LSMU in the EHEF Higher Education Fair in Delhi

Following the EU initiative, the European higher education fair “European Higher Education Fair India 2014” was held from 30 November to 1 December in Delhi, India. Among many other European higher education institutions, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) also took part in it. It was represented by Mr. Alvidas Šarlauskas, vice-dean of the International Relations and Study Centre. Our country was represented in the joint stand of nine Lithuanian higher education institutions ‘Study in Lithuania’.

Indiahas been an attractive country for higher education institutions for many years already as many young people from there go to study abroad. Many European universities prioritize this market. As the living standard has started to rise during the last decade in India, its attractiveness increased even more. LSMU cannot brag about a huge number of Indian students yet (at present 18 Indian citizens are studying at LSMU), although the medical profession is very valued and pursued in India. It is predetermined by knowledge aboutLithuaniaas a country and the entire Baltic region inIndia. It was a rare case when a young person who expressed an interest in LSMU could show it at least approximately on the map. It is necessary to take care about making our country known in such countries asIndia, so that when the young people make the final decision about their studies, no doubt would be left for them thatLithuaniais one of the best countries for studies inEurope.

In order to make the region better known, the national education support agencies of all three Baltic States and universities, who came to the fair, organized a separate one-day event ‘Study in Baltics Day’ for the first time. This day was organized one day before the EHEF fair. It was the first event of such type, to which local agencies acting as intermediates for studies abroad, students and all persons interested in the Baltic region were invited. The event was widely advertised in the specially created website. ‘Study in Baltics Day’ did not receive much attention from prospective students; however, it was attended by many agencies offering studies at European universities and study consultants. It was a favourable medium for the participants from the Baltic States to advertise their studies and to get information useful for marketing about Indian culture, regularities of local higher education market, prestigious professions, and probable fears of young people going to study far away, etc. It was an excellent preparation for the fair that started next day. In the end of the event the participants shared their impressions, discussed successes and failures of ‘Study in Baltic Day’, as well as further guidelines for such events. The participants were unanimous in their opinion that such joint initiatives are useful, because a larger region is more visible than single countries, the expenses of the event shared among the countries increase event effectiveness, and it becomes easier to attract target groups.