On 9 January, Marijampole Higher Education Institution was visited by the top-level leaders of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport: minister Gintautas Jakštas, vice-minister Justas Nugaras, vice-minister Agnė Kudarauskienė. Also, Andrius Vyšniauskas, Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Dr Saulius Spurga, Vice-Rector of Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), and Marius Brežinskas, Head of the Centre for Infrastructure Development.
The aim of the visit was to set the guidelines for the consolidation of Marijampole Higher Education Institution and MRU, to discuss the ongoing process and to get acquainted with the changes that are currently taking place at Marijampole, which are important not only for the higher education community, but also for the entire Sūdava region.
Minister G. Jakštas welcomed the fact that the two higher education institutions have joined forces and, based on the experience of long-term cooperation, are participating in the process of strengthening the network of state colleges. In this process, Marijampole Higher Education Institution has proved that by merging with a university, it can strengthen the region’s higher education potential and upgrade its infrastructure by acquiring a building.
Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania A. Vyšniauskas was pleased that “we have reached a stage where we know where the Sūduva Academy will be located – in the centre of Marijampole city. This consolidation is important not only for higher education, but also for the city of Marijampole, as the relocation of the higher education institution to a new building is beneficial for the image of the city and a comfortable space for the entire academic community.”
Dr. S. Spurga, Vice Rector of MRU, thanked for the mutual trust in the key works, which are the foundation for the joint vision of the Marijampole Higher Education Institution and the University.
Alė Murauskienė, the Director of Marijampole Higher Education Institution hopes that “in the first half of this year, an investment project will be prepared, preparatory works will be carried out, and the building will be fully renovated in the next year. Marijampole Higher Education Institution and MRU have a long tradition of cooperation, so the synergy of these higher education institutions will create conditions for the improvement of the quality of studies and a substantial renewal of the infrastructure, the development of R&D and the preparation of PhDs, will offer a wider range of university study programmes, and the trained specialists will better meet the region’s needs in the fields of business, services, education and culture. We hope to become a great example of university-college consolidation”.
We are pleased with the strong support of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the Member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania A. Vyšniauskas, and with the timely assistance provided to ensure that university studies will be carried out in Marijampole, and that those wishing to study will have even more favourable opportunities for the accessibility of quality and modern higher education in the region.
