Professor Academician Rimantas Benetis Inaugurated for a Second Term as Rector of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences

On Friday, 6 March, Professor Dr Rimantas Benetis, academician and newly elected rector, was inaugurated for a second term at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU).

The rector swore an oath to lead the University honourably and to preserve its historic traditions. During the ceremony, the special insignia of the Rector were presented to him, and he received congratulations from national leaders, rectors of higher education institutions, and other distinguished guests.

The ceremony took place in the conference hall named after Academician Zigmas Januškevičius at LSMU. The solemn occasion included an oath pronounced in Latin. Placing his hand on the LSMU Statute, Prof. Rimantas Benetis pledged to lead the University faithfully and honourably, to preserve its historic traditions, and to educate students in the art of medicine based on the latest achievements in medical science.

Prof. Benetis was presented with the special insignia of the Rector: the toga, symbolising guardianship, protection, nobility and dignity; the golden chain, representing universal community ties and order; the cap, symbolising solemnity, legitimate authority, wisdom and success; the sceptre, a symbol of honourable and just leadership of the University; and the great seal, representing legitimacy of activity, solemnity and service to society.

In his inaugural address, the Rector of LSMU, elected for a second term, reflected on the mission of the University in a rapidly changing society. The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences is distinguished by the close integration of studies, research and clinical practice; however, a fourth mission is becoming increasingly important – social responsibility and active participation in societal processes.

According to Prof. Benetis, information technologies, artificial intelligence and shifts in generational values are currently transforming the processes of study and research, and therefore the University must adapt without losing its professional and bioethical principles.

“Despite rapid social, technological and cultural changes, the foundation of our University remains the same – the unity of studies, research and clinical practice, which generates knowledge, innovations, advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, and delivers real benefits to patients and the state,” emphasised the LSMU Rector.

The University is currently preparing a new five-year strategy aimed at strengthening research, internationalisation, infrastructure and human resource competencies. Prof. Benetis invited the University community and state institutions to cooperate in shaping the future of health sciences and strengthening respect for life.

“Throughout more than 100 years of its history, the University has always remained loyal to the state, a constructive and rational participant in discussion and dialogue. Its strength has not been only in opinions but also in its ability to reach agreement. The strategic goal of the University remains the same – the creation of knowledge, the strengthening of health, and respect and service to life,” said the LSMU Rector.

Congratulations from Distinguished Guests

Many distinguished guests congratulated the Rector on the occasion of his inauguration, including members of the Seimas, Members of the European Parliament, ambassadors, ministers, university rectors and city mayors.

“For almost 16 years, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences has been the largest centre of biomedical sciences in the Baltic region. By combining medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, public health and life technologies, this institution of higher education has become a true intellectual foundation and pride of our country’s healthcare system. I am pleased that the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences consistently seeks answers to the most important challenges of our time – and finds them. Your leadership in the fields of modern medicine, technologies and scientific research continues to elevate the potential of Lithuania as a whole,” noted His Excellency Gitanas Nausėda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, in his congratulations to the newly inaugurated Rector of LSMU.

“We can confidently say that Lithuania has a strong University and a prominent leader who ensures both solid foundations for our science and studies and an advanced future for Lithuanian health sciences education and research. The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences is not an ordinary higher education institution. It is a clear example of leadership. And the fact that LSMU is what it is today is also the result of your previous professional, clinical and scientific service, as well as your leadership as rector,” said Juozas Olekas, Speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, addressing the Rector of LSMU.

The newly inaugurated Rector was also congratulated by the Minister of Education, Science and Sport Raminta Popovienė, the Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, Member of the European Parliament Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis and other distinguished guests.

The term of office of the LSMU Rector lasts five years.

Rimantas Benetis is an academician, professor and Doctor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine), Rector of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, and a long-standing head of the Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery. He is a full member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, a foreign member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences and an honorary professor of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Professor Benetis led the cardiac surgery team that performed the first heart surgery in Kaunas. He also carried out the first lung transplant and combined heart–lung transplant operation in the Baltic States. He has been awarded the Lithuanian state decoration – the Cross of the Officer the Order for Merits to Lithuania – as well as the Officer’s Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas. Professor is a member of the Lithuanian Society of Thoracic and Heart Surgeons, member of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, and member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Prof. Rimantas Benetis was awarded the highest category in cardiac surgery by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania.

The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences was established by merging Kaunas University of Medicine (KMU) and the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy (LVA), institutions sharing a common historical heritage. Their origins date back to the Higher Courses established in Kaunas on 27 January 1920, which were reorganised into the University of Lithuania in 1922 and later into Kaunas University in 1940.