LSMU Celebrates the Start of Academic Year in the Spirit of Unlimited Opportunities and Community

Today, a solemn celebration of the beginning of the academic year took place in the centre of Kaunas. The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) community welcomed the Day of Education and Knowledge together. The festive event combined two LSMU traditions: the solemn start of the academic year and the welcoming of new students to the University community. 

The University community started the celebration with a traditional procession through the heart of Kaunas, Laisvės Alley, from the Independence Square to the Town Hall Square.

The students, teachers, and guests of the celebration were greeted by the Rector of LSMU, Prof. Rimantas Benetis, who encouraged them to face the challenges with courage and to make the most of the opportunities that the year of studies offers.

“to all members of the University community, in particular the first-year students, on the start of the new academic year! Ahead of you is a year full of challenges and opportunities, during which you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for your professional future. Don’t be afraid to create, discover and grow, for the future lies in your hands. May this period be the most beautiful stage of your life, paving the way to the profession of your dreams!” – said Prof. R. Benetis.

More than just academic excellence

The celebration paid special attention to first-year students, for whom this day marks the beginning of a new phase in their lives. It is the moment when they join the LSMU community, which is full of opportunities for growth not only academically.

During the celebration, various organisations and artistic groups of the University were presented, which offer students a rich leisure time, develop creativity and find like-minded people: the Student Union, the Sports Centre, various student associations and clubs, the Academic Choir, dance groups, the Cynology Centre, the Wildlife Rescue Centre, etc.

The Day of Education and Knowledge was full of activities, entertainment, and surprises, from festive treats and a photo booth to outdoor games and the chance to visit the University’s bookstore stand where students could win prizes. The congregation also attended the Holy Mass at Kaunas Cathedral Basilica of Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul for the academic community.

High quality of studies expected

When asked what they expect from their future studies, the LSMU first-year students emphasised that they are most looking forward to high quality knowledge and skills, as well as the opportunity to make new friends and get to know the city better.

Zeina and Maras, future specialists in medicine from Stockholm (Sweden), said that their first impressions of Lithuania were excellent. “We are determined to work hard and study seriously – but it will also be interesting to meet new friends and get to know Kaunas and Lithuania better,” said the first-year students. The girls found out about the opportunity to study at LSMU from a study agency, and their decision to study here was prompted by the well-regarded quality of the University’s training of doctors, the long tradition of research and studies, and the large number of foreign students studying at LSMU, including a large community of young people from Sweden.

For many first-year students from different Lithuanian cities, medicine is a childhood dream come true.

“I hope to learn how to manage my time properly, to study without overworking. It’s going to be an interesting year: since we are not from Kaunas, it will be interesting to discover this city and get to know the University. I am motivated to study medicine because I want to help people,” – said Liepa from Panevėžys. Arnas from Tauragė, who has also chosen to study medicine, has been dreaming of studying medicine since the fifth grade, and chose to study in Kaunas because of the better internship opportunities.

Damian from Nemenčinė has dreamt of becoming an odontologist since he was a child, inspired by the example of his father. “I know that my studies will be challenging, but I am determined to overcome all of them,” smiled the student.

Health sciences continue to lead by popularity

This year’s admissions to the country’s top schools have shown that health sciences continue to be among the most popular in the country. As many as 1,770 students, with some of the highest competition scores, will start their Bachelor’s, Master’s, and integrated studies at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) in September.

This year, the study programmes in Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Odontology (Dentistry), Animal and Human Interaction, as well as the Master’s degree study programmes in Lifestyle Medicine, Clinical Health Psychology, and Nursing Leadership have attracted a great deal of attention from applicants. Other study programmes of the University were also in great demand among the applicants.

LSMU continues to be one of the most international universities. As many as a quarter (25%) of the students who have chosen to study at LSMU this year are the nationals of foreign countries. The most represented foreign countries at LSMU are Sweden, Israel, Norway, and India.  

The continuing interest in health sciences is related to the high quality of studies and research at LSMU, which has been repeatedly confirmed by international external evaluation experts. LSMU has been accredited for the maximum period, and study programme in Medicine, accredited according to the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), has gained global recognition since this year.

LSMU is ranked second after Vilnius University in the 2024 Ranking of State Universities by the magazine “Ratings”. LSMU has retained this position for the second consecutive year.