On 24–27 September, an international multidimensional event presenting the opportunities offered by Lithuanian institutions of higher education, in particular Vilnius University, was held at Karaganda Medical University in Kazakhstan. This meeting was a part of an EU-funded project to promote study opportunities in Lithuania. The events were actively attended by students and researchers from Karaganda State A.E. Buketov University, Karaganda Technical University, and Karaganda Medical University.

The main purpose of the visit, the presentation of study opportunities in Lithuania, was dedicated to young Kazakh students. Opening the event, Raushan Dosmagambetova, the rector of KMU, was delighted that such a meeting was being held at the institution she leads. “Active cooperation with Vilnius University for several years has allowed us to discover new opportunities and to achieve bigger goals. I believe that after this meeting, our relationship will be further strengthened and expanded,” she said. At the event, the financial, technical, and organisational aspects of study opportunities in our country, the selection of programmes, and study exchange opportunities were presented in detail. In-depth presentations were made by Denis Zenkin (representative of the Lithuanian Education Exchange Support Foundation), Julius Pukelis (International Relations Manager, VU), Prof Dr Vaiva Hendrixson (Vice-Dean of the VU Faculty of Medicine), Prof Dr Olga Rancova (Vice-Dean of the VU Faculty of Physics), and Prof Dr Simas Šakirzanovas (Vice-Dean of the VU Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences).

The presentations were followed by a meeting with students who were actively interested in the opportunities offered. The event was expected to attract 200 students but reality far exceeded expectations. Coordinator of the event Lina Bivainienė was pleased that “almost 400 young people attended the study presentation event. We hasn’t anticipated such interest, so we even ran out of hand-outs. However, I think everyone’s expectations were met, because after the official presentations all members of our delegation took the time to answer questions, share the contacts needed, and inspire with new opportunities.” “It was surprising that there was significant interest not only in undergraduate and graduate studies, but also in doctoral issues. It is great that we came with a large, diverse team and were able to answer all the inquiries,” Prof. Vaiva Hendrixson said, sharing her experiences.

Members of the VU delegation, from left to right: Sonata Adomavičiūtė, Giedrė Mikulėnaitė, prof. Olga Racova, Ligita Aučynienė, prof. Vaiva Hendrixson, Ekaterina Bortkevich, Lina Kociene; from the left in the second row: prof. Juozas Raistenskis, Julius Pukelis, Martynas Velicka, prof. Simas Shakirzanov, Lina Bivainienė, 2019.

The second meeting of the VU delegation was held with academics from the three universities of Karaganda to discuss possibilities for inter-university cooperation, teacher exchange, and joint research projects. During the presentations, Vilnius University researchers shared the experiences and main research sectors of their faculties, highlighting areas where joint activities could be pursued. At this meeting, the academics from Kazakhstan were active and interested in all the opportunities offered. “The event was held at the University of Medicine, so, frankly, I didn’t think physics would attract interest. However, it turned out that researchers from other universities also attended the event. It was really nice to get attention!” Prof Olga Rancova, a physics professor, said. Her words were seconded by Prof Simas Šakirzanovas: “I think we have already identified some opportunities for collaboration. Let’s wait and see what it grows into.”

The visit of the VU delegation was not limited to the two meetings, however; action was taken to build a stronger foundation for cooperation. A roundtable meeting was held at Karaganda Medical University in order to discuss the design of residency programmes: to identify similarities and differences and to share good practices. This meeting was attended by KMU vice-rectors and a team of professors and lecturers. VU was represented by Jekaterina Bortkevič, head of the Study Department of the Faculty of Medicine, and Prof Juozas Raistenskis. In this case, the two universities were united by Prof Dr Vaiva Hendrixson, who at the same time is a vice-rector in Karaganda and vice-dean for studies in Vilnius.

Prof Bachyt Kosherova, a representative of KMU, described in detail the residency programme in Kazakhstan. According to her, “residents of all levels and specialisations are trained at clinical centres. It starts with working at district health care facilities and ends at regional and national level health care facilities. Outpatient residency is conducted at central district hospitals; city, national and regional clinics; national science centres; and research institutes.” Prof Vaiva Hendrixson, Ekaterina Bortkevič, and Prof Juozas Raistenskis presented resident training experience in Lithuania. The roundtable discussion actively involved the leaders of all residency programmes at Karaganda Medical University. Clinical curatorial functions, tutor/professor workloads, final control, and learner assessment methods were discussed in detail.

The heads of the institutions of higher education in Karaganda tried to make the most of every minute of the guests’ visit and gain diverse and profound knowledge. With this in mind, another meeting was held to discuss the process of general admission to Lithuanian institutions of higher education. Artūras Šaltis, head of the Student Admission Department at Vilnius University, made a presentation on that topic. “At the moment, there is no common student admission system in Kazakhstan and the process is a bit chaotic. But there is an obvious understanding that something needs to be changed and a desire to do better. I am delighted to have been able to share my experience and hope that they will continue to make progress,” Artūras Šaltis added after the meeting.

While some shared theoretical knowledge, other members of the delegation organised hands-on training sessions. Prof Juozas Raistenskis, Ligita Aučynienė and Giedrė Mikulėnaitė, all rehabilitation specialists at the VU Faculty of Medicine, trained KMU staff to correctly identify various movement disabilities in persons affected by trauma. “Rehabilitation in Kazakhstan is just taking its first steps. There is not yet a clear understanding of what rehabilitation, kinesiotherapy, or, especially, ergotherapy specialists are needed for. Maybe that is why our theoretical-practical seminar attracted tremendous interest. It was obvious that they were thirsty for this kind of knowledge,” Prof Raistenskis who one of the most famous rehabilitation professors in Lithuania, said after the meeting.

The members of the VU delegation were Prof Vaiva Hendrixson, Prof Olga Racova, Prof Simas Šakirzanovas, Prof Juozas Raistenskis, Lina Bivainienė, Julius Pukelis, Jekaterina Bortkevič, Artūras Šaltis, Lina Kocienė, Ligita Aučynienė, Giedrė Mikulėnaitė, Sonata Adomavičiūtė, and Martynas Velička.