New doctoral dissertation

At the conference “Investing in Europe’s Future: Funding Pathways for Higher Education,” held on May 6 at the European Parliament in Brussels, European policymakers, university leaders, representatives of regions and businesses, and research experts discussed the future of European higher education, the role of university alliances, and the need for long-term funding to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. The conference was organized by ATHENA alliance member Maria Curie-Skłodowska University together with its alumnus and Member of the European Parliament Krzysztof Hetman. VILNIUS TECH also participates in the ATHENA alliance, working together with European partners to strengthen joint study programmes, research collaboration, international mobility, and the integration of European universities. According to Živilė Sederevičiūtė-Pačiauskienė and Asta Radzevičienė, who attended the event, considerable attention was devoted to the emerging role of European universities — university alliances are increasingly being viewed not as temporary project-based networks, but as future long-term European higher education institutions. In his keynote speech, Piotr Serafin emphasized that decisions regarding the new multiannual financial framework of the European Union after 2028 will have a long-term impact on Europe’s competitiveness, innovation policy, and university development. According to him, university alliances must become stronger, more integrated, and more closely connect studies, research, and innovation. Member of the European Parliament Krzysztof Hetman stressed that funding under the “Horizon Europe” programme is currently distributed unevenly, with around 85% of funding allocated to countries outside the “widening” group. In his view, this means that the European Union is failing to fully utilize its scientific and innovation potential. He noted that university alliances could become an important tool for reducing these disparities, strengthening interregional cooperation, and promoting innovation development across Europe. Anne Besnier devoted significant attention to the importance of regional innovation ecosystems and smart specialization. According to her, regions must clearly identify their strengths and build international cooperation networks based on them. She emphasized that collaboration among students and young researchers across Europe is gradually becoming the foundation for a common European innovation space. Bartek Czyczerski, CEO of Business & Science Poland, spoke about the transformation of the knowledge-based economy and the impact of artificial intelligence on the labour market. According to him, Europe’s main challenge today is not only preparing highly qualified specialists, but also ensuring that their competencies are fully utilized within the economy. He stressed that universities will need to shift toward more flexible, modular, and practice-oriented study models, where AI literacy, critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning will play a much greater role. Mariusz Głąbowski, Vice-Rector for International Relations at Poznan University of Technology and head of the EUNICE4U project, presented a model for the financial sustainability and governance of European university alliances. He emphasized that university alliances can no longer remain merely project-based structures dependent on short-term funding cycles. According to him, it is necessary to establish permanent structures integrated from legal, strategic, and organizational perspectives that could operate as genuine European universities. ATHENA European University President Eric Blond emphasized that a true European university cannot be built solely on student mobility. According to him, studies, research, and innovation must be integrated into a single common system. He also noted that ATHENA stands out because most of its partners come from “widening” countries — Lithuania, Poland, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, and Ukraine. In his view, these countries should not remain on the periphery of European higher education, but instead become active leaders of Europe’s transformation. The conference featured extensive discussions on the development of joint European degrees, the European Student Card, the necessity of long-term funding for university alliances, and the connection between regional and European policies. Participants repeatedly emphasized that the development of university alliances requires a long-term political vision and a stable financial model that would enable the transition from pilot projects to fully functioning European universities. The discussions also highlighted that university alliances are becoming not only networks for studies or mobility, but also important actors in regional policy, innovation, and competitiveness. They are increasingly collaborating with businesses, regional authorities, European Digital Innovation Hubs, and other organizations in order to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems and create a common European knowledge space. Conference participants agreed that the key condition for the successful development of European universities is a long-term vision and a sustainable funding model that would allow university alliances to become fully-fledged European higher education institutions.

If you’re searching for Dominykas Kneižys, chances are he’s somewhere out at sea. Between the seven continents, countless countries, and remote islands he has visited, almost every destination has been reached by ship. Today, the VILNIUS TECH Lithuanian Maritime Academy alumnus serves as Staff Captain at National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions, continuing a lifelong journey inspired by his love of the ocean. The long road to pursuing a dream Dominykas began sailing at the age of ten. What started as a casual after-school activity soon became his passion, his dream and ultimately his goal. His whole life began to revolve around sailing and water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing. Sometimes he would even skip school classes just to spend more time on the water or travel south to start the sailing season a little earlier. After finishing school, he faced a difficult choice: to pursue professional sailing with hopes of reaching the Olympics, or to study Marine Navigation, shifting from competitive sport to education and commercial shipping. Dominykas chose the latter – a decision that felt bittersweet at the time. [caption id="attachment_115617" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominykas Kneižys[/caption] During his studies at VILNIUS TECH, he took part in the Erasmus+ programme and spent a semester in Tenerife, Spain. “I managed to learn some basic Spanish and fell even more in love with open waters – I was surrounded by the vast Atlantic Ocean and spent most of my time close to the coast,” Dominykas recalls. “The following year, I applied for the Workaway programme and spent the summer season in Hawaii, working as a kitesurfing instructor on Maui.” As part of his studies, he also had to complete an onboard cadetship – a six-month journey on a tanker vessel. The experience, far from family, friends, and hobbies, made him realise that cargo shipping wasn’t for him. Dominykas knew he wanted to work on passenger ships or yachts. When an opportunity to work on a passenger vessel arose, he seized it – and that’s where his career as a Navigation Officer began. Yet it didn’t take long for him to understand that his true passion lay in exploring wild places and being surrounded by nature. A passion for nature and exploration pays off He quit his job and began looking for new opportunities. “I had a one-way ticket to Mallorca just as the COVID pandemic hit, and I got stranded on the island without any source of income – and without a home,” Dominykas recalls. “I found a farm to live on and went from yachting to farming! Feeding animals and cutting trees while searching for work. Luckily, I had some connections in the yachting industry, which helped me get back into it – and later into the sailing expeditions field.” Around that time, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions was building two new vessels and looking for experienced crew to deliver the highest standards of service. For over 50 years, this pioneering concept has defined expedition cruising. When Lars-Eric Lindblad led expeditions to Antarctica in 1966 and the Galápagos in 1967, he made history as the first explorer to bring private citizens to these extraordinary wildernesses. The launch of Lindblad Expeditions’ collaboration with National Geographic marked a new era in exploration. [caption id="attachment_115593" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Dominykas Kneižys[/caption] Today, the travellers can choose from more than 100 itineraries across all seven continents. The company operates an extraordinary fleet of expedition ships – among them the most advanced in the industry. “I had no experience in ice navigation or expeditions, but what got me onto the candidates’ list was my passion for watersports, extensive sailing and boat-handling skills, yachting experience with Power Boat certificates, and all the unlimited certificates required for a Navigation Officer on large passenger ships,” Dominykas explains. “It turned out they were looking for people passionate about nature and exploration – and I ticked those boxes.” Sailing with the wind – not against it Dominykas began as First Officer Navigation on the new National Geographic Resolution, which was then still under construction at a shipyard in Norway. Six months later, he transferred to another ship, National Geographic Orion, where he was promoted to First Officer Safety. A year later, he was promoted again to Staff Captain, continuing his journey of global exploration. “The ship I work on is a boutique-style, small expedition cruise vessel with all the amenities – luxury suites, libraries, a wellness centre, gym, bar, restaurant, diving equipment, military-grade inflatable boats (Zodiacs), kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, hiking gear, and more,” Dominykas explains. “The destinations we visit make this concept special. These vessels are highly manoeuvrable, built with strong hulls and a high ice class, capable of covering long distances in remote areas. The experienced crew make these expeditions even more exceptional – National Geographic photographers, expedition leaders, and divers from around the world join us on our journeys.” [caption id="attachment_115597" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Dominykas Kneižys[/caption] Among countless unforgettable experiences, Dominykas vividly recalls his first astonishing visit to Antarctica, sailing through the South Pacific from New Zealand all the way to Easter Island, visiting the world’s most remote places – French Polynesia, the Marquesas, and beyond. One of his most shocking memories comes from Papua New Guinea and West Papua: “Once, our ship was struck by lightning twice, the other time, we were stranded ashore with all the passengers in Australia surrounded by crocodiles and snakes,” the Staff Captain recalls. From all his years at sea, one key lesson stands out: never underestimate nature, and always sail with the wind – not against it. “The sea is my greatest passion – my provider, my profession, my hobby, and my love,” says Dominykas. “I wish everyone could find such a passion in life.”