Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) has officially launched the second iteration of the European Joint Master’s Programme in Strategic Border Management (EJMSBM). The programme is implemented in cooperation with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and is designed to prepare highly qualified border management leaders from European Union (EU) and Schengen Associated countries.

On 26 January, MRU hosted the programme’s opening ceremony, bringing together 23 border protection officers from EU and Schengen Associated countries, members of the academic community, and programme partners. The event marked the official start of studies for the programme’s second iteration.

Participants were welcomed by MRU Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr Saulius Spurga, who highlighted that the rapidly evolving EU border security environment calls for a new generation of leaders capable of coordinated, systematic, and strategic responses to complex security challenges.

“Today, the European Union’s external borders face an increasingly complex spectrum of threats — from hybrid attacks and irregular migration to cross-border crime. This changing security landscape requires border management leaders who can develop sustainable, swift, and effective responses,” noted Assoc. Prof. Dr Spurga.

The ceremony also featured welcome addresses by Marius Vaščega, Head of the European Commission Representation in Lithuania; Gintaras Aliksandravičius, Vice-Minister of the Interior; and Colonel Saulius Nekraševičius, Deputy Commander of the State Border Guard Service. In their speeches, the guests emphasised the programme’s significance and relevance in the context of contemporary geopolitical challenges and wished students success in their studies and professional development.

The first module, Strategy, Planning and Evaluation in Border Guarding, introduces students to modern public sector strategy, strategic management concepts applied to border security, and models of strategic analysis and planning. The programme also integrates practical components, such as expert panels and field visits — including discussions on strategic cooperation between border guard services and the military in the context of current security realities.

For more photos of the Contact Week please visit Photo gallery.

As part of the European Joint Master in Strategic Border Management (EJMSBM), students completed Module 9: Cooperation in Strategic Border Management from January 12 to 23, 2026, in Algeciras, Spain. This module aimed to strengthen participants’ ability to critically evaluate cross-border cooperation and apply strategic thinking to complex border management challenges.

The two-week programme combined interactive lectures, workshops, and scenario-based exercises with extensive field visits, providing hands-on exposure to operational realities. Students visited Algeciras Port, one of Europe’s busiest ports, where they observed customs procedures, risk analysis, and border control operations. The National Police of Spain provided detailed presentations and guided tours of their facilities, allowing students to learn about inter-agency coordination and international cooperation strategies.

The field visit continued in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on the North African coast, offering insights into migration management, multi-agency cooperation, and the unique geopolitical and operational challenges of the region. The trip concluded at the Morocco border, where students studied real-world collaboration between neighboring countries and explored practical approaches to cross-border security.

Throughout the module, students engaged in peer-to-peer learning, reflecting on previous modules and applying their knowledge to practical case studies. Field experts shared their experience, and experiential exercises enabled participants to develop strategies for improving cross-border investigations, enhancing cooperation, and navigating multicultural and multidisciplinary operational environments.

By the end of Module 9, EJMSBM students were able to critically assess EU, international, and national cooperation mechanisms, identify barriers and solutions for effective collaboration, and propose practical measures to strengthen border management. This immersive module combined strategic insight with operational experience, preparing future leaders to address the complex challenges of modern European border security.

From September 8th to 12th, the Contact Week of Module 6 of the European Joint Master’s in Strategic Border Management (EJMSBM) took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Hosted by the Netherlands Defence Academy, this module focused on building students’ capabilities in conducting quantitative research within their own organisations.

Titled “Researching Management Practices in Border Security,” the module serves as an essential introduction to research methodology, specifically through a quantitative lens. Students engaged in sessions designed to equip them with fundamental skills in data collection and analysis, including the design and deployment of questionnaires and the interpretation of results. Key research principles such as validity, reliability, and generalisability were emphasized to ensure a solid foundation for future academic and professional research.

Beyond methodology, the week also encouraged peer learning, with students drawing on knowledge gained from previous modules and interacting with experts from a border surveillance organisation. This practical application of theory enabled participants to address real-world management challenges in border security using research-based approaches.

This module marks the first stage in a broader research journey, which will later be expanded with qualitative methods in Module 10, Researching Integrated Practices in Border Management.

In parallel with the academic activities, the week also included strategic meetings with the Quality Assurance Committee, Programme Board, Board of Examiners, and the Governing Board. These sessions were focused on ongoing efforts to enhance the overall quality and delivery of the EJMSBM programme.

For more pictures, please visit Photo Gallery.