Aleksandras Stulginskis University - History

History

After restructurisation of the Agronomy – Forestry Department at the University of Lithuania (in Kaunas) and Dotnuva Agricultural College, the Agricultural Academy was established on September 3, 1924 in Dotnuva.

The Council of Professors and the first rector of the academy, professor P. Matulionis, were elected. Despite the fact that the economic situation in Lithuania was complicated and the Government could hardly support the newly established higher school, the Academy developed and grew stronger. In the period of 1924–1937, 125 graduates passed the final examinations and defended diploma theses. However, World War II disrupted usual work. Many of the professors and lecturers from the academy were deported to Siberia and others were able to escape deportation by withdrawing to Western countries.

In 1945 the Academy was transferred to Kaunas. In the beginning of 1946 Faculty of Agricultural Mechanization and Faculty of Water and Land Exploitation were established. As the number of students increased and Extramural department was established, it was decided to build a new campus of Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture in the outskirts of Kaunas. In 1964 the Academy was moved to the new campus in Noreikiškės, suburb of Kaunas.

The faculties of Water and Land Management and Economics with lecture-rooms, training laboratories were settled in the campus in 1979. The building of Forest Management Department received the first students in 1982. As a component of Academy campus 9 dormitories for students and residential area where at present most of the staff university live were built. The training premises were equipped and Experimental station was established.

After the independence of Lithuania was reestablished in 1990, the new system of studies was implemented. New qualification degrees (e.g., Bachelor, Certified specialist, Master), together with new concepts such as modules and credits, were introduced. Fundamental theoretical subjects became the basis of studies and learning. Applied studies were organized under the resolution of the Councils of Faculties. In this way Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture became a university. Under the resolution of Parliament on October 8, 1996, Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture was granted the name of Lithuanian University of Agriculture. The university was renamed to Aleksandras Stulginskis University (ASU) on 16 August 2011.

Aleksandras Stulginskis (1885-1969) was the first Minister of Agriculture in 1919 and Second President of Lithuanian Republic (1920-1926). He was the initiator and creator of land reform in Lithuania on 1919-1922, founder of Lithuanian Farmers Union in 1919.