Lancaster University Management School joins forces with historic university in Lithuania

A virtual event held this morning (November 12) witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) and Vilnius University in Lithuania.

The MoU lays the foundation of a new partnership, based around the institutions’ shared focus and expertise in the areas of entrepreneurship and family business. It puts in place an initial two-year agreement which will see LUMS establish a base on the Vilnius Business School campus to pursue opportunities for collaborative research and support for high-growth businesses.

Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Vilnius University Business School and very much look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for collaborative research and engagement.

“Vilnius University has a rich and established history and will be a valuable extension of LUMS’ international community. We are proud to attract students from all over the globe and have international partnerships that help ensure our world-leading research remains at the cutting-edge, not only to shape our teaching, but to transform organisations and communities.

“There are lots of synergies between LUMS and Vilnius, and over the next two years we will establish how we can work together to develop and share best practice in areas such as family business, entrepreneurship, small and medium sized business support and regional development, to sharpen teaching and bring about positive change in the UK and Lithuania.”

Vilnius University Rector, Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas, said: “This is a historic event both for Vilnius University and the whole higher education sector in Lithuania. After long negotiations, two universities will unite their efforts in developing entrepreneurship and innovation activities. This step will strengthen the development of science-based knowledge, set an exceptional example for international cooperation, and help increase the partnership between science and business. We are proud of the leadership of Vilnius University Business School in this field.”

The first phase of the agreement will seek to establish new research projects and include collaborative workshops to share best practise between academics. However, it is hoped that the partnership may open up further opportunities in future, including study abroad placements for both staff and students once safe to travel.

Quadruple-accredited and world-ranked, Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) is one of the longest-established business schools in the UK and home to a thriving international community, welcoming students and staff from more than 180 countries. LUMS has a presence in 24 countries, including campuses in China, Germany, Ghana and Malaysia.

Established in the 16th century, Vilnius is the oldest and largest university in the Baltic states which attracts close to 20,000 students and almost 3000 staff.