On 13–14 May, the Director of Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) Dr Andrius Brusokas, Vice Director for Organisational Development Dr Inga Stravinskienė, International Partnership  Development Coordinator Jolanta Valiaugienė, Dean of the Faculty of Technologies Dr Tomas Makaveckas, Vice Dean for Science of the Faculty of Technologies Dr Lina Skinulienė, Project Manager of the Faculty of Medicine Aurimas Galkontas visited The Hague University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands).

One of the goals of the visit was to build a strategic partnership with The Hague University of Applied Sciences and to hear about good practices that could be adapted in Kauno kolegija HEI, which aims to become a university of applied sciences. During the visit, representatives of The Hague University of Applied Sciences presented the research centres established at their university: Health Innovation and Cyber Security. Representatives of the Kauno kolegija HEI met with the heads of these centres and discussed the issues of centre management, financing, setting goals, efficiency, publication of scientific results, and opportunities for joint activities. A meeting was held with the head of the process and Food Technology study programme, during which the possibilities of cooperation between this study programme and the Department of Food and Agrotechnology and the exchange of researchers between both institutions were discussed. This is especially important in strengthening food technology research at Kauno kolegija HEI.

Also during the visit, meetings were held with the members of the executive board and strategic development managers, during which representatives of Kauno kolegija HEI got acquainted with the strategy of The Hague University of Applied Sciences, as this is especially important when updating the strategy of Kauno kolegija HEI next year. During the meeting, both the University of Applied Sciences itself and the management structures of departments and units were discussed.

The next day was devoted to a visit to the institutions of social partners, during which Kauno kolegija HEI representatives visited the World Horti Centre and the Tomato World, where innovative products are being developed in the food industry and phytotherapy sectors. Business, education and science are combined in these companies.

This visit of representatives of Kauno kolegija HEI was particularly useful in all senses, as concrete opportunities for cooperation were clarified, possible further meetings and visits were discussed, representatives of The Hague University of Applied Sciences shared their best practices and valuable insights.