To mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the University of Lithuania in Kaunas, the Parliament has declared 2022 the Year of Lithuanian Universities. In this special year for Lithuanian education, many events, conferences and excursions are planned to celebrate the significance of Lithuanian universities.
The year 2022 is special because it marks the emergence of Lithuanian culture, technology, academic thought and higher education in Kaunas.
In the past, the activities carried out in Lithuanian universities contributed to the successful development of the Lithuanian nation, which accelerated the cultural and urbanization processes throughout the country.
A special sign has been created too
Thanks to the universities, not only the education system developed, but also the country’s economy, health and sports systems were improved, Lithuanian scientific terminology and new areas of science were created, which were necessary to strengthen Lithuania’s economy and industries, the first textbooks were published in the Lithuanian language, the first Lithuanian science and art centers were established, the most famous scientific and cultural movements of the first independence were formed, and well-known intellectuals from Lithuania and Europe, philosophers, the country’s top officials and statesmen were teaching.
To mark the occasion, the country’s universities will invite you to free events for academics and the general public: conferences, lectures, exhibitions, concerts, scientific and cultural events.
All these initiatives will be marked by a special Lithuanian University Year label, which is already in use by all higher education institutions in the country.
Wishing you to focus
Congratulating the universities, Jurgita Šiugždinienė, Minister of Education, Science and Sport, wished that the Year of Universities would encourage universities to work more together, combining both human and financial resources.
“We are a small country, so it is only by working together that we can achieve the highest quality of studies and education, international recognition and success. So I wish we would not compete with each other, but cooperate and achieve world-class education and studies. This is also a priority for the Government, and the changes and new solutions that are being developed are designed to achieve this goal,” she stressed.
According to the Minister, universities have three main missions – to produce educated, critically thinking and creative graduates, which requires prepared and motivated students, qualified and continuously developing lecturers, teaching methods and content, and an international, open and stimulating environment.
“The second mission is research, and to achieve the highest level we need the best conditions to attract and retain talent. The third mission is the economic and social mission of universities and their contribution to society, to address its challenges and to create a high value-added economy. Only by working together can we achieve synergies and success in achieving these missions. So I invite all universities to come together!”, said the Minister.
Open lectures and documentary film
According to Rimvydas Petrauskas, President of the Lithuanian University Rectors’ Conference (LURK) and Rector of Vilnius University (VU), the tradition of the university in Lithuania goes back much longer than a century, but the University of Lithuania marks a new beginning.
“This is the ambition of a young republic to create higher education, to develop its intellectuals, and to foster its own language and culture. This is still relevant today. The university has become one of the cornerstones of the country. We need to maintain this approach in the present day, understanding the importance of universities and higher education for the success of countries – especially small, ambitious countries”, says Petrauskas.
On 16 February, Žalgiris Arena will host a festive event during which Kaunas universities – Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU), Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) will celebrate not only the 100th anniversary of the University of Lithuania, but also the Year of Lithuanian Universities. The celebration will be broadcast live on LRT TV.
At the beginning of the year, the ”Open Lectures” cycle was launched, bringing together scientists, political analysts, historians, artists and other personalities who inspire with their work and insights at different universities every month.
The year 2022 will be crowned by a documentary about Lithuanian universities, which will be broadcasted on LRT TV.
