According to the Lithuanian Labour Exchange, the job vacancy rate this year has reached a record high: 30,000 job vacancies are available. It is forecasted that with the economic recovery, demand for staff in the country will further increase. With growing production and consumption volumes, employers will become even more demanding and will be keen to invest in well-trained professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Professionals with knowledge of the social sciences and technology will be in greatest demand. Being enclosed within a narrow professional “ghetto” therefore means a certain voluntary limitation of one’s opportunities and career.
“We carried out a qualitative analysis of the market that shows that executives and managers at various levels with a solid knowledge of information technology, engineering and technical expertise are currently in the greatest demand and that the number of such job vacancies will continue to grow. Very much as today, in five years’ time, professional managers and economists will be in demand, particularly in the rapidly developing construction, manufacturing, industry and IT sectors. For several years now, we have taken part in alarming conversations with business partners who emphasise that among the administrative and executive employees of companies there is a shortage of managers knowledgeable about technology. Employers need specialists who have background in technology, feel the pulse of business, and can be intermediaries between the manufacturing, IT, sales, marketing, and strategic development departments”, Nerijus Pačėsa, President of ISM University, said.
In response to the changing market and demographic situation, ISM University has expanded the selection of study programmes. Together with the prestigious Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT, USA), ISM is developing 2 new programmes: a bachelor’s programme in Industrial Technology Management and a master’s programme in Information Technology Management to be launched in September 2014.
Programme consultants: managers from international companies
ISM has developed management and economics courses for the new programmes and the IIT, known for its research traditions and achievements in business innovations, will offer technology management courses.
“We are following the Western approach in the organisation of higher education studies. Business management competences necessary for each employee in the business sector have been supplemented with the knowledge in technology, which is in high demand. We are fortunate that we are doing the technology management part of the programme in partnership with one of the world’s most famous technical institutes, whose graduate is a highly respected person in Lithuania, President Valdas Adamkus”, Dr. Vilius Kontrimas, the Director of the Industrial Technology and IT Management programmes, said.
Recalling his studies, President V. Adamkus stressed knowledge from IIT that helped to build a distinguished career in public service with the Federal Government. „I am glad to see cooperation between the Lithuanian higher education institutions and world-renowned universities. IIT has technology-oriented focus and strong traditions in education and research. I believe partnership between ISM and IIT will contribute to enhancing Lithuania’s competitiveness in technology industry on regional and global levels“, – said President V. Adamkus.
An advisory board is being formed on issues such as programme development and consultancy, student scholarships, internships and careers. Its members include experts of technology and innovation such as Prof. Donatas Tijūnėlis (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago); Arunas Slekys, the vice-president of Hughes Network Systems (Washington); Pierre Everaert, the former president of Philips Holding (New York); Paulius Grigas, the founder and manager of OneGo (Los Angeles); Saulius Umbrasas, the founder of E-Band Communications (San Diego); Viktoras Gurgždys, the vice-president for development of DevBridge Group; and Mike Henderson, the vice-president of Moog Inc.
Studies and internships in the USA
Industrial Technology Management programme will provide students with the opportunity to study the disciplines of social sciences and technology simultaneously. The programme will consist of disciplines such as management, marketing, economics, finance, physics, electrical engineering, and IT. The programme is intended for students seeking careers in technological, industrial and manufacturing companies. Students will gain knowledge that will cover management of the supply chain, telecommunication technology, industrial sustainability, manufacturing technology, and industrial facilities.
“Since an internship in the USA is a mandatory part in the Industrial Technology Management programme, students will have the opportunity become familiar with this country’s business sector, innovations and technological development. Having established a large advisory board of businessmen in the USA and developed close relationships with international companies established in Lithuania, we will offer students career opportunities not only in Lithuania, but also in the USA”, Dr. Vilius Kontrimas, the Director of new programmes, said.
The Information Technology Management master’s programme will primarily provide the necessary management organisation knowledge to executives at various levels and subsequently will provide a choice of IT specialisations. The programme will focus on developing an understanding of IT as an organisation’s strategic leverage rather than a necessary expenditure. The programme will consist of 5 IT, 2 IT management, and 8 management and business management courses.
These new programmes will be taught in English. Students will have to spend some time in the USA or attend online courses from IIT. Graduates will be awarded two diplomas: one from ISM and one from IIT.