Today, a grand KTU graduation ceremony took place at the Žalgiris Arena in Kaunas. During the ceremony, diplomas were awarded to 1,645 graduates from Lithuania and abroad.
The 103rd graduating class was congratulated by the University’s rector, Prof. Eugenijus Valatka, the deans of the faculties and the KTU Alumni Centre. The ceremony was rounded off by a performance by the Lithuanian singer GJan and a live band.
In his address to the graduates KTU Rector urged them to be open minded an community oriented.
Of the 1,645 students who graduated from KTU this year, 973 earned a bachelor’s degree and 589 a master’s degree, while 68 completed vocational teacher training programmes and 15 finished integrated study programmes. University diplomas were also awarded to 203 international students representing 33 countries. Congratulations also went to the 25 graduates who completed their doctoral studies and received their doctoral degrees.
According to Eglė Šidlauskienė, Creative Director at KTU’s Events Organisation Department, the university’s graduation ceremony is redesigned every year, with a deliberate effort to avoid repeating previous concepts.
The KTU graduation ceremony has become a cherished tradition, created to honour not only the students who have successfully completed their studies but also their loved ones, who have stood by them throughout their academic journey, offering constant support and encouragement.
“When organising this ceremony, we devote a great deal of time, creativity and attention to every detail, because we want graduates to leave not only with a degree, but also with a strong sense of pride in being part of the KTU community. Together with the team, we strive to create a memorable experience that every KTU graduate will cherish for many years to come,” says Šidlauskienė.
It Is the Whole Journey that Counts
As every year, the ceremony treated KTU graduates to an impressive programme. It featured singer GJan with a live band, while well-known television and entertainment personalities Gabrielė Martirosian and Vytautas Rumšas hosted the evening. KTU arts societies – the dance studio MoDance, the folk-art ensemble Nemunas, the academic choir Jaunystė and the brass band The BrassBees – have become an integral part of the celebration, creating its unique atmosphere each year. The KTU Alumni Centre also welcomed every graduate with a KTU jumper.
KTU graduates shared their reflections on their time at the university. Meda Antanaitytė, an Applied Chemistry graduate, explained that her connection with KTU began long before she started her studies: in primary school, she received a university mug as a gift from then‑KTU students, who at the time seemed to her incredibly intelligent and self-assured.
Studies as Life-Changing Experience
Prathmesh Hitesh Shah, a Mechanical Engineering graduate, reflected on 2017, when, at just 18 and without knowing anyone in Lithuania, he arrived at KTU for the first time. He said he was delighted that his studies at KTU had changed not only his career path, but also who he is as a person.
After the speeches and artistic performances, the most eagerly awaited part of the celebration began – the graduation ceremony itself. Faculty deans awarded graduates their diplomas, congratulated them with a handshake and posed with them for group photographs. The celebration culminated in joyful moments shared by the graduates, warm congratulations and photographs capturing this important milestone in their academic journey.
