20th Anniversary of the LSMU Swedish Alumni Marked in Stockholm

On 25 October, the LSMU Swedish Alumni Meeting in Stockholm became a warm and inspiring event marking twenty years since the first students from Sweden began their studies at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).

The celebration was attended by distinguished guests and alumni: University Rector Prof. Dr Rimantas Benetis, Vice-Rector for Research Prof. Habil. Dr Vaiva Lesauskaitė, Vice-Rector for Studies Prof. Dr Kęstutis Petrikonis, President of the LSMU Alumni Association Prof. Habil. Dr Ramunė Kalėdienė, Dean of the International Relations and Study Centre Prof. Dr Ingrida Janulevičienė, Vice-Dean of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies Dr Evelina Pajėdienė, and a fairly large group of the alumni, representing the total of 324 Swedish graduates who completed their studies at LSMU over the past two decades.

The evening’s atmosphere was filled with warmth, sincere friendship, pride in shared achievements, and fond memories of the years spent in Kaunas. The event opened with an official reception accompanied by a performance by the Stockholm Lithuanian Choir Upė, which created a festive and nostalgic mood.

During the official part of the event, a welcome address was delivered by University Rector Prof Dr Rimantas Benetis, who highlighted the importance of the relationship between the University and the Swedish student community. Greetings were also conveyed by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Linas Linkevičius, and the Swedish Ambassador to Lithuania, H.E. Lars Wahlund, both emphasising the close academic and cultural cooperation linking the two countries.

During the evening, the choir performed beloved Lithuanian and Swedish folk songs – Oi lekia lekia gulbių pulkelis and Uti i vår hage – filling the hall with emotion, pride, and a sense of togetherness.

At dinner, the President of the LSMU Alumni Association, Prof. Habil. Dr Ramunė Kalėdienė, welcomed those gathered and thanked the Swedish graduates for maintaining their connection with their Alma Mater. Inspiring reflections were later shared by Dr Egidija Šakinienė (Class of 1986) and Gaziza Shamsi (Class of 2017), who spoke about their professional experiences and their pride in being part of the LSMU community. Brief speeches were also given by Dr Jonas Nordquist, Prof. Per Svenningsson, and Andrius Veršinskas, who highlighted Kaunas’ impressive growth in recent years and the city’s increasing international profile.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the open sharing session among alumni. Many participants spoke of their memories, expressed gratitude, and offered heartfelt words to the LSMU community. The hall resonated with laughter, warm conversations, and the joy of reuniting after many years.

The event concluded with a cultural tour of the Fotografiska museum and informal socialising. This gathering not only reflected two decades of Swedish students’ history at LSMU but also showcased the strong friendship and long-term cooperation between Lithuania and Sweden.