Let’s bring into the light one of the ArtIST project partners – Kaunas University of Technology, who is responsible for designing and consolidation of the Module on STE(A)M in business, entrepreneurship and innovation education in the ArtIST project. KTU is one the largest technological universities in the Baltics, and is a leading Lithuanian University providing studies of engineering, technologies, physical and social sciences, humanities and arts also recognized for its linkages with business, leadership in scientific research, flexible interdisciplinary study programmes and unforgettable study experience for students. 

KTU is attracting worldwide talents to the Kaunas city providing students with advanced skills and competencies consequently facilitating Kaunas to be recognized as a city of technology. By the Financial Times Intelligence Ranking Tech Cities of the Future (which is designed to discover and shed light on those European cities that offer the best prospects for startups as well as businesses investing in technology and innovation) Kaunas found itself among the best in the 2021/22 for the second year in a row. 

Nevertheless, Kaunas is taking courtesy, aiming to be acknowledged as a location for culture and art by being one of the three cities to hold the European Capital of Culture title in 2022. As the organizers state – the programme includes over 1,000 events and internationally-known artists and aims to involve utmost visual arts, music, theatre, literature, new media and technologies and interdisciplinary arts. Yet it is not about the genres, but rather the most relevant topics concerning Kaunas, Lithuania and Europe. The move forward is impossible without waking up the memory, promoting an advanced approach to heritage, inclusion, respect to multiculturalism and differentness. 

According to organisers, “Kaunas 2022” – the biggest co-creation festival, it encourages participatory culture, local and international cultural partnerships, intersectoral (cultural and scientific, business, educational sectors) partnerships, the involvement of residents in cultural and artistic development processes, creation of modernity by knowing one’s roots, history, and uniqueness, openness, love of city and place where we live. It also serves as an educational project, as hundreds of culture professionals and enthusiasts and representatives of the young generation gaining new skills and joining cooperation networks.

Impressive events and exhibitions are not all that Kaunas has to offer. To get inspired from the European Capital of Culture in the ArtIST manner, we invite you to visit Kaunas and dive into the real life of the city and furthermore collect your unforgettable experiences.

KTU multidisciplinary team in ArtIST project consist of: 

• Prof. dr. Monika Petraite  is a team leader and main researcher, who‘s focal interests are in technology entrepreneurship, strategy, and open innovation capabilities development via research and innovative pedagogies; Monika brings to the team a great experience on strategic decision making level by being a national and international expert on innovation policy and entrepreneurship facilitation as well as mentor and inspirational speaker to promote innovation leadership and entrepreneurship via TEDx talks, Leadership forums and other platforms;
• Prof. dr. Brigita Janiunaite provides the knowledge on the management of educational innovation and is certified (Education Innovation Lab gUG, BERLIN) design thinking trainer. Brigita’s principal directions of research activity: management of change, social and educational innovations, curriculum development, social entrepreneurship, development of innovative culture at individual and organisational level; 
• Assoc. Prof. dr. Ruta Valusyte endows the team with her artistic perspective and knowledge on design thinking, creative competence management. Her main research interests are in strategic design & innovation management: design for social innovation, design for sustainable development, design for business & entrepreneurship; design for product/service development. Ruta also possesses valuable experience in design practice;
• Doctoral candidate and researcher Aiste Vaisnore is an enthusiast of creativity and innovation, and modern teaching methods. She devoted her efforts for open innovation research with a main focus on networked, open innovation with customers. Furthermore, Aiste has practical experience in innovation project management and innovation business consulting as well as mentoring and lecturing students in creativity and innovation, idea generation and evaluation seminars and workshops.