Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) took home the main prize for implementing academic mobility in the category of Higher Education established by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation (EESF). The ceremony to celebrate the best and the most successful education exchange according to the first ERASMUS+ key action concerning the mobility of persons for the purpose of education projects was held this Tuesday, 15 November.
During the night, the EESF announced the winners in the following categories: Secondary Education, Vocational Training, Adult Education and Higher Education. The criteria applied when evaluating all the nominees included their success in the use of funding allocated by the European Commission and the Lithuanian Government, the number of students and employees participating in the mobility project, the ability to attract incoming project participants as well as the evaluation of their experience during the time spent at the host institution.
In 2015, KTU absorbed 100% of the allocated EC and LT Government funding and to send 462 students and staff members on mobility visits (21% increase since 2013/2014). Moreover, a whopping 94% of all incoming project participants evaluated their experience 
with mentorship and support provided by the host organisation as positive or highly positive.
“The excellent result was achieved by the joint effort of all the academic community, it is due to the personal approach of each teacher and student involved in the mobility projects. KTU is a truly international university where internationality is being implemented not only by the Department for Internationalisation, but is an organic part of every faculty, department and office of our University”, says Gintarė Vilbikienė, Head of KTU Academic Exchange and Networks Office.
According to her, ERASMUS+ is the main instrument enabling international mobility among persons working and studying in educational sector. The mobility of students, and academic and administrative staff provides the opportunity not only to develop their professional competencies, but to also expand their horizons and to get ready for the global market.
This influences the internationality of the University in the broadest sense: constantly growing numbers of international students and teachers encourage development of bilingual study environment, and serve as an additional motivation for teachers to improve their English skills and to apply new innovative teaching methods.
