The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a global health crisis. This was announced on 30 January 2020 by the World Health Organization, which stated that the outbreak was a public health crisis of international importance. The crisis also caused fears of an impending economic downturn. The situation has been analysed by national governments, international organizations and scientists.

The world’s largest laboratory for particle physics, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), provides new opportunities for Lithuanian students to lead in interdisciplinary teams and to access unique technologies and resources. With the recent signing of a new cooperation agreement between CERN and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), KTU students will be able to participate in the Challenge-Based Innovation programme organised by CERN’s IdeaSquare unit.

The Alliance4Life life science alliance, which unites 10 European research institutions including Vilnius University, received EUR 2 million in funding this year for implementation of the A4L_ACTIONS Horizon 2020 project.

Next Tuesday, 23 February, at 4 pm CET, Dr Inga Hilbig, from Vilnius University, will be giving an online lecture about Lithuanians and their culture.

Arguably, the biggest challenge associated with the remote studies is staying disciplined while all the classes are online. When you go to a conventional classroom class, you're already "stuck" there for the period of time, so you might as well pay attention, take notes and get something out of it. But for an online class, which can be taken at your own convenience, there may be a temptation to get distracted from the material being presented to you.

“Makeademy” – the first makers’ academy in Lithuania just ended, and the winner’s title came to the “Water Shield” team. The “Water Shield” team leaders, international students from Sakartvelo – Marina Gudzhabidze, Shorena Gudzhabidze and Dea Ilarionova, came to Vilnius Gediminas technical university (VILNIUS TECH) to study Civil Engineering and Computer Engineering. Even before coming to Lithuania, the girls had in mind the idea, addressing one of the biggest problems of the 21st century – natural pollution.

Smart waste collection systems, advanced street lighting, mobile applications informing on the traffic are just a few examples of technologies for a smart city. Every year, consumption and pollution rates go up people living in urban areas are experiencing parking and traffic problems, therefore the demand for technology and science-based solutions in cities increasing. Kaunas City Municipality aiming to improve the life and well-being of citizens involved KTU students into solving real challenges the city faces.

The Residents’ Council is a part of the Student Representation of the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University. The purpose and main function of the Resident’s Council is to represent the residents of the Faculty of Medicine and their interests at the University and national level. This academic year, Kamilė Marcinkevičiūtė, a third-year resident in internal medicine, has been entrusted with the position of chairperson of the Residents’ Council and agreed to share her experience and names the challenges that residents face.

The healthcare sector has faced many challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to taking care of infected patients, and, now the vaccination roll-out, the scope and accessibility of healthcare services have also become a significant problem. In order to determine the causes and extent of the situation, a team of researchers at Vilnius University (VU) carried out the study “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on human and public health and on the functioning of the healthcare system: case study of vascular diseases.”

Vilnius University (VU) Business School has successfully completed its participation in the project The Baltic Sea Underground Innovation Network (BSUIN). During the project, an association uniting European underground laboratories was established, a network of underground mines and laboratories in the Baltic Sea region was developed, and their opportunities for business and innovation were analysed. Various researches and analyses of the business environment and development opportunities have been carried out in these underground mines. The project was judged extremely successful, so its extension was approved with even more ambitious goals.