Artes Liberales Studies at VMU Based on the US Model: Designed to Develop Individuals Prepared to Tackle Challenges

“During a recent international expert assessment, experts noted that the Artes Liberales studies at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) are distinguished by the highest level of student study individualisation and are unique within the context of higher education across Europe. This is the highest recognition we have aimed for,” says Dr. Simona Pilkienė, Vice-Rector for Studies at VMU.

The advantage of Artes Liberales studies

This year, VMU not only celebrates the 35th anniversary of its re-establishment but also the 35th anniversary of the liberal arts concept in Lithuania. “The historical events of the Soviet era were painful for the university, as it was closed by the Soviets. It was a dark period, but it also offered an opportunity to revive the university based on Western traditions. We see how difficult it is for higher education institutions that operated during that era to free themselves from the legacy of Soviet thinking and embrace innovation and Western values. In this regard, VMU was very fortunate; it did not need to struggle to free itself from the clutches of Soviet thinking. With efforts from the American diaspora, the university was re-established on new foundations, based on the liberal arts model of Harvard University,” explains Dr. Pilkienė. 

As is known, for a long time in Lithuania, the focus was on training specialists for specific job placements, and studies based on the Artes Liberales concept were considered a luxury. “Preparing not narrowly specialised specialists but rather broadly skilled individuals is expensive in terms of time and finances. However, when global crises struck – the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the crisis of democracy in Europe, and sudden changes in the job market – we see that an education grounded in this concept gives graduates an absolute advantage,” asserts the VMU Vice-Rector for Studies, adding that studies based on critical and analytical thinking, which involve not merely studying one’s speciality courses but designing one’s educational path according to the Artes Liberales concept, develop each student as an individual.

Updated study programmes and additional benefits upon graduation

As Dr. Pilkienė explains, students are mature individuals entrusted with designing their own educational and career paths; therefore, VMU is expanding its selection of wide-ranging study programmes, thereby relieving students of the need to choose a particular programme.

“In other universities, you have to choose one programme and may not always have the option to switch to another. At VMU, however, the programmes are designed so that the choice involves several stages. For example, if you select the ‘Foreign Languages and Cultures’ programme, you can choose to study Italian Studies and Romance Languages, German Language and Communication, or French Language and Francophone Studies. Choosing the Regional Studies programme gives you time to decide whether to study the languages and cultures of the Asian or Scandinavian region. This year, a similar model is offered for Political Studies – do you wish to study Political Science and Leadership in Lithuanian, International Politics and Development Studies in English, or perhaps you are interested in World Politics and Economics? Even if you opt for History studies, you can decide whether to study classical history or philosophy and history of ideas. This principle of designing study programmes is embedded in the Artes Liberales concept and is precisely what allows for the implementation of globally highly-regarded studies,” the Vice-Rector affirms.

Additionally, this year, in response to labour market changes, some programmes are introducing additional competency profiles. For instance, those entering the Land Use Planning and Real Estate Valuation programme will receive qualification certificates enabling them to work as real estate planners and appraisers. Those entering the Social Work and Psychosocial Counselling programme will acquire competencies to provide psychosocial support and counselling. Moreover, music studies have been expanded to include a specialisation in Popular Music, which will allow new entrants to attend classes taught by performer Mantas Jankavičius.

From Europe to the United States or Asia

VMU is the most international university in Lithuania, with around 20% of international students studying here each year, offering international and interdisciplinary study opportunities. Through the Erasmus+ and bilateral exchange programmes, students have the opportunity to pursue part-time studies and participate in short-term courses at over 700 universities in 78 countries worldwide. Every year, more than 200 VMU students take advantage of this opportunity. Additionally, students can undertake internships lasting from 1 to 6 months in companies and organisations across the globe, as well as in Lithuanian communities and Lithuanian heritage schools abroad. More than 160 VMU students and graduates venture abroad for this purpose each year. But that’s not all.

“Every student at VMU can also choose to study at a partner institution within the European Universities Alliance ‘Transform4Europe’, gaining additional competencies through the ‘Bachelor Tracks’ courses at nine universities: Saarland University (Germany), the University of Alicante (Spain), the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Catholic University of Portugal, the University of Primorska (Slovenia), Jean Monnet University in Saint-Étienne (France), the University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland), Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ (Bulgaria), the University of Trieste (Italy), and Mariupol State University (Ukraine). There are also numerous other opportunities offered by international partnerships,” explains the Vice-Rector for Studies.

Additionally, in order to meet the challenges of the global world and maximise opportunities for students, the university continues its collaboration with Coursera, the world’s largest learning platform, where lectures are delivered by academics from leading universities such as Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge.

“VMU studies employ student-engaging methods, utilising a variety of real and digital environments, innovative tools, and approaches previously considered unconventional, such as Coursera courses,” explains Dr. Pilkienė, providing several examples: “For instance, students enrolled in the university study course ‘Theory and History of Photography’ enrich their experience and expand their competencies by independently studying the ‘Seeing Through Photographs’ course offered by New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Likewise, students and future teachers at the Education Academy tackle ‘The Science of Wellbeing’ course, taught by a Yale University professor during their ‘Emotional Intelligence Development’ study course,” lists the Vice-Rector for Studies. According to her, these opportunities significantly enhance students’ abilities to solve complex problems by applying theoretical knowledge in real-life situations, broaden the context of their knowledge, and increase their engagement in the study process.

“In summary, when reflecting on the distinctiveness of Artes Liberales studies, one can recall the idea expressed by VMU professor and philosopher Dr. Leonidas Donskis: ‘Regular studies are a sprint; Artes Liberales studies are a marathon. Everyone chooses according to their own preference’, but after completing the marathon, the victory is much more valuable,” says Dr. Pilkienė.