On September 1, the Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) community came together to welcome the start of a new academic year. This year, the occasion is particularly joyful for the University, as MRU has welcomed its largest number of new students in several years, with a strong cohort ready to begin their studies and gain new knowledge.
The festive day began with the traditional University Activities Fair, where students had an opportunity to learn about the activities, initiatives and opportunities offered by MRU and discover ways to become involved in University community life.
The official ceremony opened with the student anthem Gaudeamus igitur, followed by a procession of Senate members and students.
The University community was welcomed on the occasion of the new academic year by MRU Rector Prof. Dr Inga Žalėnienė; MRU alumnus and Council member Rytis Valūnas; Mayor of Vilnius Valdas Benkunskas; and President of the Mykolas Romeris University Student Representation (MRUSA) Agota Milašauskaitė.
“It is wonderful to hear young voices filling the University once again and to feel the energy, curiosity and expectations with which we begin the new academic year.
With each new generation of first-year students, we embark on a new journey across the boundless sea of knowledge. Science does not set final boundaries – what seemed like science fiction yesterday is already becoming part of our everyday lives today,” said MRU Rector Prof. Dr Inga Žalėnienė.
Mayor Valdas Benkunskas congratulated the students on choosing Mykolas Romeris University, noting that regardless of the study programme they had selected, they would be given a key to building their lives and achieving success.
“How you use this key and how widely you open the doors before you will largely depend on you. However, your starting position is certainly a strong one, so I encourage you to make use of this key and all the opportunities your studies have to offer,” said MRU alumnus and Mayor of Vilnius Valdas Benkunskas.
Professor Titles Conferred
Members of the MRU academic community were also honoured during the new academic year celebration. During the ceremony, the pedagogical titles of Professor in the field of Social Sciences at Mykolas Romeris University were conferred.
The title of Professor was conferred on Prof. Dr Vaidas Jurkevičius of the Institute of Private Law and Prof. Dr Ieva Deviatnikovaitė of the Institute of Public Law at the MRU Law School.
The titles were presented by MRU Rector Prof. Dr Inga Žalėnienė and Chair of the Senate Prof. Dr Romas Prakapas.
Peace Prize Winners Honoured
Dr Karl A. Lamers also addressed the audience and, together with the MRU Rector, presented the awards of the eighth annual Peace Prize competition.
This year, students were invited to write an essay in English on the topic: “With the Alliance's US pillar in doubt, is strengthening of the European pillar possible and what Europeans must and can do about that?”
First place was awarded to Kristupas Gaidamavičius, a Bachelor's student in Psychology at the Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Human and Social Studies.
Second place went to Anna Mashanienkova, a Master's student in Public Relations Management at the Institute of Communication, Faculty of Human and Social Studies.
Third place was shared by Elnur Imanbayli and Muhabbad Ahmadov, students of the same Master's programme.
Annual Motieka & Audzevičius Scholarship Awarded
The September 1 celebration also continued a tradition established by the MRU Law School and its social partner – the annual scholarship of the law firm Motieka & Audzevičius, awarded to the best-performing student after completing their first year of studies.
The scholarship was presented by Jovitas Elzbergas, partner and attorney-at-law at Motieka & Audzevičius.
This year, the scholarship was awarded to Mykyta Kudriashov, a second-year full-time Bachelor's student in the “Law and Global Security” programme at the MRU Law School.
The official new academic year ceremony was accompanied by musical performances by a string duo.
The September 1 celebration once again brought together MRU students, lecturers, staff and University partners. The beginning of the new academic year provided an opportunity not only to welcome both returning and new members of the University community, but also to recognise their achievements and wish everyone a successful, meaningful year filled with new discoveries.
MRU Vice-Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr Saulius Spurga also welcomed students from Gravitas Schola, who held their September 1 celebration in the University courtyard.
The photo gallery will be updated.
