KTU and Tampere University students to benefit from wide international opportunities

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Tampere University (TAU) in Finland signed a double degree agreement for Master’s studies in the robotics field. This collaboration provides students with a distinctive competitive edge in the international job market and opens career opportunities not only in Lithuania and Finland but across Europe.

According to Professor Dr Agnė Paulauskaitė-Tarasevičienė of KTU, the double degree agreement is one of the most significant achievements of the Artificial Intelligence Competence Centre SustAInLivWork. The Centre is the first of its kind in Lithuania, systematically bringing together knowledge and expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), and uniting four leading Lithuanian universities with partners from Finland and Germany. The newly signed agreement links the study programmes of two project partners: KTU’s Control Technologies and TAU’s Automation Engineering.

Strengthening Europe’s competitiveness

Professor Dr Reza Ghabcheloo from TAU’s Department of Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering noted that the programme encourages students to build their careers in Europe rather than looking beyond its borders.

Getting to know another country and its culture is an inseparable part of such a study journey.

From heavy machinery systems to robotics

Dr Baranauskas pointed out that the research areas pursued at both universities complement each other.

“Finland has strong traditions in heavy industry, particularly in the stone and mining sectors, which has allowed TAU to build substantial expertise in this field. KTU students will have the chance to delve into autonomous heavy machinery systems, mobile platforms, programming, and industrial communication,” he explained.

Meanwhile, TAU students will have the opportunity to participate in robotics projects at KTU, deepen their knowledge of control systems, their optimisation, and the environmental impact of technological processes.

“An important feature of this programme is continuity. At present, KTU, together with the Polytechnic University of Cartagena in Spain, offers a double degree Bachelor’s programme in Intelligent Robotic Systems. Graduates who continue their master’s studies in Control Technologies will be able to pursue a TAU diploma as well,” Dr Baranauskas highlighted.

A long-term university partnership

The programme opens doors not only to student mobility but also to joint research and innovation projects. It enables closer cooperation with industry partners across Europe, linking education and science to real-world challenges.

“By signing this agreement, we are not only preparing students for successful international careers but also contributing to the long-term competitiveness of European industry. Together we will promote innovation, pursue excellence, and foster collaboration in engineering education and research, creating opportunities for talent, knowledge, and impact to remain in Europe,” said Prof. Ghabcheloo.

He stressed that this joint study programme is part of the broader SustAInLivWork initiative. In addition to KTU and TAU, partners of the AI Competence Centre include Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), and Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). This long-term, cross-sectoral platform connects academia, business, the public sector, and society.

The SustAInLivWork project is funded by the Horizon Europe programme (No. 101059903) and the European Union Funds 2021–2027 (Project No. 10-042-P-0001).