Language as a Foundation of Identity: Institutional Names from a Local Perspective
Evelina Dargytė, a graduate of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, was recognized for her thesis “Names of Public Institutions in Klaipėda City and District from a Locality Perspective.” Her work presents a systematic examination of the naming structures of educational institutions as reflections of cultural identity. The study reveals how formulations based on toponyms, anthroponyms, and local place names become tools for reinforcing regional identity in the public sphere. The thesis was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asta Balčiūnienė.
“Competitions like this not only allow you to present your work to a broader audience but also provide valuable feedback. Most importantly, they offer the opportunity to be seen and heard. For me, this project was more than a formality. I wanted to show that it's possible to research something close to the heart—something meaningful and important. When the topic is personal, writing becomes enjoyable, and the results gain lasting value,” says E. Dargytė.
She believes that the chance to present her work beyond the university and to receive professional recognition shows that topics relevant to the local community are needed not only in academia. “This inspires further research, not just to write, but to contribute to a broader context. Such recognition encourages me to pursue a master's degree,” she adds.
An Environmental Study That Speaks to the Future: Data, Technology, Solutions
The second award went to Rimantė Plikūnaitė, a graduate of the Marine Research Institute at Klaipėda University, for her thesis “Application of Remote Sensing Methods for Suspended Particulate Matter Studies in the Baltic Sea Coastal Zone.” The thesis proposes solutions for monitoring the condition of the sea coast in real time using satellite data and GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis. The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Diana Vaičiūtė.
This research is especially relevant in light of upcoming offshore wind farm projects in the Baltic Sea and ongoing coastal management processes.
“I chose the topic early in my studies after becoming interested in remote sensing. I wanted to explore how modern technologies can be applied to environmental research. At the time, much attention was being paid to seabed dredging activities, raising questions about their environmental impact. My goal was to test the use of satellite data as a tool for monitoring these processes. I believe this method could help enable more accurate and sustainable decision-making in Lithuania and internationally,” says R. Plikūnaitė.
Deputy Mayor Violeta Riaukienė, the chair of the evaluation committee, emphasized that this was the first year the competition was announced and student theses were assessed for scholarship awards. To encourage and support the graduates, the committee unanimously decided to award both works.
