IN 2014 Vytautas Magnus University organises studies at 10 faculties, 4 insti- tutes and 22 study centres; scienti c research and project activities are con- ducted in 36 priority research elds, covering the arts, biomedicine, as well as the humanities and social sciences. Lithuanian Collectors Coins THE UNIVERSITY’S study programs are prepared and taught by prominent Lithuanian scientists, artists and public intellectuals — professionals in the elds of modern philosophy, history of diaspora and ideas, linguistics, politi- 50 LITAS COIN DEDICATED TO THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY cal sciences, international relations and regional studies, human rights, social comparativistics, media and creative industries, professional arts, internation- OF THE REESTABLISHMENT OF VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY al nances, informatics, natural and environmental sciences, etc. More than Silver Ag 925 26,000 students have graduated from the university over the 25 years of its Quality proof existence. Diameter 38.61 mm LAST YEAR the university took it upon itself to establish a global Lithuanian Weight 28.28 g university. The goal of this initiative is to encourage scientists and students in Lithuania and elsewhere in the world to engage in cooperation and cultural The edge of the coin bears the inscription: UNIVERSITAS VYTAUTI MAGNI Author of graphic design — Rolandas Rimkūnas exchange, to bring together the Lithuanian diaspora and draw in those who Author of plaster model — Giedrius Paulauskis are interested in modern-day Lithuania, its livelihood, traditions and culture. Mintage 3,000 Issued in 2014 Information is available at the Bank of Lithuania Tel. +370 5 268 0316 E-mail [email protected] www.lb.lt HAVING SIGNIFICANTLY contributed to the education of the new generation of 50 LITAS COIN DEDICATED TO THE 25TH Lithuanian citizens, Vytautas Magnus University now looks towards the future, The coin was minted at the UAB Lithuanian Mint ANNIVERSARY OF THE REESTABLISHMENT OF VYTAUTAS MAGNUS UNIVERSITY full of optimism and hope. In this university, we recognize the importance of the www.lithuanian-mint.lt creative ambitions and inner motivation of every member of the community, Lithuanian Collectors Coins not just their studies. As an active and modern institution which nurtures the principles of artes liberales, Vytautas Magnus University seeks to develop per- © Lietuvos bankas, 2014 The coins were photographed by Arūnas Baltėnas sonalities in Lithuania and around the world who would follow the principles of Designed by Liudas Parulskis freedom, openness, responsibility, creativity, community, academic excellence The publication uses photos from the archives of Vytautas Magnus University and autonomy. Published by the Bank of Lithuania, Gedimino pr. 6, LT -01103 Vilnius Prof. Dr. Jonas Vaičenonis Printed by UAB Lodvila, www.lodvila.lt THE FIRST PAGES in the history of Vytautas Magnus University, re-established dents experienced the occupants’ repres- PROFESSORS FROM VARIOUS foreign universities and Lithuanian higher educa- 25 years ago, were written in the rst year of the nascent Republic of Lithua- sion — they were exiled to death camps, tion institutions, as well as Lithuania’s academy institutes, became a part of the re- VYTAUTAS MAGNUS nia. Due to historical circumstances, the country lost the national capital Vilnius, KGB prisons and labour camps in Siberia. established university’s academic community. Among them were Kazys Almenas, which was once the home of the only Lithuanian university — founded in 1579 Some of them joined the resistance and Milda Danytė, prelate Kęstutis Trimakas, priest Arvydas Žygas, Vytautas Kavolis, mon- UNIVERSITY by Jesuits and closed in 1832 during the Russian occupation. The young Lithua- fought in Lithuania’s partisan war with signor Vytautas Kazlauskas, Rimas Vaišnys, Rimas Kalvaitis, Kęstutis Ignas Skrupske- nian state had no other choice than to establish a national university in a new weapons in hand. Others retreated to lis, Viktorija Skrupskelytė, prelate Antanas Rubšys, Romas Vaštokas, Kęstutis Paulius place — the temporary capital Kaunas. This was where the major state-building the free world, mostly the United States Žygas, Julius Šmulkštys, Alfred Erich Senn, Vytautas Kubilius, Antanas Tyla, Norbertas work was taking place. The university, which opened its doors in February of of America, where they continued their Vėlius, Aleksandras Vanagas, Vladas Stauskas, Zigmas Zinkevičius and others. 1922, brought together the most prominent intellectuals of the First Republic of academic and student corporation activi- IN THE FIRST YEAR, the studies at the university took place in three rented build- THIS YEAR, Vytautas Magnus University (Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas) is celebrating the Lithuania. Such individuals as Mykolas and Vaclovas Biržiškos, Liudas Vailionis, ties. Here a distinctive, virtual university ings. Courses of mandatory English and informatics were introduced. In 1990, the 25th anniversary of its re-establishment. The “Higher Courses of Study”, which were estab- Zigmas Žemaitis, Tadas Ivanauskas, Jonas Mačiulis-Maironis, Juozas Tumas- operated, fostering Lithuanian studies. university became a member of the Association of European Universities. Doctoral lished on 27 December 1919 and started functioning on 27 January 1920, became the Vaižgantas, Vincas Mykolaitis-Putinas, Stasys Šalkauskis, Jonas Jablonskis, Its foundation was formed in accordance studies were launched at VMU and the tradition of awarding honorary doctorate ti- basis of higher education in Kaunas. The University of Lithuania was opened on 16 Feb- Mykolas Romeris and others shared their knowledge with students. Prominent with the tradition and spirit of Vytautas tles was restored in 1991. Two years later, the rst class of Bachelor’s degree students ruary 1922, after reorganisation of these courses. In 1930, by the ruling of the Republic foreign scientists also worked at the university: Lev Karsavin, Eduards Volters, Magnus University. graduated. This was followed by the revival of the awards of honorary professor of Lithuania’s Government, the university was given the name Vytautas Magnus. Having Alfred Erich Senn, Vasily Seseman, Ivan Lappo, Joseph Ehret. Since its opening IN THE SPRING OF 1989, the idea of re- degrees and the graduation of the rst Master’s degree students in 1994 and 1995, survived through the occupations and war, the university was closed in 1950. till the beginning of the Soviet occupation in 1940, the university was led by establishing Vytautas Magnus University respectively. In 1998, the rst modern university library and reading rooms were VMU WAS REBORN together with the Reform Movement of Lithuania (Sąjūdis) and seven rectors. Over this period, seven faculties prepared 3,790 graduates. In was nally brought to fruition by Lithua- opened. In another two years, the Lithuanian Emigration Institute was founded with the hope for an independent Lithuanian state. The Act of Vytautas Magnus University’s two decades, the university became a hotbed of Lithuania’s culture, science and nian and diaspora scientists after over the aim of gathering archives of Lithuanian citizens scattered around the world and Re-establishment was proclaimed on 28 April 1989, at a conference of Lithuanian and modern intellectual thought, mostly thanks to its unique free spirit and encour- a year of development. On 28 April, the organising research on diaspora and emigration. In 2001, Dr. Aldona Gaškienė and diaspora scientists, “National University Conception and Kaunas University.” The study agement of frank communication between professors and students. Act of the university’s reestablishment Dr. Remigijus Gaška started providing support to Lithuanian students in Punsk, - model of Harvard University, which is oriented towards the humanities and social IN THE FALL OF 1939, when Lithuania reclaimed Vilnius, the Government and was proclaimed, which meant the un- nancing their studies at the university. VMU joined the university exchange program studies, was chosen as the basis for the conception of autonomous higher education. the public rushed to rebuild the university in the capital. In January 1940, the ion of two separately-operating steer- Campus Europae in 2003 and signed the Great European Universities Charter the fol- Eventually, Vytautas Magnus University became a modern, internationally recognised Vytautas Magnus University’s faculties of Humanities and Law were transferred ing groups. Thus, a new page in history lowing year. In 2008, together with the University of Latvia and Tallinn University, Lithuanian higher education institution, which focuses mainly on universal education from Kaunas to Vilnius, where they became the nucleus of Vilnius University. was turned. On 6 July1989, prospective VMU founded the Baltic Graduate School for Social Sciences and Humanities. Three and modern science. The VMU faculties of Theology and Philosophy were closed down when the So- students of the University took their en- years later, the university opened the President Valdas Adamkus’ Library-Museum. viet occupation started in 1940. The activities of student organisations were sus- trance exams. 177 rst-year students, cho- In the QS World University Rankings 2012/2013, VMU was ranked among the top pended. On 21 August, the university lost the name Vytautas Magnus and sim- sen from 805 candidates, were accepted 700 universities of the world. On 17 November 2013, VMU honorary doctorate was ply became the University of Kaunas. That same fall, the