Vilnius University's Šiauliai Academy applied to business for scholarships for the first time in 2021. Over the past three years, the number of patrons has doubled, and as many as 88 scholarships are awarded to students.
The amount of patronage scholarships has already exceeded 50 thousand. Eur
"We started in 2021 with the idea of applying to local businesses for scholarships for students. when we just became the Šiauliai Academy of Vilnius University, - said Lina Garšvienė, director of the Institute of Regional Development, - then we really faced the strict opinion of business and society that a student must commit to a company or a city. However, in the first year, without seeking any benefit for themselves, the "ice breakers" of the companies - UAB "Jupojos technika", UAB "Valumina", UAB "Grafų baldai, UAB "Ruvera"" contributed to this idea.
And it was the first timid step to celebrate their decision to become patrons of VU Šiauliai Academy. The first patrons' evening of VU Šiauliai Academy was held, where the managers of these businesses and students who received scholarships shook hands. It is important for young people to know from the start of their studies that the city of Šiauliai needs them.
"I am very happy with the decision to apply to the business, because it allowed us to bring the business closer to VU Šiauliai Academy and its students, who later apply for internships and their first job", assures L. Garšvienė.
Rebus - how to bring young people back to their hometown after studying in bigger cities?
This task is not easy, because after going to another city for four years, a young man is already quite flexible in the environment of that city, he starts to work during his studies, get to know their business, get used to the bustle of that city, and only a small part still has the thought of returning to work and life in his own hometown.
"I think there is another more successful way - to attract more students to Šiauliai from their hometown and surrounding areas. Studying here for four years and feeling the support of business and the city municipality, they finally tame the city for life and work", L. Garšvienė shares her thoughts.
Thanks to patrons' support, new laboratories are being established at VU Šiauliai Academy
"Cherry Servers" laboratory is a virtual server space dedicated to the study process. In this laboratory, the servers managed by UAB "Cherry servers" provide conditions for using dedicated and virtual servers for the study process. The idea of this laboratory has been extremely successful at the Šiauliai Academy of VU. Using the Cherry servers laboratory, students master modern virtualization technologies, deepen their skills in working with containers, and developing service-oriented software. This is a unique opportunity to focus more on the architecture of application systems, with less emphasis on finding infrastructure solutions.
The number of corporate patrons exceeded double digits
in 2022 UAB "TVC Solutions", UAB "ROL Lithuania", UAB "Vilmers", UAB "Cherry Servers", AB "Telia Lietuva" joined VU Šiauliai Academy. The managers of these companies very clearly understood the need of VU Šiauliai Academy and the city for their support in order to attract more talented students to study programs relevant to business.
in 2023 "BODESA" UAB joined the patrons of VU Šiauliai Academy, in 2024. Baltic Champs UAB, SALDA UAB and DIDWW UAB.