On October 14, NEOLAiA and Šiaulių Valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution proudly hosted the Focus Academy course event on “Global Competences and Multicultural Identity” which marks the start of Focus Academy course series in the academic year 2025-2026.

The event began with an informational session for students and academics, introducing the objectives of the Focus Academy and highlighting the upcoming series of learning experiences planned for this academic year. The session was followed by a TED-talk style presentation, featuring three distinguished speakers:

• Justinas Švėgžda, Vice-Mayor of Šiauliai City, shared perspectives on civic leadership and the importance of global competences for active community engagement.

• Tomas Vonžodas, CEO of INTUS, discussed how global skills can be applied in professional settings, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural collaboration.

• Tatiana Buelvas Baldiris, Ph.D., NEOLAiA Representative, highlighted the role of multicultural identity in international education and academic collaboration.

Each speaker offered unique insights while emphasizing a shared message: global skills, cultural awareness, and understanding identity are vital for personal, academic, and professional growth in a diverse world. Attendees were able to see how these competences can shape careers, leadership opportunities, and civic engagement, making the concepts tangible and actionable.

This hybrid event brought together students, academics, and representatives from NEOLAiA partner institutions to explore essential skills for navigating today’s interconnected world.

This launch marks the beginning of the Focus Academy course series, which will continue to provide students and academics across NEOLAiA partner institutions with opportunities to develop global competencies and explore multicultural perspectives. The hybrid format ensures that participants from different countries can engage actively, fostering international dialogue and collaboration.

The NEOLAiA Focus Academy represents a commitment to preparing students and academics to thrive in a globalized society, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and intercultural awareness needed to navigate complex, interconnected environments.

For more information on upcoming courses and events, visit the NEOLAiA website and follow the alliance’s updates across partner institutions.

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.