About ISM

Meet ISM

Welcome to a special place.

It’s special not because of auditoriums, geographic location, or learning tools (although we should admit that our auditoriums are nice, location – admirable, and lecturers – exceptional). No, it’s special because of students like you.

Those, who graduate from school and are ready to dive. Dive into new experiences, competencies, or skills. Dive, in order to go into the world in a few years with their head held high, and proudly say “I’m stronger and I’m ready”.

“Ready for what?”, people will ask you. And you will have an answer as ISM is the place where you learn to ask and answer, to develop your ideas, to empower them and to leave a mark.

ISM addresses you in English, how else since it’s an international university. It says “Learn to impact”. Learn to make changes, learn influence and persuasion. You want a better world, your own startup, fresh career global success? “Learn to impact”.

It’s a special place. Take as much of this specialness for yourself as you can.

ISM is a platform, where motivated students meet experienced academics and successful business leaders. A place where future leaders learn together. In order to fulfill this mission, the ambition of ISM has to go far beyond classroom walls and academic papers. University has to be an active member of international academic and business community, a respected voice in the society. In order to help leaders grow, ISM has to be the leader itself.

Dr. Dalius Misiūnas
President of ISM university
Dr. Dalius Misiunas ISM Vadybos ir ekonomikos universiteto rektorius

Why choose ISM?

International Scope

Students often call ISM University a foreign land within Lithuania, because the international community of students and lecturers is extremely friendly here. Almost all subjects are taught in English. Students have the opportunity to earn double degrees – ISM and BI Norwegian Business School, KEDGE Business School (France) or the Illinois Institute of Technology (USA). ISM offers exchange opportunities with more than 100 foreign universities.

Personalized Approach

ISM University is not big and does not intend to become such. We know every student and address each one of them by name. We can give personal attention to everyone, provide advice on subjects of studies, exams and study abroad opportunities according to the nature and goals of their field of studies. The ISM communication system is based on the principle of trust, so feedback is very important here. Each of our students can choose the pace of individual studies and communicate directly with their teachers. To further strengthen the ISM community, we have established the ISM alumni platform LAB 4 Leaders.

Close Connection with Business

ISM University maintains extremely close ties with the business community. Companies provide scholarships to the most talented ISM students, while students and researchers offer companies solutions to problems and participate in a variety of projects. Being close to business, ISM sees what business and the job market need today. It develops its programs accordingly and encourages students to take on activities that the market needs right now. ISM has established the ESG and the Tech Council. Council members are representatives of various businesses, advising the university on program development and other matters.

Focus on Careers

ISM Career Center makes sure that students get acquainted with the best Lithuanian and international companies from day one. Here, day visits are arranged, counseling is provided, mentoring programs are developed and various employment opportunities are sought. Students are offered career planning according to individual needs (expert, manager or business developer). Together we prepare a career map for you where you can plan your career steps. We also apply the principle of learning by doing, based on real business examples.

Information about the University

Mission, strategy and vision

ISM strategy 2025 – one step ahead

ISM University of Management and Economics is dedicated to be a step ahead, recognized for innovation, focus on future competences and thought leadership.

Mission

Challenge present. Inspire future. Empower change.

Our mission is to be the top-tier business university in Northern Europe, recognized for thought leadership, an innovative approach to research-based education, focus on future competencies, commitment to lifelong learning, a desire to explore, and a pursuit of excellence in everything we do.

Vision

Business University of Northern Europe recognized for one step ahead mindset.

To serve as a platform dedicated to high-quality business education for students, current and future leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, experts. Together with business and societal partners, we co-create knowledge for critical thinking to challenge the status quo, inspire to make an impact and empower a sustainable change. Our community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, businesses partners – are contributing to society by taking leadership in shaping our shared future.

Values

Community built on trust and collaboration.

We consider our community – students, faculty, staff, partners, alumni – to be the most important asset in achieving university’s strategic goals. We believe in personal and shared responsibility: we hold ourselves personally accountable to deliver on the commitments we have made and to extend help and support to whoever in need: a colleague, a student, or an alumni. We treat each other with respect, keep open minds and value diverse opinions as they provide opportunities for learning and growth.

Excellence in all what we do.

Excellence means that we pursue individual, communal, and societal development, and strive for continual improvement in the process of lifelong learning. We set high standards for ourselves, as well as for others with a commitment to become better in everything we do. For us, excellence represents a journey to mastery – a mindset that we have ourselves and inspire in others.

Courage to challenge status quo and think one step ahead.

A courageous community is not afraid to criticize constructively, and not afraid to tell an authority figure they are wrong. We desire to create a safe environment for dissent. This includes fostering a culture of risk taking and learning to be comfortable with failing. We strive to reduce the risk of innovating by giving more leeway to courageous actors.

Responsibility to respect and deliver.

Responsibility means taking care of our students from the minute they enroll until they graduate, and guiding them on their journey of lifelong learning. We feel responsible for financially challenged and motivated students and provide support in financing their studies. We respect our community by openly sharing information, asking for feedback and reacting quickly. Our rules apply to everybody – from a student to the president.

We respect the environment and have a plan how to reduce waste, energy, CO2 emissions, and commit to educate students and society about sustainability and social responsibility.

Accreditations

4 Palmes

ISM is the only university in Lithuania that holds 4 out of 5 palmes of excellence

4 Palmes Accreditation ISM

AACSB member

ISM University is now undergoing the process of receiving one of the most prestigious accreditation in the business school world.

ISM - member of AACSB

Social responsibility

ISM University of Management and Economics became one of the first 100 business schools to join the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative of the United Nations. Its members promised to introduce the ideas of social responsibility and sustainable development to their students and thus promote the development of responsible leadership in society.

ISM is also one of the first Lithuanian universities to become a member of the Global Agreement initiated by the United Nations, thus joining the National Network of Responsible Business Companies. This network unites business companies and organizations, the United Nations Organization (UN) and civil society to act together, based on ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, workers’ rights, environmental protection and the fight against corruption.

The university has already done a lot to promote responsible and ethical leadership. Business ethics courses are taught to students of all levels, and several students or doctoral students choose this topic for their final theses every year. ISM shares its experience and knowledge with others. The university cooperates with the Alma Adamkiene Charity and Support Foundation and gives lectures at the Leadership School initiated by the foundation. The university has also supported the National Academy of Schoolchildren established by M. Rostropovičius Charity and Support Fund. The purpose of the Academy is to support and help highly talented students, future leaders of science, politics, and culture.

Gender Equality

ISM supports gender equality and diversity and does not tolerate discrimination in any of its activities. ISM University of Management and Economics Gender Equality Plan 2023-2028 HERE.

Usage of Generative AI

A Guide to AI in teaching, learning and student assessment HERE

Possibilities of using generative AI for education:

 

The board

Dr. Ramon O’Callaghan
President of Gisma University of Applied Sciences, in Potsdam and Berlin, Germany
Vytautas Gaisrys
MB “Exedra Corporate Finance“, Owner
Mantas Katinas
General Manager, Wargaming Vilnius; ISM alumni
Dr. Vilius Kontrimas
JSC “Advantes technologies“, Director
Justas Kučinskas
JSC “Investicijų ir inovacijų fondas”, General Director
Arūnas Laurinaitis
JSC “Averditum”, Director
Prof. Eugenijus Valatka
Rector of Kaunas University of Technology

The Senate

Dr. Miša Džoljić
Chairman of the Senate, University of Amsterdam
Prof. dr. Josep Franch Bullich
ESADE Business School
Prof. dr. John Antonakis
University of Lausanne
Prof. dr. Bernadeta Goštautaitė
Professor
Prof. dr. Rūta Kazlauskaitė
Professor
Prof. dr. Tadas Šarapovas
Professor
Prof. dr. Vita Akstinaitė
Vice-President for Research and Faculty
Prof. dr. Viltė Auruškevičienė
Vice President for Studies
Prof. dr. Ilona Bučiūnienė
Dean of the Doctoral School
Asoc. Prof. dr. Dalius Misiūnas
Dean of the Executive School
Marius Kušlys
Academic Director
Laura Ubartaitė
Bachelor’s studies
Alex Zagorskiy
Master’s studies
Eimantė Survilaitė
Master’s studies

Honorary doctors

Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Prof. Robert J. Shiller
Nobel Prize recipient
Dr. Ichak Adizes
Prof. Geert Hofstede
Prof. Peter Lorange