The Rector of VILNIUS TECH, Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas, and Vice-Rector for Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živilė Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė, visited the ATHENA European Universities Alliance partner, the University of Vigo (Universidade de Vigo, UVigo), in Spain. During the visit, new strategic directions for cooperation in the fields of studies and research were discussed.
 

At the meeting with the Rector of UVigo, Manuel Reigosa, Vice-Rector for International Relations Maribel del Pozo Triviño, and Vice-Rector for Research Belén Rubio Armesto, the parties agreed to pursue closer institutional cooperation. The Rector of UVigo supported the proposal to initiate bilateral research projects that would open up new opportunities for joint research initiatives.
 

Particular attention was paid to the development of double degree programmes, with discussions focusing on the possibilities of implementing joint programmes in Industrial Engineering (Bachelor’s and Master’s levels), Telecommunications (Bachelor’s level), and Business Management.
 

At the School of Telecommunications, discussions focused on the compatibility of UVigo’s Telecommunications study programmes with VILNIUS TECH’s Cybersecurity and Communication Technologies programmes. At the School of Industrial Engineering, cooperation opportunities between UVigo’s Industrial Engineering and VILNIUS TECH’s Mechanical Engineering Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes were discussed with the School’s Director Prof. José Fariña, Vice-Director for International Relations Prof. Cristina Trillo, and Prof. Camilo Quintáns Graña.
 

During the visit, the delegation also toured the Quantum Communication Centre, where its Director, Prof. Marcus Curty, presented the Centre’s activities and the research carried out by the Quantum Communication Theory Group under his leadership.
 

Issues related to the alignment of Business Management study programmes were discussed at a meeting with Prof. Pablo Cabanelas, who is responsible for the internationalisation of studies at the UVigo School of Business. The discussion focused on aligning the VILNIUS TECH Business Management programme with the University of Vigo’s International Business studies.
 

The Advanced Technology Higher Education Network Alliance (ATHENA) aims to transform alliance universities into interconnected spaces where the arts, social sciences and humanities interact with natural sciences and engineering across all partner institutions.
 

The ATHENA Alliance continues to thrive as a beacon of cooperation and innovation, bringing together more than 160,000 students and over 17,500 staff across nine EU countries—Greece, Italy, Spain, Poland, Lithuania, France, Portugal, Slovenia, and Germany—and one university in Ukraine.
 

By leveraging the strengths of its partners, ATHENA seeks to address the technological gap between Europe and its global competitors, promote inclusive growth, and champion socially responsible technological development.