– The year is coming to an end. What key highlights would you emphasize, and what stood out the most?
Universities usually measure time not by calendar years but by academic years, so I would like to highlight that this September we began the 35th year of the university’s existence. This is the most important highlight of the year—our jubilee year. KU was founded on October 5, 1990, began its activities in January 1991, and the first academic year started in September of the same year. We are celebrating this anniversary throughout the entire year, as it testifies to the university’s significance for the city and the country. Although we are the youngest state university in Lithuania, today the most important thing is not age, but how we respond to contemporary needs and what value we create.
The mission of a modern university encompasses four main directions: studies, research, impact on the social environment, and the transfer of scientific ideas to business and production. In all these areas, we worked very intensively this year.
– Since November, you have taken on new responsibilities—you became Chair of the Board of the EU-CONEXUS alliance, which unites nine universities, including Klaipeda University. What tasks lie ahead?
– This is a great responsibility. EU-CONEXUS brings together nine European universities, so taking on this role means two very intensive years ahead. We will need to bring partners together for joint discussions, decide which activities we will continue and develop, and identify what new initiatives are needed to keep this university alliance competitive. We must rethink the strategic direction: which study and research instruments to develop, and how to strengthen the impact on the sustainability of cities and coastal regions.
By next spring, all of this must be consolidated into a joint application by the partners for a new funding phase. Since 2019, an enormous amount of work has been done, so it is important to focus. With changes in the leadership of some universities, their attitudes toward cooperation sometimes change as well, so we need to rediscover a common language and ensure a unified direction for the alliance’s development. This is intensive work: a lot of coordination, joint meetings, involvement, and responsibility in academic, research, and governance areas.
– What feedback do you hear from students who can gain knowledge not in one, but in as many as nine universities?
– Students see real benefits. Each year they choose programmes not only in Klaipėda but also at partner universities, study micro-modules, participate in research projects, and can receive funding for them. Students also gain access to international sports and cultural events. From the EU-CONEXUS festival in Cyprus, our students returned with unforgettable impressions. Such experiences are very important for students—they create a sense of community and broaden horizons.
Today we see how the vision voiced more than a decade ago by French President Emmanuel Macron—that European universities must unite in order to counterbalance universities in the United States and China—has proven itself. Today, this is a reality.
– How do you assess the university community this year, and how has it changed?
– It is encouraging that the number of students at our Alma Mater has been increasing for several consecutive years. This shows that the university’s reputation is improving. When I began my first term, I saw a more challenging situation, but today we are a steadily growing university.
Regarding international students, the selection process is extremely responsible and thorough. We conduct motivation interviews and assess education background and English language proficiency. The Migration Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also perform their functions in evaluating each candidate. We receive many applications from various countries, but only those who pass all stages of selection and checks are admitted.
At Klaipeda University, international students make up about 17% of the student community, many of them from Ukraine. We help them as much as we can—we have provided premises for a Ukrainian school and dormitories for students. We understand that they need to obtain an education so they can return and help rebuild their country. Other international students usually leave after completing their studies, unless they find employment and an employer arranges a visa.
– What progress do you observe in the field of research?
– In research, we also have much to be proud of. Klaipeda University is currently implementing as many as 169 research projects—this is a very significant indicator for a university of our size. Particularly important is that in 2025, KU researchers carried out as many as 14 projects under the Horizon Europe programme. These are among the highest-level international research projects in Europe, characterized by very strong competition, high quality requirements, and significant impact on the development of science and innovation.
KU researchers are also actively creating spin-off companies—there are currently eight in operation. The scientific ideas developed there are patented and transferred to business. Each year, the university submits 3–4 patent applications, and this year the European Patent Office approved two additional international (EPO) patents, once again confirming the international competitiveness of KU research.
Cooperation with social partners is strengthening—the Klaipėda Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, the Klaipėda Industrialists Association, the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority and port companies, as well as hospitals operating in the city, municipalities of Western Lithuania, educational institutions, and other organizations.
We are one of only two Lithuanian universities that have an endowment fund, into which EUR 1 million has already been invested. The mission of this fund is, through consolidated business initiatives and citizen involvement, to create a support platform for Klaipėda University that promotes scientific progress and the development of high technologies.
We also have successful spin-off companies that patent their scientific ideas and transfer them to business.
– You mentioned dozens of ongoing projects. What are their main directions?
– Klaipeda University is a classical, multidisciplinary university located by the Baltic Sea, so a significant part of our research is naturally oriented toward sustainable coastal development. A substantial share of projects is carried out in marine technologies and biotechnology, ecology, and environmental studies. Research is also conducted in the history and archaeology of the Baltic region, revealing the cultural and historical heritage of the maritime region. Alongside this, social science fields such as psychology, management, and economics are being consistently developed. With the establishment of Klaipėda University Hospital, the number of research projects in medicine and health sciences is increasing, especially in public health and nursing.
A special distinction of Klaipeda University is that we are the only university in the Baltic States with our own fleet. The KU yacht Odisėja and the training sailing ship Brabander are used for sailing education, navigation training, diving activities, and bird observation, while the research vessel Mintis is intended not only for scientific research but also contributes to monitoring the Baltic Sea environment and ensuring maritime safety.
Arctic expeditions, conducted since 2007, are also very important—during them, scientists study the impact of glacier melting on the Arctic ecosystem. Each project is a unique contribution to scientific progress.
– This year, KU organized the largest scientific conference ever held. Please tell us more.
– In September, we hosted the Annual Science Conference of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), attended by nearly 600 marine science researchers. An event of this scale had never before taken place in Klaipėda. ICES brings together nearly 6,000 scientists from more than 700 institutions, making it one of the most important international marine science gatherings. Participants from at least 30 countries came to Klaipėda—not only researchers, but also policymakers and industry representatives—seeking to apply science-based insights to decisions relevant to the Baltic Sea.
Next year, we will host the European STEAM Teachers Festival, with 600–700 participants expected. This brings significant benefits to the city, contributing to the local service sector, the city’s international visibility, and, of course, the strengthening of our academic community. Events of this scale reinforce Klaipėda’s position as a city of science and education and create long-term value for the region, while also serving as platforms for knowledge exchange, strengthening the teachers’ community, and promoting innovation in schools.
– It seems the year was truly impressive?
– Yes, it was a rich and eventful year. The university’s budget, salaries, and student support increased. However, it is not only the numbers that matter—it is important that growth translates into visible and meaningful benefits for both the university community and the city. Celebrating KU’s 35th anniversary, we unveiled the light artist Linas Kutavičius’ installation Dialogues of Light in the university campus—a composition of eight illuminated swings inviting togetherness, conversation, and the joy of creativity. We wanted this space to become an attraction not only for the KU community, but also for the residents of Klaipėda and visitors to the city—the university is open to the city.
Many events are taking place—from international scientific meetings to initiatives that nurture the city’s intellectual life. For example, together with partners, we continue the discussion series Trajectories of Klaipėda Identity at the Herkaus Kantas event space, where scholars speak in an accessible way to a broad audience about Klaipėda, its culture, and its uniqueness.
– What are your expectations for the new year?
– The largest upcoming projects are the construction of an engineering laboratory building and a medical simulation centre. If everything proceeds smoothly, in a year and a half the Faculty of Marine Technologies and Natural Sciences will be able to move to the university campus. We will be able to sell the building on Bijūnų Street—we have a government resolution for this—as it is old and does not meet modern study needs.
The medical simulation centre will be a completely new facility dedicated to the training of healthcare professionals, postgraduate studies, and the preparation of family medicine residents. The centre will use special mannequins and simulators that allow students to acquire practical medical knowledge and skills, and only after gaining sufficient experience to work directly with patients.
We hope to launch new study programmes and renew the activities of the teacher education centre—this is essential for Western Lithuania. It is unfortunate that earlier it was decided that such centres were sufficient in Vilnius and Kaunas.
We have already submitted the family medicine residency programme for evaluation. It is encouraging that the number of joint programmes developed together with Klaipeda University Hospital is increasing.
We look to the new year with optimism. Above all, peace in the geopolitical context is crucial. Then everything can develop.
– What would you wish for the community and society?
– First of all, peaceful skies. This is the foundation for the city, society, and the country. And for the university community—creativity and unity. The university brings together people, knowledge, and partnerships that turn into action and real benefits for the region.
