The Europe Supplement
Resilience And Realignment In Lithuania
Lithuania built a STEM powerhouse, but how will it adapt in uncertain times?
By Rohan Mehra
In recent years the higher education sector in Lithuania has proven innovative and competitive, especially in some high-tech domains like laser research, biotechnology and fintech. As the sector gained global recognition and increased its focus on international collaboration, things looked pretty bright.
But it’s now impossible to discuss higher ed in Lithuania without recognising the friction and uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the borders Lithuania shares with Russia and Belarus. Though, despite many and various issues related to the ongoing conflict, Lithuanian universities are not just surviving, they are evolving.
The former Soviet state of Lithuania has, since gaining independence in 1990, maintained a thriving higher education sector. In some ways, it’s reflective of others in former Soviet states, famed for being highly centralised, though it’s since adopted more American style market practices, with universities gaining greater autonomy.
The country’s sector also built its own distinct character. Unlike some central European countries such as Germany, which has a more research-focused sector, with teaching considered somewhat of an obligation, or some Southern European countries, where teaching responsibilities are emphasised, Lithuania higher education is considered a relatively balanced approach. This proves attractive to domestic and foreign students alike and the broader appeal contributes to its tight integration particularly with the European academic community.
“The Lithuanian higher education and research system is integral to the European system. For over 20 years, Lithuania has actively participated in Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and other projects. Since the launch of the European Universities Initiative in 2019, a significant number of Lithuanian universities joined and now spearhead joint university research and study activities,” says Rasa Grigolienė, Vice-rector for Studies at Klaipėda University.
“Lithuania offers high-quality international studies and high-level scientific research at an attractive price, especially in fields like genetics and biotechnology. Klaipėda University adds to this as ours is the only national university to be located on the Baltic coast, contributing to our unique programs in marine biotechnology, marine engineering, oceanography and more.”
“The war has presented challenges to international scientific collaboration, affecting relationships not only with Ukrainian researchers and scientists, but with Russian and Belarusian scientists too. Some international projects have been suspended or terminated due to sanctions and political tensions."
Far from the sea, in the capital of Vilnius in the east, VILNIUS TECH is also keen to demonstrate their capacity for high-level STEM research and international competitiveness.
“As Lithuania emerges as a significant player in technology and innovation, VILNIUS TECH actively contributes with high-level applied research in information technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, and other advanced areas,” says Dr Adas Meškėnas Vice-Rector for Strategic Partnerships at VILNIUS TECH. “Over the past decade we have strengthened our institutional identity. The university has expanded its international scope, marked by a substantial increase in foreign students and faculty, alongside growth in the number of study programmes offered in English.”
An analysis by Erudera states there were over 10,000 international students in Lithuania as of 2024. But two major events in recent years have constrained the sectors attempt to draw in desired numbers of students and researchers from abroad. Firstly, the pandemic, which overall did not decrease international enrolments despite a drop in exchange student numbers, slowed the previously accelerating rise. . And then Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine which continues to have disastrous consequences in many ways, and has sent ripples through sectors including academia, especially in neighbouring countries like Lithuania.
“The war has presented challenges to international scientific collaboration, affecting relationships not only with Ukrainian researchers and scientists, but with Russian and Belarusian scientists too. Some international projects have been suspended or terminated due to sanctions and political tensions,” says Professor Dalius Navakauskas, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at VILNIUS TECH.
“Resuming or initiating some research projects with Ukrainian researchers could be possible, but this would depend on the restoration of infrastructure, the requisite funding and time, and the critical aspect of the return and reintegration of scientists. If there’s something positive that has come from this period, it's that VILNIUS TECH has built some social initiatives, including support efforts, and now pays more attention to security, particularly in cyberspace.”
VILNIUS TECH and several other universities in Lithuania including Kaunas University of Technology and Klaipėda University, as well as the Lithuanian Science Council itself, have set up or contributed to various funds and support structures for Ukrainian students, researchers and other academic professionals affected by the invasion. Domestic students’ studies seem to be largely unaffected, and despite the proverbial grey clouds, their attitudes remain bright, and their moods are sympathetic towards the afflicted.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine did not directly affect my academic activities, but did encourage more frequent academic discussions in the student community about security, values, and the future,” says Vilma Stripeikaitienė, a Master’s student at Klaipėda University studying Education Management. “My university shows it can support researchers and students through various challenges, including geopolitical upheavals. The invasion’s emotional impacts can affect the study process and communication between people, but the sensitivity of students and lecturers has been well considered. The university ensures the continuity of academic activities by offering more flexible forms of study and work, for example: distance learning, hybrid research projects, or emotional support.”
As it stands, student enrolment from European countries, especially from the EU, is overall a little lower than it was even in the years before the invasion of Ukraine. But thanks in part to the higher education sector striving to improve international collaborations and recruitment, enrolments from other regions are showing a steady increase.
“Any cooperation with Russia, particularly project-related, has been terminated, including recruitment. And the number of incoming foreign students has been decreasing due to the geopolitical situation, because they are afraid of war. This was especially true at the beginning of the invasion,” says Laura Šaltytė, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at Klaipėda University. “But higher education institutions here are increasingly focusing on Asian and African countries, attracting students and young researchers, postdoctoral fellows and so on. There is an increasing shift from traditional Erasmus+ exchanges to Blended Intensive Programs, which appeal more to students outside Europe who might benefit from the flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and inclusion inherent in those programs.”
Despite profound disruptions to many areas of society, the current state of things has prompted the Lithuanian higher education sector to hasten its already growing appetite for greater internationalisation, expanding global engagement beyond Europe in particular. But beyond the Russian invasion, other challenges remain in retaining talent, increasing research funding, and improving university-industry collaboration.