Kaunas University of Technology

Kaunas University of Technology
Kauno technologijos universitetas
Established 1922
Type public
Rector magnificus Prof. habil. dr. Petras Baršauskas
Administrative staff
 3000
Students 16 000
over 400
Location Lithuania Kaunas, Lithuania
Colours      (Pantone 322 C)
Affiliations CESAER
Website ktu.edu

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is a public research university located in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Initially established on January 27, 1920, the school was known as "Higher Courses". With an increased rate of staffing and attendance, the school was instituted as the first independent higher education institution within Lithuania by the government on February 16, 1922. Renamed Vytautas Magnus in 1930, the university specialized in four areas: civil engineering, mechanics, electrical engineering, and chemical technology. The turmoil of World War II brought combinations of Soviet, then German, and finally Soviet re-occupation, numerous name changes and an eventual closing of the university in 1943. After re-occupation by the Soviets in 1944, the University reopened and eventually reformed into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI) and Kaunas Medical Institute in 1946. Under the influence of Perestroika, the Soviet Lithuanian government reinstated the schools university status, and it was renamed the Kaunas University of Technology (KTT). Independence from the Soviet Union brought rapid westernization with a flexible module/credit system and membership to many Western European organizations.

Since the establishment in 1922, the University has produced more than 125 000 graduates. Following Lithuanian independence, KTU has issued over 1000 doctoral, and 62,000 bachelor and masters degrees.

With a current academic staff of almost 3000 employees and nearly 17,000 students, KTU stands as the largest technical university in the Baltic States.

History

The Higher Courses

Z. Žemaitis, a mathematician, and J. Vabalas-Gudaitis, a psychologist, with other intellectuals founded the first centre of studies in Kaunas – the Higher Courses. Among other subdivisions, the Courses included a technical section directed by engineer J. Šimoliūnas. The Higher Courses enjoyed successful growth and in two years they already had 480 students and 48 teachers.

On February 16, 1922 the government of Lithuania passed a resolution establishing the school as a university. The president of Lithuania A. Stulginskis appointed Dr. J. Šimkus as the first rector of the university with Monsignor J. Mačiulis-Maironis as the dean of Theology, A. Voldemaras as the dean of Social Sciences, Z. Žemaitis as the dean of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, P. Avižonis as the dean of Medicine, and P. Jodelė as the dean of technology.

Vytautas Magnus University

On June 7, 1930 the university was named Vytautas Magnus University. The university then consisted of seven faculties consisting of the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, Faculty of Evangelical Theology, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Technology.

The beginning of 1940 saw the reorganization of Vytautas Magnus University with The Faculties of Law and Humanities being transferred to the University of Vilnius.

World War II

On August 21, 1940, with occupation by the Soviet Union, the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic was instructed to rename school the University of Kaunas. In the fall of 1940 the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was transferred to the University of Vilnius.

With German occupation in 1941,[1] the university was once more renamed Vytautas Magnus University with 5 faculties: Theology, Philosophy, Technology, Civil Engineering and Mathematics. On March 17, 1943 the University was closed, along with other Lithuanian institutions of higher education.

On November 13, 1944 the Lithuanian SSR occupational government reopened the University, and until 1946 it operated under the name of Kaunas National Vytautas Magnus University.

Kaunas Polytechnic Institute and Soviet Occupation

In June 1949 the Faculty of History and Theology was closed.

In 1950 the University of Kaunas was reorganized into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI) and Kaunas Medical Institute. Throughout Soviet occupation, the KPI resisted attempts at Russification and internationalization and strove to preserve the old European university spirit, national academic traditions, and teaching in the Lithuanian language.

Kaunas University of Technology

In 1990 KPI was named Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), regained its university status, and embarked on the road to reforms of studies and science.

In 1992 the university, in accordance with the Law on Science and Education of the Republic of Lithuania, started implementing a two-level degree program of higher education and a new procedure of awarding research degrees and academic titles.

In 1993 a Western flexible module and credit study system was implemented with emphasis on the unity of studies and science, broad fundamental education, liberal study programmes and independent study.

In 1998 the university joined Magna Charta of the European Universities and became a member of the European Universities Association and the International Association of Universities.

Campus

The university has 13 faculties {two in Panevėžys}, an International Studies Center, 11 institutes, and 6 other educational centers.

The library at KTU has a collection of 1.3m books and periodicals on engineering, technology, and physical sciences both in Lithuanian and foreign languages. The library facilities are made up of 17 locations with 10 reading rooms and over 500 computer access terminals.

University media includes University newspaper “Studijų aidai” (en. Study Echoes), published as of 1960, radio station “Gaudeamus” and TV channel “Kobra TV”.

Curriculum

KTU offers 17 doctoral, 61 graduate, 48 undergraduate, and 2 special vocational study programs of which 5 undergraduate and 11 graduate study programs are in foreign languages. Main fields vary from humanities and art to physical, bio-medical and social sciences, as well as technology.

There are fourteen different departments within Kaunas University of Technology : Faculty of Chemical Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Design and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Management, Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering, Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Informatics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Telecommunications and Electronics, International Studies Centre, Panevėžys Institute Faculty of Management and Administration, Panevėžys Institute Faculty of Technologies.

In 2009 the Center for Academic Advancement was founded with the aim of enabling students to maximize their intellectual capabilities. KTU Children University enables children of the age of 8 – 12 to engage in science related lectures, meet scientists and visit laboratories.

Events and achievements

International relations

Kaunas University of Technology is a member of:

Notes and references

External links

Coordinates: 54°53′55″N 23°54′44″E / 54.89861°N 23.91222°E