Scientific Conference for Lithuanian Young Researchers

A Purdue University Northwest graduate, Davina Jackson, moved from the American Midwest to Lithuania — and found not only a Master’s degree but also a career, a community, and a more relaxed way of life. Although the decision was a big surprise to her family and moving across the world required determination and planning, she never regretted it. Instead, this big adventure reminded her of her long-held dream of giving back through teaching. Given Davina’s determination, this dream sounds quite real. Breaking the news to the family Most American students do not tell their families every day that they are moving to Lithuania. When Davina prepared to share the news, she made a strategic choice: “The first person I told was my mother, knowing she would take it more calmly than the rest of my family,” the student recalls. “She helped introduce the idea to the rest of my family.”  Davina’s close friends, already familiar with her long-standing curiosity about the country, were far easier to convince. They were excited and supportive. Davina’s curiosity had a very specific origin: a Lithuanian exchange student she had befriended while they were visiting in the US. That friendship sparked an interest, a visit confirmed it, and soon she was researching universities. VILNIUS TECH stood out quickly. “The Information Systems Software Engineering programme’s curriculum matched both my experience and my strengths,” she explains. “It felt like the right fit, both academically and professionally.” The differences in learning and personal life Davina had visited Lithuania twice before making the move, so culture shock was minimal. What she had expected most — the abundance of nature — proved entirely accurate. However, the academic environment held a few surprises. “In the US, my Bachelor’s programme did not include a thesis or defence; assessments were primarily through exams and projects,” she says. “Adjusting to the idea of writing a thesis and publicly defending it was the biggest shift for me.” The second surprise was more welcome: the richness of student life. The Erasmus Student Network — something with no real American equivalent — opened doors to a truly international community. The most enduring lesson from her studies was deeply personal. “The most important lesson has been learning to take care of myself,” she says. “I tend to overwork and occasionally neglect basic needs, such as meals and rest. I’ve learned that maintaining balance and well-being is essential to long-term success.” Balancing studies and an early career Managing a Master’s programme alongside full-time employment is no easy choice. Davina has done exactly that, working as an IT engineer in Voice and Real Time Services at SEB Bank — a role she actively sought on LinkedIn after gaining experience at Western Union. Before taking the job, she ensured she could handle the combined workload. “When I joined SEB, the team was aware of my academic commitments and adjusted my role to part-time,” Davina explains. Her schedule was relentless: work every weekday morning, then an hour’s gap before lectures starting at 16:20 or 18:10, then homework until sleep, then repeat. “It sometimes means missing out on social activities, but I remind myself that this is temporary and will pay off once my studies are complete.” Davina’s day-to-day work centres on managing SEB’s telephony systems — extensions, desk phones, soft phones, and group call queues — while also handling Microsoft-related tasks and broader IT support within an Agile team. The field is evolving quickly. “Cloud solutions, automation, and AI are shaping the future of telephony,” she says. “These areas have become essential for me to understand to stay aligned with the industry’s direction.” She keeps pace through continuous training, technical documentation, and guidance from senior colleagues. What Lithuania gets right Now that Davina has worked in both countries, she sees a striking contrast in workplace culture. “The key difference is work-life balance,” she says. “In the US, maintaining a healthy balance often feels impossible. In Lithuania, mandatory holiday blocks, generous annual leave, and encouraged lunch and break times create a much healthier environment.”  She also notes that diversity and equal opportunities stand out. “I’ve held two roles since moving to Lithuania and have never experienced inequality or prejudice,” Davina says. Technology remains a male-dominated field globally, yet she has observed strong representation of women and professionals from diverse backgrounds. If Davina could give her past self one piece of advice, it would be linguistic: “If I could change one thing, I would have started learning Lithuanian earlier, rather than only beginning after moving.” With her thesis in its final chapter, Davina is already thinking about what comes next. The options she is weighing reflect both ambition and a desire to give back. “I’m interested either in becoming a programmer or advancing within my current field towards an L3 role,” she says. But there is a third path that has never quite left her mind: “I also still have an interest in teaching. As a child, I wanted to become a teacher, but I didn’t pursue it due to concerns about financial stability. If the opportunity arose to teach or assist in a technology-related academic setting, I believe it would be deeply fulfilling.” For any American student tempted to follow her path, Davina’s advice is both clear and encouraging. “I would encourage them to research their decision thoroughly and be certain it’s what they truly want,” Davina says. “Moving across the world requires determination and planning.” If commitment is there, she is happy to discuss public transport, social life, and cultural differences with fellow foreigners navigating life in Lithuania.

Debates regarding immigrants—their numbers and their impact on the labor market and national culture—remain a focal point of discussion across Europe and Lithuania. According to data from the Migration Department, 24,830 foreign nationals have been authorized to arrive for work in Lithuania in 2025, approximately 100 fewer than this year. Crucially, these quotas do not include high-value-added specialists. According to the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Lithuania currently faces a shortage of specialists across 85 professions, primarily in IT, engineering, robotics, and chemistry. While the most visible face of migration may be food delivery couriers, others, like Ramil Balaghayev from Azerbaijan, arrived specifically because his home country lacked the necessary infrastructure for cybersecurity studies and employment at the time. Today, he marks six years of professional experience in his field. Repaying a Debt to the National Economy Ramil is currently employed at his fifth workplace in Lithuania: the U.S.-based global healthcare solutions company, Cencora. Having received a state scholarship that covered both his tuition and living expenses, he feels a strong sense of responsibility to "repay the debt to the country’s economy." Ramil moved to Lithuania to pursue a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity at VILNIUS TECH, building upon his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Baku. "I wanted to specialize in nanotechnology, network security, and cybersecurity. In 2019, cybersecurity was not yet a prominent field in Azerbaijan, and opportunities for advanced study were limited. I began searching for international universities, with a full scholarship being a primary criterion. This was a challenge, as there was only one state scholarship available for the entire country at that time," Balaghayev recalls. Despite 200 to 300 applicants vying for the spot, Ramil secured the scholarship. Shortly after, he received further confirmation from the Education Exchanges Support Foundation regarding a state grant that ensured both free tuition and a monthly stipend. "I accepted the state’s offer. I had heard positive things about Lithuania from friends and family who had visited the Baltics, but I also conducted my own research. I liked what I found: the country provides quality education, it is safe, and it is experiencing rapid growth in technology and cybersecurity," says the VILNIUS TECH alumnus. "If a Family Is Adopting You, You Must Also Put in the Effort" During his studies, one of Ramil’s professors suggested a summer internship in Rostock, Germany. The Azerbaijani student seized the opportunity to attend a specialized summer school there. "The following year, I completed my studies, which were highly practical, focusing on areas such as intrusion detection. My thesis explored identifying signs of hacking based on system user behavior," Balaghayev explains. After graduating, Ramil began his career as a cybersecurity risk analyst at Baltic Assist. He emphasizes that the knowledge gained at the university allowed for a seamless transition into the workforce, as the professional tasks closely mirrored his academic training. "The bigger challenge was the restriction on full-time work for certain foreign nationals. Companies, even small ones, wanted a security specialist on-site full-time. It took many attempts, but I have never been someone to let setbacks stop me," he says. Today, Ramil serves as a Security Engineer at Cencora. He monitors processes to ensure security protocols are followed and guides colleagues through incident resolution. When asked if he faced skepticism due to his origin, he notes that "initial barriers" and preconceptions typically dissolved once he demonstrated his technical capabilities. "It can feel isolating when Lithuanian colleagues speak their native language around you. However, I never took it personally—people simply forget that someone might not understand them. I took it upon myself to learn the language and passed the official exam," says Balaghayev. "I would compare the process to being adopted by a family—you also have to put in the effort for the relationship to succeed." Support for Language Requirements Ramil fully supports the recent requirement for foreign nationals to pass a Lithuanian language exam. He credits the language courses offered by VILNIUS TECH as being immensely helpful. He has already passed both the Lithuanian language and the Constitution exams. "Some ask why it should be mandatory. But other countries, like Germany, have similar requirements. In supermarkets or on the street, you encounter people of all ages; you cannot expect them to speak English in their own country just because you don't speak Lithuanian," says Ramil, who passed his language exam last year after two months of intensive daily study. "When people consider studying abroad, they often dream of major powers like the US or the UK. They don't realize that smaller countries can offer a comparable level of education and international experience. Regarding opportunities in Lithuania: if you have a solid education, you can achieve anything. The market is not large, but there are many startups and major international companies establishing operations here. I plan to stay for at least several more years," he adds. A Rigorous Selection Process Dovilė Jodenytė, Director of the International Studies Center at VILNIUS TECH, explains that international applicants must navigate a complex selection process. "The admission process for international students is distinct; they apply nearly a year in advance due to the length of the necessary procedures," says Jodenytė. Applicants upload documentation remotely, which is then evaluated by university experts. This includes the formal recognition of foreign qualifications. "Our experts have extensive experience and collaborate with the Center for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) when dealing with applications from more remote regions, such as the Comoros. High school certificates are equated to the Lithuanian maturity diploma, and grades are converted into the Lithuanian system to calculate an entry score," Jodenytė explains. Applicants must also submit a recorded interview. This allows the university to assess motivation, experience, and English proficiency, though formal English language certificates are also required. While the highest volume of applications comes from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Nigeria, these candidates do not form the majority of the admitted student body. Currently, VILNIUS TECH hosts a diverse population of students from Ukraine, India, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. Students Represent Only 3% of Arrivals Once an applicant clears these hurdles, they must pay for their first year of tuition upfront. Only then does the university coordinate with the Migration Department to facilitate the student's legal entry. "This procedure takes 4–5 months and presents significant challenges. Statistically, international students represent only about 5% of all foreigners arriving to live and work in Lithuania—roughly 4,000 students per year," Jodenytė reveals. She notes that the Migration Department works with other institutions, meaning applications can be rejected by the State Security Department (VSD). Furthermore, the Department maintains a "two-strike" rule: if an applicant makes two errors in their application, they are barred from reapplying for four months. "We lose potential students this way. An 18-year-old often lacks experience in navigating complex foreign bureaucracy," Jodenytė admits. Cultivating Talent for the Global Market Prospective students are most attracted to VILNIUS TECH’s programs in IT, Artificial Intelligence, multimedia, computer design, robotics, mechanics, and civil engineering. Regarding whether these students stay in Lithuania, Jodenytė notes: "While I don't have exact statistics, I would estimate about half choose to stay, while the other half leave. Our goal is for them to remain, as they are high-qualified specialists with local degrees. Often, they move to other European countries where there are more job opportunities. This may be partly due to Lithuanian companies being hesitant to hire foreign nationals for full-time roles. Collectively, we must work to create a more welcoming environment for them."

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In a dynamic business environment, cybersecurity is becoming one of the main management priorities. The reliability of digital infrastructure depends on it, and incidents can quickly disrupt operations and cause significant financial losses. The need for qualified specialists is also growing, but the supply cannot keep up with the pace dictated by the market. Experts emphasize that this gap can only be narrowed by training specialists who are capable of solving real technological and business challenges. Prof. Dr. Dalius Mažeika, Dean of the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences at VILNIUS TECH, says that cybersecurity is now a strategic element of state and business management, and the lack of cybersecurity competencies is considered a national security gap. "Digital services and infrastructure are the foundation of the modern economy. Critical infrastructure sectors—energy, finance, healthcare, transport—operate on digital platforms, so a successful cyberattack can paralyze state functions faster than a traditional military threat. All this means that cybersecurity competencies are becoming a matter of national security," he says. According to the speaker, countries that lack qualified specialists and a mature cyber defense infrastructure are strategically vulnerable to both economic and political pressure. "We see a clear trend—NATO, the EU, and individual governments treat cyber capabilities in parallel with military capabilities, allocating corresponding budgets to them. And for businesses, cybersecurity is an investment in business continuity and reputation," the Dean reviews. Specialists Are Needed Worldwide Prof. Dr. Nikolajus Goranin, Head of the Department of Information Systems at VILNIUS TECH, says that labor market indicators also signal the importance of cybersecurity. The latest comprehensive public study conducted in 2023, "The Need for ICT Specialists and Labor Market Forecast in Lithuania," shows that in that year, information and communication technology (ICT) companies had employed 1,378 cybersecurity specialists, and by the end of 2025, it was planned to hire at least 1,720 more. "This number exceeds the total number of specialists trained by all Lithuanian higher education institutions over 5 years combined. The report emphasizes the need for cybersecurity competencies, which rank fifth in the top ten competencies. This study also showed that the total number of ICT specialists is still below the EU average. It is projected that by 2030, the EU will need a total of 20 million specialists, while currently, only 9.3 million specialists work in the sector," calculates N. Goranin. According to him, the recently enacted DORA and NIS2 directives in Europe have had a significant impact on the demand for specialists, requiring companies falling under their regulation to have Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Security Operations Centers (SOCs). Companies that previously paid little attention to cybersecurity are now forced to either hire specialists or purchase these services from third parties. "In any case, the demand for CISO and SOC specialists in the market is growing. This is confirmed by the university's social partners, and similar trends prevail throughout Europe and the world. Nevertheless, the unstable economic and political situation is slowing the pace of sector growth and investment," the professor shares. Value-Creating Competencies As the demand for specialists grows, it also becomes clearer what specific competencies the market expects from them. "In Lithuania, there is currently the greatest shortage of SOC specialists, as well as security managers at various levels. Our social partners identify the ability to manage cybersecurity incidents, expertise in security technologies, and an understanding of the legal and managerial aspects of security assurance as critical competencies," says N. Goranin. The dynamics of competencies, according to the speaker, are changing on a global scale. "According to a report by ISC2, a non-profit organization that trains cybersecurity specialists, artificial intelligence competencies rank first—which were not even mentioned in the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity's (ENISA) Cybersecurity Skills Framework in 2022. This is followed by competencies in cloud computing security, risk and security management, software security, and GRC (Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance)," the professor notes. Goranin says that in response to international needs, which will certainly reach Lithuania in the near future, VILNIUS TECH adjusts its study programs annually. This is done by introducing new courses, consistently updating the curriculum, and linking it to the real needs of the sector. For example, since 2022, the Master's program "Information and IT Security" has included the course "Ethical, Legal, and Human Aspects of Information Security," which, together with the long-standing course "Information Security Management," develops security management and GRC competencies. Starting in 2025, the same study program will also feature the course "Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Information Security Technologies." "Students also learn about virtual infrastructure and cloud computing security, and SOC competencies can be acquired not only in the Master's program but also in the security specialization of the Bachelor's program 'Information Technology'," the speaker lists a few examples. Adapting to the Market He emphasizes that cybersecurity competencies are developed in several study programs. The broadest spectrum of knowledge is provided by the Master's program "Information and IT Security" at the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Fundamental Sciences—it fosters a systemic approach to information security issues, from their prevention to resolution and impact management. "The studies combine technological, legal, and managerial competencies: from network security, cryptography, or cloud computing to security management, legal aspects, and the fundamentals of scientific research. The program is conducted in Lithuanian and English, and more than half of its foreign graduates stay to work in Lithuania's IT security sector," says N. Goranin. This year, an MBA-type program, "Cybersecurity Management," emphasizing security management aspects and aimed at experienced specialists, was also introduced. "Bachelor's level cybersecurity competencies are strengthened in the 'Information Technology' and 'Cybersecurity and Communication Technologies' programs, which focus on the practical application of technology," the professor explains. According to him, VILNIUS TECH updates its curriculum on several levels: new programs are created, existing courses are updated, and final thesis topics are linked to current market and scientific challenges. This ensures that the competencies students acquire meet the real needs of the sector. Goranin says that students also gain real cybersecurity practice while still studying. "Students gain practical experience through hands-on assignments integrated into all courses. For example, master's students in the oldest and most comprehensive program, 'Information and IT Security' at the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, participate in 'Capture the Flag' type exercises while studying Ethical Hacking. While studying IT security methods, cloud computing, network security, and similar courses, students get to test various IT security technologies," the speaker illustrates. Science, Practice, and Real Solutions Lectures for VILNIUS TECH students are given not only by practitioner-lecturers but also by business representatives, and the quality and practical value of the studies are enhanced by the university's Digital Defence Competence Centre. Its director, Vitalijus Gurčinas, explains that the center's activities are based on scientific research, practical training, and collaboration with business and the public sector. Work here involves cybersecurity technologies, the application of artificial intelligence, digital forensics, threat analysis, and security operations research. The center's value lies in its ability to turn scientific research into real solutions, and its goal is not only to generate knowledge but also to transform it into tangible solutions that help organizations strengthen their resilience to cyber threats. "A single project cannot fully represent the center's activities, as it operates in a multidisciplinary manner and integrates cybersecurity into various areas of the university's activities and research fields. Today, cybersecurity is not a distant or isolated field—it is an essential component of solutions, technologies, organizations, and society as a whole. The center's activities include both mission-driven technological and engineering projects and broader societal challenges, including current efforts to combat disinformation and misinformation, which are becoming increasingly important areas of research and societal impact," states V. Gurčinas. Students also actively participate in the center's activities. They get involved in incident simulations, digital forensics investigations, cybersecurity events, and scientific projects. Initiatives like the Google.org cybersecurity seminars provide students with the opportunity to work on real-life situations and strengthen their practical skills. "By participating in these activities, students gain practical experience, develop analytical and problem-solving skills, and become better prepared for their careers," says the center's head. Mažeika believes that universities play a crucial role in strengthening the country's level of cyber resilience by training highly qualified specialists and conducting research that becomes the basis for practical application in business and state institutions. "By collaborating with companies and international partners, universities create an ecosystem for knowledge transfer and innovation," the Dean emphasizes. It is also important that the competencies of the Digital Defence Competence Centre are valued internationally—foreign students come to VILNIUS TECH for intensive cybersecurity courses. Mažeika points out that Lithuania already holds a strong position in the international context—the country is among the leaders in global cybersecurity rankings and actively participates in EU and NATO initiatives. The biggest challenge, in his opinion, remains the shortage of specialists, so the main focus must be on their training and strengthening their competencies. "Today, cybersecurity competencies are becoming not just a professional but a strategic necessity. The collaboration between universities, business, and the state in this area allows not only to respond to growing threats but also to increase the country's long-term resilience," says the professor.