VILNIUS TECH hosts ATHENA BIP

From 20 to 24 October 2025, Lithuania’s Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) hosted the ATHENA Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on “Sustainability of Student Organisations,” organised by the ATHENA European University.

Implementing the BIP, representatives of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute – Iryna Simkova and Yuliana Lavrysh, professors at the Faculty of Linguistics – delivered lectures and conducted workshops on the resilience of student organisations, knowledge management for sustainability goals, and effective collaboration in multicultural teams.

A thought-provoking discussion on the future of ATHENA Student Organisations was initiated by Konstantinos Petridis, ATHENA Academic Coordinator, Vice-Rector of Internationalisation and Extroversion at the Hellenic Mediterranean University.

BIP participants explored how student organisations can evolve, enhance engagement, ensure continuity and strengthen their overall impact. The teams worked out thoughtful action plans for the near future, rich in creative and practicable ideas.

The programme offered a unique opportunity for members of the ATHENA Student Board, Students’ Representations, ESN ATHENA and other student-led organisations to hone their leadership and teamwork skills while forming useful cross-border connections.

The participants earned 3 ECTS in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership – and, more importantly, gained insights and networks that will support the sustainability of student initiatives both within the ATHENA Alliance and beyond.

It is worth noting too that despite Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and frequent power outages, Kyiv Polytechnic students Sviatoslav Shesterov and Sofiia Marushchenko were able to join their peers from other countries, build meaningful connections, and make a remarkable contribution to the teamwork and shared vision of sustainability.