The 20 year journey of a University in exile
EHU was founded in 1992 in Minsk, inspired by the model of Western universities. The university’s founders sought to establish an independent educational institution rooted in European values. However, government authorities began to restrict EHU’s autonomy and academic freedom, ultimately leading to its closure for political reasons. With the support of Lithuania, the Nordic countries, the European Union, and the United States, the university was reborn in exile in Vilnius in 2004. EHU became the first university of the 21st century to operate in exile. This year marks the 20th anniversary of EHU’s reestablishment in Lithuania.
According to the EHU Rector Dr Vilius Šadauskas, over its 20 years of operation in Lithuania, the university has become a symbol of academic freedom, steadfast in its mission to nurture free, critically thinking individuals and contribute to societal progress. Through its integration into the European and Lithuanian educational systems, EHU has strengthened and expanded its study programs while building a vibrant community of free-thinking, creative individuals. EHU’s evolution represents an extraordinary journey, marked by resilience and a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, humanist ideals, European values, and positive change. Today, the Rector states, EHU has significant potential for further growth and aspires to play an active role both in Lithuania and worldwide.
The EHU’s vision for the future: A forward-looking educational institution shaping the next generation of leaders
The first day of the conference was dedicated to exploring the university’s history, analyzing its identity and mission, and discussing the future of the humanities in modern world. According to the founder of EHU, Professor Anatoli Mikhailov, the humanities are highly relevant today, as they help foster critical thinking, stimulate creativity, and uphold humanist ideals that are particularly important in the age of artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
During the conference, the EHU 2.0 concept and the university’s role in shaping the next generation of leaders were key topics of discussion. This concept envisions an expanded role for the university in societal processes, the creation of new international partnerships, and fostering more active collaboration between academia and business. The discussions also addressed a range of highly relevant topics, including sustainability and the importance of emerging skills in the modern world.
The new concept also envisions a greater role for EHU in Lithuania. According to the Rector Dr V. Šadauskas, by operating in the country, EHU aims to contribute directly to its development, focusing on outcomes that offer tangible benefits—such as training highly qualified specialists for the Lithuanian labor market. EHU enrolls students from both Lithuania and abroad, offering Lithuanian language courses to international students and introducing them to Lithuanian culture and history. This helps international students seamlessly integrate into Lithuanian society and the labor market.
“We are a European university grounded in Western values, and this is the path we continue to follow. Being in Lithuania is a privilege for us, one that we truly appreciate, which is why we strive to be an important part of this country,” said EHU’s Rector.
