What determines success in today’s job market, as the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) grows ever faster? It turns out that a diploma alone is no longer enough today – employers are looking for specialists with “soft” (transferable) skills.
The World Economic Forum’s 2025 “Future of Jobs” report identifies the ability to work with AI as a core future competence, but immediately following are critical and analytical thinking, creativity, leadership, responsibility, and the ability to work in a team. This shows that in the future, the most valuable specialists will be those who can combine engineering thinking, AI knowledge, and soft skills.
VILNIUS TECH encourages students to develop not only during lectures but also by participating in informal activities offered by the university. To get confirmation of the “soft” skills acquired during these activities, students can collect digital badges, and at the end of their studies, receive a portfolio of competencies proving the strength of their acquired skills.
Digital badges – a response to modern challenges
Digital badges are a technology increasingly used worldwide to recognize comprehensive personal development. How does it work at the university? Students voluntarily participate in selected sports, art, science, internationalization, and other activities, for which VILNIUS TECH digital badges can be earned. Issued badges are stored in the “BadgeWallet” mobile application, where students can see their achievements, and share them with employers, friends, and lecturers.
“Currently, VILNIUS TECH offers over 200 different activities for which digital badges can be earned. For students, it resembles a learning game – with levels, challenges, and rewards. The knowledge that each badge is linked to a specific task and competencies required by the job market only further strengthens their value. In addition, upon graduation, along with their diplomas, our students can receive a competency portfolio, which helps future employers to quickly identify motivated, active, and appropriately skilled candidates,” says Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ingrida Leščauskienė, Head of the VILNIUS TECH Digital Badge System.
By collecting at least two participation badges, a higher activity level can be reached, where tasks requiring greater involvement await. By collecting the required number of activity badges, one can apply for a META badge, or even the highest level – UBER – digital badge.
International recognition
In 2025, VILNIUS TECH became the first university in Lithuania to receive the international “Quality Label for Badge Recognition” certificate issued by the “Cities of Learning” network. This confirms that the university’s badge system is reliable, secure, transparent, and meets high-quality requirements. Currently, almost 5000 students already have at least one VILNIUS TECH digital badge.
The VILNIUS TECH digital badge system is not only a means of recognizing students’ competencies but also an innovative way to develop future leaders and help them prepare for a dynamic job market.
Click here to find out how to create your account in the VILNIUS TECH badge system, what informal education programs you can participate in, and how to reach the highest UBER level.
