Ineta Dabašinskienė has been appointed as the new rector at Vilnius University (VMU).
Fresh Take:
On the 27th of March, the Council of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) stirred things up by electing a fresh face to lead the pack. None other than Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė has clinched the position, making her the first female craftsman to don the rector's hat.
According to the Law on Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Lithuania, the VMU Statute, and the election organizing procedure approved by the VMU Council, the rector's post usually lasts five years. Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė's reign begins on the 1st of October.
Five heavy hitters partook in the tense tussle for the title of VMU Rector: Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė, Prof. Dr. Julija Kiršienė, Prof. Dr. Ričardas Krikštolaitis, Prof. Dr. Tomas Krilavičius, and Prof. Dr. Audrius Sigitas Maruška.**
Getting to know our new leader, Academician Ineta Dabašinskienė, we find she's a shining star in the Department of Lithuanian Studies at VMU. She holds a Ph.D. in Philology, heads the Intercultural Communication and Multilingualism Research Centre, and is the Institutional Coordinator of the Transform4Europe Alliance. She's been a part of the University since 1993 and has donned various hats, including the head of the Department of Regional Studies, Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, and Dean of the Faculty of Humanities. She's been a member of the VMU Senate since 2010, chaired its scientific committee from 2010 to 2015, and served as VMU's Vice-Rector of International Relations from 2015 to 2020. She's a busy bee, lecturing at universities across Europe, the U.S., and China. She's also a member of numerous organizations and has a soft spot for research and educational projects. Her academic interests include psycholinguistics, applied linguistics, multilingualism, pragmatics, and conversation analysis. Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė has penned numerous monographs and research articles, both domestically and internationally.
In her inaugural speech, the newly crowned rector shared her vision: "I strive to establish a future Vytautas Magnus University that isn't just a knowledge factory, but a nest for fostering free and honorable individuals, incubating original thought, and championing the principle of goodwill. It's a university that values its community, cultivates science, creativity, and innovation, and leaves a positive mark on society."
Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė highlights that over the last decade, VMU has made significant strides in academic circles, both domestically and internationally. Among the university's accomplishments are earning top awards in research and arts, a spike in international R&D projects, a surge in high-level artistic performances, a rise in international rankings, and stronger participation in European university alliances (TRANSFORM4EU). VMU students and graduates have also earned international recognition. Most notably, the university was entrusted to coordinate the Lithuanian consortium of 12 research and business institutions that signed an agreement with the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA). The university's influence is also evident in shaping education policies and offering expert suggestions to governmental, business, and other entities.
In her proposed blueprint for the university's activities, the rector outlines her key objectives: a responsible community, open studies, ambitious research, and resilient infrastructure. She believes these pillars will help in solving complex problems and driving progress and growth.
- The new rector, Academician Ineta Dabašinskienė, sees technology playing a crucial role in the university's development, aiming to promote the use of technology in education and self-development.
- Prof. Dr. Dabašinskinė anticipates fostering a culture of participation and dialogue in the business community, encouraging collaboration between the university and local businesses for mutual benefit.
- To achieve her vision, the rector plans to engage in an in-depth analysis of the university's current procedures, identifying areas for improvement and positive change.
- As part of her commitment to the environment, Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė intends to develop programs that promote sustainable practices and responsible resource management.
- The rector also emphasizes the importance of education, noting that lifelong learning and continued self-improvement are key components in achieving the university's objectives.
- As part of her strategic plan, Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė plans to publish a series of monographs and research articles, showcasing the university's academic achievements and contributions in the field of general news and higher education.
