The memorandum emphasised the importance of Klaipėda University's role for shaping the image of a contemporary city, attracting talents and ensuring positive demographic processes as well as diverse and rich social and cultural life of the city. "The people who come to Klaipėda through the University are also extremely important and valuable for local businesses: through their competences and new ideas, they contribute to the development of products and services with high added value. A strong and competitive business means a strong and competitive Klaipėda", the document states. The business community is invited to contribute to the strengthening of the University by building up the KU endowment capital fund for the future. In order for such a fund to start functioning, it is necessary to accumulate capital of 0.5 million Euros, the investment return of which would allow KU to finance research and projects, attract and retain the most talented researchers and academics, invest in upgrading the infrastructure for research and studies, encourage the most talented students, and improve study programmes.
The text of the memorandum was signed by Egidijus Mockus, President of the Association of Klaipėda Industrialists, Arnoldas Šileika, President of the Association of Lithuanian Shipbuilders and Repairmen, Vaidotas Šileika, President of the Association of Lithuanian Stevedoring Companies, Vytautas Lygnugaris, Chairman of the Board of the Lithuanian Shipowners' Association, Andrius Sutnikas, Coordinator of the Lithuanian Maritime Cluster, and prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, Rector of Klaipėda University.
Prof. Razbadauskas, Rector of KU, thanked the leaders of the business community for their consistent support to Klaipėda University. "We are the second university in Lithuania that has a special fund to support its mission. I thank the business community for this initiative and the strong support that is constantly felt, encouraging us to spread the university spirit in the region – to educate young people, to develop scientific research, to look for talents, and to find innovative solutions for the improvement of the economic and social environment of the region. Having an endowment capital fund is not only an indicator of reputation for the University, but also a proof of its necessity for the community", said prof. dr. Artūras Razbadauskas.
"The cooperation between research and business ensures Klaipėda's prosperity and is a necessary condition for the only port city in Lithuania to be smart and young", emphasized Vytautas Adomaitis, head of the KU Future Fund.
The KU Future Fund was established in 2021 at the initiative of nine business companies. The Board of the Fund set a strategic goal to create an endowment capital fund. The Fund currently has more than 140 thousand Euros on its account.
