September 3rd, 2018, Lithuania's Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis, Supreme Court Chairman Prof. Rimvydas Norkus, Constitutional Court Chairman Prof. Dainius Žalimas, Seimas members, academics, students gathered for ceremonies marking the start of a new academic year. They attended an extraordinary Senate meeting held on campus. MRU Rector Assoc. Prof. Algirdas Monkevičius welcomed students. Prime Minister Skvernelis and Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius, both MRU graduates, addressed students and professors during the Senate meeting. Seimas Education and Science Committee Chairman Eugenijus Jovaiša gave an address. Seimas Legal Affairs Committee Chair Agnė Širinskienė, Seimas member Gediminas Kirkilas, former Seimas member and parliament speaker Česlovas Juršėnas and Constitutional Court Justice Prof. Gediminas Mesonis were also in attendance. Among the distinguished guests was Korea's Dongseo University (DSU) Vice-President Dr. Jung Sun Kim. She later awarded diplomas to students in a dual MRU - DSU Bachelor's programme and addressed the MRU community. Successful PhD candidates were awarded doctoral diplomas and professors and scholars were recognized for their achievements, publications and books. MRU's String Quartet performed.