Ineta Dabašinskienė Appointed as the New Rector of Vilnius University (VMU)
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On the 27th of March, the Council of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) announced its new university head - none other than Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė. She's the first female to hold this prestigious position, stepping into a five-year term commencing on October 1st.
VMU Rectors are elected based on the Law on Higher Education and Research of the Republic of Lithuania, the VMU Statute, and an election organizing procedure approved by the VMU Council. Five contenders, including the esteemed Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė, Prof. Dr. Julija Kiršienė, Prof. Dr. Ričardas Krikštolaitis, Prof. Dr. Tomas Krilavičius, and Prof. Dr. Audrius Sigitas Maruška, vied for the role.
Who is the illustrious Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė? She's a professor at the VMU Dept. of Lithuanian Studies, holds a Doctorate in Philology, heads the Intercultural Communication and Multilingualism Research Centre, and serves as the Institutional Coordinator of the Transform4Europe Alliance. Her tenure at the university spans back to 1993, where she's taken on roles such as the head of the Dept. of Regional Studies, Dean and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, and member of VMU Senate since 2010 – even serving as its chair of the scientific committee from 2010 to 2015. From 2015 to 2020, Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė was VMU's Vice-Rector of International Relations. She's involved in numerous research and educational projects, belongs to diverse organizations, and has lectured at universities in Europe, the U.S., and China. Moreover, she previously worked as Vice-President of the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies. Her research interests encompass psycholinguistics, applied linguistics, multilingualism, pragmatics, and conversation analysis. Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė has published numerous monographs and research articles in Lithuanian and international publications.
In her words, Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė aspires to create a future VMU that isn't merely a knowledge-sharing institution, but a hub for nurturing free, honorable individuals who foster original thought, promoting the principle of goodwill. It's a university that cares for its community, encourages innovation, fosters creativity, and positively impacts society.
VMU, under Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė's leadership, has built a stronger position in the academic environment, earning top research and arts awards, increasing international R&D projects, enhancing artistic performances, and boosting its international rankings. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping education policies and offering expert recommendations to various institutions.
Prof. Dr. Dabašinskienė's plan for the university lays out her main priorities: a responsible community, open studies, ambitious research, and resilient infrastructure. By focusing on these areas, she aims to tackle complex issues, strive for progress, and drive growth.
Insights on Ineta Dabašinskienė
Ineta Dabašinskienė, a renowned scholar, has made significant strides in linguistics and international academia. Known for her work on "Acquisition of case in Lithuanian as L2: Error analysis" back in 2009, her scholarly contributions continue to impact the field[4].
Recent involvement in the European University Association (EUA) conference highlighted her focus on university resilience, a crucial aspect in today's higher education environment[2]. Her professional accomplishments and nomination for the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences signify her stature and influence[3].
Prof. Dabašinskienė's Vision for VMU's Future
With an eye towards resilience and strategic development, it's likely that Prof. Dabašinskienė's vision for VMU includes:
- Enhancing Resilience: She might prioritize resilience in strategic planning, as she recently emphasized the importance of resilience for European universities[2].
- Academic Excellence: Her research background implies an intent to bolster VMU's academic standing and scholarly contributions.
- Global Connections: Her involvement with international alliances like the Transform4Europe Alliance hints at a potential focus on expanding VMU's global collaborations and networks[2].
- In the realm of academics, Professor Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė's research background and scholarly contributions in linguistics, such as her work on "Acquisition of case in Lithuanian as L2: Error analysis," may lead to an emphasis on enhancements to VMU's academic standing.
- Given her recent focus on university resilience during the European University Association (EUA) conference, Professor Dr. Dabašinskienė might prioritize resilience in the strategic planning of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), ensuring its ability to adapt to the changing demands of higher education.
- As a member of international alliances like the Transform4Europe Alliance, Professor Dr. Dabašinskienė's vision for VMU's future may involve expanding its global connections and partnerships to further strengthen its position in the academic environment, ultimately enhancing its research and development opportunities.
- In her commitment to fostering free-thinking, honorable individuals and making VMU a hub for innovation, creativity, and societal impact, Professor Dr. Dabašinskienė may encourage the incorporation of technology in education and self-development, providing students with the digital tools and skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving world.
- As a scholar who has published extensively in both Lithuanian and international publications, Professor Dr. Dabašinskienė might promote a more global analysis of issues within education, introducing diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative and inclusive academic community at VMU that engages with general news and current events.
