VU Signed Collaboration Agreement with Molėtai District Municipality

On 18 September, Vilnius University (VU) signed a collaboration agreement with Molėtai District Municipality. It is aimed at strengthening the partnership between higher education and business and implementing various initiatives.

The agreement, signed by the Rector of VU, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, and the Mayor of Molėtai District Municipality, Saulius Jauneika, will serve a basis for participating in various research and business projects.

‘Collaboration with municipalities allows Vilnius University to contribute to the expansion of regions and increase in their competitiveness. We can offer various opportunities for joint projects with municipalities, local schools, and businesses. The University and Molėtai District Municipality have been tightly connected for many years. Our Astronomical Observatory and other objects are located in the district. We also appreciate our long years of collaboration with Molėtai Gymnasium,’ said the Rector of VU, Prof. R. Petrauskas.

The agreement also provides for the implementation of initiatives promoting the compliance of studies with the needs of the labour market, enhancing the training of highly qualified professionals, increasing the accessibility of university studies, organising student internships, and preparing and implementing different projects.

‘We hope that this agreement will serve as a bridge between scientific and regional needs. It is important for us that the Molėtai Region could benefit from professionally trained specialists, and our educational community could benefit from new opportunities for training and collaboration. This could also, in turn, promote a higher number of young people to choose studies at Vilnius University or even return or relocate to Molėtai. This partnership will be mutually beneficial: the University will benefit from broader opportunities in terms of internships and collaboration, and Molėtai District will benefit from the dissemination of new initiatives, projects, and knowledge in local communities,’ said the Mayor of Molėtai District, S. Jauneika.

The agreement will be valid for five years.