Prof. Algirdas Utkus / MF archive
According to Dr Algirdas Utkus, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University (VU MF), membership of the VU Council is both a responsibility and an opportunity to be part of significant change. “My goal is that the Council will become an example of strategic leadership in Lithuania,” said the professor, who was elected to the VU Council this month to represent the Faculty of Medicine. Prof. Utkus, served in the capacity of Dean of the faculty for two terms and is currently Head of the Department for Human and Medical Genetics. He is a member or chair of many scientific societies, such as the European Society of Human Genetics, the Lithuanian Society of Human Genetics, the Vilnius Medical Society and others, and is the Secretary General of the Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE). In this interview, the professor shares his thoughts on his work on the VU Council, its objectives and the vision for the future.
Professor, what thoughts did you have upon joining the Council?
As a member of the VU Council, I would like to strengthen the university’s autonomy, promote the development of quality research and improve the quality of studies. I believe there is a need for a more rational allocation of funding by prioritising those areas where VU can make an international breakthrough. The Council’s aim, therefore, is to ensure VU’s strategic vision and long-term goals and to ensure that any activities are in line with the expectations of the academic community and the public at large.
The VU Council is the main strategic management body that decides on the vision, mission and areas of activities of the university. One of its immediate objectives is to elect a new Rector and organise performance assessment for the university’s administrative function.
What do you plan to initiate in your new role?
I represent VU MF and am an active member of the scientific community, so I will pursue several key initiatives on the Council.
Strengthening academic quality is one of my key objectives. I will encourage focus on quality research and publication and propose the targeted allocation of funding to VU’s strongest research areas, thereby increasing the university’s international competitiveness and ultimately its ranking.
I plan to focus on the university’s independence from external influences, offer relevant ideas for a more effective management model and to strengthen the strategic planning process. This would help the university to operate independently and maintain high quality academic processes.
It is also essential to initiate discussions on how to allocate the university’s budget more efficiently, prioritising areas to ensure their long-term development. This approach is based on the idea of strategically distributing resources rather than simply distributing them uniformly. Of course, this in no way implies that other areas will be discriminated against in some way and not receive the resources required to carry out their planned activities.
Finally, the involvement of the academic community, and closer cooperation between the students and the academic staff are key to ensure that their needs and expectations are reflected in Council decisions.
Of course, more details of the actions will emerge in the course of the Council’s work, as specific objectives and decisions are formulated.
What vision do you bring with you?
My vision is to have a strong and successful university at home and abroad.
First, we must improve the university’s international competitiveness by focusing resources on the areas where we can make breakthroughs. The university must clearly identify its strengths, prioritise them and invest in these areas to improve the quality of studies and research.
The autonomy of the university should be improved so that it can develop its own strategies in line with its own mission and vision.
I see the Council as an essential strategic management tool that ensures VU development and considers the expectations of its community and the public interest. I would like to see it become an effective and strategic organisation making decisions that directly contribute to the mission of the university.
What does working on the Council mean to you?
Being on the VU Council is an opportunity to take an active part in the university’s strategic management and to contribute to shaping its future. I appreciate this position as an opportunity not only to represent VU MF, but also to address important issues that affect the entire university.
I think there are a few things that are vital.
It is taking responsibility for VU development. Being a Council member gives you the opportunity to be involved in solving such strategic issues as the allocation of funding, setting priorities and overseeing the work of the operation of the VU administration, etc. It is a role that allows you to participate in the implementation of the VU’s long-term mission and objectives.
It is also important for me to bring my personal experience and knowledge from my time as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and someone who has participated in scientific activities, to ensure that the Council’s decisions are based on a consensus and meet the expectations of the university’s community.
As a member of the VU Council, I see an opportunity to contribute to greater change in higher education overall with Vilnius University leading the way and contributing to progress at the national level.