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.
Ernst Öpik, an Estonian astronomer, took on his first role as the institution's leader, while Jonas Puzinas, a Lithuanian archaeologist, served as president from April 1948 to September 1949. As a result of many staff and students having found new homes abroad, the University ceased operations in September 1949.