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Mission Statement
Vision
Interdisciplinary university, competitive at the international level, developing and transferring new knowledge and innovations. The University’s vision is pursued with regards to the University’s values via three value-creation chains and their objectives:
Studies – development of the high added-value future members of society;
Research and innovations – development of knowledge and technologies corresponding to societal needs and their transfer to students, business and public sector;
Organisational development – insurance of effective performance of the University’s activities and strengthening of the competencies of human resources.
Mission
The University’s community undertakes to ensure the quality of studies and research results, develop the University’s ecosystem based on trust, creativity and leadership. Responsibly approaching the University’s role in the society and the significance of the created added-value, and taking into consideration the needs of various interested parties, the following missions are stipulated in the strategy:
For society – to be a proactive University creating a sustainable society;
For students and customers – to create and transfer interdisciplinary knowledge and innovative technologies that create value;
For each other – cooperate and together pursue ambitious goals constantly improving with external leaders in science and business.
International Role
KTU continues to strengthen its international cooperation, establishes contacts with international institutions, conducts top-quality studies, develops the community spirit within the organisation and promotes progress in research and innovation. The University’s continuous cooperation with various external companies bridges the gap between science and the business world, while simultaneously promotes innovation, the practical application of knowledge, and high-quality preparation of students for the labour market.
KTU is a member of various networks and actively participates in their activities, including the BALTECH consortium of universities in the Baltic Sea Region, of which it is a founding member. Since the establishment of this consortium, the University has been actively contributing to its activities, aiming to build partnerships and closer cooperation among technical universities in the Baltic Sea Region in the fields of natural sciences, technologies and industrial management, and to contribute to the long-term development of the region’s education and research based on the region’s needs.
KTU is also a partner of the NORDTEK network of rectors and deans of technical universities in the Nordic and Baltic countries. This consortium consists of 28 universities from 8 countries cooperating in the fields of education, research and innovation, at the same time promoting European projects and contributing to sustainable long-term cooperation increasing the competitiveness of the Nordic and Baltic countries in global higher education and research.
In 2023, KTU became a member of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, a collaborative platform aiming to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the Nordic region, and is conducting research in the fields of sustainable development and environmental protection.
The successful integration of science and business is highlighted when the University signs partnership agreements with businesses, organisations, public and private institutions. Such cooperation promotes innovation, business development and hands-on training for students, and gives them the opportunity to work on real business challenges and problems. In this way, the University maintains its connections with the business world, updates its research and adapts to market needs.
KTU is a member of the ECIU, a network of innovative European universities aiming to modernise European higher education by challenging traditional thinking: to address societal challenges with innovative ideas and provide personalised learning and career opportunities at the European level. Being a member of the network strengthens links with other European universities, the opportunities to share experiences, promotes academic exchanges and contributes to the growth of the University.
These and other long-term partnerships are testimony to the University’s efforts to maintain and strengthen existing relations with various sectors, thus ensuring continuity in joint projects and creating added value for both academic community and partners.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design is actively working in providing international standards in education and research results. For example, 12 study programs out of 16 are conducted in English to ensure not only access to admission to foreign students but also improve Lithuanian students' linguistic competence. The faculty's staff is involved in international projects and organizes research dissemination events as the International Young Researchers’ Conference “Industrial Engineering”, "Transport Means", and "Mechanika". The Faculty currently belongs to prestigious international networks like ECIU, AUTEX, and EURNEX among many others. International exchanges are facilitated by more than 170 Active Erasmus+ agreement.
National Role
KTU’s strategy is aimed at strengthening the University’s responsibility to society and the country by consolidating its activities to improve the quality of human life and accelerate the development of statehood. Responsible attitude towards environment and the society at the University is based on the philosophy of sustainable development activities, such as:
- Introducing the instruments of responsible and sustainable development at the University
- Conducting educational activities
- Initiating projects and activities contributing to the sustainability of the University, region and the world
- Integrating sustainable development principles in various University’s activities: studies, research and administrative processes, enhancing the awareness and involvement of KTU community and improvement of its infrastructure
- Cooperation in one of the main principles for the sustainability of environment, society and economic well-being
KTU acts in a responsible manner based on the common university values: responsibility to society; cooperation; continuous improvement.
In 2022-2023, KTU signed 49 new cooperation agreements with other Lithuanian and foreign universities: 27 agreements were signed in 2022, and 22 were signed in 2023.This indicator shows an increase in cooperation in comparison with the previous years (2020-2021) when KTU had signed 18 such agreements (5 in 2020 and 13 in 2021).
The increase in the number of cooperation agreements is a significant strategic move that can stimulate significant scientific discoveries, student and researcher exchanges and contribute to the overall development in research and academia. Cooperation between the University and its partners promotes research, the development of innovation and the practical application of knowledge. Such cooperation allows students to gain real-world experience, contribute to significant projects and better prepare for their professional careers. In response to this need, the University has continued to develop its cooperation with various companies, public institutions, associations and organisations. In 2022-2023, KTU signed 65 cooperation agreements (38 in 2022 and 27 in 2023). In comparison to 2021-2022, this number has slightly decreased, with 101 new cooperation agreements concluded in this period (50 in 2020, 51 in 2021).
In 2022-2023, KTU signed 6 contracts with spin-offs and 6 contracts with start-ups. In 2020-2021, 22 contracts were signed with new spin-offs and 5 with start-ups.
According to the “Reitingai” magazine, Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) was ranked second in Lithuania in bachelor’s, master’s and integrated study fields.
Main Focus
The KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, which is responsible for this application and is foreseen as the main participant in Cumulus association, offers a variety of study programmes, where scientific engineering skills and knowledge are being developed together with creative thinking skills.
The program "Design for Sustainable Future" which is MA program envisioned to be implemented in the faculty will have four elements (1) Design Research – design research methods to explore and experiment with practical design processes and objects. (2) 0-mindset, focused on design for a sustainable mission, systemic thinking, collaboration, encourages first to reflect on the impact and only then to act, in order to achieve the lowest possible impact on the environment and the preservation of resources in the value chain. (3) Hands on Future includes the ability to practically implement and prototype real-world solutions that work today that help achieve a sustainable vision of the future, using both traditional and the latest digital manufacturing technologies. This means creating design solutions based on a new production paradigm based on digital technologies. This approach enables the application of theoretical knowledge and the physical materialization, implementation of ideas for sustainable solutions in the context of today's industry and society. (4) Interdisciplinary knowledge refers to the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge and the crossing of boundaries in order to combine knowledge and competences from various fields. It involves integrating methods and approaches from different disciplines to generate new insights and solutions to complex problems. Interlinking knowledge allows creative use of knowledge from different fields, promoting innovation and development that is not limited to a single discipline, involving contributions and collaborations from many fields. This approach allows for the integration and instrumentalization of knowledge and methods from various fields in order to solve sustainability problems more effectively.
Faculties and Departments
Organisational structure of the Kaunas University of Technology corresponds to the dynamic nature of contemporary organisations. The University has a strategic team responsible for the policy of activities; its implementation is conducted by the divisions responsible for individual areas.
The Kaunas University of Technology has 9 faculties, 8 institutes, 9 research centres. The 9 KTU faculties organise high-level interdisciplinary study programmes and develop scientific research on topical issues. Faculties offer a number of bachelor's, master's, as well as the opportunity to continue studies at a doctoral level and obtain a taecher's qualification.The University awards respective qualification degrees. The integrated studies include both bachelor’s and master’s study cycles. Professional studies provide the qualification. Additional studies confer the right to enroll in master’s studies.
9 faculties – Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Informatics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Panevėžys Faculty of Technology and Business, School of Economics and Business.
The KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design, which is responsible for this application and is foreseen as the main participant in Cumulus association, offers a variety of study programmes, where scientific engineering skills and knowledge are being developed together with creative thinking skills. Knowledge brought to the students by qualified and competent teaching and research staff enables students to undertake internships in global organisations. Specialists trained at the Faculty take up positions of management and are renowned Lithuanian scientists and policy makers. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design consists of Depatment of Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Production Engineering, Department of Transport Engineering, Design Center, Center for Packaging Innovations and Rersearch, Training Centre of Aviation Specialists.
Bachelor Level Programs
Bachelor’s degree is undergraduate degree studies. The individuals who have secondary education and comply with other requirements set out by the University are invited to apply. During the admission of 2024, 42 bachelor’s degree programmes (25 of them are in English) and 1 integrated programme (Architecture) was open to apply.
The KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design offers 7 Bachelor's programs – Aviation Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences, specialisatiopns – Design of Aircraft, Technology of Aircrafts‘ Technical Maintenance), Fashion Engineering (Bachelor of Technological Sciences, BA+ ), Industrial Design Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences), Industrial Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences, specialisations – Production and Manufacturing Management, Digital Manufacturing), Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences, specialisations – Biomechanics, Mechanical System Design, Robotics Engineering, Thermal Systems Engineering), Mechatronics (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences), Vehicle Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering Sciences, specialisations – Vehicle Design and Control, Railway Transport). It's full time 4 year studies.
Master Level Programs
Master’s degree is graduate degree studies. The individuals who have graduated from the bachelor’s (first cycle) or integrated (bachelor’s and master’s) studies and comply with other requirements set out by the University are admitted to these studies. During the admission of 2024, 53 master’s degree programmes are open to apply, 28 of them are offered in English.
The KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design offers 9 Master's programs – Aeronautical Engineering (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+), Fashion Innovation technologies (Master of Technological Sciences), Industrial Engineering and Management (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+), Mechanical Engineering (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+), Mechatronics (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+), Production Engineering (Master of Engineering Sciences), Sustainable Management and Production (Master of Engineering Sciences), Thermal Engineering (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+), Vehicle Engineering (Master of Engineering Sciences, MA+). It's full time 2 year studies.
The goal of the 10th, newly created interdisciplinary master's degree program "Design for Sustainable Future" (Design – the main field, Management, Environmental Engineering) is to develop integrated competences in the areas of design, management and environmental engineering, which are necessary for researching and creating products, services and their systems for a sustainable future. At the moment program is in the process of evaluation by Study Quality Center.
Graduates of the program "Design for Sustainable Future" will be awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Design, corresponding to the seventh level of the Lithuanian qualifications structure according to the description of the Lithuanian qualifications structure. It is planned that the Program will be implemented in the Design Center (hereinafter – KTU Design Center) of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design (hereinafter – MIDF) of Kaunas University of Technology (hereinafter – KTU), in cooperation with other KTU departments, the Faculty of Economics and Business (hereinafter – EVF) and Institute of Environmental Engineering (hereinafter – APINI). Also in cooperation with the foreign partner Politecnico di Milano, design school (hereinafter – POLIMI) and strategic design and research agency UAB "The Critical" (hereinafter – CRITICAL). The language of the program – English. The need for the study program is based on four main arguments: (1) the EU's aim to develop a circular economy, (2) future competences and professions are associated with a sustainable transition; (3) Demand expressed by students, (4) Demand expressed by the design community and business.
MA+ master’s competences model
Research Activity and Main Areas
KTU is a member of various networks and actively participates in their activities, including the BALTECH consortium of universities in the Baltic Sea Region, of which it is a founding member. Since the establishment of this consortium, the University has been actively contributing to its activities, aiming to build partnerships and closer cooperation among technical universities in the Baltic Sea Region in the fields of natural sciences, technologies and industrial management, and to contribute to the long-term development of the region’s education and research based on the region’s needs.
KTU is also a partner of the NORDTEK network of rectors and deans of technical universities in the Nordic and Baltic countries. This consortium consists of 28 universities from 8 countries cooperating in the fields of education, research and innovation, at the same time promoting European projects and contributing to sustainable long-term cooperation increasing the competitiveness of the Nordic and Baltic countries in global higher education and research. In 2023, KTU became a member of the Nordic Circular Hotspot, a collaborative platform aiming to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the Nordic region, and is conducting research in the fields of sustainable development and environmental protection.
In 2022-2023, the academic incubator KTU Startup Space founded 6 new companies (7 in 2021), operating in the fields of food technologies, advanced applied technologies, e-commerce, health technologies, and processing of fossil raw materials.
The KTU Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design hosts few research groups focusing their research to various directions, for example, materials engineering – 1) research and development of new fibrous materials based on high technologies in the national and international context; 2) implementation of circular economy principles in the production of fibrous materials; 3) preservation of national identity through textile structures, national ornamentation of wood and other products.
The goal of the KTU Design Centre at the faculty is to conduct studies and research in the field of design, and provide design services to businesses, aiming to develop the paradigm of sustainable living.
Areas of Research at Design Center
Design for circular economy and new ways of living: represents a comprehensive strategy that fundamentally rethinks the creation, development, and use of products, services, and systems. This approach seeks to align human endeavors with the natural processes of the Earth’s ecosystems, aiming to ensure long-term ecological stability and minimize waste to nearly zero. The incorporation of biomimicry into design is a pivotal aspect of this philosophy, highlighting the importance of learning from and emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies to solve human problems and create more sustainable solutions.
Smart Fashion: refers to integrating technology into clothing and accessories to enhance their functionality, aesthetics, and overall user experience. This innovative approach to fashion is not just about making a style statement; it’s about harnessing the power of technology to create garments and accessories that can interact with the wearer and the environment in intelligent ways.
Design for transitions: refers to a design approach that focuses on facilitating and managing change within societies, organisations, or systems towards more sustainable and desirable futures. It’s rooted in the understanding that the challenges we face today, such as climate change, social inequality, and rapid technological advancements, require shifts in how we live, work, and interact with our environment. This approach involves interdisciplinary collaboration and integrates principles from systems thinking, future studies, and sustainable design.
Located at the M-Lab Laboratory Centre, the design laboratory (D-Lab) conducts design research focused on sustainable design: design of sustainable materials and products using digital manufacturing and experimental design technologies; strategic product and service design system solutions, and the application of design to organizational changes or the development of more sustainable policies.
Topics such as “Circular Design,” “Biomimicry,” “Sustainable Materials,” “Smart and Sustainable Fashion,” “Design for Socio-tech Transitions” are aimed at transforming business or public sector products and services, user habits, ways of living, and the environment.
This lab merges art and science to create a new creative and scientific symbiosis. The research integrates artistic and scientific methods, yielding both practical and theoretical results. Practical outcomes include the design of new materials, sustainable products, their designs, and new brand identities for sustainable design services and products. Theoretical results contribute to the deployment of innovations in business and public sectors through design, as well as to the new knowledge base within the science and art communities, opening new academic research directions.
Recently (2020-06-01 – 2024-05-31) the Design center scientist participated in the project funded by program „Horisont 2020″ with partners AALBORG UNIVERSITET, Dortmund university opf technology, POLITECNICO DI MILANO, fund „TECNALIA Research and Innovation". T-Factor has received funding under Horizon 2020 research & innovation programme with grant agreement n° 868887.
Doctorate Level Programs
Doctoral studies are the third cycle studies. The persons who hold a master’s or equivalent qualification degree are admitted to these studies. The doctoral studies prepare the scientists who can independently perform research and experimental development works, solve scientific problems, work in an academic and non-academic environment. The University admits to doctoral studies in 16 science/artistic fields coordinated by the University and 5 science/artistic fields not coordinated by the University. PhD studies are organised in Natural Sciences, Technological Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities and Visual Arts fields.
Research Doctorate:
- Studies 30 ECTS Credits ( 3-4 study modules at KTU, 1-2 study modules abroad)
- Research and presentation of research results (≥2 international scientific conferences and ≥2 scientific publications)
- Doctoral dissertation (preparation and public defence)
Art Doctorate:
- Studies and research 240 ECTS Credits (study modules ≥ 40 ECTS; artistic-creative practice ≥ 80 ECTS; art reseach ≥ 80 ECTS)
- Art Project (preparation and public defence)
Doctoral studies at KTU provide the following opportunities:
- Double degree possibilities
- Study modules for general skills development
- Short-term and long-term internships for studies, research and practice
- Doctor Europaeus certificate possibilities
- Doctoral research in a high-profile research team
- Incentives and rewards for active PhD students
- “Start up Space” for entrepreneurs
- KTU International PhD Summer School for core competences.
Subject Areas for Exchange Students
International student exchanges are successfully conducted at KTU and short-term student mobility is gaining momentum. Increasingly, students are turning to virtual mobility opportunities enabling them to study abroad. In 2023, 111 students participated in blended intensive programmes. The number of teaching visits to foreign universities has increased significantly. 189 KTU teachers lectured at Erasmus+ partner higher education institutions in 2023 (107 in 2022 and 32 in 2021). In 2023, 365 students and graduates from KTU participated in study and internship programmes abroad. This number has increased compared to the previous year, when 232 students went in 2022 and 185 in 2021.
The faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Design covers the following subject areas: aviation, industrial design, mechatronics, vehicle, fashion, production and mechanical engineering.
Application Deadlines
Kaunas University of Technology has more than 300 Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements with the universities worldwide. If you are a student from a partner university, we would like to invite you to come to KTU as an exchange student and to spend 1 or 2 semesters in undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
KTU has a very strong community of international students, organising themed and cultural events, parties or various gatherings, making sure that everybody has a good time. International Exchange Student Network (ESN) is an organisation which is devoted for international students, offering plenty of activities to choose from.
Application dates:
Autumn semester and academic year – June 30
Spring semester – November 30
Teaching Languages
Students are able to create personal study plan from a variety of courses offered in English.
Semester Dates
Academic year consists of autumn and spring semesters.
The autumn semester starts on the 1st September and the spring semester starts on the 1st February.
Fall semester: 01/09 – 31/01
Spring semester: 01/02 – 30/06
Cost of Living Per Month (Studying and Living)
The university offers a place in the dormitory for all of the incoming exchange students. KTU also has great sports facilities, where students can take up various types of sports like climbing, yoga, basketball, cricket, etc. for free. Cost of living per month, estimate here costs per month (studying and living) for an exchange student: about 500 euro.
Accommodation. KTU dormitory 90 – 250 EUR, Private rent 250 – 450 EUR; Utilities (if living in private rent) 50 – 100 EUR.
Dormitories. The rooms in the student dormitory are single and double. They are furnished with basic furniture. The linen service is provided for additional fee*. Several rooms on the same floor have to share the kitchen area. Kitchen utensils are not provided; students have to bring them from home or to buy them in Kaunas. Wi-Fi is available in every room (no extra fee). The dormitories are different in their infrastructure (they can be renovated or not).
Food. Groceries – 200 EUR, Meal at restaurant 8 -15 EUR/meal.
Other. Hygiene products – 30 EUR, Public transportation – 6 EUR, Entertainment – 80 EUR.
