The Estonian astronomer Ernst Öpik became its first Estonian rector, and  the Lithuanian archaeologist, Jonas Puzinas, was Lithuanian rector from April 1948 to September 1949. Because many of the staff and students had found homes in other countries, the University was closed in September 1949.
The Estonian astronomer Ernst Öpik took on its first Estonian president, and  the Lithuanian archaeologist, Jonas Puzinas, was Lithuanian president from April 1948 to September 1949. Due to many of the staff and students having found homes in other countries, the University was shut down in September 1949.