Vilnius University
Vilniaus universitetas | |
UNICA, Utrecht Network | |
Website | vu.lt |
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Vilnius University (Lithuanian: Vilniaus universitetas) is a public research university, which is the first and largest university in Lithuania, as well as one of the oldest and most prominent higher education institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. Today, it is Lithuania's leading research institution, ranked among the Top 29% Higher Education Institutions in the world.[5]
The university was founded in 1579 as the
After the Soviet invasion of Poland in September 1939, the university was briefly administered by the Lithuanian authorities (from October 1939), and then after Soviet annexation of Lithuania (June 1940), punctuated by a period of German occupation after Operation Barbarossa, from 1941 to 1944, when it was administrated as the Vilnius State University. In 1945, the Polish community of students and scholars of Stefan Batory University was transferred to Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.[6] After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it resumed its status as one of the prominent universities in Lithuania.
The university has facilities in Kaunas and Šiauliai. It has 15 academic faculties that offer more than 200 study programs for over 24,000 students.[4] Non-academic departments of the university include the Cultural Centre, Health and Sports Centre, Library, Museum, Botanical Gardens and other institutions. Since 2016, Vilnius University has been a member of a network of prestigious universities–the Coimbra Group–and since 2019, it has belonged to the European University Alliance (ARQU).[7]
The Vilnius University Foundation was established on 6 April 2016, becoming the first university endowment in Lithuania.[8] Underground beneath the old university's building is the cenotaph of 11 Old Prussian tribes along with the small temple of four gods and four goddesses from Baltic mythology.[9]
History
Changes of the name
The university has been known by many names during its history. Due to its long history of Jewish, Polish and Russian influence or rule, the city portion of its name is rendered as Vilna (
).- 1579–1782: Alma Academia et Universitas Vilnensis Societatis Iesu.[10] The Latin name is rendered into English as Jesuit Academy, Jesuit College, or Academy of Vilnius (Vilna/Wilna/Wilno).[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
- 1782–1803: Schola Princeps Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae: Principal School of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (the name was changed 8 years after Third Partition of Poland)[23]
- 1803–1832: Imperatorski Uniwersytet Wileński.[24] Rendered into English as Imperial University of Vilnius (Vilna/Wilna/Wilno)[25][26][27][28][29]
- 1832–1919: Closed, originally by order of Tsar Nicholas I[30]
- 1919–1939: Stefan Batory University[31] (Uniwersytet Stefana Batorego in Poland)
- 1940–1943: Vilnius UniversityGerman occupation)
- 1944–1955: Vilnius State University[26]
- 1955–1990: Vilnius State University of Vincas Kapsukas[32]
- 1971–1979: Vilnius Order of the Red Banner of Labour State University of Vincas Kapsukas (Vilniaus Darbo raudonosios vėliavos ordino valstybinis Vinco Kapsuko universitetas)
- 1979–1990: Vilnius Orders of the Red Banner of Labour and Friendship of Peoples State University of Vincas Kapsukas (Vilniaus Darbo raudonosios vėliavos ir Tautų draugystės ordinų valstybinis V. Kapsuko universitetas)
- 1990–present: Vilnius University
History by period
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
In 1568, the
On April 1, 1579,
In 1575, Duke Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł and Elżbieta Ogińska sponsored a printing house for the academy, one of the first in the region. The printing house issued books in Latin and Polish and the first surviving book in Lithuanian printed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was in 1595. It was Kathechismas, arba Mokslas kiekvienam krikščioniui privalus authored by Mikalojus Daukša.
The academy's growth continued until the 17th century.
Partitions
After the Partitions of Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Vilnius was annexed by the Russian Empire. However, the Commission of National Education retained control over the academy until 1803, when Tsar Alexander I of Russia accepted the new statute and renamed it The Imperial University of Vilna (Императорскій Виленскій Университетъ). The institution was granted the rights to the administration of all education facilities in the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Among the notable personae were the curator (governor) Adam Jerzy Czartoryski and rector Jan Śniadecki.
The university flourished. It used Polish as the instructional language, although
Two of the faculties were turned into separate schools: the Medical and Surgical Academy (Akademia Medyko-Chirurgiczna) and the Roman Catholic Academy (Rzymsko-Katolicka Akademia Duchowna). But soon they were closed as well with Medical and Surgical Academy transformed into Medical faculty of University of Kyiv (now Bogomolets National Medical University), and latter one being transformed into Saint Petersburg Roman Catholic Theological Academy (after the October Revolution of 1917 moved to Poland where it became Catholic University of Lublin). The repression that followed the failed uprising included banning the Polish and Lithuanian languages; all education in those languages was halted.
1918–1939
The first attempts to reestablish scientific institution in Vilnius were made after the
Lithuania declared its independence in February 1918. The university, with the rest of Vilnius and Lithuania, was opened three times between 1918 and 1919. The Lithuanian National Council re-established it in December 1918, with classes to start on January 1, 1919.
The university quickly recovered and gained international prestige, largely because of the presence of notable scientists such as
In 1938 the university had:
- 7 institutes
- 123 professors
- 104 scientific units (including two hospitals)
- 3110 students
The university's international students included 212 Russians, 94 Belarusians, 85 Lithuanians, 28 Ukrainians and 13 Germans.[43] Anti-Semitism increased during the 1930s and a system of ghetto benches, in which Jewish students were required to sit in separate areas, was instituted at the university.[44][45] Violence erupted; the university was closed for two weeks during January 1937.[44] In February Jewish students were denied entrance to its grounds.[44] The faculty was then authorized to decide on an individual basis whether the segregation should be observed in their classrooms and expel those students who would not comply.[44] 54 Jewish students were expelled but were allowed to return the next day under a compromise in which in addition to Jewish students, Lithuanian, Belarusian, and "Polish democratic" students were to be seated separately.[44] Rector of the university, Władysław Marian Jakowicki, resigned his position in protest over the introduction of the ghetto benches.[46]
World War II
Following the
Polish Law and Social Sciences, Humanities, Medical, Theological, Mathematical-Life sciences faculties continued to
The city was occupied by Germany in 1941, and all institutions of higher education for Poles were closed. From 1940 until September 1944, under Lithuanian professor and activist
Soviet period (1945-1990)
Educated Poles were transferred to
In 1955
After 1990
On March 11, 1990,
On July 12, 2023, President Joe Biden delivered a public speech in the Grand Courtyard of Vilnius University following the 2023 NATO summit.[52]
Status today
In modern times, the university still offers studies with internationally recognized content. There are 3 Bachelor and 16 Master study programs in English.
As of 1 March 2020, there were 19,996 students attending Vilnius University.[4]
The current rector is Professor Rimvydas Petrauskas.[53]
The university, specifically the courtyard, was featured in the American TV series The Amazing Race 12.[54]
Structure
Faculties
- Business School
- Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences - Established in 1784,geosciences specialists and organizes research in these scientific domains.[56]
- Faculty of Communication
- Faculty of Economics and Business Administration
- Faculty of History
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Philology
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Physics
- Institute of International Relations and Political Science
- Kaunas Faculty[57]
- Life Sciences Center
- Vilnius University Šiauliai Academy
-
Business School
-
Center of Physical Sciences and Technology
-
Faculty of Philology
-
Faculty of Philosophy
-
Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences
-
Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics
-
Faculty of Medicine
-
Faculties of Physics, Economics and business administration, Law and Communication
-
Institute of International Relations and Political Science
-
Kaunas Faculty
-
Life Sciences Center
-
Planetarium
-
Student dormitories
Other divisions
- Botanical garden
- Centre of Information Technology Development
- Centre of Property Management and Services
- Conference, seminar and leisure centre "Romuva"
- Cultural Centre
- Health and Sport Centre
- Library
- Museum
- Publishing House[58]
Campus
The old campus of Vilnius University consists of 13 buildings and 13 courtyards.[59] At present the Rector's Office, the Library, the Faculties of Philology, Philosophy, and History are situated there. The largest courtyards are:
- P. Skargos (The main) courtyard;
- M. K. Sarbievijaus courtyard;
- Library courtyard;
- Observatory courtyard.
Faculties of Physics, Economy, Law, and Communication, as well as Business School, Life Sciences Center, and Scholarly Communication and Information Centre are located in Saulėtekis district.
Ranking
University rankings | |
---|---|
Global – Overall | |
ARWU World[60] | 701-800 (2020) |
CWTS World[61] | 805 (2020) |
QS World[62] | 400 (2023) |
THE World[63] | 801–1000 (2020) |
USNWR Global[64] | 591 (2020) |
Regional – Overall | |
QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia[65] | 19 (2022) |
Vilnius University is ranked 423 among World top universities by 2021 QS World University Rankings. In 2020 QS WU Rankings by Subject, Vilnius University is ranked 201–250 in Linguistics and 251–300 in Physics and Astronomy. In QS rankings of Emerging Europe and Central Asia, Vilnius University is ranked 18.[66]
Vilnius University is ranked 635 in the world by Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report.[67]
Projects
Recent and ongoing projects at Vilnius University include:
- "Laser Spectrometer for Testing of Coatings of Crystals and Optical Components in Wide Spectral and Angle Range".NATO Science for Peace programme project. NATOSfP-972534. 1999–2002.
- "Cell biology and lasers: towards new technologies". Vilnius University - UNESCO Associated Centre of Excellence.[69]
- "Science and Society: Genomics and Benefit Sharing with Developing Countries - From Biodiversity to Human Genomics (GenBenefit)". Doc. E. Gefenas (Faculty of Medicine). 2006–2009.
- "Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society: Social Inequality and Why It Matters for the Economic and Democratic Development of Europe and Its Citizens. Post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe in Comparative Perspective (EUREQUAL)." Doc. A. Poviliūnas (Faculty of Philosophy). 2006–2009.
- "Marie Curie Chairs: Centre for Studies and Training Experiments with Lasers and Laser Applications (STELLA[70])" A. Dubietis (Faculty of Physics). 2006–2009.
- "Research Infrastructure Action: Integrated European Laser Laboratories (LaserLab-Europe)". Prof. A. Piskarskas (Faculty of Physics). 2004–2007.
- "Nanotechnology and nanoscieces, knowledge-based multifunctional materials, new production processes and devices: Cell Programming by Nanoscaled Devices (CellPROM)". Prof. A. Kareiva (Faculty of Chemistry). 2004–2009.
- Advanced European Infrastructures for Detectors at Accelerators - AIDA-2020 (Institute of Applied Research, Faculty of Physics). J.V.Vaitkus, G. Tamulaitis. 2015–2019.
- EU-STRAT - The EU and Eastern Partnership Countries: An Inside-Out Analysis and Strategic Assessment (EU-STRAT) (Institute of International Relations and Political Science). R.Vilpišauskas. 2016–2019.
- European Network of Research Ethics and Research Integrity. European Ethics and Research Integrity Network. E. Gefenas (Faculty of Medicine). 2016–2019.
International relations
Vilnius University has signed more than 180 bilateral cooperation agreements with universities in 41 countries. Under Erasmus+ programme the university has over 800 agreements with 430 European and 55 agreements with partner country universities for the academic exchanges.
University students actively participate in such exchange programmes as ERASMUS+, ERASMUS MUNDUS, ISEP, AEN-MAUI and CREPUQ.
The university is a signatory of the Magna Charta of European universities and a member of the International Association of Universities, European University Association, the Conference of Baltic University Rectors, the Utrecht Network, UNICA Network, and the Baltic Sea Region University Network. In addition, Vilnius University has been invited to join the Coimbra Group, a network of prestigious European universities, from 1 January 2016.
People
Nobel Prize winners
- Czesław Miłosz, poet, The Nobel Prize in Literature 1980
Notable professors of Vilnius University
- Alfredas Bumblauskas, professor, historian
- Edvardas Gudavičius, professor, historian
- Henryk Łowmiański, professor, historian
- Lev Karsavin, professor, philosopher, and historian
- Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt, astronomer
- Šarūnas Raudys, professor, data analyst
- Jan Rustem, professor of painting
- Ferdynand Ruszczyc, professor of painting
- Joseph Saunders (engraver), English printmaker and original professor of art history (1810-1821)
- Piotr Skarga, theologian
- Jan Śniadecki, philosopher and astronomer
- Konstantinas Sirvydas, professor
- Andrius Vaišnys, professor and journalist
- Laima Vaitkunskienė, archaeologist
- Zigmas Zinkevičius, professor, linguist-historian.
See also
- List of early modern universities in Europe
- List of Universities in Lithuania
- Utrecht Network
- Protmušis
- Vilnius University Folklore Ensemble "Ratilio"
- History of Vilnius
- List of Jesuit sites
- Lithuania portal
References
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- ^ "Documents". Vilnius University Foundation.
- ^ "Veiklos dokumentai". Vilniaus universitetas.
- ^ a b c "Facts and Figures". Vilnius University. Archived from the original on 2 February 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ^ "QS World University Rankings 2023: Top Global Universities". Top Universities. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ISBN 83-223-1876-6.
- ^ "Arqus". Arqus. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "VU 444 • Congratulate VU with an everlasting birthday gift!". Vilnius University Foundation. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ISBN 9788362586967.
W zabytkowych pomieszczeniach starego Uniwersytetu w Wilnie na piętrze znajduje się kenotaf, symboliczny grobowiec jedenastu pruskich plemion, a w podziemiach mała świątynia poświęcona czterem bałtyjskim Bogom i czterem bałtyjskim Boginiom. (In the antique rooms of old Vilnius University on the [first] floor is located cenotaph, a symbolical tomb of eleven Old Prussian tribes, and in undergrounds is small temple dedicated for four baltic Gods and four baltic Goddesses.)
- ^ Lithuania Today. Gintaras. 1978. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-7619-9111-3. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
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- ^ Antanas Jusaitis; Lithuanian Catholic Truth Society (1918). The history of the Lithuanian nation and its present national aspirations. The Lithuanian Catholic Truth Society. pp. 74–. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
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- ^ Oskar Halecki (1958). From Florence to Brest (1439-1596). Fordham University Press. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ISBN 978-90-04-09393-5. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ "JESUITS IN LITHUANIA (A SHORT HISTORY)". Baltic Jesuit advancement project. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 88–89.
- ^ Bain, Robert Nisbet (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 25 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 166.
- ^ Jonas Kubilius (1979). A Short history of Vilnius University. Mokslas. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ Akt potwierdzenia Imperatorskiego Uniwersytetu w Wilnie. 1803. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ISBN 978-9986-830-48-1. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ a b Soviet physics-collection. Allerton Press. 1979. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
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- ^ The Current digest of the Soviet Press. American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies. 1955. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
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- ISBN 5-420-00102-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-313-33125-1. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-313-26007-0. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
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- ISBN 978-0-415-35491-2. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-295-95358-8. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
- ^ a b Magdalena Gawrońska-Garstka, Uniwersytet Stefana Batorego w Wilnie. Uczelnia ziem północno-wschodnich Drugiej Rzeczypospolitej (1919-1939) w świetle źródeł, Poznań 2016 p. 17
- ^ Aleksander, Srebrakowski (1993). "Sejm Wileński 1922 roku. Idea i jej realizacja - Repository of University of Wroclaw". HST 25347 99.
- ^ a b Tomas Venclova (Summer 1981). FOUR CENTURIES OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Historic View of the University of Vilnius, 1579-1979. Lituanus. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
- ^ Aleksander Srebrakowski, Litwa i Litwini na USB Archived 2020-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, Aleksander Srebrakowski, Białoruś i Białorusini na Uniwersytecie Stefana Batorego w Wilnie Archived 2020-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ ISBN 978-0-87820-418-2. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "A. Srebrakowski, Sprawa Wacławskiego, "Przegląd Wschodni" 2004, t. IX, z. 3(35), p. 575-601" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- ISBN 978-83-87893-52-1. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
- ^ D. Trenin. The End of Eurasia: Russia on the Border Between Geopolitics and Globalization. 2002, p.164
- ^ a b Adam Redzik, Polish Universities During the Second World War, Encuentros de Historia Comparada Hispano-Polaca / Spotkania poświęcone historii porównawczej hiszpańsko-polskiej conference, 2004
- ^ a b (in Polish) Mikołaj Tarkowski, Wydział Prawa i Nauk Społecznych Uniwersytetu Stefana Batorego w Wilnie 1919-1939, - przyczynek do dziejów szkolnictwa wyższego w dwudziestoleciu międzywojennym Archived 2008-02-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "History" (PDF).
- ^ a b "Страны мира". Countries. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
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- ^ "Vilnius University elects new rector". lrt.lt. 23 January 2020.
- ^ Circumnavigating the Globe: Amazing Race 10 to 14 and Amazing Race Asia 1 to 3, pg. 79
- ^ a b "History". Chgf.vu.lt. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
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- ^ Vilnius University Kaunas Faculty
- ^ "Faculties, Institutes, Centres & Other Departments". Retrieved 18 July 2018.
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- ^ "ARWU World University Rankings 2020 | Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020 | Top 1000 universities | Shanghai Ranking - 2020". www.shanghairanking.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
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- ^ US News Rankings 2018
- ^ "QS World University Rankings-Emerging Europe & Central Asia". Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Vilnius University". Top Universities. 16 July 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ "Vilnius University Rankings".
- ^ "Lazerinių tyrimų centras". Fizikos fakultetas. Archived from the original on 27 June 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
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Bibliography
- Studia z dziejów Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego 1579–1979, K. Mrozowska, Kraków 1979.
- Uniwersytet Wileński 1579–1979, M. Kosman, Wrocław 1981.
- Vilniaus Universiteto istorija 1579–1803, Mokslas, Vilnius, 1976, 316 p.
- Vilniaus Universiteto istorija 1803–1940, Mokslas, Vilnius, 1977, 341 p.
- Vilniaus Universiteto istorija 1940–1979, Mokslas, Vilnius, 1979, 431 p.
- ISBN 83-85161-26-0.
External links
- Media related to Vilnius University at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Institute of International Relations and Political Science
- Universitas Vilnensis 1579-2004, well written and illustrated book (92 pages)
- History of Vilnius University by Tomas Venclova
- (in Lithuanian) Vilniaus universitetas (reprezentacinis leidinys)
- (in Polish) Uniwersytet Wileński 1579-2004 Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- (in Polish) A. Srebrakowski, Studenci Uniwersytetu Stefana Batorego w Wilnie. 1919-1939, Wrocław 2008 – part one Archived 2020-07-16 at the Wayback Machine
- Vilnius University Students' Representation
- Vilnius University Cyber Security Competition "VU Cyberthon"