Ignitis Grupė Supports Historic Partnership to Boost Lithuania's Future

The integrated renewable energy company Ignitis Grupė, together with consortium partners, signed a cooperation agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, Boston, USA) – a global leader in science and innovation that consistently tops global rankings – at the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania. This groundbreaking collaboration, facilitated through MIT’s International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) programme for Lithuania, was initiated by a consortium spearheaded by Vytautas Magnus University (VDU).

The partnership encompasses joint scientific and artistic research projects, as well as mobility programmes, which facilitate global collaboration in science, research, and education. Through this collaboration, top-tier MIT researchers will visit Lithuania to share expertise and contribute to various initiatives. Future plans also include Lithuania’s integration into the MIT Entrepreneurship Network, offering the country new opportunities in entrepreneurship training and innovation development. Lithuania also intends to launch additional initiatives, including STEAM and entrepreneurship education in Lithuanian schools, where MIT students will deliver workshops and lessons, inspiring the next generation of Lithuanian innovators.

Dr. Živilė Skibarkienė, Member of the Board of Ignitis grupė, remarked: “We are proud to contribute to a historic investment in Lithuania’s growth. As an energy sector company, we see immense potential for collaboration with academia. Our vision is to establish a centre of excellence for the energy industry of the future, which will strengthen Lithuania’s global standing and generate substantial added value for the country. Partnering with MIT is an extraordinary opportunity to advance engineering science in Lithuania.”

Prof. Gediminas Urbonas, the key initiator of Lithuania’s collaboration with MIT, emphasised:  “We live in an era of unprecedented challenges for humanity and our planet, where survival requires collaboration across disciplines and geographies. This agreement allows Lithuanian scientists to engage with MIT’s unique interdisciplinary research centres and work alongside the world’s leading researchers to develop ideas that were once unimaginable.”

According to MIT MISTI partners, this program represents a strategic investment in Lithuania’s future, positioning the country as a regional leader in science and innovative solutions. The partnership with MIT and participation in MISTI will enhance Lithuania’s reputation as an innovation and technology hub, foster high-skilled job creation, and modernise the education system through cutting-edge teaching methods.

Consortium partners include numerous esteemed organisations, such as Vytautas Magnus University (VDU), Kaunas University of Technology, Klaipėda University, Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuanian Energy Institute, AB Ignitis grupė, AB Lietuvos geležinkeliai, UAB Novian, and UAB Euromonitor International – Eastern Europe.