Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Continental, a German manufacturer of technology and automotive components signed the official cooperation agreement. With the long-term agreement, signed by KTU Rector Eugenijus Valatka and Shayan Ali, Managing Director at Continental Automotive Lithuania the University and Continental have formalised the collaboration which has been going on for more than a year.
The partnership will include solving technological problems, implementing research and development projects, initiating closer collaboration among science, studies and industry practitioners.
“We no longer discuss the need for collaboration between science and business – it is the reality we are living in. KTU has been working in this direction for many years, and the cooperation agreement with one of the largest foreign investors in Lithuania is only demonstrating that we have gained the trust of the business. This trust is a crucial condition for a successful partnership”, says KTU rector Professor Eugenijus Valatka.
According to him, the participation of business and industry in the study process is of utmost importance – this allows improvement of KTU study programmes by including practical knowledge in the preparation of students, by providing topics and practical challenges for final projects and semester projects.
In the course of several years, Continental is planning to establish a laboratory at KTU, a breeding ground for new talents and a training centre for professionals working in the field of technologies who need new competencies and skills. The Company will introduce its technologies, management and innovations to the KTU students and staff.
“Kaunas University of Technology was one of the reasons behind our choosing Kaunas for the new factory of Continental. Today we are very happy to have a strong partner right next to us. The need of professionals in IT, engineering, robotics and the connected fields will continue to increase in Kaunas region, and the sustainable growth is possible only together with strong and open for collaboration educational institutions. We believe that we will accomplish many projects with KTU and will contribute to the increase of the talent pool in the region”, says Shayan Ali, Managing Director at Continental Automotive Lithuania.
Continental Automotive Lithuania has already employed a number of young professionals who have graduated from KTU, and several students who have completed internships at the Company received employment offers.
Founded in 1871, one of the largest companies in global automotive industry, Continental stepped into Lithuanian market in 2017. The company is producing safe, efficient, smart electronics solutions for vehicles, traffic and transportation. The new Continental production site, which will be opened later this autumn in Kaunas Free Economic Zone, will employ approximately 1,000 people. Production managers, electronics, robotics, process engineers, smart technologies, logistics specialists and managers will be needed.
