New academic year celebration

The community of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) welcomed the new academic year with a traditional procession along Laisvės Avenue. The students, lecturers and other members of the VMU community were greeted by the Minister of Economics and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė, the Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport Justas Nugaras and other distinguished guests, and the celebration was closed with a concert by Manto Jankavičius.

The Rector of VMU, Prof. Juozas Augutis, also addressed the participants of the celebration, welcoming the very significant anniversary of Artes Liberales studies and emphasising the international character of the University in his speech.

“This year, we proudly celebrate a special anniversary: 35 years of Artes Liberales studies in Lithuania. When the American diaspora re-established the VMU, which was closed during the Soviet period, it was decided to completely distance itself from the influences of the Soviet past and to create a new approach to study based on the methods of Harvard University in the US. This decision became a fundamental principle in the development of a free, critical and open-minded personality.   

I am proud that, 35 years after the re-establishment of the university, VMU studies are internationally recognised. International experts recognised that the university is outstanding in Europe not only for the flexibility of its range of courses, but also for the high standard of its research and infrastructure, and for its extensive international activities. This recognition shows that we are on the right track.    

I encourage all students, especially those of you who are entering the classrooms of the VMU for the first time this year, to make the most of the opportunities offered by the Artes Liberales model of study. Take advantage of the freedom to choose your subjects, develop your interdisciplinary knowledge and experience international studies through the Erasmus or Transform4Europe programmes. Let this journey at VMU be the foundation of your academic and personal growth!”