July 14th, 2023, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Rector Prof. Inga Žalėnienė signed a bilateral cooperation agreement with Ukraine‘s V.N. Karazin National University Vice-Rector for Research, Teaching and International Cooperation Prof. Borys Samorodov.

From July 17th to 21st, young research talents from all over the world gathered at the Doctoral Summer School in Vilnius to develop leadership skills, discuss the latest scientific achievements, share knowledge and ideas, and build connections that are highly beneficial for their scientific careers. The Summer School, organized by the Doctoral School of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) in collaboration with the ATHENA European University Alliance, brought together approximately 40 young researchers, including doctoral students from Iceland, Spain, Greece, Malaysia, Italy, and other countries. Alongside doctoral students from Lithuania, these young scientists delved into soft skills, participating in workshops on creativity, networking, academic writing, and scientific communication, led by professors from renowned European universities.

Six scientific journals published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Mathematical Modelling and Analysis, Technological and Economic Development of Economy, Journal of Business Economics and Management, Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management, International Journal of Strategic Property Management, and Journal of Civil Engineering and Management have gained international recognition and have been included in the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics). This is a prestigious membership that demonstrates that the University's journals adhere to the highest standards of publication ethics.

At the beginning of July, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) received guests from Japan – the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Fukuyama, Shigehiro Komaru, and his delegation visited the university. During the visit, the possibilities of cooperation with the city of Fukuyama and their university were discussed.

Ignitis Group, the largest listed energy company in the Baltic States, has granted 54,000 euros to Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) students, who are studying in the fields of electrical and energy engineering. First- and second-year students of Renewable Energy Engineering and Electrical Engineering study programmes will be awarded 3,000 euros in scholarships, paid in 300 instalments over 10 months.

As Vilnius University cooperates with Dartmouth College, students from the United States of America came to Lithuania to participate in the Dartmouth College summer school organised in Vilnius University. This school is part of the “Government-Energy Baltics LEAP” programme, which allows Dartmouth College students to visit the Baltic countries.

The Advanced Technology Higher Education Network Alliance (ATHENA) will continue pursuing its mission towards further developing the European University initiative. ATHENA Executive Board is committed to continuing joint action independently from the external funding available.

17 January 2023 – After the Covid-19 pandemic struck, new EMBO Installation Grantee Dr. Gytis Dudas was called on to help lead Lithuania’s SARS-CoV-2 surveillance programme. “A couple of months into the initiative, our team of volunteers discovered an important new lineage, documenting its mutations, travel histories, and likely origins,” says Dr. G. Dudas, who is now based at the University of Vilnius. “Once more data became available, higher resolution analyses confirmed my early predictions about this lineage. As a young scientist, it was a hugely validating experience.”

Throughout the past week, the hanagar of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) Creativity and Innovation Center "LinkMenų fabrikas" was filled with music. The main task of the summer school, titled "Sound and vision: mastering music video creation," was for participants to create live performance videos and recordings for a band. The summer school participants recorded songs and filmed performances for four young music bands from Lithuania.

Dr. Hyunhee Lee, a Korean researcher, began her postdoctoral fellowship (supervisor Prof. Victor de Munck) at the Institute of Asian and Transcultural Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in April 2023. In this interview, Dr. H. Lee talks about her academic journey, and current postdoctoral project and shares her insights about the Korean language, culture and society.