International Scientific Student Symposium in Klaipėda Brought Together a Community of Young Researchers from Various Countries

On April 24, 2026, Lithuania Business College hosted the 23rd International Scientific Student Symposium “Academic Aspirations of Youth: Insights in Economy, Management, Law and Technologies 2026”, bringing together students, lecturers, and researchers from Lithuanian and foreign higher education institutions. The event was held both on-site and remotely, enabling broad participation of the international academic community.
The symposium began with a plenary session moderated by Paulius Širvelis, President of the Students’ Representation of Lithuania Business College, Lithuania. The opening speech was delivered by Assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Martinkienė, Director of Lithuania Business College, Lithuania, who emphasized the role of young researchers in building an innovative and responsible society.
The plenary session featured relevant and contemporary presentations: Lect. Alina Pochodnia presented on improving financial accounting service delivery through AI-based behavior and communication monitoring; Dr. Nataliia Trushkina, Research Center for Industrial Problems of Development, Ukraine, shared insights on enhancing digital competence in marketing education; Asma Dali, Anis Djelfi presented on common practices in the preparation of applied research and emerging trends at the student level, together with Lect. Robertas Kavolius, Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija / Higher Education Institution, Lithuania .
The symposium continued in three student sessions. The first (on-site) session was moderated by Paulius Širvelis, President of the Students’ Association of Lithuania Business College (LBC), and the commission consisted of Dr. Simona Briedienė, Coordinator of the Science and Applied Research Department at LBC, Lect. Modestas Vaikšnoras Marketing and Communication Coordiantor at LBC, and Student Paulius Širvelis, President of the Students’ Representation of LBC.
The second (online) session was moderated by LBC Students’ Association member Gustautė Kaminskaitė, with the commission including Assoc. prof. dr. Kristina Puleikienė, Deputy Director for Studies and Quality at LBC, and Lect. Indrė Šmitienė, Head of the Tourism and Communication Department at LBC.
The third (online) session was moderated by LBC Students’ Association member Emilija Narvilaitė, and the commission consisted of Lect. Vilija Šlajienė and Head of the Law Department at LBC, Lect. Tomas Bagdonas, Head of the Technology Department at LBC.
During the symposium, a total of 49 student research papers were presented, prepared by more than 60 young researchers in collaboration with their academic supervisors. Participants represented a wide range of higher education institutions, including Lithuania Business College, Klaipėda University, Kaunas College, Vilnius College, Utena College, SMK College of Applied Sciences, LCC International University, as well as international institutions – Karabuk University and Giresun University (Turkey), University of Savoy Mont Blanc – Chambery (France), University of La Laguna (Spain), College of Business Administration (Latvia), Research Center for Industrial Problems of Development (Ukraine), and other international academic institutions.
The symposium stood out for the diversity and relevance of its topics. Students analyzed challenges in financial technologies, applications of artificial intelligence in business and technologies, changes in digital marketing and consumer behavior, legal and public sector issues, as well as sustainability, tourism, urban development, and social integration topics. Additionally, discussions covered educational innovations, transformations in organizational culture, health, environmental protection, and technological solutions.
It is important to note that the symposium was organized by the Students’ Representation of Lithuania Business College in cooperation with the Research and Applied Science Department, strengthening student involvement in scientific activities and the academic community. All submitted papers are peer-reviewed, and selected works are published in an electronic publication, ensuring their dissemination and academic value.
This symposium creates significant value by fostering critical thinking among young researchers, encouraging international collaboration, promoting academic dialogue, and supporting the search for practical solutions in business, law, and technology fields.
The authors of the best papers will be awarded exceptional prizes. Among them is a trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, providing an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into European decision-making processes. Additionally, laureates will receive prizes established by Lithuania Business College, as well as symbolic statuettes – horses created in the College’s Technology and Innovation Laboratory using 3D printing technology. The horse symbolizes progress, determination, and forward movement – values that are also reflected in the academic aspirations of the symposium participants.

The highest-ranked papers (awarded a trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg):

The awarded students were:

• Inga Gecevičiūtė, Lithuania Business College, Lithuania – Challenges and Risks of Applying Fintech Solutions in Business (Supervisor: Lecturer Ingrida Razmė);
• Greta Slapšytė, Kaunas College, Lithuania – Experiential Learning in Preschool Education: The Connection Between Theory and Practice in the Context of Neurodidactics (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jovita Starkutė);
• Evelina Verbickaitė, Vilnius College, Lithuania – Rainwater Harvesting Engineering Systems – Sustainable Water Management Solutions (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tomas Čižokas).

The best papers (1st–3rd places) 1st session:

• 1st place – Uģis Eglītis, College of Business Administration, Latvia – Analysis of the Trolleybus Driver Selection Process in the “Trolleybus Depot Operation Department” of the Municipal Enterprise “Rīgas Satiksme” and Opportunities for Improvement (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Signe Vaičulena);
• 2nd place – Emma Goujon, Emmie Castellanos, Angela Prados Vicente, University of Savoy Mont Blanc – Chambery, France, and University of La Laguna, Spain – Overtourism in Paris and Barcelona: Economic Benefits and Social Challenges (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristina Puleikienė);
• 3rd place – Šarūnė Valickaitė, Monika Kudžiūtė, Lithuania Business College, Lithuania – Issues Regarding the Application of Disciplinary Liability for Public Servants (Supervisor: Lecturer Vilija Šlajienė).

The best papers (2nd–3rd places) 2nd session:

• 2nd place – Monika Žegunaitė, Lithuania Business College, Lithuania – Motivational Measures in Human Resource Management in the Municipality Administration (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jurgita Martinkienė);
• 3rd place – Otabek Otanazarov, Sevinch Orifjonova, SMK University of Applied Sciences, Lithuania – Understanding and Improving Human Longevity and Health (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Recai Uygur).

The best papers (2nd–3rd places) 3rd session:

• 2nd place – Dzmitry Hlotau, European Humanities University, Lithuania – Lithuania as a Multi-Level Accountability Actor in Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Belarus;
• 3rd place – Akram Hussain, Utenos College, Lithuania – Analysis of Study Choice and Motivation of International Students from South Asia in the Lithuanian Higher Education Sector (Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramutė Narkūnienė).