Events

Inauguration of the President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

04 03 2026

On 3 March 2026, Academician Vytautas Nekrošius was inaugurated as president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Juozas Olekas, the speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Raminta Popovienė, minister of education, science and sport of the Republic of Lithuania, presidents of the academies of sciences of Estonia, Latvia, and Poland, members of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, heads of science and studies institutions, and the community of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

The ceremony opened by the soloists from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre performing the Lithuanian national anthem ‘Tautiška giesmė’, with the participants and guests of the general assembly joining in.

Academician Aušra Maslauskaitė

Prof. Aušra Maslauskaitė, a member of the Presidium of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, read the address of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences:

Creators, promoters, and supporters of Lithuanian science! Gathered here to celebrate scientific leadership, to bear witness to the experience of scientific management and love of science, we rely not only on the statutes of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and, by the will of its general assembly, not only recognize the newly elected president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. We demonstrate that an institution that has brought together the brightest minds in our society is constantly changing, growing, and encouraging growth. The Academy of Sciences, which contributes to the progress of a democratic state, not only encourages research; it invites governments, communities, and groups to take in the latest insights of scientists in order to achieve social harmony, security, and fortitude in the face of evil. An academy of sciences was our predecessors' dream of the good that comes from human power based on knowledge and faith. In the nineteenth century, Jonas Basanavičius, the chair of the Lithuanian Scientific Society, wrote the following words: ‘Not lacking bodily food, we must first and foremost care for spiritual light. And bringing this light is a thing of great importance. Just as dawn breaks and the darkness of night disappears from the earth, so may the spirit of Lithuania shine forth!’ Dear participants in and witnesses of the inauguration, may the light and truth of science accompany each and every member of the Academy of Sciences, may the distinguished guests who have come here for the ceremony join us in strengthening the spirit of Lithuania, and may it be the guiding principle for Professor Vytautas Nekrošius, the new president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Let us be!

Professor Jūras Banys, the former president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, handing over the regalia to the president-elect, Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius

After this address, Prof. Jūras Banys, the president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences for the term of 2018–2026, handed over the presidential regalia to the president-elect Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius, who read the oath.

Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius, president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, reading the oath. Right, Academician Leonas Valkūnas

The reading of the oath was followed by an occasional musical improvisation performed by Academician Giedrius Kuprevičius.

Vytautas Nekrošius, president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, thanking Academician Giedrius Kuprevičius for a musical greeting

The newly inaugurated president was then congratulated by Juozas Olekas, the speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. In his congratulatory speech, he emphasised that the ideas born in the academic community become the foundation for the future. The ideas of independence were born here, at the Academy. From here we rise into the light and, to quote Vincas Kudirka, ‘may light and truth guide our steps’.

Juozas Olekas, speaker of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, congratulating Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius, the new president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

Saulius Olencevičius, advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on education, science, and culture, conveying the greeting of President Gitanas Nausėda

Saulius Olencevičius, advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania on education, science, and culture, conveyed the greetings of President Gitanas Nausėda and noted that the mission of academies of sciences around the world is the same – to serve the progress of their countries. Saulius Olencevičius expressed his hope that in defending the independence of science, the new head of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences would not forget to strengthen the responsibility of science to society and foster excellence. This is the only way to make progress and develop sound strategies based on scientific evidence.

The welcoming speech is given by Raminta Popovienė, minister of education, science, and sport of the Republic of Lithuania

In her congratulatory address, Raminta Popovienė, the minister of education, science, and sport of the Republic of Lithuania, noted that the programmatic directions outlined by Vytautas Nekrošius would require broad cooperation in order to better understand the challenges and find the best solutions. She expressed her hope that under the leadership of the newly inaugurated president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, science would become an even stronger foundation for addressing the challenges facing the state.

Greetings from Prof. Inga Žalėnienė, president of the Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities

Prof. Dr Inga Žalėnienė, the president of the Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities, said she knew Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius as endowed with talent and a passion for research, who, together with like-minded colleagues, had been actively shaping the development of Lithuania as a state governed by the rule of law by combining the origins of law with the needs of a modern state. She emphasised that today, science, which opens up incredible opportunities, is also facing extraordinary challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the prestige of science and scholarship.

Mart Saarma, president of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, addressing the general assembly

Then the foreign guests took the stage. Prof. Mart Saarma, the president of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, noted that 70 per cent of Estonia’s population trust science. Meanwhile, there are organisations and countries that tend to manipulate people's trust and (lack of) knowledge. Therefore, our academies in the Baltic countries must remain vigilant.

Ivars Kalviņš, president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences addressing the participants in the inauguration ceremony

Ivars Kalviņš, the president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, rejoiced at the smooth cooperation between the Baltic academies of sciences and wished for its successful continuation. He also emphasised the importance of solid scientific expertise in deciding which scientific ideas are worthy of significant investment and which are only worth another cup of coffee.

Prof. Marek Konarzewski, the president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, welcomes the strengthening cooperation between academies of sciences

Prof. Marek Konarzewski, the president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, said he was pleased to see the outgoing and incoming presidents sitting side by side. He wished a smooth transition of duties and expressed his confidence that the Academy would continue to prosper. Prof. Konarzewski emphasized the strengthening cooperation between Lithuanian and Polish academies against the backdrop of growing challenges. He presented Prof. Nekrošius with a book containing twenty-eight letters that Marie Curie wrote to Albert Einstein a hundred years ago. Some of the letters discuss the relationship between science and society and how scientists should combat misinformation. This is proof of how brilliant minds foresaw impending problems ahead of time.

Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius, the president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, delivering his inaugural speech

After the greetings, Prof. Vytautas Nekrošius, the president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, delivered his inaugural speech:

Dear Speaker of the Seimas,

Dear Minister of Education, Science, and Sport,

Dear Colleagues – Presidents of Estonian, Latvian, and Polish Academies of Sciences,

Dear Academicians and Guests,

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank all the guests for taking the time to honour the community of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and the institution itself with your presence. This is undoubtedly a proof of good and productive cooperation, which I am sure will continue over the next four years.

A moment ago, while reading the oath and signing it, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I was moved because this was not just some oath that someone had written, and you simply come, read, and sign. This oath is my personal commitment, first and foremost to the people who elected me and to the Academy of Sciences, to continue its mission. I wrote this oath myself, from its first word to the last, weighing carefully each word and taking full responsibility for its implementation. Therefore I can confidently say that this oath is not merely a formal act of legitimacy on my part as president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. On the contrary, it is a personally felt commitment that I undertake while realizing the enormous trust placed in me on the election day.

When I visited the head of state a few weeks ago, I promised him that the Academy would be more active in addressing the key issues in the life of our society and state. On the election day, I made the same promise to you, dear academicians. I am reiterating the same promise today: the Academy will have its own scientific-knowledge-based stance on all the most important issues affecting our lives as a society and a state, especially in the sphere of science and education policy. I hope that in the near future we will form working groups on education and science policy and national economic development, which will include both academicians and professionals in their fields who are not members of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. In this way, the Academy will become an important platform that will provide professionals with an excellent opportunity to express their well-reasoned positions regardless of various political winds and crosswinds. I believe that this is a very important part of the Academy's mission as an expert organization. All the more so given that Article 16 part 2 the Law on Science and Studies, which stipulates that the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences shall perform expert functions when considering the most important strategic issues of science and studies in the country, obliges us to this activity.

When talking about the Academy's expert functions, I must mention our excellent experience in evaluating research works at various levels, ranging from scholarships and awards for university students and young scientists to the Lithuanian Science Prizes, which will be awarded in this hall in a couple of days. This experience of the academicians and the Academy is truly invaluable, but the state has yet to take full advantage of this potential. Therefore, my activities as a president will be directed toward greater utilisation of the capacity of the Academy as a professional expert. Here, I see great opportunities for cooperation with the Lithuanian Science Council.

Today, I do not wish to repeat my election programme, which you all have heard and read. Let us return to today’s celebration. Just moments ago, President Jūras Banys handed me the chain, the regalia of the President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. It is an important symbol; a symbol that, as the rector of Vytautas Magnus University said during her inauguration, connects the past with the future and unites the entire community. This is precisely how I, too, perceive this symbolic act. I accept it as my duty to take over and continue the good initiatives and activities of all former presidents, and to further nurture them. And we certainly have what to nurture: from the high standards raised to the Academy's authority by President Benediktas Juodka to the network of the Academy's international relations and the support of its community for Ukraine, which is fighting for its and our freedom, that President Jūras Banys developed and upheld with affection and meticulous consideration.

Today, in the presence of the Speaker of the Seimas, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire community of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences for their compassion and unwavering support for Ukraine. For several years now, we have been raising funds, purchasing and sending supplies necessary for the work of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. And here I am not talking about budget funds, but about the personal funds of the members of our community. I must mention the Christmas gift to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine at the end of last year, when the community raised €11,000 for an internet router in just one week, without anyone forcing or persuading them to do that. You all have big hearts, thank you for being here. The essence of such support is not money (although it is undoubtedly very important); solidarity, a friend's shoulder to lean on, and the awareness that you are not alone in your fight against the aggressor are much more important.

Returning to the daily life of the Academy, in addition to enhancing the role of the Academy as an expert, I would very much like to promote science popularization activities and cooperation with regions of Lithuania. There is a wonderful history of publishing science popularisation books, which I would very much like to continue. I have no doubt that we will find ways to secure funding to continue this necessary work. I have high hopes for cooperation with the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania. There are some very excellent examples of cooperation between the Academy and individual municipalities (Šilutė, Ignalina, Kaunas, Vilnius), ranging from the awarding of science prizes established by the cities of Kaunas and Vilnius to discussions on solving problems relevant to specific regions. In collaboration with the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania we would like to ensure an even more active partnership between the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and all local authorities in Lithuania.

I have sworn to properly represent the interests of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences and to respect every member and employee of the Academy in my work. I want you to know that I fully understand and empathise with the people for whom I am responsible and who are standing behind me as president of the Academy. I am aware that I can no longer be completely free in my words and actions, because I am responsible for the institution and its people. However, our mission is to disseminate science-based expert knowledge, and the Academy will certainly do this regardless of whether this knowledge is complimentary or critical of the government. Impartiality and objectivity will be the main criteria for the Academy's activities over the next four years.

Finally, to close my speech, I would like to extend my three heartfelt THANK YOUs:

- Thank you to my Parents that I am and that I am who I am

- Thank you to my Wife for her support, understanding, and always being there for me, and

- Thank you to the Community for believing in me.

Soloists from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre performing a musical piece

The inauguration of the president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences concluded with a solemn vocal work performed by soloists from of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Presidents of academies of sciences, left to right: Benediktas Juodka and Jūras Banys, former presidents of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, Marek Konarzewski, president of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Ivars Kalviņš, president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, Mart Saarma, president of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, and Vytautas Nekrošius, president of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences

The video of the event is available on the YouTube channel of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.

PHOTO GALLERY

Dr Rolandas Maskoliūnas and Dr Andrius Bernotas
Photography Virginija Valuckienė
Translated by Diana Barnard