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On Tuesday 28 January, 4 p.m., at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Lithuania (S. Daukanto a. 3, Vilnius) an event will be held dedicated to Lithuania’s signing of cooperation agreement with the world’s research and innovation leader Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Boston, USA), which frequently tops various global rankings.
The cooperation, which opens up wide opportunities for Lithuania, was initiated by the consortium for the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program in Lithuania. The consortium is coordinated by Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).
The main initiator of Lithuania’s cooperation with MIT is the institute’s professor Gediminas Urbonas.
“We live in a time when humanity and our planet face immense challenges, and our daily survival requires collaboration across disciplines in various parts of the world. This agreement opens opportunities for Lithuanian science to participate in the unique interdisciplinary research environment at MIT and, together with the best researchers worldwide, present ideas that were previously unimaginable”, Professor Gediminas Urbonas emphasized.
According to Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis, this partnership is not only a significant recognition of Lithuania’s potential but also a pathway to the latest knowledge and practices as well as collaboration with some of the world’s top scientists and researchers. The program will also strengthen Lithuania’s transatlantic ties, increase the country’s visibility on the international stage, and is expected to attract foreign investments and talents.
“We are immensely pleased to establish this partnership with MIT, a globally recognized institution that constantly leads advancements in science and technology. This is a significant step for Lithuania, showcasing our commitment to innovation in key areas such as renewable energy, digital technologies, entrepreneurship, biotechnology, and more. We are particularly inspired by MIT’s ability to seamlessly integrate research and studies across various disciplines, creating a vibrant intellectual space where innovations continuously evolve and expand,” VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis noted.
The planned forms of cooperation include joint scientific and artistic research, technology and business projects, innovation development, international mobility for scientists and students, STEAM and entrepreneurship lessons in Lithuanian schools or STEAM centers, training, MIT student internships in Lithuania, and more. Special programs in areas such as artificial intelligence and climate change are also being considered.
Thanks to this collaboration, top-level MIT researchers will visit Lithuania, share their expertise, and participate in various initiatives. Lithuania is also expected to join the MIT Entrepreneurship Network, which grants access to the institute’s resources, training, events, and collaboration opportunities aimed at fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem.
According to MIT MISTI partners, this program is a strategic investment in Lithuania’s future, offering the country an opportunity to become a leader in science and innovative solutions in the region. The partnership with MIT and participation in the MISTI program will enhance Lithuania’s image and reputation as one of the centers for innovation and technology. It will also contribute to creating high qualification jobs and modernizing the country’s education system by introducing innovative teaching methods. It is hoped that these connections will attract new investments and talents to Lithuania, as well as enable the development of new strategies and solutions across various fields.
Ina Žurkuvienė, coordinator of the MIT MISTI Lithuania program in Lithuania, states that this agreement, following a decade of efforts, marks the beginning of a new stage of comprehensive cooperation.
“Symbolically, at the beginning of the year, Lithuania will become one of just over 30 countries worldwide to sign an agreement with MIT. Strategically, this partnership is crucial – it opens the doors to the core of the U.S. innovation ecosystem and, through collective efforts, provides opportunities for collaboration in scientific research, technological development, and education. The MIT name has already become synonymous with modern science due to its unique interdisciplinary approach. For many, it represents the pinnacle – a citadel of science and creativity where numerous talented individuals, including Nobel laureates and recipients of other prestigious awards, work and study. This environment has already fostered a community of graduates who not only create billion-dollar companies but also actively address the world’s most pressing issues,”
Ina Žurkuvienė underlined, adding that MIT is based in Boston, whose ecosystem is one of the world’s top concentrations of talent, capital, and ideas.
“This partnership stands as a powerful testament to the strength of shared vision—a vision to spread knowledge, empower future generations, and transform challenges into opportunities that propel humanity forward. By forging ties with an institution as renowned and trailblazing as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, we are unlocking a gateway to a treasure trove of knowledge and innovation. This partnership positions Lithuania as a nexus of innovation—a nation increasingly recognized for its contributions to high-tech industries, cutting-edge research, and groundbreaking solutions to global challenges”, the President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda said.
The historic event on January 28 will be attended by the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara C. McDonald, VMU and Vilnius Academy of Arts visiting professor, professor at the MIT Program in Art, Culture and Technology Gediminas Urbonas, founding director of MIT-Ukraine Program, Co-Director of MIT-Eurasia Program Prof. Elizabeth Wood, and MIT Vice Provost for International Activities Prof. Duane Boning.
At the event, a keynote titled “We Will Measure the Future in Nanometers” will be delivered by MIT.nano Director, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Vladimir Bulović, who is among the top 1% most-cited scientists worldwide.
The event will conclude with a discussion among science and business representatives, titled “Lithuania and MIT Partnership: Our Readiness to Play at the Highest Level,” featuring the consortium’s partners and Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania, Dr. Gintaras Valinčius. The discussion will explore the significance of the agreement for Lithuania’s science, business, and innovation sectors, its role in the context of the country’s strategic international agreements, as well as the partners’ expectations, goals, specific collaboration projects, and challenges.
MIT MISTI consortium partners include Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University of Technology, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, the Lithuanian Energy Institute, AB Ignitis Group, AB Lithuanian Railways, UAB Novian, and UAB Euromonitor International – Eastern Europe.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consistently ranks as one of the leading universities in the world, frequently securing the first position in various rankings. MIT alumni have founded over 30,000 companies, generating approximately $4.6 trillion in annual revenue and creating over 3.3 million jobs globally. MIT graduates include more than 100 Nobel Prize laureates and winners of numerous other prestigious awards. The institute’s alumni are world-renowned leaders in various fields, from artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and computing to biotechnology, robotics, energy, and economics.
Photo: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
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