The largest cohort of the Class 2019 has been the Visual Design and Media undergraduate program, featuring 44 graduates. For the first time, double degrees from EHU and Kaunas-based Vytautas Magnus University were bestowed to 7 graduates of the undergraduate program World Politics and Economy.
During his welcoming address, University Rector Prof. Sergei Ignatov has stated: “EHU represents an example of a liberal model of education, which denies artificial boundaries in higher education, whether these are disciplinary, ethnic or geographic boundaries. 20 years ago the Bologna declaration was signed in the world’s oldest University. Back then, international mobility of students and faculty, recognition of prior learning, and three-cycle system of education were mere political slogans. Today this is a reality, that is fully embodied by EHU, but yet not available to counterparts of EHU students, who decided to stay and study in other Belarusian universities”.
In the keynoted address on behalf of Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis and the Government of Lithuania, the First Deputy Chancellor of the Government of Lithuania Ambassador Deividas Matulionis has referred to the long-standing support provided by Lithuania to the University, including the transfer of the Vilnius Old Town-located Campus to the needs of EHU. Ambassador Matulionis has stressed: “The Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of Lithuania will continue providing assistance to EHU because this is our mission”.
Greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania were presented by EHU Governing Board member Mindaugas Kačerauskis, who emphasized: “EHU is a success story in proving European and high-quality education to young people from Belarus, this supports the emergence of free and open societies at their home, in Belarus”.
For 7th time in EHU’s history, the community of the University has selected a recipient of the EHU Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2019, the founder of the largest international pub quiz Mozgo, run in more than 250 cities across 16 countries, Alexander Khanin (BA Media and Communication, Class 2010) was selected. In his speech Alexander Khanin, EHU Distinguished Alumnus 2019 said: “After returning to Belarus, I have recognized the potential of humanities education. 9 years after graduation, I see the emergence of EHU Alumni in all possible major spheres of life in Belarus. This is so symbolic, that the future elite of Belarus, as a century ago, is so closely linked with the city of Vilnius”.
University President Prof. Anatoli Mikhailov has shared closing remarks with participants of the Graduation Ceremony: “The foundation of EHU is grounded in being capable to be critical towards ourselves. Critical thinking should be always applied towards yourself, rather than considered as some magic formula. Starting from today, you join the cohort of EHU Alumni — I wish you all success and do not forget about Alma mater”.
In 2019, the Most Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Class 2019 has become Anhelina Shablouskaja (Media and Communication undergraduate program), the Most Outstanding Graduate Student of the Class 2019 — Kseniya Cheshyk (International Law and European Union Law integrated studies program).
During the Graduation Ceremony, a musical intermezzo, featuring works of Josef Suk, Richard Galliano, and Astor Piazzolla, was performed by Belarusian trio Vuelo Libre.
EHU Class 2019 is the 11th cohort of Bachelors and the 13th cohort of Masters since the Belarusian University-in-Exile was re-established in Vilnius. By far, 2457 Alumni have graduated EHU, 95% of University graduates are Belarusians.
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