From May 21st to 24th, Vilniaus kolegija hosted a teaching visit under the Erasmus+ programme by Prof. Dr. Maria José Araújo Marques Abreu from the University of Minho (Portugal).
Prof. Dr. Abreu’s professional expertise in the field of textiles encompasses the production of yarns from natural, man-made, and synthetic fibres, as well as research on the ergonomics of textile products and the sensorial and thermophysiological comfort of clothing.
During the visit, she delivered lectures titled “Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Fabric Based on Conventional Cotton versus Recycled Cotton and Comparison of their Quality Characteristics” and “Clothing and Comfort Science”. These lectures explored topics such as the circular economy, digital product passports for textile garments, the sustainability and life cycle assessment of clothing, the reuse of second-hand textiles, and the recycling of post-consumer and industrial textile waste.
In a meeting with the Fashion Design Department, Prof. Dr. Abreu shared insights on the future competencies required of professionals in the fashion and textile industries—emphasizing the need for a sustainable, holistic approach that integrates comfort science and clothing physiology. She also visited the department’s laboratories, familiarized herself with the research facilities, and discussed opportunities for joint projects and collaborative research.
Beyond the academic programme, Prof. Dr. Abreu took the opportunity to explore Vilnius Old Town and the historic town of Trakai, expressing great interest in Lithuanian culture and traditions.
