The New Academic Year Starts at Vilnius University

Vilnius University (VU) invites students and professors to begin the new academic year by safely returning to classes and auditoriums, as well as participating in the learning process remotely. The traditional procession of the VU community on Gediminas Avenue from the Seimas to the VU Great Yard, which did not occur due to the pandemic last year, will also take place. VU Rector prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas congratulates the new members of the VU community who have returned to the university premises.

“All past year we have worked for getting back to normality, to personal contact and direct education. The pandemic period proved the importance of live conversations, sharing our experiences, facing our differences, and finding similarities. That means that ideals of humanism and of classical University is more alive than ever. And they are an integral part of experiencing new cultures, new perspectives, learning, and getting professional skills.

I want to thank you for choosing our University and our academic community. You will see our open-mindedness and that we are always ready to help you in your integration process“, the VU rector said.

Prof. Petrauskas is confident that the lessons learned from the crisis will allow to react faster, share available data, ensure openness of information, and set an example for the public: Vilnius University is one of the most vaccinated communities. According to the Lithuanian Department of Statistics, as many as 87% of VU students have already been vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose, and 79% have complete immunity.

However, to ensure the safety of VU community members, participation in the contact study process will be possible only for holders of green pass/opportunity pass or equivalent documents. It is planned that most of the study classes and assessments will take place physically at the University premises.

Another new feature of this year is the VU freshmen integration event #StudentAUK, which will invite to a series of integration events throughout September. Here, first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in excursions organized by the VU Museum and the VU Library, which will help new community members get acquainted with the history of the university, different departments. In the first weeks of September, the VU Central Library and the Scientific Communication and Information Center will have an Integration Space for first-year students. Library staff will answer a wide range of freshmen's questions about library services.