News

Today, on November 12, a memorandum on the establishment of a research and innovation centre at the Vilnius University (VU) Business School was signed between VU and the University of Lancaster at the Embassy of the United Kingdom. One of the main goals of the new R-E-D (Research, Engagement and Delivery research) centre is to strengthen the research potential in Lithuania and the entire Central European region by developing and expanding the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, strengthening high-quality research and business partnerships and at the same time business studies.

“This is a historic event both for Vilnius University and the whole higher education sector in Lithuania. After long negotiations, two universities will unite their efforts in developing entrepreneurship and innovation activities. This step will strengthen the development of science-based knowledge, set an exceptional example for international cooperation, and help increase the partnership between science and business. We are proud of the leadership of Vilnius University Business School in this field,” VU Rector Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas says.

This agreement is a new quality direction in Lithuanian higher education. Unlike the traditional cooperation in promoting international mobility, initiating joint research projects and creating joint networks, with this partnership a world-renowned university comes to Lithuania, which will strengthen Lithuanian research potential, will develop high-level business research in the field of business together with VU Business School, will strengthen the ecosystem of Lithuanian start-ups and encourage the development of innovation. The agreement between VU and Lancaster also includes cooperation in the field of studies in order to strengthen business studies and develop lifelong learning in the field of entrepreneurship.

British Ambassador to Lithuania Brian Olley says: “I warmly congratulate Vilnius and Lancaster Universities on building this significant strategic partnership, which will strengthen higher business education and will boost bilateral and international research collaboration between UK and Lithuania, crucial to transforming economies and lives.”

Over the next two years, VU Business School and Lancaster University School of Management will also have to develop an action programme to make VU Business School the leader in Central Europe.

“We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Vilnius University Business School and very much look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for collaborative research and engagement. Vilnius University has a rich and established history and will be a valuable extension of LUMS’ international community. We are proud to attract students from all over the globe and have international partnerships that help ensure our world-leading research remains at the cutting-edge, not only to shape our teaching, but to transform organisations and communities.

There are lots of synergies between LUMS and Vilnius, and over the next two years we will establish how we can work together to develop and share best practice in areas such as family business, entrepreneurship, small and medium sized business support and regional development, to sharpen teaching and bring about positive change in the UK and Lithuania”, Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, says.

“Many positive changes have taken place in the Lithuanian higher education system by improving the quality of studies, the competitiveness of science and innovations, and by strengthening the country’s research potential. Along with these changes, the country’s universities have become global market players. The main direction of the future of Lithuanian higher education is internationality and interdisciplinary, In this way, Lithuanian higher education institutions will continue to strengthen our country's education system. Today, business schools are a catalyst for innovation development skills in the strongest countries in the world. With the arrival of a world-class university in Lithuania, VU opens up new opportunities to become an entrepreneurial leader in Europe,” says the Chairwoman of the Lithuanian Educational Council Prof Dr Saulė Mačiukaitė-Žvinienė.

The agreement was signed by VU Rector Prof Dr R. Petrauskas and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lancaster Prof Simon Guy. Due to the pandemic situation in the world, the agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony and broadcast live from the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Vilnius and the University of Lancaster.

Dear freshmen of undergraduate studies,

These days we live in a world full of challenges and volatility. Even though we made every effort to ensure that you have the opportunity to study and meet each other in person, the pandemic situation in Lithuania is deteriorating rapidly.

Having assessed all the current risks associated with the spread of COVID-19, in order to protect students, faculty, and their loved ones, we decided to take all precautionary measures and from the following week, October 26, temporarily carry out your studies remotely.

Depending on the circumstances, this decision will be reviewed in four weeks' time.

Our biggest priority is the safety of our community members, therefore we do everything we can to ensure that.

Let's be healthy and protect each other!

For Bachelor students

For Master students

On the 9th of June Vilnius University signed a contract of cooperation with Ministry of the Economy and Innovation to develop a science-based international Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research in Lithuania.

„In order to encourage the development of new innovative businesses and various entrepreneurship-promoting programs, it is vital to identify the current situation and name both positive and negative factors, which can have a decisive impact on business and the entrepreneurial situation of the country itself. By including researchers in entrepreneurship analysis, we hope that we will acquire useful insights and recommendations, which will contribute to the improvement of Lithuanian entrepreneurship motivation system“, – says the temporary Minister of Economy and Innovation and Minister of energetics Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.

GEM research is the largest entrepreneurship study, recognized all over the world. The monitoring in Lithuania will be carried out by the only authorized research team of Vilnius University Business School.

„Science, studies and entrepreneurship are the key elements of the economic growth in each country - Vilnius University unifies highly qualified scientists and researchers, who can contribute to the welfare of the country with their expert knowledge. This cooperation agreement is a big step towards making Lithuania an advanced country of science, where important decisions to the state would be research-based “, – states Vilnius University Rector prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research also allows participating countries to be rated by Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI). Each country can be compared by GEDI index, since it highlights their weaknesses and areas which can be improved – such results can be used in the development of policies and programs. It is expected, that in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, opportunities will be found to participate in this significant study.

„Our – Business School – mission is to continuously develop entrepreneurial competences. It is vital to know, what is the real entrepreneurial situation in the World and, of course, in Lithuania – that is why we were trying to renew GEM research in Lithuania for various years. This research exclusively shows what proportion of the population is engaged in early-stage business creation activities. We believe, that by engaging with a high-level international research team, we will contribute to the sustainable development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Lithuania and abroad “, – says dr. Birutė Miškinienė, head of Vilnius University Business School.

Vilnius University Business School will be in charge of the contract and its performance.