NEOLAiA Governing Board Meeting in Šiauliai
The spring meeting of the rectors and university representatives of the NEOLAiA alliance took place in Šiauliai, hosted by Šiauliai State University of Applied Sciences. Over two dynamic days (April 11-12, 2025), representatives of the NEOLAiA partner universities came together to discuss strategic goals, explore local innovations and deepen cooperation with regional stakeholders.
Building bridges between Local and European Agendas
The programme began with a warm welcome by the Vice Mayor of Šiauliai, Justinas Švėgdža, during a special reception at the iconic Photography Museum in the heart of the city. In his speech, the Vice Mayor highlighted Šiauliai’s status as Lithuania’s fastest growing and smartest city and emphasised that the NEOLAiA Alliance plays a key role in promoting the city’s visibility and long-term development. He pointed out the growing interest of national and international companies choosing Šiauliai as a hub for innovation and sustainable growth.
Exploring Regional Innovation and Partnership
The participants then had the opportunity to visit ROL Lithuania, a leading industrial company in the region, where they learned first-hand how industry and education can work together to promote regional progress and employment.
At Šiauliai State University of Applied Sciences, the rectors and representatives interacted with the university’s academic and administrative staff and learned more about local priorities, institutional strengths and student engagement practises.
This was followed by a roundtable discussion focusing on the impact of NEOLAiA on regional development. Higher education leaders and representatives shared best practises and ideas for strengthening the role of higher education institutions in shaping resilient, inclusive and innovative regional ecosystems. During the discussion, the Director of Šiauliai State University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Lina Tamutienė, said that “being in the alliance, makes us push for innovation, create value, excellence and quality”.
Cultural and Academic Insights
To deepen the contact with the host institution, the guests took part in a tour of the university and explored its modern facilities and learning spaces. The meeting concluded with a city tour of Šiauliai, showcasing the city's rich and deep cultural and historical heritage, followed by a traditional Lithuanian dinner, which provided a taste of local hospitality and a relaxed setting for further exchange.
The meeting in Šiauliai reaffirmed NEOLAiA’s mission to connect regions through meaningful academic collaboration, community engagement and inclusive development.
