European Humanities University Explained

European Humanities University
Native Name:Lithuanian: Europos humanitarinis universitetas
Belarusian: Еўрапейскі гуманітарны ўніверсітэт
Established:1992
Type:Private, liberal arts university
Rector:Prof. Krzysztof Rybinski
Academic Staff:~87
Administrative Staff:~50
Students:680
Undergrad:630
Postgrad:50
Doctoral:2
City:Vilnius
Country:Lithuania
Campus:Urban
Affiliations:EUA, IAU, EAIE, SAR, AUF, EUF-CE, Open Society University Network
Website:en.ehu.lt

European Humanities University (Belarusian: Еўрапейскі гуманітарны ўніверсітэт|translit=Eurapeyski humanitarny universitet (ЕГУ/EHU), Lithuanian: Europos humanitarinis universitetas (EHU), Russian: link=no|translit=Evropeyskiy gumanitarnyy universitet|Европейский гуманитарный университет (ЕГУ/EGU)) is a private, non-profit liberal arts university founded in Minsk, Belarus, in 1992. Following its forced closure by the Belarusian authorities in 2004, EHU relocated to Vilnius (Lithuania) and thus continues its operations as a private university. EHU offers high-residence and low-residence undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degree programs in the field of humanities and social sciences. The university has been headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, since authorities expelled it from Belarus in 2004. The university intends to return to Minsk.[1]

From 1992 to 2004 EHU was a non-state establishment of undergraduate and post-graduate education in Belarus. In 2004, due to government opposition, EHU was forced to terminate its activities in Belarus. However, thanks to political, administrative, and financial support from the European Union, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Governments of Lithuania, other European countries, and the United States, NGOs and foundations like MacArthur Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, and others, EHU resumed its operation in Vilnius, Lithuania and opened bachelor's and master's degree programs for Belarusian students in autumn 2005. In March 2006 the Government of Lithuania granted EHU the official status of a Lithuanian university.

After the mass protests of the Belarusian presidential election of 2010, many EHU students and teachers were imprisoned by the KDB. The university said it would work with students to help them in their education despite the circumstances.

In academic year 2020/21 EHU serves around 680[2] mostly Belarusian students, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs and promoting research in the humanities and social sciences. About two-thirds of EHU's students attend via online programs and reside in Belarus. About one-third attend courses on campus in Vilnius. Teaching languages – Belarusian, Russian, some courses are taught in English, German and French. EHU ranks second among private universities in Lithuania.[3]

It is a member of the European Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences.[4]

History

Minsk period (1992–2004)

The university was established in Minsk in 1992. At that time it comprised eight schools and provided education with 13 programs in humanities, foreign and classical languages, and IT. EHU was a basis for the establishment of research centers and institutes in Belarus: the Institute of German Studies, the Center for Economic and Social Research, the center for Gender Studies, the center for Civic Education, the Information and Resource Center on the European Integration and others.

In 2002 it was one of the first universities to join European University Foundation - Campus Europae.

On July 24, 2004, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus revoked university's license for the provision of educational services, claiming the campus was unsuitable for classes. The university was forced to terminate its operations. The actions of the authorities provoked a mass protest next day; about two hundred students and faculty defended their right to study and work in EHU.[5]

Vilnius period (since 2004)

In 2005 EHU reestablished its activity in Lithuania with the support of the Government of Lithuania, European Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers, and support by European countries and international foundations.

On March 10, 2006, EHU was granted the status of a private Lithuanian university. The first EHU undergraduate class in Vilnius completed its studies in 2009.

On June 5, 2012, EHU celebrated its 20th anniversary in Vilnius Town Hall.[6]

On June 14, 2013, EHU was awarded an Atlantic Council Freedom Award for unwavering commitment to democracy in Belarus by providing Belarusian students with a free and democratic environment to pursue their education.[7]

In 2014 EHU completed faculty reform, which aimed at providing better working conditions for faculty and to strengthening the overall quality of education and research at the university.[8] In 2015 EHU announced the results of an international rector's search, which involved 19 candidates from seven countries. On April 3 Prof. G. David Pollick (US) was appointed as Rector.[9] In the same year university Senate endorsed Magna Charta Universitatum.[10] In summer 2016 Prof. G. David Pollick resigned from the university's Rector position following an audit by Deloitte that revealed him to be the beneficiary of a potentially fraudulent reimbursement scheme.[11] [12]

Starting October 3, 2016 Jørgen Jørgensen (Denmark) served as University's Acting Rector.[13]

In academic year 2016/17 EHU started implementation of the brand new liberal arts-inspired Core Curriculum, which was designed with an assistance of the Bard College network.[14]

On March 1, 2018, former Minister of Education of Bulgaria Professor Sergei Ignatov was appointed rector.[15]

Starting from May 3, 2018, EHU Campus is located in the former Augustinian monastery of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vilnius Old Town.[16]

During the AY 2020/21 Opening Ceremony, former president candidate and leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya made a keynote address to EHU students.[2]

On April 3, 2023, Professor Krzysztof Rybinski became Rector of the university.

Academics

Operating in Lithuania, EHU is involved in the Bologna process and conducts the academic process according to the standards of the European Higher Education Area. Upon successful completion of degree studies at EHU, university graduates are awarded European Union-recognized diplomas.

The university's academic year begins on October 1.

Academic departments:

EHU offers following high-residence and low-residence undergraduate programs:[17]

Master's programs in blended learning mode:

Since 2011, EHU offers a Doctorate in Philosophy jointly with Vytautas Magnus University and the Lithuanian Culture Research Institute.[18]

EHU offers low residence programs and courses via Moodle. Upon completion of distance courses free listeners are awarded with an ECTS.

High-residence students are also eligible to participate in Erasmus+ and Campus Europae student mobility programs with more than 50 partner universities throughout Europe. EHU provides tuition fee waivers for Belarusian students on the basis of academic merits and thanks to the support of the university donors. Additionally there are stipends available for Belarusian undergraduate high-residence students at the ratio 1 stipend per 10 students.[19]

Research

EHU conducts research in humanities and social sciences and supports the research activities of its faculty and students by maintaining research centers, laboratories, and institutes:

EHU research centers conduct research activities, organize scientific conferences, publish scientific journals (Journal of Constitutionalism and Human Rights, Journal of philosophical and cultural studies).

Leadership

General Assembly of Part-Owners

The General Assembly of Part-Owners is the highest governing body of the university that brings together organizations that reestablished EHU in Lithuania after its closure in Minsk. These include the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (Lithuania), Open Society Foundations (USA) and Eurasia Foundation (USA).[20]

Governing Board

The Governing Board is responsible for the strategic direction, finances, and functioning of the university. Starting January 6, 2020 the new membership of the Governing Board has been appointed for the 3-years term.[21] The composition of the Governing Board:

President

Prof. Anatoli Mikhailov is a scholar in the field of German philosophy, who founded EHU in Minsk in 1992 and served as Rector until September 30, 2014. Starting October 2014 Prof. Mikhailov serves as EHU President.[22]

Rector

On April 3, 2023, the General Assembly of Part-Owners appointed Professor Krzysztof Rybinski to be the Rector of EHU. An accomplished scholar with a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Warsaw, Professor Rybinski is a seasoned academic administrator with more than 20 years of management experience, including three years as Rector of Narxoz University in Almaty, Kazakhstan and five years as Rector of Vistula University in Warsaw, Poland.

Senate

The Senate is a collegiate academic consulting body, operating on the parity representation basis of the two academic departments of the university. According to the Statutes, the Senate is responsible for assessing the quality of studies, research and art activities. Chair of the Senate is Prof. Aliaksandr Puptsau.[23]

Students' Union

Students' Union is an autonomous student self-government body, operating as a legal entity, which represents EHU students internally and externally, as according to the Law on Higher Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. EHU Students' Union is a full member of the Lithuanian National Union of Students.

People

Doctor Honoris Causa

EHU's Doctor Honoris Causa degree is conferred upon scholars, statesmen, public, religious, and political figures of the Republic of Belarus and other countries to honor their accomplishments in humanities and social sciences, university education and culture; their contributions to the development of democracy and the realization of the principles of the rule of law; and their contribution to the development of culture and promotion of intercultural dialog.

EHU Honorary Doctors are:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: President Buzek meets Belarusian students from European Humanities University . . June 9, 2010 . February 27, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130118054353/http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/2134/president-buzek-meets-belarusian-students-from-european-humanities-university-20102134/ . January 18, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  2. Web site: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya — to EHU freshmen: "You will always feel welcomed in the New Belarus". 2020-11-02. EHU. en-US.
  3. Web site: EHU rises to second among six private universities in Lithuania – Home page . January 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126114953/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/ehu-rises-to-second-among-six-private-universities-in-lithuania . January 26, 2016 . dead .
  4. Web site: ECOLAS Partners ECOLAS . 2020-08-24 . en-US.
  5. News: Belarus's university in exile. BBC News . April 23, 2013.
  6. Web site: EHU celebrates 20th anniversary at Vilnius Town Hall – Home page . January 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126151438/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/ehu-celebrates-20th-anniversary-at-vilnius-town-hall . January 26, 2016 . dead .
  7. Web site: 2013 Freedom Awards. June 14, 2013.
  8. Web site: EHU faculty selected for five-year labor contracts – Home page . January 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126152115/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/ehu-faculty-selected-for-five-year-labor-contracts . January 26, 2016 . dead .
  9. Web site: EHU Appoints New Rector – Home page . January 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126104349/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/ehu-appoints-new-rector . January 26, 2016 . dead .
  10. Web site: EHU Senate unanimously endorses Magna Charta Universitatum – Home page . January 19, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160126103802/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/ehu-senate-unanimously-endorses-magna-charta-universitatum . January 26, 2016 . dead .
  11. https://belarusdigest.com/story/ehu-fights-allegations-of-financial-misconduct-needs-new-leadership/
  12. https://www.al.com/living/2017/06/after_scandals_from_birmingham_1.html
  13. Web site: Jørgen Jørgensen appointed Acting Rector of EHU – Home page . July 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170701193724/http://www.ehu.lt/en/news/show/joergen-joergensen-appointed-acting-rector-of-ehu . July 1, 2017 . dead .
  14. Web site: What is Core Curriculum? – Home page . July 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170722144015/http://www.ehu.lt/en/academics/core-curriculum . July 22, 2017 . dead .
  15. Web site: Former Bulgarian Minister of Education Prof. Sergei Ignatov appointed Rector of EHU.
  16. Web site: European Humanities University opens the new campus in the Old Town of Vilnius. 2020-11-02. EHU. en-US.
  17. Web site: Academics. 2020-11-02. EHU. en-US.
  18. Web site: Philosophy – Home page . April 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703110219/http://www.ehu.lt/en/academics/phd/programs/philosophy . July 3, 2013 . dead .
  19. Web site: Финансовая поддержка – Home page . July 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170707074055/http://www.ehu.lt/ru/abiturientam/postuplenie/finansovaja-podderzhka . July 7, 2017 . dead .
  20. Web site: General Assembly of Part-Owners.
  21. Web site: Governing Board.
  22. Web site: President. 2020-11-02. EHU. en-US.
  23. Web site: Senate.