“For the fifth consecutive year, the number of admitted students is increasing, and this year, during the main admission, Klaipėda University was among the fastest-growing universities in the country. This is encouraging but also obliges us – the growing number of students must mean improving the quality of studies, better conditions for learning and living at the university,” said KU Rector Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas at the start of the academic year.
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More students, pedagogy is being strengthened again in Klaipėda
This year, more than 1,500 students were admitted to Klaipėda University – 12% more than in 2025. In total, KU starts the new academic year with more than 3,700 students.
Among bachelor’s degree programs, psychology, childhood pedagogy, and radiology attracted the most applicants. Among engineering studies, computer science and electrical engineering stood out.
Vice-Rector for Studies, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rasa Grigolienė draws attention to the growing interest in pedagogy studies. In August, Klaipėda University was granted the status of a teacher training center, which the university had sought for several years.
“We are especially pleased with the growing interest in childhood pedagogy and pedagogical professional studies. The status of a teacher training center is very important to us – schools in Western Lithuania need teachers trained here, in the region,” says R. Grigolienė.
New dormitory and investments in study and research facilities
This year, a new student dormitory is planned to be completed on the KU campus, which will have nearly 200 living spaces. It will also include common areas for activities, relaxation, and sports.
“Currently, the university, in search of housing for students, is also cooperating with partners. The new dormitory should fundamentally improve accommodation opportunities for the growing student community,” says Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Development Dr. Benediktas Petrauskas.
Significant expansion of KU’s study and research infrastructure is also planned in the coming years. The European Investment Bank’s board has approved €17 million in funding for the construction of Engineering Laboratories and the Medical Simulation Center.
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The new laboratories will be used not only by scientists and lecturers – KU students can get involved in research from their first years of study. The KU Science and Study Promotion Fund also finances student project ideas.
“Students can get involved in research projects conducted by scientists from the very first year – contributing to ongoing research or coming up with their own ideas. There are all opportunities to see how knowledge acquired at the university is applied practically – this is not studying for the sake of studying. We already have examples of student-created startups, so I hope such initiatives will increase in the future, and students will confidently share their ideas and not be afraid to make mistakes,” says KU Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laura Šaltytė-Vaisiauskė.
At the academic year opening event, young KU researchers were also recognized. The mayor of Klaipėda, Arvydas Vaitkus, awarded city municipality prizes to five university graduates for applied works relevant to Klaipėda. A doctoral diploma was also awarded to Audrius Malūkas, who defended a dissertation in the field of transport engineering.
In memory of Stasys Vaitekūnas – Juozas Vosylius fresco
The solemn academic year opening event concluded with the unveiling of the Juozas Vosylius fresco “Birds’ Ferry to the Shore of Knowledge,” dedicated to Professor Stasys Vaitekūnas. The artwork is installed in the KU hall named after the professor.
Stasys Vaitekūnas was the second rector of Klaipėda University and one of the people who significantly contributed to the creation and growth of the university.
Before unveiling the fresco, the professor was remembered by three people who knew him at different stages of his life: Klaipėda University honorary doctor, one of the university’s founding initiators Dr. Vytautas Čepas, longtime colleague Prof. Antanas Bučinskas, and former student of the professor, political scientist Gabrielė Burbulytė-Tsiskarishvili.
The fresco will now become part of the S. Vaitekūnas hall and will remind not only of one of the university’s founders but also of the university’s continuity – the work and ideas started by one generation of the academic community and taken over by another.
