NEOLAiA Alliance Global Meeting in Italy
On December 2–4, the NEOLAiA European University Alliance held its Global Meeting in the impressive surroundings of the University of Salerno (Italy). Teams from all nine alliance universities gathered there, including a large delegation from Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, representing Lithuania and actively contributing to shaping the future of European higher education.
Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution was represented by as many as 14 participants – Director Dr. Lina Tamutienė, Deputy Director Dr. Nedas Jurgaitis, NEOLAiA Communications Manager Gina Zdanavičienė, Head of the Study and Research Coordination Office Dr. Rasa Pocevičienė, Head of the Quality and Study Development Department Dr. Kristina Kulikauskienė, Head of the International Relations Office Eglė Lingaitienė, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Technologies Erika Jonuškienė, Dean of the Faculty of Health Care Dr. Lina Garšvė, Head of the Department of Business and Accounting Dr. Renata Šivickienė, Lecturer at the Department of Management and Communication Laima Naujokienė, Professor Dr. Ingrida Vaičiulytė, President of the Students’ Association Austėja Karbauskytė, and General Director of the Šiauliai Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts Edita Grigaliauskienė.
Each representative took part in different activities: work package meetings, external expert meetings, the student advisory group, staff, researchers and teacher advisory board – actively contributing to the development of the alliance. The Director of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, together with other university leaders, joined a discussion where she spoke about the importance of digitalization in the Šiauliai region and the Lithuanian higher education area. The Head of the International Relations Office, Eglė Lingaitienė, presented how NEOLAiA activities impact the Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, the Šiauliai region, and the anticipated changes in the Lithuanian higher education space.
Progress, innovation, and new opportunities for students
The meeting highlighted the most important NEOLAiA results – strengthening digital competences, increasing numbers of student mobility and academic exchange opportunities, a shared research and innovation ecosystem, and the integration of diversity, inclusion, and societal needs into studies.
For students of Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, this means more modern joint studies, internships, exchanges, and project activities across Europe.
Special attention was given to interactive thematic sessions on social impact, mobility, and digitalization, as well as the NEOLAiA Agora, during which universities presented their progress and discussed regional empowerment and internationalization.
Universities not only celebrated achievements but also shaped new future goals and challenges.
Europe that learns, explores, and creates together
The development of services, science, and innovation lies at the heart of NEOLAiA. Work package sessions in Salerno focused on reviewing objectives, planning joint activities, and generating ideas for new initiatives for the coming years. Šiaulių valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution will continue to actively participate in project decisions that will open even more international opportunities for students and academic staff.
Well-known experts from Spain, the Czechia, and Sweden delivered presentations at the meeting in Italy – they emphasized that European University Alliances, such as NEOLAiA, are already making a huge impact on the growth of the entire continent.
Important questions were raised in the discussions: How is higher education changing at the EU level? What opportunities will students gain tomorrow? What innovative solutions will we create together?
Italian hospitality and an inspiring community strengthened the alliance’s connections and sparked new ideas. Participants returned from Salerno full of motivation and strong belief – we are a significant part of the future of European higher education.
NEOLAiA represents young, ambitious, and future-oriented universities from Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Cyprus and the Czechia. Their shared goal is to develop higher education that is accessible, innovative, and meaningful to society.
