The VU Council Unanimously Re-Elects Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas for the Second Term of Office
The Council of Vilnius University (VU) unanimously (11 out of 11 votes) re-elected Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas as the Rector of Vilnius University for the second term of office. In his meetings with the community, Prof. Petrauskas, who took up this position in 2020, highlighted the importance of strengthening the University as a wise and creative community based on consensus, trust, and academic freedom.
The Council’s discussions with the Rector were open, constructive, and at times heated. Yet, the unanimous decision clearly demonstrates that in these turbulent times, the solidarity of the community is key. “With this decision, the Council is setting an example of unity and hopes that the University community will also rally around the Rector, even when faced with decisions that might provoke debate or receive mixed reactions. The Council underlines that these decisions must be based on the strategic objectives and values of Vilnius University,” said Dr Marius Jurgilas, Chairperson of the Council.
The Rector's mandate is based not only on decentralised governance, which ensures significant faculty autonomy within the University, but also on moral authority. By a unanimous vote, the Council has given the Rector strong moral support and looks forward to him using this authority responsibly to consolidate the community and achieve ambitious strategic objectives. A dialogue of trust between the Council and the Rector, in which even difficult and politically sensitive issues are not skirted around, remains crucial.
The Council also has high expectations for the Rector's team which will be responsible for implementing the strategic objectives and shaping the future of the University. “The Council expects this team to be built in a responsible manner, bringing together the highest-level professionals capable of tackling complex academic and managerial challenges. The mandate given to the Rector obliges him not only to achieve results, but also to shape the long-term vision of the University, ensuring its internationality, innovativeness, and the prosperity of the academic community,” said Marius Jurgilas.
“My programme of Rector’s activities is called ‘Vilnius University – Intellectual Leadership for a Progressive and Resilient Lithuania in Europe’. I am determined to continue the work I’ve started and to further strengthen the University community which is committed to society and the State, open to discussion and change, contributing significantly to the idea of learning society and constantly updating its own knowledge and competencies, assuming a leading role in education, science, and other important areas of the State with its knowledge and opinions, and fostering a culture of goodwill, peer support, and due appreciation. I view the position of Rector as an intricate set of activities and responsibilities. Leading the University is, first and foremost, about empowering a large and diverse community of people. Therefore, one of the most important principles is the ability to initiate discussion and communication, find and explain solutions, and take criticism into account. Despite the ever-changing environment and the new challenges that inevitably arise, a clear direction of activities, consistency, integrity, and coherence are essential to the institution. In view of the upcoming 450th anniversary of Vilnius University, I invite the community to share their thoughts and ideas on what kind of University they aspire to work and study at,” said the Rector.
According to him, despite the ever-changing environment and the new challenges that inevitably arise, a clear direction of activities, consistency, integrity, and coherence are essential to the institution.
Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas will start his second term of office after his inauguration on 1 April 2025.