Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), the Lithuanian coordinator for the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) program, along with Lithuanian Consortium partners, visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, USA, for the second time from June 8-14, 2025. This high-level visit, following the first one held on March 16-21, 2025, aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the world-leading university’s infrastructure, meet with renowned scientists and leaders, and participate in the North American and Lithuanian Business Forum. Both visits were funded by the Lithuanian Research Council.
High-Level Representation and Strengthening Contacts
The Lithuanian Consortium, comprising 12 research and business partners, had an exceptional opportunity to visit various MIT departments renowned for their innovativeness, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration with industry, recognized globally not only in academia but also in the world at large for their inventions and activities. Among the visited locations were the Media Lab, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Center for Quantum Engineering, Center for Bits and Atoms, MIT.nano, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and McGovern Institute for Brain Research.
The VMU delegation during the visit included Rector-Elect Prof. Dr. I. Dabašinskienė, MISTI Lithuania program coordinator Ina Žurkuvienė, VMU Director of Research and Innovation Prof. Dr. Darius Milčius, Deputy Director of the Bioeconomy Research Institute Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktorija Vaštakaitė-Kairienė, Head of the Biochemistry Department Prof. Dr. Saulius Šatkauskas, Professor of the Public Communication Department Prof. Dr. Auksė Balčytienė, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Viktoras Bachmetjevas from the Philosophy Department.
Strategic Discussions on Expanding Cooperation
“This was not just an introduction to MIT’s impressive infrastructure or technologies. What left the strongest impression were the people – humble yet broad-minded. The visions they create seem incredible, but here they become reality,” shared Rector-Elect Prof. Dr. I. Dabašinskienė. She emphasized that “Mind, Hand, and Heart” is not just a motto but the essence of daily practice, and MIT’s work is based not only on knowledge but also on the belief that the world can be changed responsibly and creatively. “I was fascinated by how naturally MIT integrates technology, science, and art. Creativity here is not an add-on, but an essential part of innovation. Art becomes a space to experiment, rethink societal challenges, and create meaningful solutions that connect different fields and people,” explained Prof. Dr. I. Dabašinskienė.
During the visit, representatives of the VMU delegation also participated in a strategic meeting with MIT Vice Provost for International Activities Prof. Dr. Duane S. Boning, Minister of Economy and Innovation (EIMIN) Lukas Savickas, and Vice-Minister Agila Barzdienė. The discussion explored opportunities to expand cooperation between Lithuania and MIT in the fields of studies, research, competency building, and research-business collaboration. Deliana Ernst, MIT Director of Global Programs, and Prof. Gediminas Urbonas, whose efforts initiated this strategic collaboration between Lithuania and MIT, also participated in this meeting. During the meeting, Lithuania’s goal to strengthen cooperation with MIT and achieve long-term benefits for the country’s research and innovation system was discussed.
“This trip allowed us to better understand that we can achieve much more together – universities, business, and the public sector. That the words interdisciplinarity, critical approach, and cooperation are not labels or necessary keywords repeated daily, but actions and a direction of thinking embodied in reality,” said Rector-Elect Prof. Dr. I. Dabašinskienė.
Participation in the Business Forum and Addressing Global Challenges
Lithuania’s agreement with MIT also secured the opportunity to organize the North American and Lithuanian Business Forum at the MIT Media Lab, an initiative of the Lithuanian Embassy and Lithuanian Consulates in the USA. Consortium partners actively participated in the forum’s program during the visit and initiated the discussion “MIT MISTI Lithuania: Cooperation in Energy Innovation.” During this discussion, topics related to technological innovations and their commercialization for energy independence, energy policy, Lithuania’s security, and MIT’s expertise were discussed. The discussion featured Vladimir Bulović (MIT Professor of Electrical Engineering, Founding Director of MIT.nano), Darius Milčius (Vytautas Magnus University Professor, VMU Director of Research and Innovation; Chief Researcher at the Lithuanian Energy Institute), Violeta Motuzienė (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University Professor at the Department of Building Energy Systems; PhD supervisor at the Lithuanian Energy Institute; Expert at the Innovation Agency of Lithuania), Vytautas Bitinas (Chief Technology Officer at Lithuanian Railways), and was moderated by Gediminas Urbonas (MIT Media Professor).
“We often say that the global challenges facing our world require collective intelligence, cooperation, and a deep commitment to human values. Therefore, one of Lithuania’s fundamental goals in this cooperation, despite our differing resources, is how we, as a country, can contribute to solving global challenges,” said program coordinator I. Žurkuvienė after the second visit to MIT.
MIT has held the top position in the QS World University Rankings for 14 consecutive years: it is recognized as the best university in the world in 11 subject areas, and ranked second in another 7 areas. “I believe that maintaining such a position is ensured precisely by this mindset and the university’s organizational culture,” stated program coordinator I. Žurkuvienė. “It’s not just about interdisciplinarity in studies and research, transcending disciplinary boundaries. It’s also about the passion and dedication with which it is done.”
Long-Term Program and its Significance for Lithuania
The second visit to MIT testifies to the importance and ambitious goals of the MIT MISTI Lithuania program. This partnership with MIT, a global leader in science, technology, and innovation, provides Lithuania with a unique opportunity to leverage the best global experience and resources. The aim is for the current three-year (2025-2027) cooperation agreement to evolve into a long-term and comprehensive program in the coming years. This would allow Lithuania to further strengthen its position in science and innovation and contribute to the creation of a high-value-added economy.
MIT MISTI Lithuania Activities and Consortium Partners
The MIT MISTI Lithuania program, officially launched with an agreement on January 28, 2025, is a three-year strategic partnership between the Lithuanian research and business consortium and MIT. During this program, the Lithuanian-MIT fund was established to finance joint activities. Planned joint activities include early-stage research projects (Global Seed Fund), internships for Lithuanian and MIT students, joint events in Lithuania and at MIT. Currently, 14 MIT students are undertaking internships in Lithuanian universities, research institutes, and companies.
The program is coordinated by Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). The consortium partners are:
- Universitetai: Kaunas University of Technology, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius Academy of Arts.
- Mokslo institutai: Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslo centras, Lietuvos energetikos institutas.
- Verslo partneriai: AB “Ignitis Group”, AB “Lietuvos geležinkeliai”, UAB “Novian”, UAB “Euromonitor International – Eastern Europe”.
About the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT (Boston, USA) is a global leader in science, technology, and innovation. It ranks 1st in the QS rankings. In 2024, MIT’s total operating revenue exceeded 5 billion USD, of which 2.1 billion USD was allocated to research.
MIT is characterized by strong interdisciplinarity, with the ability to integrate science, engineering, management, social sciences and humanities, and design. The institute also stands out with a strong research and business collaboration system, including technology transfer and an entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2024, MIT registered 679 new inventions, issued 323 new patents, and established 24 startups.
Members of the MIT community have received numerous prestigious awards: 105 Nobel Prizes, 27 Pulitzer Prizes, 26 Turing Awards, 84 MacArthur Fellowships, and others.
MIT is the center of Boston’s innovation ecosystem. This ecosystem is characterized by the concentration of prestigious universities (MIT, Harvard, Boston, Tufts, etc.), over 1000 biotechnology companies, research and innovation centers, venture capital funds, and close collaboration between academia and business. In the Kendall Square area, where MIT is one of the largest landowners, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Pfizer, Biogen, Sanofi, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals operate, as well as software developers Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon. Such a dense concentration of companies and research centers fosters innovation and economic growth.