The First European Universities Alliance ACE²-EU Networking Event, "Aceploration", took place on March 20–21, 2025, at Constantin Brâncuși University (Universitatea „Constantin Brâncuși”) in Târgu Jiu, Romania.
The event brought together researchers from nine alliance member universities, aiming to strengthen academic and scientific cooperation through the development of joint study programs and pedagogical innovations, as well as strategic planning and the application of European quality standards in education. The event featured practical workshops and discussions focused on fostering EU values, enhancing mobility, promoting synergies between science and business, and increasing partner engagement in joint alliance activities.
The Lietuvos Inžinerijos kolegija Higher Education Institution (LIK) was represented by Dr. Raimundas Šadzevičius, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies, and Dr. Valda Gudynaitė-Franckevičienė, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering. During the event, researchers proposed a blended intensive program “Local Renewable Building Materials from Residues of Agricultural Production.” The program attracted significant interest and it was decided to implement it in collaboration with teaching staff from Constantin Brâncuși University and Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt.
LIK also joined activities organized by the Latvian Academy of Culture, such as “Sustainable Outdoor Events: Waste Around and Within Us” and “Academic Flow: Culture and Well-being for Quality Education,” which will involve not only LIK students but also lecturers who will deliver lectures and conduct practical workshops. Additionally, the college will participate in the initiative “Healthy Diets Through Natural Products” proposed by Constantin Brâncuși University.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to establish new connections, exchange ideas, and plan future cooperation directions among ACE²-EU alliance members.
At the same time, the working package WP2 “Applied Programmes and the Pedagogy Factory” meeting took place, led by the University Francisco de Vitoria (Universidad Francisco de Vitoria).
LIK was represented at this meeting by lecturer Gitana Vyčienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vilda Grybauskienė. The discussions focused on institutional academic calendars, formats for short learning programs, and student selection criteria. Opportunities for collaboration between institutions in the development of short learning programs and ensuring the quality of these programs were also explored.
