Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) has started a project of the European University Alliance UNINOVIS, which unites higher education institutions from France, Germany, Finland, Lithuania, Spain, Italy, and Albania. It will establish a European university integrating both classical and applied science universities, developing joint study, research, and knowledge transfer activities. Strong associated partners – universities from the Netherlands, Austria, Ukraine, and Georgia; business associations, companies, and municipalities – will jointly engage in the creation of joint activities, the focus of which is DATA for L.I.F.E. (lifelong learning, integration, fostering, excellence).

On 22–24 January, Kauno kolegija HEI Director Dr Andrius Brusokas, Vice Director for Organisational Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė, Vice Director for Studies Jolanta Bareikienė, Head of the Project Management Unit Lina Kuraitienė, Senior Specialist Vytautė Giedraitienė, Head of the Unit for Applied Science and Commercialisation Dr Kristina Grumadaitė, Head of the International Relations Unit Povilas Beseckas and International Partnership Development Coordinator Jolanta Valiaugienė participated in the introductory project meeting and discussions of the working groups implementing various work packages.

At the plenary session, Dr A. Brusokas presented Kauno kolegija HEI, emphasising the significance of UNINOVIS not only for the modernisation of the Kauno kolegija HEI and capacity building through the creation of a research ecosystem, the development of training programmes but also for its contribution to regional development through research and experimental development (R&D) and taking into account the 2021–2027 Lithuania’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and the Kaunas Regional Development Strategy.

J. Valiaugienė introduced the participants of the event to the UNINOVIS project, reviewing its history, vision, mission, main objectives and results. The project’s continuity after the end of the European Commission funding and the activities already implemented together with partners were also emphasised.

To achieve high-quality participation in the project, it is important to clarify not only the roles and responsibilities of each partner but also to coordinate work within the team and the activities of each institution internally, to ensure their timely and high-quality implementation,says J. Valiaugienė, who is taking over the coordination of UNINOVIS activities at Kauno kolegija HEI.

She notes that the immediate tasks are already clear:

    • The partners agreed to form a UNINOVIS governance structure by March, in which Kauno kolegija HEI will be represented by managers, administrative staff from various fields, students and academic staff. It is also necessary to involve associated partners in the project, initially by participating in the advisory board.
    • It is already known that the next meeting of the partners – the general assembly of the project – will be held in Kauno kolegija HEI in early June. This event will be attended not only by those responsible for the project activities but also by heads of higher education institutions represented in the alliance, and social partners. At the same time, a UNINOVIS scientific conference will be organised, attracting researchers.
    • To ensure the connection between education and research, Excellence Hubs will be established in the UNINOVIS partner countries (France, Finland, Lithuania, Germany, Spain, Italy and Albania) – one hub per UNINOVIS partner institution. These hubs will be local innovation ecosystem networks that foster collaboration between academia, business, government and society, thus creating value at multiple levels. They will be focused on innovation and lifelong learning, aligned with regional smart specialisation strategies (RIS3). These hubs will encourage UNINOVIS members to become interconnected centres of excellence, embedded in a trans-European network of industry partners, organisations and public entities to catalyse interdisciplinary innovation and have a significant cross-border impact. Practical experience and mentored internships will be implemented to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, foster civic engagement and facilitate knowledge transfer to the surrounding ecosystems. This integrated approach aims to increase the employability of UNINOVIS members and promote the smooth movement of talent between sectors. The competence centre being created at Kauno kolegija HEI will specialise in cybersecurity and logistics.
    • Already in February, Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland) is organising European Network of Living Labs training for UNINOVIS partners.
    • In the field of lifelong learning, the next step is to determine the need for micro-credentials to be developed, assessing which competencies are lacking in the labour market. After summarising the needs of the partner countries, a UNINOVIS micro-credential programme will be developed.

‘UNINOVIS is not only what is written in the application, it is not only joint work to achieve goals but also extremely broad opportunities for everyone who wants to improve together and probably essentially create and change and exchange together! Kauno kolegija HEI is already closely cooperating with alliance partners – projects are being implemented not only in the fields of studies but also in science, joint applications are being prepared, training and consultations are being implemented, and student and lecturer exchanges are taking place. For example, a consultative meeting is planned at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport in the near future on the implementation of the European degree and this is associated with Kauno kolegija HEI’s participation in the alliance,shares J. Valiaugienė.

The vision of UNINOVIS is to develop and implement an integrated, long-term common strategy for the application of applied data science in studies, closely linked to research and innovation. This strategy will be adapted to the digital and ecological transformations and the major European socio-economic challenges while maintaining a commitment to excellence and common European values. UNINOVIS aims to become a leading and attractive European university for applied data science, bringing together all four missions of higher education institutions: education, research, innovation and service to society:

    • to ensure lifelong learning in the field of data;
    • to integrate innovation ecosystems for joint education and interdisciplinary research in the field of data science;
    • to promote a green and digital transition towards sustainability in the alliance and across European society;
    • to achieve excellence in understanding, analysing, using, managing and protecting data.