{"id":280187,"date":"2026-04-14T10:18:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T08:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kaunokolegija.lt\/english\/?p=280187"},"modified":"2026-04-15T10:19:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T08:19:26","slug":"data-diversity-and-a-digital-europe-international-week-underway-at-kauno-kolegija","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kaunokolegija.lt\/english\/news\/data-diversity-and-a-digital-europe-international-week-underway-at-kauno-kolegija\/","title":{"rendered":"Data, Diversity, and a Digital Europe: International Week underway at Kauno kolegija"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This week, Kauno kolegija Higher Education Institution is bustling with a large group of guests from over 20 countries \u2013 ranging from neighbouring Latvia to far-off Japan. Representatives from various higher education institutions have gathered in Lithuania for the annual International Week, which this year is themed ‘Connecting Minds, Empowering Futures’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the opening ceremony, the Director of Kauno kolegija emphasised that this meeting reflects the shared mission of higher education: to create the future through collaboration. According to the Director, the week is dedicated to three primary pillars: Data, Diversity, and a Digital Europe, which together are shaping the modern education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Addressing the gathered guests, the Director highlighted that innovation and applied research are inconceivable today without strategic data management, which allows higher education institutions to remain at the forefront of European education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on the relationship between technology and humanity, Dr A. Brusokas noted that technological progress alone is not enough. In his view, intercultural competence and diversity are the elements that make academic institutions stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘By learning from our differences, we create a more inclusive future for all students. Leadership in digital transformation is essential to ensure our graduates are ready to compete in the global labour market. We achieve greatness not in isolation, but by working together,’ the Director of Kauno kolegija stressed, inviting partners to use this week to build new bridges of cooperation and lay the foundations for joint future projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Erasmus+: a focus on talent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This strategic direction outlined by the Director is closely linked to the changes in the Erasmus+ programme after 2028, which were discussed at the opening. Gra\u017eina Kaklauskien\u0117, Deputy Director of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation, noted that the evolution of the programme will focus on building a resilient, competitive, and sustainable European Union, while strengthening European values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the speaker, in today\u2019s geopolitical climate, education must take a lead in responding to crises, which is why the programme will strive to become even more inclusive and accessible. An ambitious new feature was also presented: plans to provide scholarships for those studying in fields such as artificial intelligence, green technologies, cybersecurity, healthcare, and digital innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘It is important to note that a single full-degree scholarship in a strategic field costs the same as 25 partial mobility exchanges. Consequently, intensive discussions are currently taking place between the European Commission, Member States, and national agencies regarding the final budget allocation,’ noted G. Kaklauskien\u0117, adding that the primary goal of this initiative is to retain talent within Europe by providing them with top-quality education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business and science: one single culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The importance of the partnership between business and science was highlighted by Rimas Varkulevi\u010dius, General Secretary of the Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts. According to him, for a country like Lithuania, which lacks abundant natural resources, the only path to prosperity is investment in human capital and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The representative of the business community stressed that business and science should not be viewed as two distinct spheres, arguing instead that they represent a single culture where innovation is born from mutual trust and close cooperation. In his view, every higher education institution lecturer or researcher should act as a kind of business partner, helping to solve real-world market problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discussing the development of future talent, the business representative emphasised the importance of early education: ‘For example, the foundations of financial literacy and entrepreneurship should reach children as early as kindergarten, and the ‘scouting’ for talent must begin long before a student crosses the threshold of a higher education institution.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n
R. Varkulevi\u010dius also pointed out that without strong leaders in both science and business, it will be impossible to achieve a breakthrough in the fields of digitisation or artificial intelligence. According to him, the successful cooperation between Kauno kolegija and the business community is an excellent example of how academic knowledge can be transformed into practical solutions that help Lithuanian companies compete in global markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opening concluded with the consensus that International Week serves as a vital platform where ideas are sparked \u2013 ideas that translate into real change on both a local and European scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
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