On 9 December 2024, Dr Gitana Neverienė officially began her tenure as the Rector of Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU), succeeding Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė, who had led the university for the past two years.

Neverienė’s primary goals for the university include fostering the development of well-rounded, creative individuals, enhancing the internationalisation of research, increasing the university’s visibility both in Lithuania and globally, and strengthening its role in society.

The Rector has emphasised that KSU will continue to distinguish itself through innovative approaches to education and research, while nurturing students’ creativity and preparing them for successful careers. “In today’s rapidly evolving environment, it is essential to cultivate critical thinking, openness, and collaboration among students. These skills will empower them to thrive in a global, multicultural professional landscape,” says Dr. Neverienė.

Dr. Neverienė also highlighted the university’s commitment to attracting motivated international students. “We are confident that KSU’s study programmes are highly competitive on the global stage,” she added.

Dr. Gitana Neverienė holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences (Law) from Mykolas Romeris University, earned in 1997, and a Doctorate in 2001. With over 15 years of leadership experience in higher education institutions in Lithuania, Dr. Neverienė has also held a position at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport of Lithuania.

Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU) continues to strengthen its network of social partners. On 3 December, the university signed a cooperation agreement with the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority, aimed at creating new career development opportunities for KSU students.

The agreement was formalised by KSU Rector, Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė, and the Authority’s Director, Goda Aleksaitė.

Joana Burn Photography

Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė highlighted the value of this partnership, stating that it will provide KSU students with valuable insights into the workings of state institutions responsible for public administration. “The activities of the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority focus on consumer rights protection, making internships here particularly beneficial for future legal professionals trained at KSU. Additionally, the complexity of the institution’s operations makes it an ideal place for students from the Integrated Communication and Organisational Innovation and Management programmes to undertake their professional internships,” she explained.

Goda Aleksaitė, Director of the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority, emphasised that the partnership would also foster joint scientific research and the implementation of various projects as part of academic, study, and professional development programmes.

The Authority oversees the implementation of national consumer rights protection policies across key areas, including consumer rights, the non-food products market, and the supervision of tourism service providers. It is committed to ensuring effective consumer rights protection that aligns with European Union legal standards.

The ability to identify, assess, and manage security risks has become crucial for any security specialist, manager, company owner, or CEO. But how can these skills be effectively trained within a company or organization? Where can learning materials be found? Seven ERASMUS+ project partners have developed various training materials for security risk management, aligned with ISO 31000, the international standard for risk management. Teachers and students are invited to freely use a range of resources from the SECUREU web platform, including video lessons, security vocabulary, reading materials, and practical exercises!

During the past years security issues have become an important aspect to many European countries. World is coping with a wide range of challenges such as migration, cyber-attacks and other new difficulties, including virus led crisis.

This leads to the fact that there is a need not only for high quality training for young security specialists, but also for the training that will allow them to be better prepared for the crisis, as well as possibly to eliminate many dangers before they happen and turn into a crisis. The teaching of security risk management has become an important component in various educational programs, not just in security.

These were the reasons why seven partners from six countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Norway – came together to develop up-to-date digital teaching materials on security risk management. In frame of ERASMUS+ SECUREU project partners aimed to establish a sustainable security specialists’ network, which can cooperate on long term bases. During the project we also developed recommendations for Universities which are preparing security specialists in Europe.

Project partners organised several common activities – survey among the students and teachers, organised round table meetings of experts in all six partner countries. During round table meetings all specialists emphasised that a security specialist must be taught to think broadly and see things in context – it is important to understand organisational strategies, think strategically, provide new specialists with leadership and management skills, and also improve communication and so-called soft skills. Many challenges of the industry already now and in the future are directly related to digitisation, artificial intelligence and technology. It is critical to provide security professionals with knowledge in IT, cyber security and technology fields. Despite the different geographical position of each country, the level of economic development, the various policies in the field of security, the conclusions of the experts of all countries were very similar. In the project web platform you can find more information and read the full report from the round table meetings.

Results of the project

Main target groups of the project are teachers and students of security field, faculties and Universities and training centres providing education and training on security and security field professionals. On the project web platform, you will find different tools and materials on security risk management:

• Recommendations for Universities which are preparing security specialists in Europe,
• Digital Vocabulary on security risk management,
• Video lesson on different security risk management subtopics,
• Best practice compilation on security risk management and
• Practical tasks for students and teachers.

Here you will be able to watch video recording from different conferences and events, as well will find reports on survey and round table meetings.

Final conference of the project took place on 7^th of November 2024 in Riga, Latvia. Conference video is available on Turiba University Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/Biznesa.augstskola.Turiba

PROJECT WEB PLATFORM: https://security.turiba.lv

Project is financed by ERASMUS+ programme

Project number: 2021-1-LV01-KA220-HED-000023056

Project partners: Turiba University (Latvia), Kazimieras Simonavičius University (Lithuania), Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Nord University (Norway), Avans University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands), Fundació Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (FUAB) (Spain), Biedrība “Drošības profesionāļu asociācija” (Latvia)

After graduating from Vilnius Jonas Basanavičius Gymnasium, Eglė is now in her third year studying Fashion Industry in the bachelor’s programme at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU). Her passion for art and creativity became apparent during school, which is why she also attended art school.

Fashion and art – connected

“Fashion and art are closely connected – both express creativity and emotions. Fashion can be seen as a visual art that allows people to communicate their identity. Creating fashion requires artistic thinking, a sense of aesthetics, and the ability to understand how different elements can complement one another,” says Eglė.

For Eglė, fashion is not just about choosing clothes or accessories but also a form of self-expression. She observes that emotional states often influence clothing choices. “Fashion allows me to experiment with styles, colours, and shapes. In doing so, I express my personality and mood,” she adds.

Studies and practice

Eglė studies fashion from the perspectives of communication, marketing, and business management, but she is currently more interested in the practical side of fashion. Her passions include sewing, construction, and sketching. “I am especially fascinated by the details of product creation. To design harmonious clothing details, a great deal of knowledge and practice is needed,” she notes.

Eglė is actively learning the basics of sewing at a vocational school, intending to use this knowledge to create her collections. She is pleased that KSU provides opportunities to engage in additional activities needed to realise her dreams.

Choosing her studies

Asked why she chose Fashion Industry studies, Eglė recalls knowing since school that she wanted to study a discipline related to the arts. When she discovered the programme offered at KSU, she immediately felt it was the right fit. “At that moment, I thought: ‘Oh, this is really my thing!’” she remembers.

She describes the study programme as interesting and multifaceted. She was impressed not only by the lectures and activities but also by the competent lecturers.

Challenges and goals in fashion

Eglė highlights sustainability as a pressing issue in the fashion industry, which is further aggravated by fast fashion. “My goal in the future is to encourage consumers to choose high-quality, eco-friendly products, even if they cost a little more,” she says.

During her studies, Eglė has encountered many opportunities, including the “Erasmus” exchange programme, which allowed her to study in Spain for six months. The university also regularly hosts guest speakers from various fields who share their experiences. “Opportunities are available to everyone equally; you just need to know how to take advantage of them,” she emphasises.

Future

When asked where she sees herself in 10 years, Eglė says she aims to earn a master’s degree. She dreams of creating a collection highlighting women’s inner beauty. “Since I adore pink and everything girly, the collection will be pink. It will feature dresses made of voluminous materials, suits, and similar creations designed for the grand stage,” she shares. However, Eglė stresses that this is still just a dream, but having dreams is very important.

To future students, she advises not to fear pursuing their goals. “If you have a goal, you will definitely achieve it,” she says, offering encouragement. According to her, a unique perspective and creativity are key to finding one’s place in the fashion world.

A Visionary in Fashion and Lifestyle Culture
Prof. Dr Eugenijus Skerstonas, an expert in lifestyle culture and a prominent academic, has dedicated over a decade to shaping the future of fashion professionals at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU). His insights and passion have not only influenced students but also elevated the discussion about fashion in Lithuania.

Fashion is a phenomenon that evokes wonder and admiration, says Prof. Skerstonas, reflecting his deep appreciation for the transformative power of fashion. As the author of ten books on lifestyle culture and a public intellectual, he brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom.

Encouraging an Appreciation for Appearance
The professor advocates for a nuanced understanding of fashion’s role in society, countering the perception of it as superficial. “Our behaviour and appearance are important. If we wish to present ourselves as true Europeans, we must encode this aspiration in our attire,” he explains. He believes appearance reflects a nation’s identity and economic standing, asserting, “The better we look, the better we live.”

While he observes significant improvements in how Lithuanians dress, Prof. Skerstonas encourages further efforts. He also applauds young people for seeking individual styles: “Today’s youth do not blindly follow fashion trends. They create their own unique styles by incorporating elements from the past, such as Art Deco.”

A Unique Programme at KSU
The Fashion Industry programme at KSU stands out for its innovative and holistic approach, covering rarely taught subjects such as fashion psychology, appearance culture, and costume history. “Our thematic coverage is extensive. At KSU, we address topics that are not discussed in other universities’ programmes,” says Prof. Skerstonas.

He is particularly proud that the programme was accredited for seven years in 2024, calling it “a significant recognition of our maturity and competitiveness in the European higher education context.” Students who have experienced fashion education abroad have often noted that KSU’s programme is “more engaging and comprehensive.”

Preparing Specialists for a Dynamic Industry
The programme focuses on communication, business, and marketing aspects of fashion, preparing students for diverse roles in advertising, personal styling consultancy, and management. Prof. Skerstonas emphasises the industry’s growing demand for specialists who can analyse consumer behaviour, understand fashion trends, and apply fashion psychology.

“We talk extensively about consumer behaviour research and fashion psychology, preparing specialists who are already in demand. These professionals are crucial for working with renowned global brands in Lithuania,” he explains.

He also sees potential for collaboration with major retail chains, which, in his opinion, should play a more active role in shaping the industry. “It’s hard to understand why major shopping centres are not active social partners. They could contribute to shaping the profiles of specialists and provide employment opportunities“.

Facing Global Challenges in Fashion
As the fashion industry faces issues such as sustainability, overproduction, and climate change, Prof. Skerstonas underscores the role of universities in preparing specialists who can adapt to these challenges. “Universities must collaborate closely with strong commercial sectors to ensure graduates are equipped to meet the demands of the evolving job market,” he says.

Discover more about the innovative Fashion Industry programme at KSU and explore how it prepares students for career opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic industries by visiting KSU’s Fashion Industry programme.

In November, Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU  agreed to collaborate with Skyllence – a company specialising in organising charter flights, offering flight planning and execution services.

This partnership will create valuable career and learning opportunities for students in KSU’s Aviation Management Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.

It has been agreed that Skyllence will offer KSU students and participants of the Aviation & Space Academy lectures, internship opportunities, and other activities, where experienced experts from the company will share their industry knowledge.

Vilma Vaitiekūnaitė, CEO of Skyllence, states that the company is ready to share its long-standing experience and expertise with KSU students, future aviation sector professionals. “As the aviation industry grows, we face a shortage of aviation administration specialists, and we see KSU, which trains the professionals needed in the aviation market, as our strategic partner in addressing this issue. We are therefore thrilled to offer students more opportunities to test themselves in different areas of aviation. We are ready to help deepen knowledge about charter flight organisation, which is our company’s area of expertise,” she says.

Deimantė Žilinskienė, Head of the School of Business Innovation and Communication at KSU, says that with this partnership, Skyllence demonstrates social responsibility by investing in the next generation of aviation professionals. “By offering invaluable insights from their field of activity, the company will contribute to the professional development of KSU students and others interested in the aviation industry,” she notes.

About Skyllence: 

The charter flight company serves clients from the business, sports, music, entertainment, and cultural sectors, offering flexible and tailored flight solutions. With years of experience, the Skyllence team collaborates only with reliable partners who meet the strictest safety standards, selecting the most suitable aircraft and routes for each client, ensuring all flights are carried out to the highest service standards. 

The company handles even the most complex private jet hire and logistics requirements, fulfilling the most demanding customer requests.

In October, Kira Skrypnyk joined the Science and Competence Center at Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU) as Senior Career and Integration Manager. Her role focuses on guiding students toward successful career and building their professional networks.

Joana Burn Photography

“We want our students to be fully prepared for their careers, and we’re thrilled to welcome Kira Skrypnyk to our team. Kira brings valuable experience in academic product development, marketing, and communication,” shares Rector Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė. She emphasizes the importance of a smooth start to students’ professional journeys, helping them enter the job market with practical experience and established connections.

The Rector also notes that the Career and Integration Manager’s activities will go beyond traditional career support. “Our goal is to build strong partnerships with well-known companies and organizations in Lithuania and across Europe. These partnerships will provide students with internship and job opportunities, as well as exclusive access to industry expertise,” she adds.

In line with this goal, KSU, together with social partners, plans to organize training sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and seminars on career and integration topics such as business, human resources, and communication. These partnerships will allow KSU students to learn about current business practices and gain valuable insights into the evolving job market.

“We understand that preparing students for the future means not only equipping them with academic knowledge but also helping them understand how the business and industry worlds operate. Many of us remember the challenges we faced after graduation, moving into the next stage of our careers. This experience underlines our commitment to providing students with both practical skills and professional networks. We deeply value the social responsibility shown by our partners. Their commitment to supporting our career counseling initiatives will have a significant impact, contributing to a stronger job market and creating growth opportunities for a new generation of professionals,” emphasizes Kira Skrypnyk, Senior Career and Integration Manager.

Students can find more information about career and integration opportunities here.

SECUREU project partners are organizing the conference “SECURING TOMORROW: Preparing security specialists for future challenges” which will take place on November 7, 2024.

The conference will discuss the future challenges of the security field – how to conduct high-quality training of security specialists and how to prepare for security challenges in the future. Security professionals, lecturers and students are invited to participate in the conference.

The conference will feature a panel discussion titled “Does the security and defense industry have enough regeneration and how to promote it?” Experts will debate whether Latvia is successfully preparing enough new specialists in the field of security and defense and what needs to be done to attract young people to the sector. They will also discuss whether these new specialists have adequate skills and knowledge, as well as the future skills that security professionals will need.

Conference will take place in Riga, Turiba University, Latvia.

The conference will be livestreamed on Turiba’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Biznesa.au

gstskola.Turiba

Security professionals, lecturers, students, and anyone interested are invited to participate in the conference. Registration is open until November 1, 2024.

REGISTER HERE (only for on-site participation)

Participation is free of charge, and the working languages will be English and Latvian. Simultaneous translation will be provided.

PROGRAMME

The conference is organized as final dissemination event of ERASMUS+ SECUREU project. As part of this project, seven partners from Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Spain have developed various educational materials in the field of security risk management.

Kazimieras Simonavicius University’s Rector, Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė participated in the annual conference of the Central and Eastern European Network of Jurisprudence (CEENJ), held at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade, Serbia, on 11-12 October. She delivered a presentation titled “Jurisprudence and the Changing Landscape of Legal Professions,” exploring the evolving nature of legal careers in response to rapid technological and societal changes.

CEENJ is a collaborative network that brings together leading scholars from Central and Eastern Europe and beyond, fostering dialogue and research on key issues in jurisprudence. The network plays a crucial role in advancing legal thought, promoting regional cooperation, and enhancing the academic landscape in the field of law.

As a member of CEENJ’s International Advisory Board, Prof. Bieliauskaitė is actively involved in shaping the future direction of the network. She is also responsible for organizing the next CEENJ conference, which will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, in 2025.

Alexander Tsigkas has been a visiting professor at Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU) for about four years, teaching in the Business Management and Organisational Innovation and Management programmes. He is also a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Ioannina in Greece, where his research focuses on the intersection of architecture, arts, and engineering from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Today, we asked Professor Tsigkas to share his experience of teaching at KSU.

What is your area of teaching? 

My entire career has been connected to the manufacturing industry, and I have been teaching in this field for over 20 years. I start my courses with topics such as production management, supply chain management, and innovation management—quite broad areas.

We’re seeing a growing demand for skills that cross multiple disciplines. Specializing is great, but it’s equally important to think about how different fields can be synthesized. Years ago, I questioned how people could collaborate effectively without shared ground. While people excel in their specializations (vertical thinking), they often struggle with broader, interdisciplinary approaches (horizontal thinking). This is why broad knowledge and wide perspectives are so valuable today.

What motivates you to collaborate with KSU?

About ten years ago, I met a colleague at a conference in Switzerland, and we decided to keep in touch. Through her, I later connected with Deimantė Žilinskienė, the Head of Business Innovation & Communication School at KSU. I’m interested in long-term partnerships, not just one-off projects.

Why do you think KSU is a good place for students? 

KSU has a strong international presence, which is very important to me. It’s essential for students to be exposed to diverse cultures and ways of thinking. Many students have told me that they chose Europe and KSU specifically because they wanted to experience different cultures. Lithuania is also an affordable destination for international students. While not all countries promote themselves as welcoming to international students, KSU does an excellent job attracting them. Europe, even without extensive advertising, remains a leader in many fields, and we still hold cultural and technological leadership, though I wonder how long that will last.

What are the main differences between the educational systems in Greece and Lithuania?

In Greece, private universities are not allowed by the Constitution. We do have private educational institutions like schools and high schools, but no private universities. The concern is that education might become commercialized, which could affect its quality. However, this issue can arise in public universities as well—not all are of high quality. Universities in Greece are free, except for some master’s programs, which are still quite affordable.

In which countries have you taught?

I’ve taught extensively in Germany for about 10 years and have teaching experience in Greece, the US, the UK, Italy, and other countries. I entered academia relatively late, at the age of 50, after a 25-year career in industry. I also studied architecture, though I didn’t work much as an architect in Greece. However, architecture is closely related to other fields, like engineering.

Do you have a memorable moment from your teaching experience at KSU?

I’ve worked in international environments throughout my career. In one of my classes at KSU, there were students from both India and Pakistan. We were discussing how to connect better with one another, and I asked them what the main issue was between their two countries. A student from Pakistan responded, “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about that. Let’s just leave it.” He likely felt that explaining the issue might lead to conflict, so he avoided it. Instead, he emphasized what unites both nations, noting that they share the same language. Despite the tensions between their countries, the students felt comfortable in the same classroom.

What advice would you give to students?

Stay hungry, stay foolish!

Three words about Lithuania?

Calmness, Architecture, Technology.

From September 29th to October 2nd, 2024, the ASPro – Aviation Safety Professional Diploma project partners gathered in Amman, Jordan, for insightful meetings and field visits to Amman Arab University (AAU), Mid-East Aviation Academy (MEAA), Balqa Applied University (BAU), and Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST).

As the partner in this project, Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU) was represented by Rector Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė and Erasmus Coordinator Kristina Šlekienė, who contributed to fostering collaboration with international institutions.

“Collaboration between institutions is crucial for fostering innovation in aviation education and training. Through shared expertise and resources, we can ensure a high level of safety and professional development in the industry,” said Prof. Dr. Jolanta Bieliauskaitė.

The ASPro project aims to develop an accredited Safety Management Systems (SMS) professional diploma, a comprehensive certification designed to streamline the training process for aviation safety experts. This diploma offers a cost-effective solution, helping aviation companies invest in the professional development of their teams, even in challenging economic times.

The project partners also include University of the Aegean (UAEGEA) (coordinator) and Creative Thinking Development (CRE.THI.DEV) from Greece, as well as Eskisehir Technical University (ESTU) from Turkey.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to elevate aviation safety education across the region!