Philanthropists Irena and Algirdas Juozapavičius have allocated €1.3 million from the inheritance of their late son to the Vilnius University (VU) Foundation. In memory of their son, a €1 million sub-fund named after Mantvydas Juozapavičius (1976–2023) has been established within the VU Foundation. One hundred thousand euros each has been allocated to the VU Life Sciences Center sub-fund, the Professor Algis Petras Piskarskas sub-fund, and to strengthen other VU Foundation initiatives.
Juozapavičius family reception with the Rector of Vilnius University. From left to right: Justinas Noreika, Irena Juozapavičienė, Prof Rimvydas Petrauskas, Mykolas Juozapavičius (photo by Ugnius Bagdonavičius)
Mantvydas Juozapavičius was an active Lithuanian public figure with a broad education and experience in information management and genealogy. He studied at Vilnius Lyceum, the VU Institute of International Relations and Political Science (IIRPS), and the VU Faculty of Communication, and completed various courses at Rice University, the University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan in the United States. He worked as an assistant in the Lithuanian Parliament, an election observer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was a freelance specialist providing various services in information management and data analysis.
"This contribution from the Juozapavičius family is a significant event in the history and development of the VU Foundation. Thanks to them, the activities of several fields of science related to the donors' academic experience and interests will be purposefully supported. We are pleased that the Foundation’s activities are becoming an opportunity to contribute to the welfare of society and the state, while honoring important goals and values. The university appreciates and will not forget that the contribution is made in memory of their son Mantvydas and to ensure the continuity of the activities he started," says VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.
Tragic Accident and Philanthropic Efforts
In 2002, M. Juozapavičius participated in a professional conference held in the natural surroundings of Hungary. During the event, while jumping into a body of water, Mantvydas suffered an unfortunate accident. His life was saved by Slovenian citizen Anže Logar, who was awarded the Cross for the Rescue of the Dying by President Valdas Adamkus in 2007 in Vilnius for this heroic act.
The accident left the young man in a wheelchair, but it did not prevent him from continuing his active public involvement. M. Juozapavičius financially supported various initiatives in education, science, and social sectors. He was an active supporter of the VU Foundation, the Vilnius Lyceum alumni community, contributed financially to Ukraine's efforts to win the war, and supported other initiatives.
Carrying on the Work Started by Their Son
M. Juozapavičius was an active member of the Vilnius Lyceum alumni community and belonged to the VU IIRPS student corporation "RePublica". After the accident, the young man became interested in life sciences and the study of the human nervous system.
By creating a named sub-fund from their son's inheritance, Mantvydas's parents had already outlined areas of support connected to his life, studies, and professional journey. The returns from the sub-fund’s investments are planned to support Vilnius Lyceum alumni studying at VU and related initiatives, as well as initiatives of VU IIRPS students and alumni who belong to the "RePublica" student corporation, and the activities of the VU Life Sciences Center.
Management Changes and a Symbolic Achievement
Philanthropist Irena Juozapavičienė joins the team of eleven current VU Foundation sharers and, together with other members, will be responsible for the Foundation's key strategic decisions, approval of the Investment Committee, and other governing bodies.
According to VU Foundation Director Justinas Noreika, following the latest donation and commitments from existing supporters, the Foundation's value will soon exceed the symbolic €10 million mark. Since January 2019, the VU Foundation's investment management results have reached €1.23 million. More than €1.6 million has already been allocated to fund VU projects and initiatives through investment returns and targeted donations.