The MJJ Foundation scholarship alumni selection committee evaluated the applications and cast their votes for the candidates who best aligned with the foundation’s directions and goals. Scholarships were awarded to students admitted to master’s degree programs at Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, University College London, and the European College of Zoological Medicine Avian in the fields of genomic medicine, architecture, psychotherapeutic counseling, political science, and veterinary medicine.

Meet this year’s MJJ Foundation Knowledge Scholarship laureates:

1. Greta Zubytė will study the master’s program “Master of Counselling – Interpersonal Dialogue” at the University of Edinburgh. She chose this program to obtain a deep theoretical foundation combined with intensive practical experience, which will allow her to acquire a high-quality therapist qualification. This field is highly relevant to Lithuania—strengthening the psychological resilience of society and providing aid to people affected by war and crises. Read more about Greta’s story here (HYPERLINK TO THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE).
2. Agnė Augustė Vėgėlytė will study a Master’s in Genomic Medicine at the University of Cambridge. This master’s degree combines genetic knowledge with its clinical application in medicine to diagnose and treat rare inherited disorders and diseases caused by changes in the genetic code. The program integrates knowledge of genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, collaborating with the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute, and the NHS Genomic Medicine Service. Augustė is choosing this program aiming to acquire laboratory, bioinformatic, and ethical-legal skills needed to diagnose and treat rare hereditary diseases and translate genomic discoveries into clinical practice. This field is particularly relevant to Lithuania, as personalized diagnostics and treatment will contribute to medical progress and more effective disease management. This scholarship was granted in cooperation with the state study fund program “Kitas 100” (The Next 100). Read more about Augustė’s story here.
3. Ieva Plungytė is studying a European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) Avian residency and is striving for the ECZM Avian Diplomate qualification—the highest professional level in the field of exotic (especially avian) veterinary medicine. There are almost no such specialists in Lithuania and neighboring countries, and the acquired qualification will allow her to provide high-quality treatment for complex cases and conduct scientific research. Read more about Ieva’s story here.
4. Marius Danilevičius will study the “European Politics and Society” master’s program at the University of Oxford, continuing his research topics in political behavior analysis. He is choosing this program due to its strong quantitative methods and research infrastructure (Q-Step, experimental social sciences laboratory, Russian and Eastern European Studies Center), which are necessary to implement his planned statistical model regarding diaspora voter behavior. This research is important for Lithuania—better knowledge about the profile of emigrated voters will allow for the creation of more effective policy measures for diaspora engagement. Read more about Marius’s story here.
5. Laura Blažytė will pursue her master’s studies at the famous Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment (Architecture) at University College London, where she will delve into adaptive reuse, regenerative design, and complex spatial interaction strategies. She chose this program due to its strong research groups (e.g., BSA Sustainable Heritage and Circular Construction Lab) and practical opportunities to gain skills in the fields of material, structural, and urban reuse. This area is exceptionally relevant to Lithuania—the reuse of old buildings reduces emissions, conserves resources, promotes regional development, and improves public health and quality of life. Read more about Laura’s story here.
6. Eglė Meškelytė will study in the international veterinary dentistry courses “Dentistry and Oral Surgery” in the United Kingdom. With more than 10 years of experience in small animal practice, she specializes in several areas and has recently been particularly interested in dentistry—a field that lacks highly qualified specialists in Lithuania. Eglė plans to apply the acquired theoretical and practical knowledge in the new first veterinary dentistry center in the Baltic States in Vilnius, providing advanced services to patients from Lithuania and neighboring countries, as well as passing on her experience to young veterinarians. Read more about Eglė’s story here.

By accepting the MJJ Foundation scholarship, the laureates commit to bringing their knowledge back to Lithuania after their studies. Let’s build Lithuania’s future together!