Strengthened International Cooperation at the ADVANCE Project Workshop in Uganda
Representatives of Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution participated in the professional development workshop of the international ADVANCE project (Advancing Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Postgraduate Education in East Africa), held at Busitema University in Tororo, Uganda. The event brought together higher education institutions, academic communities, and project experts from Europe, Uganda, and Tanzania, united by a common goal to advance studies in social innovation and social entrepreneurship in East Africa.
The objective of the ADVANCE project is to strengthen higher education capacity through the development and implementation of postgraduate study programmes in social innovation and social entrepreneurship at four East African universities: Lira University and Busitema University in Uganda, as well as Mzumbe University and Mkwawa University College of Education in Tanzania.
During the workshop, project partners discussed implementation progress, accreditation processes for the study programmes, development of learning content, procurement of equipment, and the upcoming stages of project activities. Significant attention was also given to modern teaching approaches, including experiential learning, mentorship models, social impact measurement, quality assurance, and community-based learning initiatives.
Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution was represented by Rima Bačiulytė, Head of the Projects Department at the International Relations and Projects Office and lecturer at the Faculty of Business Management; Marius Ignatonis, Project Manager at the Projects Department; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Regina Venckienė, Head of the Study Quality Department and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business Management.
R. Bačiulytė and M. Ignatonis delivered a hands-on workshop entitled Practice Enterprises: Simulations as a Method of Experiential Learning, presenting the practice enterprise methodology as an effective tool for developing students’ entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and practical competences. R. Venckienė gave a presentation on European good practices in ensuring the quality of experiential learning in study programmes.
The meeting in Uganda served as an important platform for exchanging experience, establishing new professional connections, and exploring further cooperation opportunities. Participants highlighted the constructive working atmosphere, strong engagement, and shared commitment to developing high-quality study programmes aligned with labour market needs. Discussions covered the preparation of joint scientific articles in the field of experiential learning quality, as well as the application of the experiential learning methods presented during the workshops in the courses Entrepreneurship Development and Entrepreneurship Development Practice at the Faculty of Arts and Design.
The ADVANCE project continues to strengthen academic partnerships between European and East African institutions, promoting innovation, social entrepreneurship, and the sustainable development of higher education.
