Kaunas University of Applied Sciences is taking another step towards becoming an internationally recognized, advanced, and sustainable European higher education institution. Last week, new opportunities for earning a double diploma were provided in Belgium for two business study programmes implemented at the Faculty of Business – Logistics and International Business. On March 15^th Dalia Ilevičienė, Dean of the Faculty of Business, who visited Belgium, together with Dr. Raminta Andrėja Ligeikienė signed an agreement between Kaunas University of Applied Sciences and Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, which expands the opportunities for students of these study programmes.

Thomas More is the largest university of applied sciences in the Flemish region, offering more than 30 undergraduate programmes in Dutch and English in the province of Antwerp. “Both the Gel (a city in northern Belgium) and the Kaunas cities have many connections: a lot of small and medium-sized businesses are located here, there’s a developed logistics business as well. Thomas More is a long-term partner of the Faculty of Business, with whom it has a long-term partnership, implementing various projects and initiatives that promote the development of students’ professional and intercultural competencies,” says Dalia Ilevičienė, Dean of the Faculty of Business, noting that the signed agreement will open new opportunities for students of International Business and Logistics study programmes.

Head of the Business Department Dr. Raminta Andrėja Ligeikienė emphasizes that in these regions of Lithuania and Belgium companies whose activities are characterized by flexibility and rapid adaptation to changing market conditions are a common thing. “The signing of double diploma agreements is mutually beneficial, as it has an impact on the development of students’ international competencies, strengthens and expands the internationalization of studies, influences the progress of higher education institutions and internationalization strategies, affects the economic development of Campine and Kaunas regions,” Dr. R. A. Ligeikienė identifies the value of the signed agreement.

Sofie Peeters from Thomas More University of Applied Sciences points out that this opportunity is much more than just an Erasmus+ exchange programme, allowing students to study abroad for one semester and obtain only a home university diploma. “The possibility of a double diploma is especially useful for the development of language skills, taking into account that one academic year will be dedicated to studying at a foreign institution. Many companies today are looking for students who have a broad international perspective that makes it easier to get out of their comfort zone. This is the advantage for those students who will choose these studies.”

Double degree studies will be offered from this fall semester for 3 students from each degree programme. According to the signed agreements, students of the Faculty of Business at Kaunas University of Applied Sciences will study in their home country for the first two years of study according to the agreed programme and will be provided one semester of studies at Thomas More UAS with one semester of internship in a Belgian business company and vice versa. At the end of the studies, one final thesis will be prepared, which students will present at both higher education institutions.

We remind you that the opportunity to obtain a double diploma at Kaunas University of Applied Sciences Faculty of Business already exists for students of the Tourism and Hotel Management study programme. This agreement was signed by Kaunas University of Applied Sciences with the LAB University of Applied Sciences of Finland three years ago.