VMU Rector Awarded Mariupol State University Regalia

On 15 May, the Mariupol State University, which continues to operate in Kyiv due to the ongoing war, awarded Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis the Honorary Professorship regalia.

According to the VMU Rector, this is a recognition of the entire Vytautas Magnus University for its support to Ukraine and Mariupol University. Mykola Trofymenko, Rector of Mariupol State University, stated that Vytautas Magnus University and its academic community were the first to come to their aid.

“In 1989, when the Lithuanian Freedom Movement and the Lithuanian diaspora came up with the idea to re-establish Vytautas Magnus University, which had operated in Lithuania during the interwar period, I had the opportunity to participate in the re-establishment process, which gave me invaluable experience. I strongly believe that I will be able to share this experience with you, as Mariupol University, much like VMU in 1989, is partly being re-established. I am well aware of the troubles and problems this creates for you. But, at the same time, it opens up new opportunities and perspectives,” said Prof. Augutis in his speech.

VMU Rector Prof. Juozas Augutis

According to him, there were two options when re-establishing VMU: the easier one was to merge two Soviet-type schools, Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, and Kaunas Medical Institute, former VMU faculties, into one and continue functioning as VMU, but the second, albeit more difficult, path was chosen. “The decision was made to establish a completely new, free, and independent University. The model chosen for the University was the Artes Liberales system of liberal studies, used by Harvard, Yale and other top universities in the United States and around the world. It was the type of university and studies that free young people needed in an independent country. It was certainly not easy then, and, in fact, it is not easy now. I can see that Mariupol University is adopting the most advanced teaching and study methods, and that the teachers and students at the University are partners. The university is becoming more and more international. I am very pleased that Mariupol University has become an associate member of the Transfor4Europe Alliance of European Universities. I believe it is time to become its full member as well,” said VMU Rector.

Speaking about a shared future, Prof. Augutis said: “I understand that there is a war going on right now and it is impossible to predict when it will end. However, one thing is certain: it will end, and it will end with the victory of Ukraine. <…> I believe that Mariupol University can become one of the leading promoters of the European Union in Ukraine and one of the leaders in presenting Ukraine in Europe. For this purpose, the existing networks can be used, namely the Mariupol State University Centre at VMU, and the Vytautas Magnus University Centre of Ukraine in Vilnius. Russian propaganda has made every effort to diminish Ukraine’s role as a European state. It is trying to antagonise communities in Ukraine and other European countries by falsifying history. Who, if not universities, will help people understand the truth, who, if not universities, will remind us of the common history of our peoples? These are the tasks that we must undertake now, without waiting for the war to end or for a more suitable time,” said VMU Rector, concluding his speech with the rallying cry “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine).