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.