Welcome
Dear AMSE Members, Partners, and Friends,
Welcome to Vilnius for the AMSE 2026 conference! It is a pleasure to invite you to come together around a theme that speaks directly to our daily reality we are facing across Europe and beyond: Academic Medicine Under Pressure in Times of Uncertainty: Education – Research – Patient Care! Many of us work in academic environments that are shaped by rapid societal change, growing workforce pressures, technological transformation, financial constraints, and rising expectations from the communities we serve. However, it is precisely these pressures that remind us of the enduring importance of our academic responsibilities in education, research, and patient care. We educate future professionals, advance knowledge through research, and contribute to patient and community care. Bringing these missions together is both our challenge and our strength.
AMSE conferences have always been places of meaningful dialogue, friendship, reflection and to learn from one another. They provide a space for open dialogue, critical discussion, and collaboration across institutions and countries. I am confident that our exchanges in Vilnius will generate new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm our shared commitment to academic medicine. Vilnius, with its rich academic and cultural heritage, offers an inspiring setting for this important conversation.
Thank you for being part of this important community. I wish you an inspiring, fruitful and rewarding AMSE 2026 conference in Vilnius.
Harm Peters
President, Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE)
Dear Colleagues,
The AMSE Conference in Vilnius is fast approaching, and we are truly excited to welcome the international academic medical community to this inspiring gathering. Bringing together leaders, educators, and researchers from across Europe and beyond, the conference promises to be a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas, exploring innovation, and shaping the future of medical education.
Vilnius offers a unique backdrop for this event. Known for its UNESCO-listed Old Town and rich cultural heritage, the city today is equally defined by its energy, openness, and growing role as a hub for science, innovation, and international collaboration. It is a place where tradition and forward-thinking come together – an ideal setting for meaningful academic exchange.
At the heart of this environment stands Vilnius University, one of the oldest universities in the region, founded in 1579. Today, it is a dynamic and internationally engaged institution, committed to excellence in research, education, and partnership. The Faculty of Medicine, in particular, continues to advance modern, student-centred teaching, cutting-edge research, and strong collaboration with healthcare institutions and global partners.
We are very much looking forward to this special occasion – to welcoming colleagues from across the world, to engaging conversations, and to the exchange of ideas that will help shape the future of medical education. We are confident that the AMSE Conference in Vilnius will be not only intellectually enriching, but also a memorable and inspiring experience for all.
Dalius Jatužis
Dean, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
We would like to welcome you to the international conference “AMSE 2026: Academic Medicine under Pressure in Times of Uncertainty: Education – Research – Patient Care”, an annual conference held by the Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE) and this year hosted by the Faculty of Medicine of Vilnius University, Lithuania.
Modern academic medicine is facing unprecedented challenges – from the rapidly changing geopolitical environment and technological breakthroughs to the growing burden on health systems. In this context, it is particularly important to rethink the interaction between medical studies, scientific research and patient care and strengthen their mutual connections.
This conference brings together members of the academic community, researchers, practicing physicians and health policy makers for a joint discussion on how to ensure high quality of medical science and practice in times of uncertainty. We believe that sharing experience, interdisciplinary dialogue and searching for new forms of cooperation will help find sustainable solutions to today’s and future challenges.
We wish you inspiring discussions, meaningful meetings and new ideas that will contribute to the progress of academic medicine.
With kind regards,
On behalf fo the Local Organising Committee
Algirdas Utkus
General Secretary of the AMSE
