The Arqus Community Mourns the Loss of Vilnius University Pro-Rector Rita Rekašiūtė Balsienė

The university community of the Arqus European University Alliance joins the colleagues at Vilnius University in mourning the loss of Associate Professor Dr Rita Rekašiūtė Balsienė (1969-2022), the pro-rector for organizational development and community affairs.

"Rita was an example of professionalism and dedication to duty. She gave a new impetus to our community. She was brave to shake up the established rules and initiate changes", VU rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas expresses his condolences.

She devoted part of her work to raising the awareness of diversity and inclusion and to providing as many accessible university services as possible for all the community, core values of the Arqus Alliance. In fact, the departments she was leading worked both at Vilnius University and within Arqus in this regard.

“On behalf of the whole Arqus community I would like to express our deepest condolences for the loss of Pro-Rector Rita Rekašiūtė Balsienė to the Vilnius University community, her family and her beloved ones”, said Arqus Coordinator, Prof. Dorothy Kelly.

As communicated by Vilnius University, on Thursday, 29 September, from 12:00 p.m., all members of the university community are invited to say goodbye and honour the pro-rector in St. John's Church. Moreover, at the request of the family, tributes are invited with flowers or a donation to the "Jaunimo linija".