Conference of SMK

The current issues of the role of higher education institutions in the changing society were discussed by formers of education politics, scientist and practitioners during the conference. The undergoing reforms in the higher education system are fostering higher education institutions to reconsider their role, mission, vision and input, accept new challenges and requirements, and seek for quality, responsibility, open communication and internationalization in order to contribute towards the development of country’s economic welfare and sustainable society. Various challenges of the higher education sector, opening opportunities, development perspectives, and advantages of the internationalization were discussed during the conference. 

A number of new insights and remarks regarding the further role of higher education institutions in Lithuania and the worlds were made during the conference. The participants of the conference were introduced to the value of higher education diploma and the key aim of higher education institutions – the development of independent personality capable of acting and creating. The challenges faced and to be faced by the representatives of the higher education sector were discussed during the conference, also the key areas to be developed in the higher education were introduced, including the advancement of the professional sector, formation and ensuring of lifelong learning possibilities. The guest-speaker from Azerbaijan, Mr. Parviz Baghirov have discussed the issues of modernization of higher education by applying various international financing mechanisms, whereas Mr. Aurimas Pautienius, the Council member of Lithuanian Project

Management Association, have introduced higher education opportunities on 2014-2020 under EU financial perspective.  PhD, Marlene Wall, the interim President of LCC International University also talked about the internationalization challenges of higher education.  The perspective and the role of the students were not neglected at the conference too.

SMK University of Applied Social Sciences is happy that the conference was visited and supported also by political representatives, the representatives from state and non-state owned higher education institutions, scientists, and students. During the conference, the director of SMK University of Applied Social Sciences, Mrs. Gabija Mikalauskienė have highlighted that all higher education institutions must work jointly, as only open and scrupulous competition is encouraging higher education institutions to seek quality, grow, improve and implement the key mission of the higher education institutions, which is cultivate creative, responsible, independent personalities for the new knowledge and economic society. 

Conference is organized while implementing SMK University of Applied Social Sciences and Lithuanian Maritime Academy project “Development of Integrated Strategies for SMK University of Applied Social Sciences and Lithuanian Maritime Academy: Methodological, practical and educational aspects”, No. VP1-2.1-ŠMM- 04-K-01-015, financed by European Union Structural and the Republic of Lithuania Funds.

More information about the project available at inter@smk.lt