New Opportunities for Collaboration: NeurotechEU Delegation Visits LSMU and Kauno Klinikos

On 22–23 January, the NeurotechEU alliance delegation visited the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and Kauno Klinikos to discuss future cooperation in neuroscience education and research.  

NeurotechEU is a European university alliance focused on neurotechnology – a rapidly developing research field that brings together medicine, artificial intelligence, and technologies. The alliance aims to educate a new generation of top-level scientists and healthcare professionals to improve quality of life for all. 

The delegation included Prof. Dr Richard van Wezel, NeurotechEU Coordinator; Assoc. Prof. Dr Kathleen O’Connor, Chair of the Board of Governors; Prof. Dr Bob Harris, Member of the Board of Governors; Mark Vlek de Coningh, Secretary General, and Dr Maarten Witte, Project Officer.  

During the visit, the participants discussed different aspects of University governance and management, with particular attention to the role of the Council and the decision-making processes. Discussions also covered opportunities for collaboration in neuroscience, including masterclass-related initiatives, credit transfer, development of joint study programmes. Considerable part of the discussions was dedicated to the research cooperation, including joint research in neuroscience, international projects, applications, and publications aimed at strengthening the integration of clinical and fundamental research. 

In her introduction of the LSMU structure to the delegation, Prof. Habil. Dr Daiva Rastenytė, Chancellor of the LSMU Medical Academy, highlighted the University’s consistent efforts to enhance study quality and internationalisation, including the expansion of English-taught programmes and enabling the admission of students from diverse countries. She also emphasised the crucial role of problem-based learning that has already been applied in LSMU for about a decade, and the strong focus on practical training, from simulations to work with real patients.  

Prof. Dr Juozas Kupčinskas, Vice-Rector for Research, outlined the University’s strategic research priorities and key strengths, including biopharmacy, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular, and digestive research. 

The NeurotechEU representatives also presented the alliance’s activities, strategic vision, and future development plans, with particular emphasis on the inter-university doctoral network currently under development, as well as implementation stages and funding prospects. 

“Although future funding will depend on decisions by the European Commission, it is clear that European university alliance initiatives will benefit from favourable conditions for growth in the coming years,” – noted NeurotechEU Secretary General Mark Vlek de Coningh.  

While in Kaunas, the delegation toured LSMU facilities, met with students, visited the Neuroscience Institute, and toured departments at Kauno Klinikos, including Neurology, Neurosurgery, Children’s Rehabilitation, Radiology, and the Nuclear Medicine Research Centre. The visit opened the door to further partnership, with a shared understanding regarding further networking and constructive discussions on the potential accession of LSMU to the NeurotechEU alliance.