On November 25th, Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) hosted a delegation from Canada led by Prof. Paul Jarrett, Director of Research Security at the University of Toronto.
The guests were welcomed by VU LSC Director Dr. Arvydas Lubys and several representatives of the center’s institutes: Institute of Biotechnology Director Dr. Rokas Abraitis, Institute of Biochemistry Director Dr. Kastis Krikštopaitis, and Head of the Doctoral School Prof. Daiva Baltriukienė.
Prof. Jarrett, who has spent over ten years working in the fields of geopolitical security, cyber threats, and academic resilience, opened the discussions by sharing how Canadian universities approach safeguarding their research environments. He described national efforts to develop research security programmes, strengthen intellectual property protection, and improve risk-management practices in collaborative projects. The delegation also presented their methods for assessing third-party partners, explaining how risk analysis is integrated into research planning.
These insights provided a foundation for a broader discussion with VU LSC leadership about shared challenges faced by research institutions worldwide. Participants emphasized the increasing importance of incorporating research security considerations into grant proposals, partnership agreements, and long-term strategic plans. Both sides agreed that addressing these issues proactively is essential for fostering trustworthy international cooperation.
Following the discussions, the delegation visited the laboratory of Dr. Marius Dagys, where his team presented their biosensor research. The visit reinforced the Canadian guests’ interest in building stronger ties with European institutes, highlighting the potential for future collaboration.
