Aurimas Galkontas, Head of the Student Affairs and Career Unit, and Deimantė Stankevičė, International Coordinator, visited Sakartvelo and Azerbaijan last week with the aim of fostering international cooperation and showcasing study opportunities at Kauno Kolegija Higher Education Institution, as well as other Lithuanian higher education institutions.

In Tbilisi, they met with representatives of the UNINOVIS European University Alliance’s associate partner, Caucasus University, to discuss future areas of collaboration within the Alliance’s activities, opportunities for student and lecturer mobility, and potential joint projects. They also took part in the ‘Begin EduFair’ higher education fair, where they presented study opportunities in Lithuania and encouraged international students to explore practice-based learning options.

The second part of the trip took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, where a meeting was held with Lithuanian Ambassador Kęstutis Vaškelevičius and a large delegation from Lithuanian higher education institutions. Meetings were also held with Azerbaijani universities, focusing on developing academic exchanges, exploring areas for cooperation, and discussing new initiatives. During the visit, they also met with ambassadors from other EU countries.

‘Azerbaijani students showed strong interest in studying in Lithuania, engaging in lively discussions about study programmes, scholarships, and life in our country. As noted by the Lithuanian Embassy in Baku, the events helped bring together Lithuanian and Azerbaijani universities, diplomats, and education experts, enabling them to share knowledge, build new academic bridges, and strengthen intercultural dialogue,’ says A. Galkontas.

The visit concluded with participation in the ‘Study in Europe’ higher education fair, where Kauno Kolegija’s study programmes were presented and Azerbaijani students were encouraged to consider Lithuania as an innovative and open destination for their studies.

Reflecting on the trip, A. Galkontas emphasised the strategic direction the institution is following in terms of internationalisation.

‘International partnerships are not short-term endeavours for us, but a consistent part of our broader strategy to strengthen international engagement. Such visits help broaden the diversity of study options, create more exchange opportunities for students and lecturers, and enhance the global competitiveness of our institution,’ he explains.

‘We would like to thank the Education Exchanges Support Foundation for the professional coordination of the delegation’s visit and for its contribution to raising the profile of Lithuanian higher education internationally. We also extend our gratitude to the Azerbaijani institutions and the EU Delegation in Azerbaijan for the opportunities they provided and the attention they showed,’ added the representatives of Kauno Kolegija.