Lancaster University launches research project with Lithuanian university

Lancaster University Management School is to collaborate with Vilnius University in Lithuania on a research project which focuses on entrepreneurship and family business.

Established in the 16th century, Vilnius is the oldest and largest university in the Baltic states. It has close to 20,000 students and almost 3000 staff. LUMS will establish a base at its Business School campus to pursue opportunities for collaborative research and support for high-growth businesses.

The first phase of the two-year agreement will seek to establish new research projects and include collaborative workshops to share best practise between academics. However, it is hoped that the partnership may open up further opportunities in future, including study abroad placements for both staff and students once safe to travel.

Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: "Vilnius University has a rich and established history and will be a valuable extension of LUMS’ international community.

"We are proud to attract students from all over the globe and have international partnerships that help ensure our world-leading research remains at the cutting-edge, not only to shape our teaching, but to transform organisations and communities.

"There are lots of synergies between LUMS and Vilnius, and over the next two years we will establish how we can work together to develop and share best practice in areas such as family business, entrepreneurship, small and medium sized business support and regional development, to sharpen teaching and bring about positive change in the UK and Lithuania."

Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas, Vilnius University rector, said: “This is a historic event both for Vilnius University and the whole higher education sector in Lithuania. After long negotiations, two universities will unite their efforts in developing entrepreneurship and innovation activities.

"This step will strengthen the development of science-based knowledge, set an exceptional example for international cooperation, and help increase the partnership between science and business. We are proud of the leadership of Vilnius University Business School in this field."

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