Prof. dr. Vaida Asakavičiūtė, Dean of the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Creative Industries, and dr. Robertas Leščinskij, Vice-Dean for Studies, visited Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Poland – one of the partners of the ATHENA European University Alliance. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen institutional ties, discuss future directions of cooperation, and assess opportunities for the development of joint initiatives in the fields of studies and research.
From the moment they arrived at UMCS, the representatives of the Faculty felt welcome as colleagues united by a shared objective: to take the internationalisation and quality of studies and research in communication and media to a whole new level. The meetings included representatives from the Institute of Communication and Media Studies and from the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism, who presented their academic programmes, activities, and student projects.
“The UMCS team welcomed us not only as partners but also as like-minded collaborators. It is a university with a strong academic culture and a clear international vision. We were particularly impressed by their openness, warm reception, professional dialogue, and mutual willingness to work together, all of which created a very positive atmosphere throughout the visit,” shared Prof. Dr. Vaida Asakavičiūtė, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Industries. According to her, the visit laid a solid foundation for future joint initiatives.
During the visit, the delegation was introduced to UMCS principles of study organisation, infrastructure, and creative spaces. This enabled an exchange of good practices and helped identify areas that could be adapted within VILNIUS TECH study processes.
“UMCS has a clear academic direction and a strong international outlook. Throughout our meetings, one could sense genuine partnership and readiness to collaborate,” emphasised Prof. Dr. Asakavičiūtė. She noted that the visit revealed real and promising opportunities for cooperation.
One of the key topics of the visit was the prospect of establishing a dual-degree study programme. This initiative is currently being actively developed and is viewed as a significant step towards strengthening the internationalisation and attractiveness of studies.
“A dual-degree programme will offer students the opportunity to study at two universities, experience two academic cultures, gain broader international exposure, and enhance their career competitiveness. We are working systematically to make this opportunity a reality in the near future,” highlighted Dr. Robertas Leščinskij, Vice-Dean for Studies.
The discussions also addressed broader opportunities for student and staff mobility, joint research activities, formats of doctoral-level cooperation, and directions for creative study projects. UMCS representatives were invited to join the international summer school “Summer Media Studio: Cinematic Storytelling,” which will take place in Neringa in 2026. It is hoped that this initiative will become yet another bridge connecting the two institutions.
The VILNIUS TECH team introduced UMCS partners to the Faculty’s infrastructure, the “LinkMenų Fabrikas” creative hub, and the virtual “Faux Real Studio,” which drew particular interest as a platform for contemporary media practices and joint student projects.
The visit to UMCS confirmed that the cooperation between our institutions is not merely a formal agreement, but a dynamic and growing partnership built on trust, professional dialogue, the sharing of ideas, and a shared ambition to create a modern, international academic environment for studies and research.
“Visits like this demonstrate that meaningful results emerge when partners listen to each other, recognize shared goals, and work together with intention. We returned with new ideas, inspiration, and clear steps for joint initiatives,” reflected Prof. Dr. Vaida Asakavičiūtė.
We are pleased that UMCS is one of the most active VILNIUS TECH partners within the ATHENA alliance, and that genuine communication and personal connections foster engagement and open new opportunities for students, lecturers, and researchers in the international academic field.
