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The number of foreigners studying bachelor and master programs at Vilnius University (VU) has increased by more than a third this year.
VU: funding has not decreased yet
“The number of both Lithuanian and international students at Vilnius University has increased this year and we currently have 1,261 full-time students (full time) a foreign student when in 2019. there were 924 at the same time ‘, 15 minutes said Rima Juciutė, head of the Public Communication Branch of the VU.
However, the number of students on Erasmus and other exchange programs has fallen from 461 last year to 272 this year.
As a result, VU has not yet suffered financial losses. If there are, they are expected to be small.
Valdas Kopūstas / 15min photo / Vilnius University
“With the decline in Erasmus students, funding for this program has not decreased so far. Due to the pandemic or its impact, all available signed mobility contracts could be extended, so refunds for lost mobilities will be in the future. And if we can recover quickly and implement the student mobility programs again, the returns will be minimal, “said R. Juciutė.
MRU: Partners canceled scheduled student exchanges
In general, the number of foreign students pursuing Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) has also increased.
“The total number of foreign students admitted to study (first and second cycle) in 2019, compared to 2018, increased by 8%. This year, compared to 2019, it also set 10 percent of admitted students. growth, ”said Vaidotas Norkus, MRU’s Head of External Communications.
According to him, the university responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed foreigners who started the school year this fall to study from home.
Foreigners were unable to come and study remotely from their home country in the fall semester of 2020.
“Since the smooth distance learning process was ensured at the university already in the spring, taking into account the COVID-19 situation, the decision was made that foreigners would not be able to come and study remotely from their country of origin in the fall semester of 2020 “, assured V. Norkus.
And exchange programs have not been in such demand this year.
Julius Kalinskas / 15min photo / Mykolas Romeris University
“The number of international exchange participants who come to study part-time per semester has been cut in half, and this is a direct consequence of COVID-19. In the fall of each year, about 200 exchange students (such as Erasmus + or university bilateral partners) usually come to MRU, ”said a representative from the high school.
“Exchange students are selected to participate in the exchange by the home university and nominated for the host, that is, MRU. Although we received the usual number of nominations, in the summer many countries, especially in the Asian region, such as South Korea, Japan, China, as well as the US, Canada, the partners simply canceled the scheduled student exchanges, many universities in Europe they suspended student mobility during the fall semester or moved to the spring. some have already announced the suspension of the spring exchange).
However, for the fall semester, 88 participants from exchange programs came to Lithuania, isolated themselves and studied at MRU, ”noted V. Norkus.
According to him, the university did not suffer losses because this year there are fewer students in exchange programs. Such may be the case, at least in the long run.
“Exchange participants who come to study do not pay host universities. Students pay tuition fees to the home university.
However, participants in exchange programs bring economic benefits to the country by living in Lithuania. The presence of international students in the classrooms and participation in the study process creates added value for the university, as it is also a way to strengthen international alliances.
There is constant communication with the universities that sent the students for the exchange. The positive experience of the students determines that other participants of the exchange programs will come later, perhaps choose more studies or work in Lithuania, and local students will be interested in opportunities to go to a foreign university to study on time partial, ”said V. Norkus.
KTU: More international students than last year
The Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) also noticed changes in the number of international students. Mantas Lapinskas, representative of the high school, told the media that this year there are fewer students from abroad, but that the number of those who signed up for exchange programs was “very good.” What they are, the spokesperson did not specify.
Christian Spicker / imago-images.de nuotr./ sourceErasmus “
“This year, we are accepting fewer international students than last year because some of the guests, who were unable to enter due to the closure of state borders and other travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, moved applications to next spring or fall. .
I am glad that the number of incoming Erasmus + (exchange) students was very good, so these students traveled with courage and were ready to come to Lithuania, ”taught M. Lapinskas.
He said that young people from foreign countries could start their studies remotely. It was also alleged that those who were isolated in the KTU nursing homes in Palanga could study.
“We have ensured that all students receive transportation and catering services, and their protection against COVID-19 is guaranteed,” said a KTU representative.
“Looking at trends, the total number of all international students in college this year is slightly, but higher than last year,” he concluded.
Photo by Erik Ovcharenko / 15min photo / High school fair
Students who came to Lithuania from abroad can create added value here, said M. Lapinskas.
“The impetus to improve and adjust the quality of studies at the university is provided by incoming students, who are often interested in gaining professional experience and internships in Lithuanian companies during their studies, and some of them remain in our country for a longer period of time, “he said.
So the conclusion is that when there are fewer students, and their contribution to the country is not so noticeable.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal learning: the school year in higher education started later, on September 14, and distance education was immediately recommended. The Head of Operations forced the research and study institutions to create the conditions for students coming to Lithuania from abroad to isolate themselves, if necessary.
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