100th Anniversary of the Long Standing Vice Rector Prof. Česlovas Jakimavičius

100th Anniversary of the Long Standing Vice Rector Prof. Česlovas Jakimavičius

27 October 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of Česlovas Jakimavičius, KTU Professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Head of KPI Department of Mechanical Technology of Wood and Plastics (1960-1967), Dean of the Faculty of Light Industry (1962-1964), and Vice-Rector of Education (1964-1987). On the occasion of the anniversary, the Head of KTU Museum Dr. Audronė Veilentienė prepared a 3-part virtual exhibition “100th Anniversary of the Long-Standing Vice-Rector Prof. Česlovas Jakimavičius”. The first part reveals the professor’s childhood, participation in World War II and studies, the second part – his pedagogical and administrative activities at Kaunas Polytechnic Institute, and the third part – his activities at Kaunas University of Technology and after his retirement. The exhibition uses illustrations from KTU Museum and the family archive of Prof. Č. Jakimavičius.

Childhood and Youth

Česlovas Jakimavičius was born on 27 October 1924 in Panevėžys, in the family of a railway officer. In 1943, he graduated from Panevėžys City Gymnasium I. In 1943-1944 and 1945-1946, he worked as a cashier and accountant in Panevėžys branch of the Lithuanian Railways. From 1944 to 1945, Č. Jakimavičius was mobilised and took part in World War II in the ranks of the 16^th Lithuanian Division. In January 1946, he was demobilised and worked as an economist-planner and deputy senior accountant in the 7^th railway section in Panevėžys. In the autumn of 1946, he was admitted to the Faculty of Mechanics at Kaunas State Vytautas Magnus University. At the end of 1950, the university was reorganised into Kaunas Polytechnic Institute and Č. Jakimavičius graduated from the institute in the summer of 1951. After defending his diploma project “Reconstruction of the Šiauliai Meat Factory” he was awarded the qualification of mechanical engineer.

Pedagogical and Administrative Work at Kaunas Polytechnic Institute

Česlovas Jakimavičius started teaching at Kaunas Polytechnic Institute in 1952. In 1957, he defended his dissertation “Electro-Metallised Protective Coatings and their Application in Food Industry Equipment” at the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture and was awarded the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences (approved as Doctor of Technical Sciences in 1993). Č. Jakimavičius was appointed the head of the Cabinet of Mechanical Woodworking at the Faculty of Mechanics in May of 1958. On 1 January 1960, the Cabinet was reorganised into the Department of Mechanical Technology of Wood and Č. Jakimavičius was the first head of this department until 1967. He became an associate professor in 1961. From 1957 to 1962, Č. Jakimavičius worked in the position of the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Mechanics, and from 1962 to 1964, the Dean of the Faculty of Light Industry. From 1964 to 1987, he was KPI Vice-Rector for Education. Č. Jakimavičius became a professor in 1984. Č. Jakimavičius was a good educator, an active organiser of the teaching process, and was active in the preparation of methodological literature for teaching. He published lecture notes on wood: “Structure of Wood” (1981), “Mechanical Properties of Wood” (1982), “Physical Properties of Wood” (1983), “Defects of Wood” (1983), as well as “Student’s Handbook” (1971), and “Freshman’s Handbook” (with other authors, 1982). He published more than 50 articles on the organisation of the teaching process, vocational guidance and student education in the press. In cooperation with others, he developed and implemented an automated information system for KPI teaching process from 1971-1976. Č. Jakimavičius also made a significant contribution to the research of electro-metallised coatings and the possibilities of their use in food industry equipment: he was the author of one invention. In 1974, he was awarded the title of Meritorious Scientific and Technical Figure of the Lithuanian SSR for his achievements in scientific and educational organisational work.

In the Independent Lithuania

After Lithuania gained its independence on 11 March 1990, Kaunas Polytechnic Institute became Kaunas University of Technology on 31 October 1990. Prof. Č. Jakimavičius worked as a teacher at KTU from 1990 to 1994. After his retirement, he volunteered to give lectures on the course “Wood Science” for students of design and technology of wood products from 1994 to 1999. In 1998, he prepared and published the textbook “Wood Science” for students of higher education. The textbook was reprinted in 2000, 2002 and 2004. Č. Jakimavičius has contributed significantly to the development of Lithuanian terminology standards in the field of wood science and woodworking and is one of the co-authors of the educational tool “Modified Wood” (2002). After finishing his teaching career, he actively participated in the activities of KTU Veterans Club “Emeritus”. He died on 7 October 2009 and was buried in Petrašiūnai Cemetery in Kaunas.