Based on the research of archival and published sources, the article analyses the conditions of organisation of studies at the Republic’s Pedagogical and Commerce Institutes in Klaipėda, their structure and intentions of local vocational specialization, and attempts to assess the impact of higher education on the expression of social and cultural identities of the Lithuanian intelligentsia in the region, from the beginning of the process of the establishment of the Institutes in 1934 up to their relocation from Klaipėda in 1939. Data presented in the article provides that the total duration of training courses in the Institutes as well as the volumes of courses differed; however the principles of curricula content formation had much in common: the combination of theoretical and practical disciplines was sufficiently rational, the curricula covered vocational specialization opportunities and facilitated the relationship between the studies and the environment. Particular focus in the area of planning and organisation of studies was given to the organization of educational practices and interaction with Lithuanian entrepreneurs of Klaipėda as well as strengthening of communities. This created assumptions for the development of professional as well as cultural socialization skills of graduates.
Graduates acquired necessary practical skills, some successfully adapted and engaged in vocational activities within companies and institutions of the region of Klaipėda, others establishing a new businesses as well as sought for possibilities to associate themselves with the Lithuanian intelligentsia in the region and learned the specifics of its activities. Activities of the academic community of Klaipėda created the preconditions for the development of social and cultural expression and interaction of Lithuanian intelligentsia with the entire Lithuania.

Article in Lithuanian