The New “Sapere Aude” Issue – About Openness, Community, and the Courage to Create

From 7 to 11 July, VILNIUS TECH is hosting an international PhD Summer School, bringing together 30 early-career researchers from Lithuania and abroad. This year, the event welcomes PhD students from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Romania, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan, as well as doctoral students from VILNIUS TECH and other Lithuanian universities. Throughout the five-day programme, participants will attend lectures, workshops, and discussions covering some of the most relevant topics in contemporary research, including scientific communication, academic writing, open science, the application of artificial intelligence in research, data privacy, and research ethics. The Summer School also offers opportunities to develop presentation skills, strengthen collaboration, and explore innovation and entrepreneurship in research. The programme also includes cultural and networking activities designed to introduce participants to both the University and Lithuania. Doctoral students will visit the VILNIUS TECH Sustainability Centre, the University's building on Plytinės Street, and the VILNIUS TECH LinkMenų fabrikas innovation and creativity centre. They will also take part in a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town and visit the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. The international PhD Summer School aims not only to strengthen the academic competencies of early-career researchers but also to foster international collaboration, encourage the exchange of ideas, and help build lasting professional networks among researchers from different countries.    

On June 29, VILNIUS TECH representatives Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vaidotas Trinkūnas and Prof. Dr. Sonata Tolvaišienė attended the Baltic Rectors' Forum in Gdańsk, Poland. This forum serves as a platform for interaction among the higher education, business, economic, and public administration sectors to address contemporary regional challenges. The main themes of the forum were strengthening relations, fostering closer cooperation, and building a better future, thus marking the beginning of important academic and strategic collaboration. The event brought together over 100 representatives of universities and institutions from Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, and Ukraine. Participants included rectors and representatives from leading universities in the Baltic Sea region, officials from public administration (including three Polish ministries) and the business sector, as well as experts in energy, security, and climate transformation. The forum's agenda covered issues that have become particularly important to the region in the context of the current geopolitical situation, as well as economic and technological challenges. Security (military, energy, and digital), along with challenges related to energy transformation, digitalization, and climate change, were the focus of discussions among representatives of the academic world, business, and diplomacy from both the Baltic Sea region and beyond. Speakers highlighted the current challenges facing the region and explored areas for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of experience. Topics of discussion included threats arising from Russia's actions, the need to diversify energy sources, the development of the maritime economy (including ports), the advancement of "green" energy, digitalization, and prospects for diplomatic cooperation in the region. The need to learn from the experience of other countries and regions (such as the Nordic or Black Sea regions) was also widely emphasized. The role of science and universities in supporting development and ensuring security emerged as one of the most crucial aspects. Official press release: University of Gdańsk