Vilniaus kolegija (VIKO), founded in 2000, is the largest accredited higher professional education institution in Lithuania. VIKO’s mission is: to provide modern higher education studies that meet European standards; to ensure the development of nationally and internationally recognised applied research and professional art in effective cooperation with the world of business, in order to ensure the success of students’ professional careers and the well-being of the Vilnius region and the State of Lithuania through the efforts of the socially responsible academic community.
VIKO has approximately 600 qualified academic staff members and about 6 600 students enrolled in 58 study programmes across 9 faculties: Electronics and Informatics, Economics, Business Management, Health Care, Pedagogy, Arts and Design, Agrotechnologies, Design, Civil Engineering and Technics.
VIKO represents 19 research fields and four art fields. Its Research Groups and Research Priorities reflect the priorities of Horizon Europe and the European Universities Alliance HEROES. It is important to mention that students also participate in research groups depending on the activities of the relevant research or art direction.
VIKO has earned its international recognition and is successfully integrated into the common field of European higher education area. VIKO is the only higher education institution in Lithuania, which has been awarded the diploma of the Knowledge Economy Forum for Innovations.
VIKO has strong expertise in: non-formal education strategies; problem-based learning; project based learning; ethical competence; facilitation of team-based learning; recognition and validation of non-formal and informal education; education of learning to learn competence; creation of methodical material; implementation of quantitative and qualitative research in EU-funded projects, entrepreneurship education, etc.
VIKO promotes lifelong learning by regularly offering formal and informal qualification courses on relevant topics. The diversity of its study programmes enables the faculties to meet society’s broad needs, while learner-centred studies and mobility help students develop the skills required in a changing labour market.
VIKO’s faculties encourage a unique approach towards studies, where students have the opportunity to experience the university creative learning environment, gain real-world business experience and forward their entrepreneurial ideas. Close collaboration and partnerships with Lithuanian and international businesses and organizations ensure that VIKO’s students gain the most up-to-date knowledge and international experience that are essential for today’s employability and successful career prospects. VIKO graduates employability – 97%.
VIKO is a member of numerous international organisations, associations, and networks, including EURASHE, SPACE, ENPHE, AEC, VETNNET, CDIO, ELIA, EAEC, the Baltic Sea Network, the Comenius Association, the ILITE Network, and PEN-Worldwide. Its national memberships include the Knowledge Economy Forum, INFOBALT, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, and other organisations.
Every year, VIKO participates in approximately 40–60 projects under programmes such as COST, INTERREG, Erasmus+, Nordplus, those funded by the Research Council of Lithuania, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania, etc. VIKO is a member of the European Universities Alliance HEROES (“Higher Education for Resilience-Oriented and Empowered Societies” No 101175280 https://www.heroesuniversity.eu/), launched in 2024 with funding from the Erasmus+ European Universities initiative. The alliance brings together nine partners committed to developing the talents of a new generation of EU citizens and strengthening the resilience of people, businesses, and nature in their regions.