Natural settings, multifunctional learning environments, walkability, a culture that celebrates traditions and heritage, and physical activity are among the many factors that influence the emotional and physical well-being of students. In the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) campus, one can find them all and much more.
KTU Campus is located in one of the greenest areas in Kaunas, right next door to one of the oldest Kaunas parks, Ąžuolynas (Kaunas Oak Grove). With about 770 oaks, it is the largest oak grove in an urban area in all entire Europe.
Although not right in the city centre, KTU Campus is very well connected. It takes around 40 minutes on foot, around 7 minutes by bike and about 20 minutes by bus to reach the very heart of Kaunas city. However, if you live on the KTU Campus, you might not need to travel to the city centre often, as everything needed for a quality life and studies can be found locally.
Green campus
A recent study that investigated the association between the university campuses’ environments and students’ health revealed that greenness was shown to support students’ mental health and quality of life. The study results revealed that students visit their favourite landscapes twice a week for 10-30 minutes on average. Even viewing the virtual trees has a restorative effect, and in summer, tree shadows are considered the most comforting view.
“The amount of green areas in Kaunas is amazing, and I used them as a way to disconnect and relax,” says Nieves Ganghe Pedros Chamorro, a KTU chemical engineering alumna from Seville in Spain.
Renovated study environments
In the study years, the University campus becomes one’s home. At home, one feels safe, comfortable, connected, and has a sense that is being taken care of. It is crucial to recreate this feeling on campus, too.
“I found the university library and campus cafeterias to be great. Over time, I made friends from various countries, and engaging with them was fun,” says Tameem Ansari M, a KTU informatics student from India, one of the winners of the Technorama 2024, KTU’s annual innovation show.
One of the most impressive transformations was the conversion of the building that houses the M-Lab (this project got a prestigious architectural award), and the building of the KTU Campus Library, which opened in 2022. Open 24/7 during the exam session, the library houses an amphitheatre for events, rooms for individual and team studying, individual study desks, and even a community kitchen.
Emotional and academic support
Studies show that students’ sense of community is closely associated with being valued as an individual, accepted as a part of the community, and having a quality social life on campus. One of the essential aspects in maintaining a positive community atmosphere is related to providing support for those in need.
“All students are provided with academic support. They can take advantage of tutorial consultations, discuss their challenges with mentors, and exchange advisors or vice-deans for studies,” says Kristina Skučienė, Director of the KTU Student Affairs Department.
On campus, the Student Infocentre is the place where one can find all the answers to their questions. The Infocentre accommodates the International, Student Affairs and Doctoral School offices; their staff will readily answer any of your questions related to studies and smooth integration into university life.
Safest university campus in Lithuania
The updates of the University campus in recent years have focused not only on study and residential spaces, but also on the outdoor campus environment. Studentų Street and other main routes across the campus are being redesigned, and recreational paths are being added. Separate cycling paths are built to ensure a smooth transition for both walkers and cyclists. In addition, this year, KTU plans to standardise the campus lighting, replacing old lighting systems with energy-efficient LED lamps.
By the way, findings of numerous studies suggest that campus walkability and bikeability are related to better overall health of university students, as moving across the campus adds to the physical activity they do during the day.
Renovated and free sports facilities
Studies carried out on university students reveal that physically active students have higher self-esteem and better emotional control.
“The benefits of training go far beyond the sport itself. Physically, cricket helps with endurance and overall fitness. Psychologically, it promotes discipline, focus and passion. Most importantly, it fosters coordination and teamwork, cross-cultural friendships, and a strong sense of community among students who might otherwise feel isolated in a foreign environment,” says Isaac Solomon, a PhD student at KTU and the coordinator of the KTU cricket team.
Although the KTU cricket team is played as a leisure sport (training takes place on weekends), its members have represented the Lithuanian team in international competitions.
With cricket among them, KTU offers 8 recreational team sports for students. All the KTU’s sports activities and facilities are free for the students, and the infrastructure is being continuously renovated. For example, the football pitch and basketball courts have recently been upgraded with new surfaces and fencing. Renovation of the wrestling halls on Purienų Street is also being planned.
Take a virtual tour and see all for yourself
You may be familiar with the Japanese saying: “Seeing something once is better than hearing about it a hundred times.” So don’t just take our word for it – take a virtual tour and see KTU’s spaces for yourself!
“A virtual tour is made of 3600 panoramic images, which allow you to look around, up and down. Also, the views are complemented with texts and links to other panoramic points. In such a way, the visitor can feel that they are taking a stroll through the environment,” says Mikas Binkis, one of the creators of a KTU virtual tour, a researcher and a lecturer at KTU Faculty of Informatics.
The KTU virtual tour consists of 200 panoramic points and is constantly updated. It is open 24/7, never reaches its capacity, and you can spend as much time on it as you want. The KTU virtual tour will let you visualise yourself going to classes, studying at the library, training at the gym, getting food in a canteen or doing research at the laboratories.
We hope the virtual experience sparks your curiosity – and we are looking forward to welcoming you in person on the KTU Campus very soon.
