Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) are joining forces to prepare highly qualified public servants are ready to meet the needs of a contemporary global society. Admission to Public Governance at KTU, the first in Lithuania dual degree programme with a U.S. university, has already started. Public Governance students accepted from September will have the opportunity to study part of their time in the U.S. Needless to say – without a hefty price tag attached to the offer.

University of Central Florida (UCF), offering more than 210 study programmes across the fields, is among the leaders in the public administration sector. The School of Public Administration at UCF was ranked 13^th by the Innovation criteria on USnews.com site last year. UCF is ranked #150 in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2018 in the subject of Public Administration.

“Our partnership with UCF was inspired by the aim to prepare the new generation of professionals, who would work successfully not only in local organisations but also on international level leading the institutions in Brussels, London or Washington”, says Dr Eglė Vaidelytė, Head of the Programme at KTU.

The public sector is a significant section of the global workforce. Depending on the country, public sector employees occupy from 30 to 10 per cent of the total job market. According to statistics, 3 out of 10 Lithuanians work in the public sector and 65 per cent consider this employment attractive.

Among the advantages of working in the public sector is the possibility to make an impact, flexibility, numerous training opportunities, stability and social benefits. Surprisingly to many, salaries in the public sector might also be very competitive.

However, in the face of Industry 4.0, all the sectors of industry and services, including the public sector, must change and adapt to the dynamic reality of tomorrow. According to Dr Vaidelytė, globalisation, technological advances and innovations are changing public governance and its services.

“I am convinced that these changes will generate new challenges, which can only be met only by highly competent public governance professionals”, says Dr Vaidelytė.

According to Anne Hall, the U.S. Ambassador in Lithuania, Public Governance study programme at KTU is perfect for those willing to become professionals in the public sector, to get in-depth knowledge of the public governance theories, practice, ethics and values, who want to apply the principles of democratic society and social involvement in a public sector job position.

“Partnerships between higher education institutions foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Lithuania and expose future leaders to innovative ideas and global thinking. And I believe your students are future leaders!”, says Mrs Hall.

From September 2019, KTU Public Governance students will study the first two years in Lithuania according to the study programme aligned to UCF standards. In the third year, the Lithuanian and American students will be joined into a common group and the studies will take place both in Lithuania and the U.S. KTU students will have the opportunity to join the international community of UCF, which unites 65 thousand students from 157 countries.

“This is un-precedential agreement – the students will graduate from two universities at once: from KTU and UCF, one of the largest universities in the U.S. For a “Lithuanian price” they will not only obtain the American diploma, but also invaluable experience, a semester in Orlando, Florida, professional contacts and competences”, says Dr Vaidelytė.

Admissions to KTU are now open. Check Public Governance at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and apply today.