Kauno kolegija Strategy for 2026 – 2030
Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (hereinafter referred to as Kauno kolegija or KK) was established on 1 September 2000, when Lithuania legalised the binary higher education system and Kaunas Technology and Economics Further Education Schools merged. These two educational institutions demonstrated the highest achievements at the national level and were granted the right to provide higher education. By 2003, Kauno kolegija had been joined by Landscape Architecture, Arts, Medicine, Kėdainiai Jonušas Radvila, and Food Industry Further Education Schools. In response to regional needs, a subdivision was established in Tauragė. In 2024, following the reorganisation and merger with Alytus Higher Education Institution, studies commenced at the Alytus Faculty.
The KK Strategy for 2021-2025 was based on the traditions, values, competencies, and the experience accumulated, as well as national and international requirements and societal needs. In the Strategy, Kauno kolegija defined its goal in five years to become an advanced and sustainable European higher education institution, fostering Lithuanian national culture and traditions.
The KK Strategy for 2026-2030 is based on the experience accumulated by the institution, its values, and competencies. It responds to national and international higher education priorities and the changing needs of the region and society. The strategic period aims to purposefully enhance the position of Kauno kolegija as a sustainable and advanced university of applied sciences, visible in the European higher education space by integrating practical interdisciplinary studies, applied science, art creation, and sustainable partnerships. All the activities at Kauno kolegija are based on digital transformation, internationality, an empowering organisational culture, and data-driven management, consistently creating long-term value for the region and society.
Mission
We provide international, interdisciplinary higher education studies based on applied science and art activities, educating professional and creative personalities who create value for the region and society.
Vision
A sustainable University of Applied Sciences, recognised in Europe.
Responsibility for us is honest, transparent decision-making and implementation, considering the needs of students, academic staff, stakeholders, employers, and other members of society. Responsibility is the fulfilment of obligations assumed by ourselves and others, ensuring the quality of the performance and studies, academic integrity, and sustainable use of available resources, basing the KK activities on the Philosophy of Sustainable Development.
Professionalism for us is comprehension starting from self-cognition; faith in our own and others’ strengths; the need to qualitatively implement intentions, as well as continuous improvement, growth, and development of competencies. Professionalism is promoted by a constant desire for knowledge, mutual harmony between the person and the environment, aspiration to achieve the goals set, and the inclination to be a leader in one’s field.
Openness helps us accept, apply, and create innovations and move forward together with the dynamic world of activity. Openness is our need and driving force, encouraging us to share experience and improve. It is only in a free and democratic higher education institution that academic freedom prevails, and independently thinking and creative personalities grow. We are open to other cultures, and we support multilingualism.
Initiative for us means the ability to act proactively, independently take responsibility, and create new solutions that contribute to enhancing Kauno kolegija, regional, and international knowledge ecosystem. It is leadership in co-creation processes, the ability to recognise opportunities, resist inertia, and promote positive changes in the fields of study, science, and community.
Respect for us is tolerance for a person, regardless of their age, gender, race, education, social status, disability, attitude, and beliefs. Respect for the labour and contribution of each person to the common performance, as well as mutual respect, help achieve the desired results. Respect for the past and the culture of our country and the organisation creates our identity and ensures the continuity of existing traditions and the creation of new ones.
Sense of community for us is a continuous process, the result of which is long-term and close relationships among community members. Our principles are communication and cooperation, sharing accumulated experience, knowledge, and ideas. The success of Kauno kolegija is created by the jointly focused efforts of each community member.
In 2030, Kauno kolegija is viewed as a sustainable, advanced, and regionally significant University of Applied Sciences, visible in the European Higher Education Area, that combines practical studies, applied science and art activities, and sustainable partnerships. The performance of Kauno kolegija is based on an integrated approach, with interdisciplinary studies, potential of applied science, an enabling organisational culture, and data-driven management forming a harmonious and interconnected ecosystem.
Studies at Kauno kolegija are practical, interdisciplinary, and oriented towards the needs of the regions and the labour market. They are flexible, competence-based, and international and integrate micro-credentials, modular learning, blended and distance learning, as well as digital and artificial intelligence solutions. Applied science and art activities are a key axis of studies and regional progress that creates social, technological, and cultural impact through interdisciplinary research, international partnerships, and modern infrastructure.
The organisational culture of Kauno kolegija is based on responsibility, a sense of community, and professional growth, empowering the employees and students to actively participate in the life of the institution. Management and infrastructure are modern, transparent, and digitalised, which ensures the efficiency of the performance, cybersecurity, and sustainable use of resources. Two key principles horizontally interconnect all the activities of Kauno kolegija, i.e., digital transformation and internationality, which determine the direction, culture, and long-term development of the institution.
To implement the strategic goals, the following strategic priorities for the performance of Kauno kolegija until 2030 have been defined:
- A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION THAT DEVELOPS FUTURE COMPETENCIES AND ENHANCES INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
The priority is focused on the development of practical, interdisciplinary, and international studies drawing on the professional, digital, and intercultural competencies necessary for the learners. A flexible, inclusive, and open to lifelong learning study system is being developed, creating conditions for smooth integration into the Lithuanian and European knowledge economy.
- AN INSTITUTION OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND ART ACTIVITIES THAT REINFORCES REGIONAL AND EUROPEAN PROGRESS
The priority is focused on enhancing high-quality applied research, experimental development, and art activities, drawing on the capacity of researchers and concentrating resources on the areas with the greatest potential. To achieve greater impact on regional development, business, the public sector, and culture, international dissemination of the results and cooperation with national and international partners are being expanded.
- AN EMPOWERING, SUSTAINABLE, AND INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION, FOSTERING A KNOWLEDGE ECOSYSTEM THAT ENSURES DIGITAL AND COMMUNITY GROWTH
The priority is focused on a data-driven, modern, and open organisational system that draws on community competencies, enhances well-being, and promotes internationality. Processes are being improved, digital solutions are being implemented, infrastructure is being expanded, and partnerships are being developed, which creates conditions for the sustainable development of studies, applied science and art activities, as well as long-term progress of the institution.
To implement these strategic priorities of Kauno kolegija, 4 strategic directions of activities have been defined:
1) practical interdisciplinary studies;
2) sustainable ecosystem of applied science and art;
3) organisational culture that empowers the community;
4) effective management, sustainable partnership, and modern infrastructure.
| The strategic priorities, goals, programmes, and objectives of Kauno kolegija for 2026-2030 | |||
| Strategic priorities of the performance | Strategic goals | Activity programmes, provided to implement the strategic goals | Objectives set to achieve the goals |
| 1. A higher education institution that develops future competencies and enhances international competitiveness
2. An institution of applied science and art activities that reinforces regional and European progress 3. An empowering, sustainable, and international higher education institution, fostering a knowledge ecosystem that ensures digital and community growth |
Developing practical and interdisciplinary studies that ensure graduates’ competitiveness at national and international levels | Practical interdisciplinary studies of higher education | 1. Implement interdisciplinary studies that promote regional development and respond to changes in the labour market and the national strategic priorities
2. Develop an inclusive, flexible study system 3. Develop a lifelong learning system that promotes continuous competence improvement 4. Expand the versatile internationalisation of studies that ensures an open academic environment, international experience and cooperation |
| Performing high-quality, internationally visible applied science and art activities that create value for the region and society | Sustainable ecosystem of applied science and art | 1. Carry out international-level applied research, experimental development (R&D) and art activities, purposefully developing scientific fields with high potential, concentrating resources and researcher capacity
2. Increase the dissemination and visibility of the results of R&D and art activities at the international level 3. Create innovative and sustainable products, services and technological process innovations in cooperation with stakeholders 4. Improve the R&D and art activity support system, ensuring accessible administrative, methodological, and financial assistance for researchers to perform project and commissioned activities 5. Reinforce the system of researchers’ career and professional development, ensuring consistent growth in the quality of scientific activities |
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| Creating and consistently developing a sustainable, empowering, and inclusive organisational culture that ensures the growth of community competencies, well-being, international openness, and active participation in the life of the organisation | Organisational culture that empowers the community | 1. Create conditions for continuous community learning, reinforcing civic resilience, and competence development
2. Enhance employees’ psychological and emotional well-being by creating a healthy and inclusive community environment 3. Develop a culture of physical activity, sports and wellness in the community 4. Foster an international and open community through the UNINOVIS alliance |
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| Improving the effective, transparent, and modern management system based on clear processes, modern infrastructure, digital solutions, and sustainable partnerships | Effective management, sustainable partnership, and modern infrastructure | 1. Optimise the organisational structure and management processes to increase the efficiency and sustainability of studies and applied science and art activities
2. Develop a modern and secure IT and digital infrastructure that ensures the quality of studies, research and management processes 3. Create and implement a partnership management model, reinforcing the role of Kauno kolegija as a reliable partner 4. Establish sustainable and effective infrastructure for applied science, art and regional partnership 5. Develop a sustainable and adapted study infrastructure for different learners 6. Create a new research and study laboratory complex that ensures modern infrastructure for studies, applied research, and the needs of the academic community 7. Modernise the students’ accommodation infrastructure, ensuring modern, safe, and accessible living spaces that respond to community needs |
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- The share of Kauno kolegija students from the total number of students in the higher education institutions in Lithuania – 25 per cent
- The share of international students from all first-year students admitted – at least 15 per cent
- The share of the graduates out of the total number of the students admitted to KK in the academic year – at least 85 per cent
- The share of scientific articles in journals with a citation index of IF CA JCR and (or) Scopus SNIP – 48 per cent
- The share of the income per one full-time equivalent of the research team from commissioned applied science and art activities (in EUR) – 2,033 EUR
Each strategic activity programme has a budget provided for the implementation of the KK strategic activities.
To ensure a sustainable financial base for the implementation of the Strategy and reduce dependence on state budget appropriations, part of the measures and activities provided for in the Strategy will be financed from the attracted project funds. Project financing is assessed as an essential additional source of financial resources, creating opportunities to develop study, applied science and art activities; introduce innovations; modernise infrastructure, and enhance the internationality of the institution.
The use of project funds will allow for a more flexible response to external funding sources, i.e., national and international programmes, funds, and partnerships, as well as more effective planning of investments, without increasing the financial burden on the main budget. Such a financing model creates the prerequisites for balanced financial management of the institution, greater financial resilience, and long-term sustainability of the performance.
