Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU) is launching Lithuania’s first Aviation and Space Academy, bringing together enthusiasts from these fields. The initial 12-week training programme will begin this September. We discussed the need for the Academy and its goals with Dr Deimantė Žilinskienė, head of KSU’s School of Business Innovation and Communication and a board member of the National Aviation Association LAVIA.

How did the idea to establish the Aviation and Space Academy at the university come about?

Aviation management studies have been conducted at KSU for ten years, during which the university has accumulated significant expertise in this field. Naturally, we want to share this knowledge with aviation enthusiasts. The desire and need to establish the Aviation and Space Academy at KSU has been around for a while, and this September it will become a reality with the formation of the first group. The field is also becoming more popular, and the demand for these specialists in the job market is always immense and continually growing.

The university constantly receives inquiries about the subjects covered in our Aviation Management study programme and the career opportunities after graduation. People are curious about how to become a pilot, a flight attendant, or pursue other professions in the growing aviation industry. Not everyone wants to or can pilot an aircraft, but the dream of working in aviation can be realised through other activities related to managerial competencies. The Academy aims to answer these questions and promote the aviation field.

How did the space topic become part of the academy’s programme?

Space is becoming a topic that can be explored from many perspectives. It is becoming more accessible to people – in the future, there will be more commercial flights to space, creating business expansion opportunities. This field will also require managerial competencies. Therefore, at the Academy, we will discuss not only the mysteries of space but also how we can “conquer” space by working on Earth. Lithuania aims to become a space-faring nation, and we see our mission as contributing to this ambition from an educational perspective. Notably, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper visited Kazimieras Simonavičius University (KSU) on 9 May and met with the KSU academic community. The meeting was truly inspiring and left a significant impression on both students and our social partners.

What do the training sessions of the Aviation and Space Academy focus on?

We are open to everyone interested in aviation and space. Whether the training participants want to learn more about a future profession, check their interests, or simply spend time among like-minded people, all Academy participants will be united by a common theme – a passion for aviation and space. People already working in this industry and those considering how to apply their existing knowledge to create a business will find interesting topics.

What will the training sessions look like?

The training will be conducted remotely and will last 12 weeks. Each session will focus on a different topic. One day, we will talk about how to become a pilot; the next, about what a flight attendant’s life is really like. We will discuss the VIP flight industry, what the Space Agency and other space-related organisations are, how businesses in the aviation and space fields are developed, and more. We want it to become a great space for enthusiasts in these fields to meet. We expect not only interesting lectures but also engaging discussions, new acquaintances, and contacts. During the 12-week training programme, Academy participants will have a unique opportunity to meet and network with leaders in the aviation and space fields, pilots, flight attendants, airline founders, executives, renowned aviation and space experts, and others.

We aim for the lectures to be interesting. Our lecturers are professionals who have created success stories in the aviation field and are contributing to the industry’s progress today. Several lectures will be conducted in English, as we will have guest speakers from abroad. One of them is Jack Romero, a world-renowned aviation entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of British Mediterranean Airways.