During the ceremony, Žukauskas took an oath and received the insignia from the university’s council chairwoman Ingrida Šimonytė – he was dressed in a traditional toga and a cape, put on a chain and cap, and was handed the scepter and the stamp.
President Dalia Grybauskaitė made a congratulatory speech during the event, saying that Vilnius University had always been the heart of Europe and a European university.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Lithuania’s former president Valdas Adamkus, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius and Education and Science Minister Dainius Pavalkis.
The new rector was elected by the VU Council on March 12 following an international competition.
Žukauskas, 58, holds a degree in physics from Vilnius University.
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