Coming soon, on January 27, the UBER badge awards ceremony will take place to honor students who have reached the highest level – UBER – in the VILNIUS TECH digital badge system. This ceremony, which is becoming a tradition, is not only an official congratulation but also a tangible recognition of activity, initiative, and purposeful competency development during their studies.

Students who reach the UBER level will be awarded not only a digital badge but also a physical one, a VILNIUS TECH sweatshirt, and other university merchandise.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ingrida Leščauskienė, these badges are much more than just a nice accessory. They become a clear signal to others that the student is active, motivated, and inspires others through their actions. Last year's award recipients also emphasized that participating in the system helped them to know themselves better, strengthened their self-confidence, and encouraged them to become more actively involved in university life.

As the awards approach, VILNIUS TECH invites students to take this opportunity to evaluate their achievements, complete any pending tasks, and take another step towards the highest recognition.

How to do it?

Please note that all these steps must be completed by January 19.

Why join the digital badge system?

The VILNIUS TECH digital badge system is designed for the recognition of informally acquired competencies. It allows students to document their volunteer work, extra-curricular initiatives, and personal development, while enabling the university to identify the most active members of its community. Collected badges can be turned into university-verified digital certificates, which clearly show what activities the student participated in and what competencies they acquired. This is especially valuable for employers seeking motivated, active, and conscientious young specialists.

The system consists of seven thematic "worlds" where students progress step-by-step through participation, activity, META, and finally, UBER levels. After completing tasks, submitting evidence, and receiving confirmation, students accumulate badges that reflect various competencies important for a future creator – from critical thinking, creativity, and communication to leadership, sustainability, or digital literacy.

"At the end of 2023, 5,866 people participated in the VILNIUS TECH digital badge system, of whom about 15% were international students. Over the year, the university issued about 6,000 digital badges, which mark the activity and involvement of students, lecturers, and administrative staff in various activities. Although most community members collect badges gradually, about 5% of participants are particularly active – they have collected three or more digital badges and consciously document their experience and acquired competencies.

By collecting at least three badges in one program, one can obtain a university-verified digital certificate, and at the end of their studies, students are also issued competency portfolios that show the strength of their transferable skills (critical thinking, leadership, public speaking...). This not only helps to have proof of one's activity but also to better understand oneself and one's strengths," says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ingrida Leščiauskienė.

More information about the system can be found here.