Today at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) the first graduation diplomas of the year were awarded in a wonderful ceremony.

Diplomas were conferred to graduates of Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute, Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Creative Industries, Faculty of Mechanics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Transport Engineering, and Faculty of Business Management.

In his congratulatory speech, VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas urged the graduates to contribute to Lithuania and, in the context of global events, not forget their roots.

"Every educated and always improving person is highly needed in Lithuania today. Your achievements are important not only for you and your family but for the whole country. You are the future of Lithuania. Stay to live and contribute to Lithuania because Lithuania is your roots. Appreciate what you have now in free Lithuania, which in many places around the world is a forbidden dream - to receive education, express your opinion, work, travel, and excel professionally. Cultivate a sense of patriotism in yourself, which, I believe, your parents and your Alma Mater have instilled in you - this determines your responsibility for our past and our future." said VILNIUS TECH Rector Prof. Dr. R. Kliukas.

At the celebration, future creators of VILNIUS TECH and guests were greeted by Vytautas Mitalas, the Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament. In his speech, he wished the graduates perseverance in pursuing their goals.

"Today, you are completing one beautiful stage of your lives and starting another. It's a marathon that requires perseverance. Sometimes, working and moving in your career path may require patience until your efforts pay off. But today, I wish you perseverance in making your future plans and perserverance in successfully achieving the set goals," said the university guest, Member of Parliament V. Mitalas.

V. Mitalas also shared a story from Taiwan and what it taught him about working without receiving anything in return for a while or facing setbacks until finally achieving the set goals. With this narrative, the guest encouraged VILNIUS TECH graduates to believe in their work and to determinately move forward.

Photos from the event are here!

Photos by Aleksas Jaunius and Simas Bernotas.