By Ignas Rubikas
About five hundred students have gathered on Thursday evening to Vilnius University (VU) Theatre hall. They came for a discussion held on 22nd September, favoured by four prominent members of academia and business in Lithuania. The discussion’s theme was „Academicism in Lithuania“, and it was organized by the joint forces of Oxford, Cambridge and VU Lithuanian student societies. The speakers shared their insights (some of them were rather enlightening and inspiring) about the situation of the Lithuanian Academia. Ideas spanning from citizenship to policy-making, mass psychosis to emerging culture of start-ups in Lithuania have been presented by Dainius Pūras, psychiatrist and lecturer in VU; Mantas Adomėnas, member of Lithuanian Parliament, who also received his doctoral degree in Cambridge university; Ilja Laursas, a graduate at VU and CEO at telecommunication company GetJar; and Remigijus Tamošaitis, literary critic and lecturer in VU.
The speakers were, as usual, remarkable at identifying the main problems of the Lithuanian Academia. They highlighted the fact that the older academics in the university are unable to go alongside with rapid progress of technological society and the global trends in science, and so are dropping behind in what are the most important skills in modern society. I. Laursas shared his insights about the gap between theory and practice in the academic community, and suggested that universities collaborate with local businesses and keep in touch with the reality behind the university’s walls. He gave presentation about start-ups that give an excellent opportunity for young people to put their skills into practice, and also encouraged Lithuanian students to take example from foreign universities, where students gather to specialized student clubs and societies and improve their knowledge and skills in these shared-interest groups.
D. Pūras talked about the soviet heritage among the lecturers and officials in the higher education institutions, and encouraged students to be daring, rebellious and demanding with regard to it. Bearing in mind that he himself seemed to be a good example of the old-fashioned lecturer that he was talking about, his self-criticism and courage were rather inspiring. All speakers, though, agreed that students in Lithuania are showing strong signs of motivation, intellect and demanding nature, which gives a hint that the dormant potential for change is ready to reveal itself – though support and openness from University officials might speed the process and make it easier.
Few larger events in Lithuania avoid the painful theme of emigration, and this forum was not an exception. However, the speakers did not reiterate the boring “nation is evacuating, oh we should do something!“ discourse; rather, they viewed emigration as an opportunity for “mind circulation”. It has real potential to inspire progress in Lithuania through expertise and fresh ideas that returning students will bring back. R. Tamošaitis talked about his own experience twenty years ago with internship in Chicago. According to him, experience of another culture changed the way he thought about his own home country and in some sense “liberated” him. Provided that the students come back and bring whatever best the other countries have, this could be an unprecedented emergence of new trends and progress in Lithuanian Academia and beyond.
Few larger events in Lithuania avoid the painful theme of emigration, and this forum was not an exception. However, the speakers did not reiterate the boring “nation is evacuating, oh we should do something!“ discourse; rather, they viewed emigration as an opportunity for “mind circulation”. It has real potential to inspire progress in Lithuania through expertise and fresh ideas that returning students will bring back. R. Tamošaitis talked about his own experience twenty years ago with internship in Chicago. According to him, experience of another culture changed the way he thought about his own home country and in some sense “liberated” him. Provided that the students come back and bring whatever best the other countries have, this could be an unprecedented emergence of new trends and progress in Lithuanian Academia and beyond.
The greatest challenge though, according to M. Adomėnas, is the polarization and hostility between emigrants and those who remain. Lithuanians still find it difficult to understand that they are becoming a global diasporic nation, and nurturing close relationships with emigrants is a necessity and opportunity that should not be overlooked. Those who remain are often angry on emigrants, says the politician; however, one day the time has to come when Lithuanians from all over the world start to collaborate and strengthen their relationships.
M. Adomėnas, who was especially eloquent that evening, shared some of his views about politics in Lithuania. In his opinion, academics play an insignificant role in policy-making, and Parliamentary discussions lack rational and scientifically-based arguments. Instead, votings happen in a “tribal” way, when members of Parliament just submit to the orders of the party leaders. This turned out to be a problem, since many MPs are highly incompetent, and, lacking rational voice from the academicians, Parliamentary discussions are transformed into mere battlefields for different interests and games of power.
M. Adomėnas, who was especially eloquent that evening, shared some of his views about politics in Lithuania. In his opinion, academics play an insignificant role in policy-making, and Parliamentary discussions lack rational and scientifically-based arguments. Instead, votings happen in a “tribal” way, when members of Parliament just submit to the orders of the party leaders. This turned out to be a problem, since many MPs are highly incompetent, and, lacking rational voice from the academicians, Parliamentary discussions are transformed into mere battlefields for different interests and games of power.
The discussion was intensive and diverse in speakers’ characters and opinions: from insightful and practical tips by businessman I. Laursas to pure expression of academic moderation in the literary reflections of R. Tamošaitis; from monotonous voice of professor D. Pūras to presumptuous declarations of the politician M. Adomėnas in the view of upcoming Parliamentary election. They discussed academism in Lithuania – the issue that is of prime importance for everyone who studies in Lithuania, or who entertains thoughts about coming back after completing their degree abroad. The amazing variety of backgrounds of the speakers enriched the forum and gave life to the debate.
Sadly enough, this time the forum could offer little for those who are practically-minded and want to get their hands on working towards the shared goal of academic excellence in Lithuania – except maybe for I. Laursas, who gave some practical insights about partnership and collaboration between businesses and academic institutions in Lithuania. Although sometimes the discussion lacked clear direction, it still served as a good introduction to the subject, offering an overview of the situation and highlighting the main problems in the Lithuanian Academia. Hopefully, this will form the basis for further discussions and workable plan of actions in the upcoming events organized by the students from Oxford, Cambridge and Vilnius University.
Video of the forum: http://www.youtube.com/user/oxcamvu
Video of the forum: http://www.youtube.com/user/oxcamvu