Vilnius University, Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS)

Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS) is one of the most prominent social sciences institutions in Central Eastern Europe and the Baltic region.

IIRPS has been present in the academic and political life of Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic region since its establishment in 1992, has achieved a wide range of academic accomplishments and can boast rich tradition of hosting high level politicians, diplomats and distinguished speakers at its premises. While first focusing mostly on educating the future members of Lithuanian diplomatic corps, the Institute has gradually enlarged its focus to educating people with a wider range of knowledge and capabilities which empower them to work in a range of public administration, non governmental and private institutions, to continue learning in their future carriers. Being the leading institution in the country it has set in its newest Strategic plan the goal of establishing itself as the leading education and research institution in the Baltic region.

The Institute is an academic institution specializing in social and political sciences. IIRPS holds a faculty status at Vilnius University.

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IIRPS conducts three-level studies: BA in Political Science and six MA Master programmes: International Relations and Diplomacy, European Studies, Comparative Politics, Public Policy Analysis, Politics and Media and Eastern European and Russian Studies (the latter delivered in English). We also conduct full time and external PhD studies.

For more than ten years IIRPS remains amongst the top choices among Lithuanian high school graduates attracting students with outstanding exam achievements. On different criteria the Institute boasts the most motivated students who excel in their studies and are actively involved into social life of the Institute.

The Institute, the first political science research institution in the independent Lithuania, is already becoming the leading social science research centre in the Baltic States. Relevance of research problems, originality of solutions and the interdisciplinarity are the main principles of our research.
We seek to contribute to the development of political science in Lithuania by conducting original and valuable research, disseminating its results to the academic community, policy makers and all those interested in political life.

The Institute is proud to have gathered together a number of prominent experts on national, European and international politics who are renowned for their competent and original public commentaries, expert knowledge and professional experience. Our experts conduct both critical analysis of contemporary social science issues, political philosophy, international relations, and policy oriented research, for example, in policy administration and public policy analysis. They have contributed extensively to the analysis of Lithuania’s accession into the EU and NATO and its role in these organizations and other international structures, country’s relationships with its neighbors in the region, including Nordic-Baltic countries, Poland as well as Eastern partners.

In the Institute we believe in freedom and span of academic ideas, mindset of critical and creative thinking, professional ethical values based on mutual respect, cooperation and results oriented management.
These principles are the core values of Institute’s philosophy shaping our academic programs and research, the work of our administration and scholarly community, interaction of faculty members and our students.

The institute is recognized as a reliable partner participating in and co-hosting important political events in Lithuania and Baltic region.

Members of our alumni network can be found through the entire Lithuania’s and EU institutions, diplomatic corps, President, Parliament, Government and other offices, major public relations and communication companies, national and international nongovernmental organizations and think-tanks, private companies.


Contact:
The Institute of International Relations and Political Science
Vilnius University
Vokiečių str. 10
LT-01130 Vilnius
Tel.: + 370 5 2514130
Fax + 370 5 2514134
E-mail: [email protected]
www.tspmi.vu.lt/en

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Director of the IIRPS, VU. Professor, doctor of social sciences. Graduate of Vilnius University and Lancaster University (UK) (both with distinctions). He has been teaching at the institute since 1996. In addition to the currently taught courses, he also taught international economics, policy analysis, European economy, public choice, EU enlargement. He has been a visiting fellow at several universities in the USA (for example, Syracuse University) and Canada (Carleton University), has been a Fulbright scholar at the Columbia University, conducted research at a number of European institutions including European University Institute (Florence). He has graduated International Trade and Commercial Diplomacy program at Carleton University (Ottaw), Swedish Institute Management Program (Stockholm). He has worked as a Chief Economic Policy Advisor to the President of Lithuania and the Head of Economic and Social Policy Group (2004-2009), has also been appointed to coordinate the team of advisors to the President (2006-2009).

Formerly a President of the Lithuanian Political Science Association (2003-2004), a member of the Board of the Open Society Foundation (2002-2004), a member of the European Union Studies Association (EUSA, USA). For several years he has consulted the Lithuanian Government on the process of accession into the EU, worked as a consultant with the authorities of Georgia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Azerbaijan on the issues of European integration. A member of the Lithuanian Progress Council (since 2010) and the „Sunset“ Commission (since 2009).