The concert, held on March 6, brought together students and lecturers from the Popular Music Study Programme at Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution, along with representatives from Latvia (Riga, Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music) and Estonia (University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy), as well as guests from other music institutions in Lithuania.

During International Week, students are grouped into ensembles where they develop and prepare special musical programmes under the guidance of different lecturers. This year’s concert featured five ensembles formed specifically for the week, each performing a variety of compositions. All pieces performed at the concert were prepared during the International Week.

Students and teachers shared a lot of work, emotions, and good experience with each other.

Performers:

Evilena Protektore (LV) Ensemble: Rokas Pypkinas – percussion (LT), Leonardas Butkus – bass guitar (LT), Augustinas Zubrys – guitar (LT), Robertas Gramauskas – guitar (LT), Maali Kukk – piano (EE), Reelika Sommer – vocals (EE), Madli Saarela – vocals (EE), Lucia Lukauskaitė – vocals (LT), Paulina Adamukaitytė – vocals (LT), Oresta Asipavičiūtė – vocals (LT), Liepa Šarvaitė – vocals (LT), Ugnė Šimoliūnaitė – vocals (LT), Danielė Paužaitė – vocals (LT), Emilija Raišutytė – vocals (LT).

Karolis Šarkus/Pranas Kentra (LT) Birštonas Jazz Ensemble: Andris Žabris – percussion (LV), Matas Barila – percussion (LT), Domas Dragūnas – bass guitar (LT), Arty Tamme – guitar (EE), Jogaila Bagdonavičius – guitar (LT), Justas Selenis – piano (LT), Vincentas Daukšys – vibraphone (LT), Laurynas Staponkus – tenor saxophone (LT), Estere Ozolina – tenor saxophone, clarinett (LV), Agnese Berzkalne – vocals (LV), Austėja Nociūtė – vocals (LT), Dominyka Grigonytė – vocals (LT).

Marek Talts (EE) Ensemble: Simas Makiejevas – percussion (LT), Emil Erastus – bass guitar (EE), Jonas Vepštas – guitar (LT), Justas Petrikauskas – guitar (LT), Augustas Lopeta – piano (LT), Jēkabs Reinis – trumpet (LV).

Indrikis Veitners (LV), Tanel Ruben (EE) Ensemble: Martynas Jackus – percussion (LT), Nils Valkiainens – double bass (LV), Filip Buiko – guitar (LT), Tomas Žilinskas – guitar (LT), Kotryna Černiauskaitė – piano (LT), Kamilė Biliūtė – vocals (LT).

Raul Sööt (EE) Ensemble:Robin Kiisholts – percussion (EE), Povilas Klimauskas – double bass (LT), Jānis Griķis – guitar (LV), Astijus Vainauskis – guitar (LT), Nojus Dabravalskis – alto saxophone (LT), Danielius Urbanovič – trumpet (LT), Saulė Komžaitė – vocals (LT).

Photography by Emilija Jaksibogaitė.

Throughout the week visiting lecturers delivered lectures and seminars to both Lithuanian and international students, offering them a unique opportunity to learn from diverse academic perspectives and innovative teaching methods.

The Teaching Week started with an opening, where the guest teachers were greeted by VIKO administration and students and memorable music performances by the students of the Art and Design Faculty, as well as interesting key-note presentations:

• Prof. Dr. Michael Zirkler with presentation: “Social Transformation and the value of international mobility.”

• Dr. Mehrzad Verdizadegan with presentation: “AI in higher education: AI and the Autonomy of learning.”
• Andrejus Račkovskis with presentation: “The Human Edge: Navigating Teaching Competences in the Age of AI”

At the Networking session the participants were given platform to exchange ideas on internationalization and research?

A highlight of this year’s event was the participation of renowned experts who presented relevant topics such as artificial intelligence, contemporary educational challenges, and hybrid teaching methodologies. These discussions encouraged dialogue and the generation of new ideas.

Besides the academic program International Teaching Week offered a rich cultural programme. Participants had the opportunity to explore Vilnius Old Town through a guided tour and enjoy the vibrant International Evening, where VIKO song and dance ensemble “Voruta” captivated guests with authentic Lithuanian folk music and dances, inviting everyone to join in and experience the beauty of national heritage.

Attendees also were invited to immerse themselves in a pop/jazz concert featuring performances by lecturers and students from the Faculty of Arts and Design, alongside international lecturers. The Week concluded with a special concert by the students of the Faculty of Arts and Design dedicated to Lithuania’s Independence Restoration Day, the March 11^th.

International Teaching Week is an essential part of VIKO’s internationalization strategy, fostering academic collaboration with foreign institutions and strengthening cultural understanding. The event’s success is reflected in the enthusiastic feedback from participants – visiting lecturers praised the thoughtful organization, welcoming atmosphere and numerous opportunities to establish new academic connections.

We are already looking forward to International Teaching Week 2027! Stay tuned for updates and join us next year for another inspiring international experience.

French teachers from different study fields met with VIKO lecturers, heads of departments, practice organisers and administration representatives at four faculties: Electronics and Informatics, Business Management, Health Care and Pedagogy. The guests observed lectures, visited laboratories and toured the EIF museum. They also had a meeting with the staff of the International Relations and Projects Department, where both institutions were introduced, various aspects of study organization were shared, and opportunities for future cooperation were discussed.

In addition to getting acquainted with Vilnius Kolegija study programs and establishing contacts in various fields, representatives of the French delegation visited several companies: Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Devoteam Lithuania, the organization Padėk pritapti, and the Fabijoniškės Social Services Centre in order to negotiate possibility of internships for Lycée Brequigny students.

The guests gladly accepted the invitation to listen to the traditional pre-Christmas concert of the VIKO Faculty of Arts and Design Po bažnyčios skliautais (Under the Church Vaults), where they were impressed by the students’ performance.

In March 2026 we hope to meet again with several colleagues from the Lycée Brequigny, who got interested in the international week organized by VIKO.

In the photos – from the meeting with International Relations and Projects Department representatives and a visit to the Faculty of Business Management.

During the meeting with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, Dr. Birutė Žygaitienė, and the Head of the Department of Performing Arts, Dr. Inga Kepalienė, opportunities for collaboration, including the organization of the planned BIP project and the importance of Erasmus visits for both lecturers and students, were discussed. The Latvian College of Culture offers a study programme in Cultural and Artistic Process Management, which is closely related to the Management of Cultural Activity programme offered by Vilniaus Kolegija. This opens up broad possibilities for joint projects, conducting research, and improving study programmes while taking into account the current context of the Baltic countries.

Together with the Faculty’s Erasmus coordinators, Alma Šneidarytė and Jolanta Pileckienė, the meeting included sharing experiences from Erasmus exchanges, discussing ongoing study programmes, and exploring potential student exchange opportunities in the future.

In the mixed team relay sprint event, the Lithuanian quartet – Mikalojus Makutėnas, Adrija Atgalainė, Rokas Koveckis, and Gedvilė Diržiūtė – became vice-champions of the Deaflympics. In the mixed team super sprint relay event, R. Koveckis and G. Diržiūtė won the bronze medal, finishing just a few seconds behind the first two teams.

We are proud of and sincerely congratulate Gedvilė and the entire team!

May these victories inspire them to reach even greater heights!

Photos: Augustas Četkauskas

Sign up for the kick-off event here

Participation in high-level scientific conferences is linked to the strategic goal of Vilniaus kolegija to develop and strengthen research and experimental development (R&D) activities. This goal is in line with the provisions of the Law on Science and Studies, which will come into force on January 1, 2028, regarding the assessment of the level of research, experimental development, and art at colleges. The study contributes to the improvement of management science studies and has a clear practical aspect – it analyzes the experience of international short-term mobility and its impact on the professional development of academic staff.

17^th IHRM conference also focused on international studies and policies for attracting foreign students in the context of global changes and challenges. The international academic contacts established during the conference provide greater opportunities for further professional development of international research activities.

Action plan for the implementation commitments under the agreement on the reform of scientific research assessment 2025–2028 can find here.

On 28–29 October 2025, the Erasmus+ project “School Mental Health” held its kick-off meeting in Madrid, Spain, bringing together partners from Spain, Lithuania, Cyprus, Romania, and Iceland. The project is coordinated by Fundación Santa María la Real (FSMLR, Spain), with partners Vilniaus kolegija / Higher education institution (VIKO, Lithuania), Predict CSD (Romania), NORTH Consulting (Iceland), and The Idea Factory (Cyprus).

The project aims to develop innovative tools for diagnosing and preventing mental health issues in schools, promoting emotional wellbeing and inclusion among students. Over two years, partners will deliver a transnational study, a training course for teachers and education professionals, a digital platform for emotional wellbeing, an interactive map of good practices, and a Europe-wide awareness campaign.

During the two-day meeting, partners presented the project’s objectives, management framework, roles, and work packages (WP). Discussions also covered quality assurance, financial control, and next steps.

The Projects Department of Vilniaus Kolegija / Higher education institution plays an important role in the project as the leader of dissemination, awareness-raising, and sustainability activities (WP5, WP4). Lecturers from the Faculty of Health Care will also contribute to social research (WP2) to identify the main mental health needs of young people within the education system. Based on these findings, they will help develop an educational resource for professionals and teachers (WP3) to train them in psychosocial support and social inclusion.

The Madrid meeting, attended by R. Bačiulytė, Head of the Projects Department and lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Design of Vilniaus Kolegija / Higher education institution, marked a successful start to the project and strengthened the partners’ shared commitment to promoting students’ emotional well-being in European schools through innovation, inclusion, and educational cooperation.

On 23–24 October 2025, the Erasmus+ project “TransInnovate: Bridging Disciplines for Innovation” officially started with its kick-off meeting in Prague, Czech Republic. The event brought together representatives from Czechia, Slovenia, and Lithuania, launching a two-year initiative to strengthen transdisciplinary education by connecting technology, arts, and the humanities.

The meeting was hosted by the project coordinator, Sdružení profesního terciárního vzdělávání (CASPHE), and attended by partners Skupnost višjih strokovnih šol Republike Slovenije, TAH – Centre for Innovations in Technology, Art and Humanities, and Vilniaus kolegija/Higher education institution (VIKO, Lithuania).

Lithuania was represented by Rima Bačiulytė, Head of the Projects Department, and Marius Ignatonis, Projects Manager, from Vilniaus kolegija. They shared Vilniaus kolegija/Higher education institution extensive experience in interdisciplinary and digital education initiatives and discussed upcoming project phases, in which the Lithuanian team will lead the piloting and quality assurance of the training course.

Held at “Vysoká škola zdravotnická“, the two-day meeting focused on establishing the project’s foundations: partners reviewed the goals, work packages, and initial steps of the research phase. Discussions also covered the development of an AI-powered “One Stop Shop” digital platform to support educators in integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.

The “TransInnovate“ project aims to build a modern educational ecosystem that bridges disciplines and promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among educators and learners.

The next transnational meeting will take place in Celje, Slovenia, where partners will present the first research findings and advance the creation of the transdisciplinary training framework.