VU SR IIRPS 2025 m. July–December Activity Report

At the beginning of the 2025–2026 term, VU SR IIRPS set out to contribute to ensuring an effective exchange process for outgoing students. We aim for students to be provided with an effective exchange process for outgoing students through efficient communication, logistical and academic support, and strong international partnerships in VU SR IIRPS.

To achieve this goal, we established three tasks:

1. VU IIRPS has updated information based on students' expectations for exchange opportunities

In order to assess the needs of students, we organized focus groups with students who participated in the exchange process. After analyzing the meetings, we identified the main problems and reviewed the current partnership lists related to the study process at VU TSPMI, using criteria such as language and study process requirements. The problems expressed by the students were presented to the administration.  

1. Enable VU IIRPS students to make well-informed decisions about exchange opportunities through the  guidance of a newly formed mentorship network

We noticed a pressing problem: students seeking to broaden their experience through exchanges lack advice from students who have been to the respective countries and gone through the application process. To solve this problem, we created a network of mentors from students who had participated in the exchange process. In a training session, which was designed to develop their knowledge and skills, students gained knowledge about the more detailed bureaucratic processes involved in the exchange. During the training, students also participated in simulations with other mentors, where real situations that often occur during the exchange process were analyzed. These mentors will be publicized on the VU TSPMI website, in a new section dedicated to exchange opportunities. We will ensure the continuity of the new mentoring program by updating the network annually.  

1. VU SR IIRPS uses international partnership to establish personal connections between VU IIRPS students and host universities

In order to provide students with information about host universities and contribute to the improvement of the organization, we have initiated contact with student representatives of host universities. In cooperation with them, we plan to organize remote seminars to discuss the university community and academic environment. Recordings of the seminars will be publicly available on YouTube. We hope that they will be useful for both current and future students who want to learn more about the host universities.  

Teamwork and ongoing activities

For more information about the activities of the VU SR IIRPS team and representatives, click here.