Today, the entire community of Vilnius University (VU) and the Law Faculty began a new academic year. September 1 is a special celebration for lecturers, students, and first-year students who are starting a new stage in their lives.
“I would like to encourage all members of our community to dream, even if the dream seems too big and unattainable. I wish you to discuss and seek solutions despite differences of opinion, but with mutual respect. I wish you curiosity and the joy of discovery,” said Prof. Dr Haroldas Šinkūnas, Dean of the VU Law Faculty, greeting those gathered. He wished the first-year students the courage to ask questions, to keep searching, and not to be indifferent. Read the dean’s full speech here.
Andrius Viljamas Gontier, chairman of the VU Students’ Representation at the Law Faculty, wished first-year students the courage to take responsibility and enjoy their studies: “I wish you to find your people, because they are the ones who will make this year special for you. The smiles of your colleagues, their help in preparing for exams, shared laughter in the lecture hall, long conversations in the hallway – all of this will become part of your history.”
Distinguished guests came to congratulate the community of the Law Faculty on the occasion of the celebration: Assoc. Prof. Dr Danguolė Bublienė, President of the Supreme Court of Lithuania, Nida Grunskienė, Prosecutor General, Chairman of the Lithuanian Bar Association Mindaugas Kukaitis, and Chairman of the Council of the Alumni Society of the VU Law Faculty Gintautas Bartkus. The guests wished the first-year students unwavering curiosity, adherence to humanity, and other values important in the legal profession.
During the event, the Motieka & Audzevičius law firm awarded a scholarship to Viktorija Markovaitė, the student who achieved the best results in her first year of studies. The prize was presented by Dr Paulius Grendelis, a lawyer at the law firm. Congratulations to Viktorija on her excellent academic achievements!
At the end of the celebration, continuing a long-standing tradition, the first-year students took an oath to the Law Faculty and continued the celebration in the VU community parade.
Photographer – Edgaras Kurauskas.
