kolegija HEI students from the study programmes of Sports Management, International Business, Logistics, Tourism and Hotel Management, Industrial Design Engineering, Software Systems, Agribusiness Technologies, Automation and Robotics actively participated in the festival activities and demonstrated a high level of competence.

During the festival, 15 international teams were formed, working in 3 different tracks, in which Kauno kolegija HEI students, together with TAMK (Finland) and THWS (Germany) students, generated innovative ideas, created prototypes and prepared presentations of business ideas in three different directions:

    • Re-thinking Different Industries: Creating Regenerative Businesses – this direction encouraged the creation of regenerative business models focused on sustainability and responsible use of resources.
    • Building an Inclusive and Meaningful Work Life for All – this direction sought to find solutions to create an inclusive and meaningful work environment for all.
    • Technological solutions – this direction is focused on the creation of technological solutions.

Student teams had the opportunity to consult with experienced mentors, SPRINT festival organisers and business representatives. The final team presentations were evaluated by a competent Advisory Board consisting of representatives of TAMK partner organisations and the University of Tampere.

It is especially pleasing that Kauno kolegija HEI students contributed to the successful teams that were recognised as the best in their fields:

The first field (Re-thinking Different Industries: Creating Regenerative Businesses) team ReGenovate, which included Simona Kaunietytė, a 2nd year student of Kauno kolegija HEI’s Industrial Design Engineering, presented an innovative idea ReFridge – a smart parcel machine-type refrigerator designed to reduce food waste and increase the accessibility of meals for TAMK students.

The second field (Building an Inclusive and Meaningful Work Life for All) team BEN TEN, which included Kauno kolegija HEI International Business 2nd year student Paulius Vegys and Sports Management 3rd year student Roneta Brogaitė, presented a business idea aimed at improving graduates’ employment opportunities through gaining work experience in a company specially created for that purpose.

‘The SPRINT festival was truly intense – students had to quickly grasp new knowledge and adapt to working in international teams. However, at the same time, this week brought many invaluable experiences: new friendships, memorable leisure moments and, most importantly, immeasurable personal growth,’ shares Kristina Kavaliauskaitė, the International Coordinator of the Faculty of Business, who accompanied the Kauno kolegija HEI students, adding that each participant brought home not only knowledge but also unforgettable memories.

In addition, at the same time, the International Week Eye on TAMK was held at the Tampere University of Applied Sciences in Finland, in which 9 Kauno kolegija HEI lecturers and researchers participated, presenting their expert knowledge and experience. Ligita Zailskaitė-Jakštė, Assistant Professor of the Department of Communication of the Faculty of Business, gave a lecture on the impact of artificial intelligence on consumer behaviour on the topic AI and Consumer Behaviour & Consumer Behaviour and Experience Design in Metaverse, and Ilona Venckienė and Aušra Kavaliauskienė, lecturers of the Department of Social Work of the Faculty of Arts and Education, led 2 seminars on social work methodology and communication and collaboration (Strengths Perspective in Social Work, Communication and Collaboration Characteristics of the Multidisciplinary Team). Jolanta Ulozienė, lecturer at the Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Medicine, shared insights into parents’ attitudes towards alternative medicine for children with complex health problems in her seminar Parents’ Perspectives on Alternative Medicine for Children with Medical Complexity.

This successful participation of Kauno kolegija HEI students and lecturers in the international event not only confirms the high quality of the Kauno kolegija HEI’s studies and the students’ ability to integrate into the international academic community but also directly responds to Kauno kolegija HEI’s strategic goals – to educate specialists with international experience, able to successfully compete in the global labour market and strengthen the Kauno kolegija HEI’s international competitiveness.