From tomorrow the Lithuanian maritime academy (LAJM) will become the eleventh faculty of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH). From this day on we will not only prepare transport specialists for air and land but also now water, which will contribute to the development of a maritime and engineering state as well as enhance competitiveness in international markets.

“We are excited to embark on this academic year as one VILNIUS TECH team, nurturing new generations of talents in air, land, and water transport – the creators of the future. Together, we will develop innovative solutions for Lithuania and the world, strengthen leadership in engineering, technology, and innovation, and actively participate in the international scientific community. Unity is one of our strategic values, and we will complement each other with our unique experiences,” says VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas.

The merger process will affect all community members in one way or another. It is understandable that this may cause concerns among employees. According to Agne Sipaviciute, senior specialist of the VILNIUS TECH Human resources directorate, it is important to understand that employee integration does not end with the joining of the Lithuanian maritime academy to Vilnius Gediminas technical university. We still have a long way to go, where one of the most important factors will be mutual cooperation and the willingness to help each other. One of the university's strategic values is unity, which refers to the synergy of applying different technologies, disciplines, groups, and solutions, as well as the constant desire to collaborate and find common ground.

After the merger, four maritime engineering and maritime technology study programs will continue their work – Maritime navigation, Maritime transport logistics technology, Operation of ship power plants, and Operation of ship electrical equipment.

With Lithuania starting to build a marine wind farm, there is an increasing demand for new specialists – marine wind turbine and engineering experts, as well as engineers capable of managing complex engineering and technological loading processes for port cargo terminals.

In response to business needs, new accredited study programs in marine wind engineering; port and shipping engineering management will be created at LJA. Professional development programs for specialists will also be implemented, on top of existing study programs being supplemented with relevant specialisations in this field.

“The merger is a positive step for the Lithuanian maritime academy to further develop traditional maritime programs and create new ones, which would contribute to the formation of Lithuania’s maritime strategy and ensuring the country's energy independence. VILNIUS TECH’s presence in the coastal region will provide young people with broader options for study choice and continuity, not only in Vilnius but also in Klaipeda,” says LJA Director Vaclav Stankevic.

Future graduates of the Lithuanian maritime academy will receive professional bachelor’s diplomas from Vilnius Gediminas technical university (VILNIUS TECH).

To enhance the study and training infrastructure, a new Centre for marine engineering and renewable energy competence is planned to be built. It will include a training base for working safely at sea and at height, equipped with a swimming pool, trampolines, and working areas for climbers, as well as laboratories for marine wind, solar, and hydrogen energy, and a testing ground for surface as well as underwater drones.

An investment plan has been created for the implementation of the reorganisation titled “Increasing the quality, efficiency, and international competitiveness of highly qualified water transport sector specialists by merging the Lithuanian maritime academy with Vilnius Gediminas technical university,” which will allocate about 5 million euros from the Economic recovery and resilience fund for its implementation.

LAJM and VILNIUS TECH established a Transport engineering and logistics science and study cluster in 2022, aimed at training highly qualified transport and logistics specialists, conducting joint transport engineering research, and implementing regional development as well as the concept of Lithuania as a maritime state.

The result of the cluster’s activities will be new opportunities for university graduates to study in VILNIUS TECH's master's programs, expanding international collaboration, and intensifying research in marine technologies. Graduates of maritime engineering and maritime technology programs can choose the Maritime transport engineering and logistics specialisation within the Transport engineering master's program, with some subjects prepared and taught by LAJM instructors and researchers. Graduates in management and informatics will be offered the Transport engineering economics and logistics master's program.