From Vilnius to Granada: VU Team Addresses Climate Change Through the Arqus International Programme
Programme participants. Photo credit: University of Granada
At the beginning of this year, the Arqus Alliance launched a call for applications for the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) based on challenge-based learning. Professor Egidijus Rimkus from the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences at Vilnius University (VU) and six VU students seized this opportunity to join the programme. Participants explored the causes and consequences of climate change, examined potential solutions, and looked into ways to strengthen climate resilience.
The programme was based on a hybrid learning model, combining remote lectures, a challenge-based collaborative research project, and in-person meetings at the University of Granada. “It was a valuable experience – I would recommend it to everyone, whether they are students or teaching staff. The activities were well-organised, timely, structured, and meaningful,” said Prof. Rimkus.
Solving climate issues through interdisciplinary cooperation
According to the Professor, one of the VU team’s key strategies was to ensure interdisciplinarity by selecting students from different fields and faculties: “Topics such as climate change, market dynamics, or social issues are highly interdisciplinary and require a variety of perspectives. That’s why we aimed to include students from different VU faculties; it’s the only way to take a truly holistic view of global challenges. And it worked – the students tackled issues beyond a single discipline's boundaries.”
The six VU students represented political science, law, sociology, geography, and pharmacy. This diversity enriched discussions by introducing multiple perspectives and deepening theoretical as well as practical understanding of climate-related challenges.
During the week-long session at the University of Granada, students attended lectures that covered the links between health, environmental protection, and climate change. They discussed the importance of rare earth elements in technologies used to combat climate issues. “We had a very intensive week, with classes running all day – from morning to evening. The students worked in international teams, tackled issues, shared ideas, and proposed solutions. It was an exciting and valuable experience,” added the Professor.
From scientific theory to practical sustainability solutions
One of the participants – Miglė Kapliukaitė, a student from the VU Faculty of Medicine – highlighted that the project not only deepened the participants’ academic knowledge but also introduced them to practical initiatives: “Together with lecturers and students from Poland, Portugal, and Spain, we explored topics related to climate change. In Spain, we visited a company working on innovative physical solutions and the largest vegetable supplier in Europe, which operates on sustainable business principles – their vegetables can often be found in Lithuanian stores, too.”
According to the pharmacy student, one of the most valuable aspects was the intersection of different disciplines: “Discussing climate issues from so many different angles was incredibly engaging.”
At the end of the programme, the students completed a creative task – a presentation on Vilnius as a green capital. “In our final assignment, our team analysed the sustainability-related challenges still relevant in Vilnius and identified areas where significant progress could be made. We also looked at examples of best practice and reviewed successful solutions already being implemented in the city,” said Gabija Bakutytė, a student at the VU Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences.
Both personal and academic experience
According to geology student Gabija Bakutytė, the programme provided valuable insights and lasting memories: “Participating in the Arqus programme gave me some of the best memories – it deepened my knowledge and broadened my perspective. It was an incredibly enriching opportunity to attend interesting lectures on scientific topics, engage in discussions, meet new people, and get to know the host country through guided excursions and personal exploration. Ultimately, I returned home with many unforgettable moments and new friendships.”
Prof. Rimkus noted that the experience was meaningful on both an academic and personal level for all participants. He emphasised that students remained highly motivated throughout the programme: “The students were truly engaged – not only did they complete the assignments, but they also later integrated them into their studies. One student even chose her final thesis topic based on what she experienced and learnt during the programme. It mattered to them – not just as a professional subject, but as something personally meaningful.”
The Arqus Alliance consistently develops its international mobility programmes for students and academic staff alike. These initiatives offer opportunities to gain interdisciplinary knowledge, collaborate with international teams, and analyse pressing societal challenges. “I would strongly recommend the Arqus programmes to anyone looking for broader opportunities,” said Gabija Bakutytė, urging other students to make the most of what the University has to offer.