The only this kind of collaborative and co-creative space in Lithuania - VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas" - unveils a new unique project, the country's first virtual production studio. According to the press release from VILNIUS TECH, the "Faux Real Studio," which has just opened its doors, will provide services not only for the creation of films and advertisements but also for music and television production.

"VILNIUS TECH 'Faux Real Studio' will provide virtual production services for film, music, advertising, and television industries. It will also serve as a new space for education and the creation of educational content, allowing skilled professionals work with the latest virtual production technologies," says Dr. Lina Peciure, director of VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas."

From students to ad creators

Because of the significant public interest garnered by projects such as "Portal" – a device connecting Vilnius and Lublin through video communication, as well as "Nano Jesus" – the world's smallest, barely one-third of a millimeter in size, precise replica of Vilnius Cathedral Square's pavement, the renowned "LinkMenu fabrikas" has long been considered to be the only collaborative space of its kind in Lithuania.

"The goal of the center is to provide an inspirational space, laboratories, where learning through creative process, development, and collaborative implementation of ideas can take place. It aims to cultivate the competencies of future specialists, promote collaboration between creators, scientists, and businesses as well as contribute to the growth of Lithuania's innovation-based economy," says L. Peciure.

For educational purposes, all equipment and facilities of VILNIUS TECH are available for students to use for free. However, the collaborative space is open to various creative communities involved in hosting hackathons, networking events, science popularization events, which can be joined by entire Vilnius community and its guests.

Interest from both Lithuania and abroad

While Lithuania currently lacks collaborative spaces like "LinkMenu fabrikas," abroad similar spaces do exist. Members of the ATHENA European University Alliance, to which VILNIUS TECH also belongs, who possess collaborative centers of this kind, have formed an initiative   "Co-creation HUB".

"By sharing experience and knowledge with other partners, we are looking for ways to connect all ATHENA alliance centers in joint activities. This is aimed at creating more opportunities for students, as for instance - mobility programs, when students can visit various university creativity centers as part of the same program," says Dr. Egle Girdzijauskaite, communication manager of the ATHENA alliance.

VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas" is also a part of the international "Design Factory Global Network," bringing together innovation centers of universities and research organizations worldwide.

"However, what makes us unique is that we have prototyping workshops - 3D printing, electronics, painting, etc., and media workshops, as well as the mentioned virtual production studio under one roof. It is the synthesis of these different areas that makes us stand out," says the director of "LinkMenu fabrikas."

The subject of establishing collaborative spaces in Lithuania is discussed by interested parties such as municipalities, schools, and other universities. For several years now, "LinkMenu fabrikas" has been participating in the "Edu Vilnius" project. This project provides training to teachers who have set up "FabLab" spaces in their schools.

University future plans - expansion and focus on sustainability

VILNIUS TECH "LinkMenu fabrikas" is currently the only collaborative center in Lithuania. However, another innovative university venue opened its doors this spring - the Sustainability Center, aiming to consolidate interdisciplinary researchers' competencies in creating advanced sustainable solutions and lead positive changes in society. The establishment of the center was prompted by the project "Establishment of Integrated Sustainability Technology Laboratories at VILNIUS TECH," financed by the "New Generation Lithuania" Economic Revitalization and Resilience Enhancement Plan as well as the Republic of Lithuania state budget.

The center operates laboratories of demonstrative activities, also conventional and remote learning spaces enabling the development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to do with sustainability and technologies.

The unique collaborative center provides university students with a possibility to experiment in the Sustainable Consumption demonstration space, whose concept is based on implementing circularity in the food consumption chain. It demonstrates how to reduce the environmental footprint and climate impact the food system leaves, while the "vertical garden," shows the crops that are grown for food production.

At the same time, food and kitchen waste in the bioreactor undergo anaerobic processing, transforming them into biogas and compost. Through the demonstration of such technologies, the development of practical skills, and the formation of sustainable consumer behavior habits is obtained, which leads to waste-free food preparation habits. This is particularly beneficial to the society as food waste still remains a serious problem worldwide.