Kaunas University of Technology

Kaunas University of Technology

Kaunas University of Technology
File:KTUni.png
Type	public
Established	1922
Rector magnificus	Raimundas Šiaučiūnas
Students	16 000
Doctoral students	over 400
Location	Kaunas , Lithuania
Website	en.ktu.lt

KTU

Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is one of the largest technical universities in the Baltic States and one of the most dynamic institutions of higher education in Lithuania, which often becomes a research and study leader in various scientific and study fields.

In Webometrics Ranking of World Universities 2010 (July) KTU took the highest ratings among Lithuanian higher education institutions as having the web of best presence, visibility and accessibility. Lithuanian weekly magazine “Veidas” together with the Institute of Democratic Politics in their Ranking of Lithuanian Public Institutions of Higher Education 2009 ranked KTU as second best university in Lithuania.

University mission to provide quality studies and research, educate young generation, carry out applied, innovative, cultural and educational activities, enshrine national culture and democracy, create knowledge society and improve social welfare for the good of Lithuania and advantageous development of world’s culture and science.

Facts and figures

University has 13 faculties (including two in Panevezys Institute), International Studies Centre, 13 institutes, 6 centres; 11 dormitories, 13 arts collectives, 11 sports activities. University media includes University newspaper “Studijų aidai” (en. Study Echoes), published as of 1960, radio station “Gaudeamus” and TV channel “Kobra TV”.

KTU library is one of the largest in Lithuania; it stores one of the richest collections of printed books and periodicals on engineering, technology and physical sciences literature both in Lithuanian and foreign languages. The library has about 1.4 mln holdings in its collection with many rare and significant items to Lithuanian science and culture history.

KTU offers 48 undergraduate, 61 graduate, and 2 special vocational study programmes, and 17 scientific directions of doctoral studies; 5 undergraduate and 11 graduate study programmes in foreign languages (mostly English) and more than 500 studies modules. KTU develops the following study fields: technological, physical, biomedical and social sciences, as well as humanities and art.

The University offers more than few hundred scholarships, Rector’s scholarship, the most active young scientists and doctoral students of the University are awarded with monetary scholarships. Over the 20 years of Independence KTU was graduated by more than 62 000 bachelors, masters, diploma engineers and teachers, and over 1000 doctors. Since the establishment in 1922, the University has produced more than 125 000 graduates.

KTU scientific potential may be illustrated by the following yearly rates: over 500 scientific articles published in scientific publications that are included in the list of the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), over 10 monographs, over 700 articles in other reviewed scientific publications, active participation in various scientific conferences in different continents, many large-scale international scientific projects, hundreds of orders from local companies that earn at least 10 mln. Litas to the University budget annually.

Events and achievements

In 1998 KTU Regional Business Incubator was established. It is the first technological business incubator in Lithuania, providing support to enterprises that start new business.

In 2007 KTU was handed with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) award for patent and registration of industrial property objects. In 2008 WIPO awarded two scientists of KTU Faculty of Chemical Technology, namely prof. Vytautas Getautis and prof. Juozas Vidas Gražulevičius.

Over the 20 years of independence 45 University scientists were awarded the Lithuanian Science Awards.

In 2008 prof. Rymantas Jonas Kažys was awarded with National Award for Partnership Advancement for creating technologies of supersonic measurement and diagnostics and for the outbreak to European scientific researches and practice.

In 2008 KTU Institute of Environmental Engineering received Energy Globe 2008 National Award for preventive energy saving and waste minimization innovation development and implementation system APINI- SPIN.

In 2010 prof. Jurgis Kazimieras Staniškis, head of the Institute of Environmental Engineering, was awarded the Baltic Sea Award 2010. Prof. Staniškis is so far the only Lithuanian scientists to receive this prestigious award, which annually goes to an individual or organization for putting research findings into practice, technical decisions or other activities that contribute substantially to the Baltic Sea and the sustainable development of its region.

In 2009 European Commission EACEA awarded KTU with Diploma Supplement label, which is recognized throughout all Europe and therefore facilitates employment opportunities in its holder’s country and abroad.

In 2009 KTU received the Youth Partner Award in Kaunas Youth Awards, whereas KTU Student Union won the Youth Organization Award.

In 2009 Centre for Academic Advancement was founded to enable students to improve their intellectual capabilities at most. KTU Children University enables children of the age of 8 – 12 to listen to science related lectures, meet scientists and visit laboratories. In 1989 Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium was founded. It was the first university-supported secondary school for gifted children in Lithuania. In 2010 it was recognized as prime institution for secondary education in Lithuania (according to the weekly magazine “Veidas” rankings).

In 2010 an agreement on the Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley) of Santaka sponsorship of the first investment project was signed. The implementation of this project will result in the establishment of world-class National open-access R&D Centre in KTU Student Campus in Kaunas. The Centre will particularly focus in such areas as sustainable chemistry, mechatronics, information and communication technology, and sustainable energy resources, which are highly significant for Lithuanian economy and comprise a solid part of its export. The value of the project – 117. 257 mln LTL.

The Competence Centre of Food Science and Technology is another project to be implemented as part of the programme for the development of the Integrated Science, Studies and Business Centre (Valley). The project is carried out by Kaunas University of Technology together with Lithuanian Institute of Horticulture and Olericulture. The Centre is exceptional for its food engineering, and technology and quality analysis research equipment concentrated in one place. The equipment is designed to model, optimize and test the manufacture and storage processes of food products.

History

Kaunas University of Technology derives itself from the University of Lithuania (afterwards –Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas University, Kaunas National Vytautas Magnus University), established on February 16, 1922, under the basis of the Higher Courses founded in 1920.

The University of Lithuania

On February 16, 1922 the Government of Lithuania passed on the resolution to establish a university, the first independent institution of higher education in Lithuania.

Vytautas Magnus University

On June 7, 1930 the university was named Vytautas Magnus University, and a new statute was approved. The university then consisted of 7 faculties: 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.

In the beginning of 1940 the reorganization of Vytautas Magnus University and Vilnius University had begun. The Faculties of Law and Humanities were transferred to the University of Vilnius.

The University of Kaunas

On August 21, 1940, under the occupation of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Government in Lithuania ordered to rename Vytautas Magnus University into the University of Kaunas. In the fall of 1940 the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was transferred into the University of Vilnius.

Vytautas Magnus University

In 1941, when German army entered Lithuania, the University regained its Vytautas Magnus name and after slight reorganization had 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. A group of professors from the closed university established the Institute for Adults that operated for one year.

On November 13, 1944 USSR occupational government decided to re-open the University, and until 1946 it operated under the name of Kaunas National Vytautas Magnus University.

Kaunas National University

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

Kaunas Polytechnic Institute

In 1950 the University of Kaunas was reorganized into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI) and Kaunas Medical Institute. Throughout the entire period of the new occupation, in spite of continuous attempts by the Soviet Government to use KPI for purposes of administrative economics of the empire state, the Polytechnic Institute resisted aggressive attempts of Russification and extreme 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 speedy 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 two-level degree programmes of higher education and a new procedure of awarding research degrees and academic titles.

In 1993 a Western flexible module – credit study system was implemented and further developed. It emphasized 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.

Faculties and institutes

Faculties

• 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

Institutes

• Biomedical Engineering Institute
• Food Institute
• Information Technology Development Institute
• Institute of Architecture and Construction
• Institute of Defence Technologies
• Institute of Energy Technology
• Institute of Environmental Engineering
• Institute of Europe
• Institute of Materials Science
• Institute of Metrology
• Institute of Synthetic Chemistry
• Prof. Kazimieras Baršauskas Ultrasound Research Institute
• Technological Systems Diagnostics Institute

Centres

• Centre for Academic Advancement
• Centre for E-learning Technologies
• Centre for Physical Education and Sports
• Mechatronics Centre for Research, Studies and Information
• Research Centre for Microsystems and Nanotechnology

International relations

Kaunas University of Technology is a member of:

• Association of European Universities – EUA
• European Society for Engineering Education – SEFI (Societe Europeene pour la Formation des Ingenieurs)
• The Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research – CESAER
• UNESCO International Centre of Engineering Education – UICEE
• International Association of Continuing Engineering Education – IACEE
• European Universities Continuing Education Network – EUCEN
• Baltic Sea Region Universities Network – BSRUN
• Association of Technical Universities of Baltic States – ATUBS
• University Consortium in Science and Technology of Baltic Countries – BALTECH
• “Magna Charta” of European Universities

External links

• Template:En icon [1] Official website of Kaunas University of Technology (in English).
• Template:En icon [2] official website of Kaunas University of Technology.