THURSDAY MAY 29

8:30-9:00 Registration 

KTU Library, Room M8 (Address: Studentų g. 48, Kaunas) 

9:00-10:30 Presentations

• Introduction to KTU by Dr. Assoc.Prof K.Ukvalbergienè (Vice-rector for Education) (Lithuania)

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Assoc. Prof. Kristina Ukvalbergienė, Vice-Rector for Education at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), who will provide us with an insightful introduction to KTU — one of the leading technological universities in the Baltic region. Join us to learn more about the university’s academic strengths, international opportunities, and its role in shaping future innovation.

• KTU- regional leader of impact! by Dr. Mindaugas BULOTA (Director of KTU National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre) (Lithuania)

Join us for an engaging session on Entrepreneurship and Innovation at KTU, presented by Dr. Mindaugas Bulota, Director of the KTU National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. Discover how Kaunas University of Technology fosters a culture of innovation, supports startups, and drives collaboration between academia and industry.

• Insights in the regional and national perspectives on youth employment by Eglè STONKUTÈ (Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists) (Lithuania)

We are happy to welcome Eglė Stonkutė from the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, who will share valuable insights into regional and national perspectives on youth employment. This session will explore key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the youth labor market in Lithuania and beyond.

10:30-11:30 Coffee 

Networking activity to get to know each other 

11:30-12:30 Presentations 

• What kind of trainee Lithuania is looking for? by Dr.Rasa ROTOMSKIENÈ (Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists) (Lithuania)

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Rasa Rotomskienė from the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, who will present on “What Kind of Trainee is Lithuania Looking For?” This session will provide valuable insights into the skills, qualities, and profiles most in demand by Lithuanian employers in today’s evolving job market.

• From Exchange to Action: Building the Community I wished for by Narmin ALIYEVA (SPEAK Lithuania) (Lithuania) 

We’re excited to welcome Narmin Aliyeva from SPEAK Lithuania, who will lead the session “From Exchange to Action: Building the Community I Wished For.” Narmin will share her inspiring journey of turning cultural exchange into meaningful community-building, and how initiatives like SPEAK are creating inclusive spaces for dialogue and connection.

12:30-13:30 Lunch

13:30-15:00 Inclusion and Diversity Perspectives of the German National Agency

Frauke Stebner, Head of the Department for Inclusion and Diversity (Germany)

The National Agency for Erasmus+ University Cooperation within the German Academic Exchange Service (NA DAAD) has significantly expanded its support for students with regard to inclusion. Students from non-academic backgrounds, working students, students who are going abroad with children and students with a disability or chronic illness will receive additional financial support. To this end, the NA DAAD has implemented the transfer of a total of €57 million from the European Social Fund Plus to Erasmus+. With these and other measures at various levels, the German National Agency wants to make a significant contribution to promoting inclusion and diversity in higher education.  On May 23, 2023 the NA DAAD presented its Inclusion Strategy, which forms the basis of all actions. It represents the situation in Germany and presents a detailed action plan to make Erasmus+ a reality for everyone. 

15:00-15:30 Coffee 

15:30-16:30 “Back to school” Connecting Erasmus Internships and Europa macht Schule”

Gideon Zoller, Erasmus Internship Coordinator, Inter Research e.V., Fulda (Germany)

Explore how the “Back to School” initiative, part of the “Europa macht Schule” (EmS) program, aligns with Erasmus internships to inspire young audiences and expand intercultural exchange across Europe. This session will highlight plans to internationalize EmS, creating opportunities for Erasmus alumni to motivate students with their experiences abroad. Discover how integrating these programs can promote mobility, foster collaboration, and strengthen the European identity

16:30-17:30 Free time

17:30-21:30 Social event: Make and taste traditional Lithuanian food

Taste Lithuania: make your own “cepelinai” and “Šaltibarščiai” ! Let’s cook traditional national dishes together and enjoy a fun evening of food, culture, and connection!

(Closed event for international participants only.)

Venue: Bernelių užeiga (Address: K. Donelaičio g. 11, Kaunas)

FRIDAY MAY 30 

9:00-10:30 “From Reluctance to Readiness: getting companies on board with inclusive internships”

Maarten Brand, internship expert and author, Bureau Brand, (The Netherlands)

A lot of companies hesitate when it comes to diversity in internships, sometimes because of bias, sometimes because they think it’s too much effort. This session is all about giving coordinators practical tools to change that mindset and show businesses that inclusive internships aren’t just the right thing to do; they’re a smart investment.

The participants will get:

• Clear arguments for the business case: how diversity benefits companies in terms of talent, innovation, and long-term hiring.
• How to counter common excuses like “We just hire the best person” or “We don’t get diverse applicants.”
• Bias spotting & fixing: From job descriptions to interviews, how to remove barriers without lowering the bar.
• How to audit a company’s inclusivity remotely: Ideal for coordinators working with international placements.
• Actionable steps they can implement immediately: No fluff, just practical strategies that work.

How It’ll Work:

• Interactive (but not scary)—quick polls, pair-and-share exercises, and real-worldexamples.
• Hands-on tools: I’ss make a simple Bias & Remote Audit Toolkit coordinators can use right away.
• Designed for coordinators who struggle to get companies on board—so they leave with confidence and a game plan.

10:30-11:00 Coffee 

Join the Exciting LEO-NET Quiz! Test your knowledge, compete with others, and showcase your skills. The winner will receive an amazing prize – 50% off the next LEO-NET Annual Seminar and a useful tech gadget. Are you ready for the challenge?

11:00-12:30 Erasmus + Programme 2021-2027: state of art and future perspective of the new Erasmus + program generation  

Johannes Gehringer, European Comission, DG Education Youth Sport & Culture/Higher Education (Belgium) 

Mr. Gehringer will present the state of play of the current Erasmus+ Programme, with a particular focus on traineeship mobility. After several years of implementation, we have seen both improvements and challenges emerge. This session will also provide an opportunity for you to ask questions about the EU’s goals for the next programme generation, including key initiatives such as the “Union of Skills” and the “EU Competence Compass.”

12:30-13:30 Lunch 

13:30-15:00 COIL4Staff – a new approach to Internationalization at Home / COIL-Collaborative Online International Learning 

Merche Gimeno Rico Head International Office, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, (Spain) 

Halyna Zubrytska, Expert of International Relations, International Office, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, (Spain).

COIL for Staff is an innovative opportunity designed for administrative staff, enabling them to deepen their knowledge and broaden their global perspectives while collaborating with faculty and students in higher education institutions. 

15:00 Wrap up & closing

We’ll come together for a brief wrap-up and closing session, reflecting on the highlights of our time together. Afterward, enjoy your free time in Kaunas — explore the city, connect with fellow participants, and make the most of your final moments here.

Farewell… and see you next time!

15:30-17:00 KTU Guided tour 

Join us for a guided tour of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). Discover the innovative environment where education meets technology and explore how KTU supports hands-on learning and scientific advancement.

WEDNESDAY MAY 28

11:00-15:30 Visit TECHNORAMA!

An innovation exhibition organized by KTU, bringing together innovation creators – students, researchers, and enthusiasts of new technologies for over two decades. Explore the latest advancements and cutting-edge technologies! (The entrance is free.)

Venue: Santaka Valley (Address: K. Baršausko g. 59, Kaunas) 

18:00-19:30 Kaunas Guided Tour 

Discover the charm and history of Kaunas on a guided tour through the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Enjoy local stories, cultural highlights, and architectural beauty as you explore Lithuania’s vibrant second-largest city with us!

Meeting point: Kaunas Central Post Office (Laisvès av. 102) 

19:30-21:00 Meet and Greet with Trainees 

In the evening before the seminar participants can invite trainees of their institution, who are at that moment in Kaunas or nearby, for a drink offered by LEO-NET to listen to their first-hand traineeship experiences.

Venue: Mamma Kitchen stories (V. Putvinskio g.53)

Dr. Assoc.prof K.Ukvalbergienè.(LT)

Dr. Kristina Ukvalbergienė is a Vice-Rector for Education and Associate Professor at Kaunas University of Technology. She holds a doctoral degree in Technological Sciences. After more than 7 years in the industry, where she gained extensive experience, Kristina joined university in 2008. As a Vice-Rector for Education, she is responsible for the formation and implementation of the university`s educational strategy. Her expertise lies in higher education policy, policy development and implementation, quality assurance, study processes, strategic project management. Kristina holds several external expertise-based positions and is a member of Lithuanian Education Council, a Chair of Study Committee of the Lithuanian University Rectors’ Conference, a member of the Commission of Higher Education Institutions’ Review of the Center for Quality Assessment in Higher Education.

Session: Thursday May 29, 9:00-10:30 “Introduction to KTU”

Dr. Mindaugas BULOTA. (LT)

Dr. Mindaugas Bulota has 15 years of experience in research and development. He has taken a number of different positions as a consultant, research engineer and project manager across different countries and industries in Europe. Today he’s leading national innovation and entrepreneurship center at Kaunas university of technology. The main responsibility is ensuring effective cooperation between business and academia. Day to day activities involve innovation management, technology transfer, IP licensing, technology scouting and supporting companies to solve product development challenges. Additionally, working with teams of innovators to help them grow to successful startups.

Session: Thursday May 29, 9:00-10:30 “KTU- regional leader of impact”

Egle STONKUTE. (LT)

Egle Stonkute has pursued parallel academic and practical careers. For nearly 20 years, she lectured and conducted research on business strategy at Vytautas Magnus University while also working on applied economic research at the Lithuanian Institute for Agrarian Economics. Her work included designing Lithuania’s single area payment scheme and evaluating agricultural policy measures for the Ministry of Agriculture. 

She later served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Lithuania during the 2008 financial crisis, focusing on agricultural economics and cost-benefit analyses of public policies. Her expertise was further applied as Director of Education, Culture and Sports at Vilnus City Municipality. Currently, she works as an economist-analyst at the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists and serves as Vice-President of the international NGO EUROPA, which focuses on public administration and economic policies in the EU. 

Session: Thursday May 29, 9:00-10:30 “Insights in the regional and national perspectives on youth employment”

Rasa ROTOMSKIENE. (LT)

Dr. Rasa Rotomskiene is an innovation expert at the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists (LPK) and International Cooperation Lead at the European Digital Innovation Hub in Vilnus EDIH4IAE.LT (with focus on Industry, Energy and AgriFood). Rasa’s Ph.D topic was directly related to technology change management issues and she continues to work in this area ever since by focusing on dual transformations (digital and green) in manufacturing, Industry 5.0 competences “and skills” gaps and needs and workplace innovation in companies. She was LPK’s representative at the BATT4EU (BEPA The Batteries European Partnership Association) European partnership in 2022-2024 with particular focus on talent and skills needed for the battery industry and other renewables. Currently she is working in a large European Consortium implementing the Horizon Europe project BRIDGES 5.0 Bridging Risks to an Inclusive Digital and Green future by Enhancing workforce Skills for industry 5.0. 

Session: Thursday May 29, 11:30-12:30 “Insights in the regional and national perspectives on youth employment”

Narmin ALIYEVA. (LT)

Narmin holds a Master of Science in Informatics from KTU (2020) and has been actively involved in Erasmus + and exchange studies throughout her academic journey (Sweden, South Korea, Portugal, Czech Republic, Malta). She is the founder of SPEAK Lithuania (since 2021), a community-driven initiative that helps migrants connect with locals through language and cultural exchange activities. In recognition of its impactful work, SPEAK Lithuania has received the prestigious “Lietuvos Galia”. Award from the President of Lithuania in 2023. 

Session: Thursday May 29, 11:30-12:30 “From Exchange to Action: Building the Community I Wished for”

Frauke Stebner. (DE)

Frauke is a biologist and paleontologist and has worked as a researcher at the University of Bonn and at the Natural History Museum Stuttgart. She has been working for the Erasmus+ programme in the National Agency at DAAD in Germany for almost 7 years. As Erasmus+ Inclusion Officer and Team Leader, she and her team have been responsible for the conception, coordination and implementation of inclusion measures in Germany since 2021.

Session: Thursday May 29, 13:30-15:00 “Inclusion and Diversity Perspectives of the German National Agency”

Gideon Zoller. (DE)

Gideon Zoller is the Coordinator for Erasmus Internships at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (Inter Research e.V.) in Fulda. He is actively involved in the “Europa macht Schule” program, where he has had the privilege of witnessing its transformative impact on intercultural exchange firsthand. During his bachelor’s studies in Law and French, he completed two Erasmus semesters in Belgium and France, which greatly enriched his understanding of European collaboration and intercultural learning. Currently, alongside his role as Erasmus coordinator, Gideon is pursuing a master’s degree in Intercultural Communication and European Studies. His passion lies in fostering European collaboration, and he is committed to aligning “Europa macht Schule” with Erasmus internships while supporting the program’s expansion across Europe.

Session: Thursday May 29, 15:30-16:30 “Back to school” Connecting Erasmus Internships and Europa macht Schule

Maarten Brand. (NL)

Maarten Brand is the best-known internship expert in the Netherlands. With his office Bureau Brand, he helps companies and organisations to set up internships as successfully as possible. He advises and trains employers and educational institutions to ensure that every internship is a success. He has written several bestselling books on internships.

Session: Friday May 30, 9:00-10:30 “From Reluctance to Readiness: getting companies on board with inclusive internships”

Johannes Gehringer. (BE)

Johannes Gehringer is Policy Officer for Erasmus+ Higher Education at the European Commission in Brussels. Johannes has work experience in EU external relations and cooperation (audiovisual, culture) as well as in EU education and training policies and programmes. He is interested in EU affairs, international relations, foreign policy, education and culture.

Session: Friday May 30, 11:00-12:30 “Erasmus + Programme 2021-2027: state of art and future perspective of the new Erasmus + program generation”

Merche Gimeno Rico (ES)

She holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and has been part of CEU university since March 1998, carrying out tasks related to international relations. Since 2014, she is the Director of the International Relations Office. She is also a member of the university’s strategic team for internationalization, with a specific focus on internationalization at home. Additionally, she holds a Trainers Certification (Systematic University Towards Internationalization) from Rovira i Virgili University.

Session: Friday May 30, 13:30-15:00 “COIL4Staff – a new approach to Internationalization at Home / COIL-Collaborative Online International Learning”

Halva Zubrytska (ES)

Session: Friday May 30, 13:30-15:00 “COIL4Staff – a new approach to Internationalization at Home / COIL-Collaborative Online International Learning”