 In 2004, he received an MBA from the International Business School in Vilnius.In January 2007 he was praised in "The Economist" as an unsung hero whose "minority administration has surpassed all expectations".In July 2007, Kirkilas signed the protocol assigning the members of newly formed governmental work group to assist the energy company „Lietuvos energija“ in negotiating and consulting with potential foreign partners for a new Ignalina nuclear power plant project.