September 1st, 2016, Thursday, the new 2016-2017 academic year began at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) with a number of events including a performance by members of Japan's Kyogen theatre troupe. Freshmen visited Faculties, toured the campus, learned more about studies' order, extracurricular activities and met with Faculty Deans, Vice-Deans, Department Heads and senior students -mentors. Later members of MRU's academic community gathered to attend an extraordinary University Senate Meeting to mark the beginning of the new school year. MRU Senate Chairman Prof. Dr. Gintaras Aleknonis and MRU Rector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Algirdas Monkevičius greeted those attending the event and delivered addresses. Germany's Bundestag member Dr. Karl A. Lamers, the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Vice-Chairman was awarded an Honorary Professor's Title. New professors and associate professors were honoured during the event and diplomas were awarded to doctoral students who 2015-2016 successfully defended their PhD dissertations. In addition, MRU academic community annual awards were handed out to those recognized for their outstanding achievements and work. Many distinguished guests took part in the events including Lithuania's Supreme Court Chairman Rimvydas Norkus, Seimas Deputy Vice-Chairman Gediminas Kirkilas, Lithuania's Contitutional Court Chairman Dainius Žalimas, former Lithuanian Parliament Seimas Chairman Česlovas Juršėnas, former Premier Gediminas Vagnorius, European Parliament member Petras Auštrevičius, Seimas member Kęstutis Masiulis, the first University Rector Prof. Dr. Alvydas Pumputis, ambassadors and other guests. The day's events culminated with a performance by actors of Japan's Kyogen Theater Troupe.