Šiauliai State Higher Education Institution at EAIE 2026
From 8 to 11 September, representatives of Šiauliai State Higher Education Institution attended the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition in Glasgow, United Kingdom. The Institution was represented in two exhibition spaces: the “Study in Lithuania” stand, shared by Lithuanian higher education institutions, and a stand shared by the European University Alliances NEOLAiA, EU GREEN and INGENIUM.
The Head of the university’s International Relations Department Eglė Lingaitienė joined representatives of other Lithuanian higher education institutions at the “Study in Lithuania” stand. There, she introduced the university, its study programmes and opportunities for international cooperation, and spoke with representatives of higher education institutions and organisations from abroad. The shared stand provided an opportunity to present the university as part of Lithuania’s wider higher education community.
At the other stand, Gina Zdanavičienė, NEOLAiA Communication Manager and a representative of Šiauliai State Higher Education Institution, introduced the Alliance’s activities and the opportunities it offers students, teaching staff and researchers. NEOLAiA shared the stand with EU GREEN and INGENIUM. Conversations with visitors covered mobility, learning, research and cooperation between universities and their regions.
NEOLAiA also took part in the European Commission section alongside more than 20 other European University Alliances. Meetings with their representatives offered a chance to share achievements, discuss the everyday challenges of international cooperation and learn how different institutions involve their communities in joint activities.
The Alliance’s experience was also featured in the conference programme. Hanan El Khadir from the University of Tours led the session “From the margins to the centre: Repositioning educational developers in university alliances” together with Eveke De Louw from The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Nicole de Leeuw from Breda University of Applied Sciences. The session explored the role of educational developers and how their work helps connect alliances’ international goals with everyday teaching and learning.
EAIE 2026 brought together more than 7,300 international education professionals from over 100 countries. The four-day programme gave the ŠVK representatives an opportunity to explore current issues in international higher education, share their professional experience and build new connections.
Taking part in two stands allowed Šiauliai State Higher Education Institution to be presented from two complementary perspectives: as a Lithuanian higher education institution and as an active member of the NEOLAiA European University Alliance. The contacts made and conversations started in Glasgow will continue as the university explores new opportunities for cooperation for its students and staff.
