Kaunas University of Technology
Encyclopedia
KTU
Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) is one of the largest technical universities in the Baltic StatesBaltic states
The term Baltic states refers to the Baltic territories which gained independence from the Russian Empire in the wake of World War I: primarily the contiguous trio of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ; Finland also fell within the scope of the term after initially gaining independence in the 1920s.The...
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In Webometrics Ranking of World Universities
Webometrics Ranking of World Universities
The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, also known as Ranking Web of World Universities, is ranking system for the world's universities based on a composite indicator that takes into account both the volume of the Web contents and the visibility and impact of these web publications...
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 Panevėžys 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
Institute for Scientific Information
The Institute for Scientific Information was founded by Eugene Garfield in 1960. It was acquired by Thomson Scientific & Healthcare in 1992, became known as Thomson ISI and now is part of the Healthcare & Science business of the multi-billion dollar Thomson Reuters Corporation.ISI offered...
(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.
Structure
There are fourteen different departments in 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.
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
World Intellectual Property Organization
The World Intellectual Property Organization is one of the 17 specialized agencies of the United Nations. WIPO was created in 1967 "to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world"....
(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 scientist 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
Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium
The Gymnasium of Kaunas University of Technology , formerly Kaunas Polytechnical Institute Experimental Secondary School, is Lithuania's first university-supported secondary school for gifted pupils....
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
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
Centre in KTU Student Campus in Kaunas. The Centre will particularly focus in such areas as sustainable chemistry
Green chemistry
Green chemistry, also called sustainable chemistry, is a philosophy of chemical research and engineering that encourages the design of products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances...
, mechatronics
Mechatronics
Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, computer engineering, software engineering, control engineering, and systems design engineering in order to design, and manufacture useful products. Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary field of engineering, that is...
, information and communication technology, and sustainable energy
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy is the provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources include all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal...
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
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, the Soviet Government in Lithuania ordered to rename Vytautas Magnus University into the University of Kaunas
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania and has historically been a leading centre of Lithuanian economic, academic, and cultural life. Kaunas was the biggest city and the center of a powiat in Trakai Voivodeship of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania since 1413. During Russian Empire occupation...
. 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 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
Russification
Russification is an adoption of the Russian language or some other Russian attributes by non-Russian communities...
and extreme internationalization and strove to preserve the old European university spirit, national academic traditions, and teaching in the Lithuanian language
Lithuanian language
Lithuanian is the official state language of Lithuania and is recognized as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are about 2.96 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 170,000 abroad. Lithuanian is a Baltic language, closely related to Latvian, although they...
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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.
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
- UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
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