Established in 1934, Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) is a small specialized university renowned for nurturing basketball players. It offers a total of 21 degree programs and consists of 4 departments and 2 institutes and centers, focusing on disciplines such as coaching science, health promotion and rehabilitation, and sports and tourism management.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Lithuanian Sports University on August 16, 2022, College of Sports and Recreation further solidified the partnership by signing an Erasmus+ Programme Inter-institutional agreement on January 16, 2023. This collaboration aims to encourage academic and student exchanges between the two institutions.
Professor Yu-Kai Chang from our Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences participated in the selection process for the ” Staff Mobility for Teaching for Erasmus+ Grant for the 112th Academic Year” organized by our university from February to April 2023. Subsequently, he successfully visited Lithuanian Sports University from February 4 to 10, 2024, engaging in cross-border academic exchange and delivering lectures to enhance collaboration between the two institutions.
During his visit, Professor Chang held discussions with Mrs. Irena Čikotienė, the Director of the International Relations Office at Lithuanian Sports University, as well as Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Mr. Tomas Kukenys and Student Mobility Coordinator Ms. Justė Knatauskaitė. The meeting provided him with insights into the international exchange policies and opportunities at the university. With the assistance of the researcher, Dr. Marius Brazaitis, Professor Chang also had the opportunity to take a look at the campus and laboratories, gaining a more in-depth understanding of the university.
As part of this visit, Professor Chang had the honor of meeting with Lithuanian Sports University Rector Prof. Diana Rėklaitienė. Furthermore, he delivered presentations to 15 LSU academic authorities, introducing our university (NTNU) and fostering mutual understanding. This occasion served as an opportunity to discuss potential future collaborations and partnership frameworks.
Another significant aspect of this visit was Professor Yu-Kai Chang’s teaching engagement at LSU. Prior to departure, Professor Chang communicated with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brigita Miežienė. During the lecture “Health Behavior Change,” Professor Chang delivered two impactful topics: “New Era of Exercise Psychology: Chronic Exercise, Cognitive Function, & Brain from Past, Present, & Future Perspectives” and “New Era of Exercise Psychology II: Multi-Modal Exercise, Cognitive Function, & Brain.” In addition to providing insights and knowledge from an Asian perspective, the lectures incorporated practical exercises and experiences in multi-modal fitness, offering profound learning experiences for 1st year students in the Exercise, Nutrition and Stress Management study program.
Professor Chang also held discussions with the professors of the university’s Department of Physical and Social Education, focusing on the possibility of establishing a sport and exercise psychology program at Lithuanian Sports University. As the Chairperson of the “2024 International Seminar in Sport and Exercise Psychology，ISSEP,” Professor Chang expressed his willingness to share the latest developments in sports psychology from Taiwan, aiming to elevate the collaboration to a higher and more influential level.
At the end of the journey, Professor Yu-Kai Chang paid a courtesy visit to the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania. During the meeting, he had the honor of meeting with Ambassador Hsueh-hong Wang, as well as Professor Da-Chuan Cheng from China Medical University. As the first participant from NTNU in the Erasmus+ Programme Inter-institutional agreement with Lithuanian Sports University, Professor Chang’s visit provided him with a deeper understanding of the education system, research environment, and culture at Lithuanian Sports University.
Through this visit, Professor Chang has laid an excellent foundation for the future development and expectations of collaboration between the two universities. As the pioneer in this collaborative effort, his insights and experiences contribute to the anticipation of exciting academic exchanges in the future. This visit has indeed set the stage for a promising academic partnership between the two institutions.
◆For related reports on Lithuanian Sports University, please refer to: https://www.lsu.lt/en/a-world-renowned-professor-from-taiwan-visited-lsu/