{"id":9515,"date":"2025-04-17T10:23:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T12:23:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/?p=9515"},"modified":"2025-04-17T10:23:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T12:23:40","slug":"kauno-kolegijas-initiative-focuses-on-internationality-and-european-universities-alliances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kaunokolegija.lt\/en\/kauno-kolegijas-initiative-focuses-on-internationality-and-european-universities-alliances\/","title":{"rendered":"Kauno kolegija’s initiative focuses on internationality and European Universities alliances"},"content":{"rendered":"
Nowadays, studies, science or <\/span>the<\/span> experience<\/span> of students without internationality are unimaginable.<\/span> It creates value for everyone \u2013 higher education institutions, employers, students and society. It is important to find new and sustainable ways and effective incentives to promote international cooperation. One of them is the creation and strengthening of European university alliances.<\/span><\/p>\n Such and similar insights were expressed by experts who participated in the international forum The Role of European Universities Alliances in Shaping the Future of Education and Research held in Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution (HEI) in April, which was included in the International Week programme held annually at this higher education institution.<\/span><\/p>\n The international programme initiated by Kauno kolegija HEI integrated activities and topics related to resilience building, networking and digitalisation. The International Week became a space for <\/span>both<\/span> knowledge sharing and important discussions about the future of European higher education.<\/span><\/p>\n The International Week, held in Kaunas and Alytus, brought together representatives of universities from various countries from the UNINOVIS alliance, of which Kauno kolegija HEI is also a member. The international network, which connects higher education institutions from France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Spain, Albania and Lithuania, will reach a new stage of development in the next few years, the result of which is the application of data science in various fields.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the organisers of the programme, the idea of \u200b\u200buniversity alliances has already managed to take root in the European higher education area. It was born almost a decade ago when French President Emmanuel Macron first proposed an initiative for closer cooperation between European universities. Today, this initiative unites 65 European university alliances, which include over 570 higher education institutions from 35 countries.<\/span><\/p>\n Internationality is an integral part of higher education<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n According to the leaders of Kauno kolegija HEI, membership in a strong international alliance opens up new perspectives for students and researchers and serves Kauno kolegija HEI in achieving the status of a university of applied sciences. This achievement <\/span>is a significant contribution<\/span> to strengthening the Kauno kolegija HEI’s position in the international arena, implementing joint study programmes, and strengthening scientific potential.<\/span><\/p>\n The alliance is formed from universities of applied sciences and classical (academic) universities, bringing together <\/span>a particularly large<\/span> community: 125 thousand students, 11 thousand employees, and 57 associated and social partners.<\/span><\/p>\n According to Kauno kolegija HEI Director Dr Andrius Brusokas, the alliance opens up wider opportunities to strengthen the quality of studies and develop applied science and art <\/span>at an international level<\/span>. Kauno kolegija HEI had already established in its strategy a vision of becoming an advanced and sustainable higher education institution a few years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n Dr A. Brusokas also notes that today internationality is understood as an integral part of a higher education institution, enriching not only the study experience but also providing an opportunity to contribute to solving global challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018International cooperation opens the door to new ideas, innovations and methods that can be applied in <\/span>both<\/span> research and practical activities. In addition, in today\u2019s globalised world, universities must ensure that their students are prepared to work and cooperate in international teams, which is why internationality is becoming an integral part of modern higher education,\u2019 says Dr A. Brusokas.<\/span><\/p>\n He notes that this year\u2019s International Week, organised by Kauno kolegija HEI, was attended by over 70 participants from 21 countries: \u2018I believe that it is precisely such events that allow us to build relationships, share experiences and create joint projects.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n The desire to connect is consistent and deliberate<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Kauno kolegija HEI Vice Director for Research and Development Dr Inga Stravinskien\u0117 reveals that the UNINOVIS alliance application was assessed by European Commission experts as <\/span>being of<\/span> extremely high quality. Such an assessment, according to her, demonstrates the strong cooperative ties of the alliance partners and the targeted results they are seeking in the international space.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018It is important to mention that the latest achievement is not accidental. This network of partners has been forming for almost three years: joint international projects were prepared and won, student and lecturer exchanges took place, joint scientific applied research, transfer of good practices and other initiatives were carried out,\u2019 recalls Dr I. Stravinskien\u0117 and is happy that extremely warm, trust-based cooperative relations have been established between the partners.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the past year, together with UNINOVIS partners, 5 Erasmus+ inter-institutional cooperation agreements have been signed, strategic partnership agreements have been signed with Tampere University of Applied Sciences, W\u00fcrzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences, a double diploma agreement has been signed with the largest university in Albania, the University of Tirana, the Gilibert project has been won, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018The long-term strategy of this alliance integrates studies and applied data science, focusing on research and innovation. All activities planned in this project will significantly contribute to Kauno kolegija HEI\u2019s achievement of the status of a university of applied sciences, based on the values \u200b\u200band requirements of the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area, sustainability goals, green and digital transformation, shares Dr I. Stravinskien\u0117, Vice Director for Research and Development.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>
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