In 2025 November 27, winners of two competitions were honoured on the same stage – the winners of the Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers (LJMS) competition for the best master’s thesis and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ competition for the best master’s thesis on EU politics, according to the Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers press release.
Three students of the KTU are among the winners of the best master’s thesis competition and have been awarded in technology, social sciences and agricultural sciences.
During the event, the young researchers presented their findings on epigenetics, the organization of the health-care system, language policy in deaf families and the synthesis of new-generation materials.
The event started with a performance by a flutist, Paulius Gefenas. The winners were awarded by the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Sigitas Mitkus; the chairperson of the LJMS, Dr Darja Nikitina; the chairperson of the Research Council of Lithuania, Assoc. Prof. Gintaras Valinčius and the new head of the Lithuanian Academy of Science, Prof. Habil. Dr Vytautas Nekrošius.
According to the LJMS press release, the best master’s thesis in the field of agricultural sciences was the paper of Enrika Lazickaitė (KTU and LSMU) – Development of a Product Designed to Reduce the Risk of Dehydration and Fatal Choking in the Elderly. In this work, hydrogel-based easy-to-swallow foods were developed to reduce the risk of dehydration, aspiration and choking in older people. Project’s supervisor – Daiva Lesauskaitė.
The best master’s thesis in technology was the Final Degree Project by Viltė Šereikaitė (KTU), The Synthesis of Vitrimers from Vegetable Oil and Glycerol Derivatives and the Study of their Properties. This study developed sustainable vitrimers characterised by shape-memory properties, self-regeneration and suitability for 3D printing and microengineering. The work examines changes in material structure, stiffness and thermal stability when changing the monomer ratio. Project’s supervisor – Jolita Ostrauskaitė.
The best master’s thesis in social sciences was the Final Degree Project of Tomas Backūnas (KTU) – Strengthening Interinstitutional Collaboration by Consolidating Personal Healthcare Treatment Resources at the Marijampolė Municipality Health Centre. The study analysed collaboration among healthcare institutions to consolidate treatment resources and achieve more efficient service delivery. Based on the study results, a model improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare services is proposed. Project’s supervisor – Rūta Petrauskienė.
