News

Coming to a foreign country can be both exciting and challenging. That's why Vilnius University (VU) invites all international students to participate in the Introduction Days. During these days, you can expect to meet faculty coordinators, take guided tours of VU, and join various interesting activities that will help you connect with both Lithuanian and international students.

The Introduction Days will begin at 9 a.m. on 29 August with a welcome event for all international students at Compensa Concert Hall, Kernavės St. 84, Vilnius. For more details, see here.

On 30th August at 10 a.m., students can attend a class about VU eServices. During the training, you will learn how to connect to all relevant information systems at VU and have the opportunity to ask questions. This will be done by logging into the remote lecture. Postgraduate students are also welcome to attend the remote lecture “Student Services: Turning Confusion into Clarity” at 12 p.m.

The new academic year will commence on 2nd September at 9.30 a.m. with the traditional flag-raising ceremony in the VU Library courtyard (Universiteto St. 3). At 2.45 p.m., everyone is invited to participate in the 30th-anniversary procession of the VU community along Gediminas Avenue, from Seimas Hall to the VU Great Courtyard. The procession will be followed by greetings from VU leaders and guests, the first-year students' oath, and the official announcement of the start of the new academic year.

From 3 to 5 September, first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in events designed to help them get to know their course mates, tutors, faculty administration, and others.

The week of Introduction Days will conclude on 6 September with the "Ad Astra" event, organised by the Vilnius University Students Representation (VU SA). Thihs festival will bring together the entire VU and city community. The event, which strikes the perfect balance between science and youthfulness, attracts several thousand participants every year.

This year, participants will have the opportunity to listen to an exclusive lecture by the VU Rector, Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, engage in interesting discussions, and enjoy a concert in the evening.

Additionally, after the Introduction Days, you will have the opportunity to join up to three guided tours: the secrets of Vilnius University, Saulėtekis and dormitory stories, and Čiurlionis Street and the University. These tours will take you through the spaces of Vilnius University, allowing you to learn about their unheard stories.

You can find the full programme of the Introduction Days and keep up to date with any updates on the dedicated Studentauk.vu.lt/en/ page. 

During the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) that took place from 6 to 15 August in Cape Town, South Africa, Gražina Tautvaišienė, a renowned Lithuanian astronomer, Head of Molėtai Astronomical Observatory, and Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University (VU), was elected Vice-President of this esteemed organisation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for astronomy in Lithuania, making Prof. G. Tautvaišienė the first scientist from the Baltic States to have been appointed Vice-President in over a century of the organisation’s history. The role of the next IAU President will be assumed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Brian Schmidt from Australia.

"I am thrilled that Lithuania has received the IAU’s recognition for the first time in its extensive history. I’m excited and look forward to collaborating with the world’s leading astronomers, particularly with the Nobel Laureate Prof. Schmidt", notes Prof. Tautvaišienė.

She has known Prof. Schmidt for 12 years since being elected Vice-President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. In three years, Prof. Schmidt will succeed the eminent Swiss scientist Prof. Willy Benz.

Prof. Tautvaišienė has been appointed Vice-President for a six-year term. She has been entrusted with coordinating global ground and space research, as well as guiding the activities of the Working Group of IAU Junior Members.

"As Vice-President, my key goal is to advance the interests of the Lithuanian and global astronomical community. I aim to promote international cooperation and conferences on new research projects and technological developments in the field of astronomy. I will also devote significant effort to mentoring the Working Group of IAU Junior Members. Young people face numerous challenges concerning their careers in academia and industry, as well as mobility, psychological and financial security, inclusiveness, transparency, geographical location, and gender balance", says the VU scientist.

Moreover, Prof.Tautvaišienė has been delegated as one of the seven members of the Advisory Board in charge of selecting recipients of the prestigious "Gruber Cosmology Prize". Established by the IAU and the Gruber Foundation, the prize is awarded annually to one or more scientists of any nationality: astronomers, physicists, mathematicians, or scientific philosophers for their discoveries leading to fundamental advances in our understanding of the Universe. In addition to all these missions, the Professor will also be involved in many other tasks collectively undertaken by the IAU Executive Committee.

The IAU is a senior body governing international professional astronomical activities and research worldwide. It is the world’s leading astronomical organisation that brings together members from more than 100 countries. Prof. G. Tautvaišienė has become the first scientist from the Baltic States to be elected Vice-President since the IAU’s foundation in 1919. Two more new Vice-Presidents have been appointed from Chile and South Africa.

Congratulations on your admission to the Faculty of Physics (FF) of Vilnius University (VU)! We are delighted that you have joined the active and diverse community of our Faculty. To help you get into the study process, we have prepared a memo with the most important information you need to start your studies.

Lithuanian Student Identity Card (LSIC)

When a student enters into a contract with a university, the information is forwarded to the body responsible for the production of the Lithuanian Student Identity Card (LSIC) within 2 to 3 weeks from the date of the contract. After a couple of weeks, it is possible to start checking the https://lsp.lt/en system to see if the data has already been uploaded and to order the LSIC.

To order a LSIC, the following steps are required:

1. Register in the LSIC system (https://lsp.lt/en) and order a new LSIC;
2. After selecting a delivery address, you need to choose preferred way for the delivery of the LSIC.

The LSIC is produced within 1-2 weeks after the order has been placed and the photo has been confirmed as suitable for LSIC production.

When the LSIC is ready, a notification is sent to the email address provided during registration. You can also log in to your account in the system to see the status of the LSIC.

The LSIC is required to access student discounts and the resources of the Vilnius University Library. You also need to present your LSIC (ISIC international student card is not suitable for this purpose) between 9:00 pm and 9:00 am in order to access the VU Library's 24-hour branch in Sunrise - Scholarly Communication and Information Centre (SCIC).

In autumn, the production of LSICs may take longer than scheduled.

Have any questions? Contact the VU Students' Representation, which takes care of the LSIC issue and return process.

Registration for studies

1. Every VU student and free listener is required to register in the VU Identity Management System at https://id.vu.lt/idmgna/#!/ between 1 September and 30 September. A student number is required to access the system. If you did not receive your student number in the letters sent by the University, you can get it from the Dean's Office by ff@ff.vu.ltff@ff.vu.lt

Once you have registered with the e-Identity Management system, you will be given a login and password, which are required to use these VU e-services:

• VU e-mail address;
• VU IS Studies virtual student workspace eStudent;
• VU VPN;
• eduroam wireless internet network;
• Virtual Learning Environment (VMA);
• Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams.

Student environment at VU - eStudent

Once you have registered with the VU eID Management System, you can login to:

Vilnius University Information System.

Using your VU login and password, you must log in to the Virtual student workplace (VMA) - eStudentas by 30 September. This is an online repository of all study information related to a particular student. Once logged in, a student can:

• see his/her personal data, transcripts, study programme plan, session schedule, session results, place in the queue of the best students, information about the benefits (scholarships) received, etc.;
• order the necessary certificates, submit various requests related to studies.
• print receipts for tuition fees;
• select free and elective subjects;
• upload written work to the Electronic Document Information System (EDIS)

Microsoft Office 365 (office365.vu.lt) environment, where students will be able to use email and the Microsoft Office applications.

Online learning platforms at VU o

• Virtual Learning Environment (VMA). This platform provides students with access to semester courses, where they can access learning materials, course content, assessment tables, interact with students, complete assignments, tests, etc. o Microsoft Teams - this platform provides live streaming of contact sessions (lectures, seminars, exercises, etc.) for some subjects/modules.

• Microsoft Teams - this platform provides live streaming of contact sessions (lectures, seminars, exercises, etc.) for some subjects/modules.

Integration Week for first-year students

VU welcomes the new academic year with a series of integration events, where first-year students will enjoy fun activities, discussions, lectures and informative meetings. The integration activities will give students the opportunity to learn all about studying and living at VU.

You can find the timetable for this week here. Other updated and provisional timetables for your school year are available here.

Certificate confirming student status

Certificates confirming student status are valid from 1 September to 30 September. They can be used instead of the student certificate until it is produced. Certificates can be ordered via the Vilnius University Information System (VU IS) from your eStudent account.

Students can get these certificates from the Dean's office of the Faculty of Physics (Saulėtekio al. 9, Building III, Room 203) or receive them by e-mail from 1 September.

Tuition fees

If you are studying at a place that is not funded by the state, you should pay the tuition fee during the first month of your studies.

The payment receipt will be available after logging in to the VU IS eStudent environment from 1 September.

Please note that this fee can be deferred or divided into instalments each semester. For more information on VU's financial incentives, click here.

Answers to questions about study process 

The administration of the Faculty of Physics takes care of students throughout their studies. Students who have any questions about their study subjects, general university procedures, the study process, individualisation of studies, etc., can contact Olga Rancova, the Vice-Dean for accademical affairs of the Faculty of Physics, at justinas.ceponkus@ff.vu.lt or by phone (8 5) 236 6002. Consultations are also available in person at the Faculty's Dean's Office (I-V 8 am - 4 pm, Saulėtekio al. 9, Building III, Room 203).

Europe's “Laser School”: Lithuania, a semiconductor technology powerhouse, is more than just a semiconductor producer. More than 60 laser companies compete for 2.7 million population in a small country... Lithuania is a leader in ultrashort pulse lasers.

This publication is an original piece by The JoongAng. Written by Tae-wook Kim (kim.taewook@joongang.co.kr).

When I landed in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, 12 hours away from Incheon International Airport, the first thing I saw was a small airport. It was a peaceful city with windmills that could have been described in Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. The bus fare from the airport to the hotel was 1 euro (about 1400 won). I paid the coin and boarded the bus. It was nostalgic, like a childhood scene. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, was like a scene from a fairy tale. The city was so peaceful that Don Quixote wouldn't have been out of place riding his horse. The buses running along the river were silent, unlike other city buses in Seoul.

Lithuania, a small country with 2.7 million inhabitants, is home to some of the world's most advanced technologies. Laser companies are the main players here. The main advantage of lasers, also known as “light beams”, is “sophisticated processing”. Lithuania holds half of the world market for picosecond (trillionths of a second) lasers. Lasers are an indispensable technology for semiconductor manufacturing. In fact, Korean companies also use ultra-short pulse lasers from Lithuania. Laser processing machines required for semiconductor manufacturing are broadly divided into “nanosecond pulse lasers” and “ultra-short pulse lasers” depending on the pulse width. Ultrashort pulse lasers include picoseconds and femtoseconds (1 trillionth of a second). The advantage of ultrashort pulse lasers is that they allow for ultra-precise processing compared to nanosecond pulse lasers.

One of Lithuania's leading companies, Teltonika, also uses Lithuanian laser technology. The Internet of Things (IoT) market leader made headlines last year when it announced that it was working with the Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to develop semiconductor technology. The company announced that it could license semiconductor manufacturing technology and devices developed by ITRI. At the time, foreign media speculated that Lithuania would soon become a semiconductor producer, not just a provider of laser technology.

Semiconductors bring Taiwan's government closer together

What does Lithuania's leading Internet of Things (IoT) company look like? As I pull up to the entrance of Teltonika's headquarters, a 10-minute-long drive from Vilnius city center, I'm greeted by an imposing building. Across the street, the exterior walls of a large building were still under construction. "We are planning to invest 500 million euros to build a semiconductor facility with a land area of 50,000 square meters," explains Viačeslav Jaroševič, general manager of Teltonika in Asia region, as he shows me around. "The pace of our expansion is not keeping pace with demand," said V. Jaroševič. "The growth of Teltonika is driven by the increasing demand for semiconductor lasers."

"The technical cooperation agreement with ITRI consists of three main phases," he said. "Last year, we conducted the first phase, the “feasibility study”. It is a study for semiconductor design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, and production of power modules," he explained. He reaffirmed that Teltonika's ultimate goal is to go beyond providing laser technology to producing semiconductors.

The recent closeness between the Lithuanian and Taiwanese governments cannot be explained without mentioning the cooperation between Teltonika and ITRI. Currently, the organization has a Taiwanese representation in Vilnius, rather than a Taipei representation. Beijing strongly objected to the move, saying it violated the "One China" principle, and in November 2021, Beijing downgraded diplomatic relations with Lithuania from ambassadorial to deputy ambassadorial status.

The Teltonika-ITRI contract is currently valued at €14 million. Of this amount, €10 million will be funded by Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and €4 million by Teltonika. The two sides have detailed plans for four projects, including semiconductor design, manufacturing, assembly and test, and power module manufacturing. This has led to speculation that Lithuania and Taiwan have in mind a future semiconductor alliance like the "Chip 4" (Korea, the United States, Japan, and Taiwan).

Vilnius University is a model of industry-academia collaboration

Next, we visited Light Conversion, a company that is often referred to as Lithuania's laser giant. "Light Conversion was founded in 1994 at the Laser Research Center of Vilnius University," says Martynas Barkauskas, who sits across from me on the ground floor of the company's building in the information area. Together with another Lithuanian company, Ekspla, the company, which started in a university laboratory 30 years ago, Light Conversion is a global market leader in femtosecond lasers. The PHAROS femtosecond laser is the company's flagship weapon for light conversion.

I left the main entrance of the company and headed to Vilnius University. I was curious to see what the university's Laser Research Center, home to a world-class laser company, looked like. Vilnius University is one of the most prestigious universities in Lithuania and Central and Eastern Europe. In particular, the University's Laser Research Center, founded in 1982, is a "laser school" that has produced numerous laser technicians.

When I entered the main entrance of Vilnius University, I was greeted by Prof. Dalia Kaškelytė, the director of the Laser research center. Unlike the stiff atmosphere of a typical research lab, I was impressed by the free-spirited startup atmosphere. Graduate students were sitting face-to-face with their advisors, drinking coffee and chatting. One PhD student said, "Nice to meet you," and laser-etched the journalist's name on a piece of glass when D. Kaškelytė told him he was from Korea.

"The CEO of Light Conversion also studied lasers here and developed his dreams," says Prof. Vytautas Jukna, explaining the importance of the university to reporters. "The university-industry cooperation at Vilnius University Faculty of Physics is excellent. "There is good communication between the faculty and companies, with PhD students being seconded to companies. It's a win-win situation," he said. "Successful industry-academia collaboration creates a natural reshoring of talent," he added. He explained that Lithuanian talents studying abroad are returning home. One such example is Martynas Barkauskas, CEO of Light Conversion. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Vilnius University, he earned his master's degree in The Netherlands. He then returned to Vilnius to study for his PhD, taking advantage of Lithuania's excellent university-industry collaboration system and research institutes.

When asked by the reporter, "What is the secret to "reshoring" talent," the Light Conversion CEO pointed to the excellent facilities at Vilnius University. "The physics laboratories at Vilnius University has the most advanced laser equipment in the world. That's why I came back to my hometown," he said. "When I was doing my PhD, I never dreamed that I would become the CEO of Light Conversion," he said with a smile, explaining that as a graduate student, the company was located across the street from Vilnius University, making it convenient for me to get to and from school.

"Samsung Electronics and SK hynix are perfect for collaboration"

Lithuania is home to many companies that, like Light Conversion, have grown from startups to become an integral part of the Lithuanian economy. Another example is QS Lasers, a startup that may not be a household name globally but is well known in Lithuania. QS Lasers, a provider of picosecond and nanosecond laser technology, was founded in 2018. The main applications of the startup's technology are laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS), OLED processing, and medical applications. I visited QS Lasers' headquarters, a 15-minute long drive from the city center. Upon entering the headquarters building, I was greeted by Voldemaras Vanagas. He prefaced his answer by saying that he had just joined the company, but added, "Most of my friends have been dreaming of starting a startup since they were undergraduates, rather than entering the workforce. Of course, they might fail, but I think it's important to try."

The last stop on the tour was the Lithuanian Laser Association (LLA). "We have a guest from Korea, a semiconductor powerhouse," said Dr. Gediminas Račiukaitis, president of the LLA, when he saw the journalists. "Lithuania is a world leader in ultrashort pulse lasers," G. Račiukaitis said, "which makes it an ideal place to work with Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK hynix." "There are more than 60 laser companies competing in Lithuania, a country of 2.7 million people. Most of the entrepreneurs studied lasers at Vilnius University," he said, adding that industry-academia collaboration is the key to Lithuania's success.

Starting this autumn, a new elective course on Antenna engineering will be offered to Master's students in Electronics and Telecommunications Technology.

This course, developed in collaboration with the engineering industry, aims to respond to one of the most pressing issues facing the world in recent times.

"The ongoing miniaturisation of electronic devices and the trend towards energy savings are placing additional demands on radio antennas. Antenna design and manufacturing require more detailed analysis based on the interaction of electromagnetic waves with material properties. We believe that such a course will also be relevant for electronics and telecommunications companies operating in Lithuania that design and manufacture radio equipment. Internet of Things (IoT), electronics and telecommunication technologies are among the fastest growing industries and antennas are an integral part of these products. The new Antenna Engineering course is unique in its content, where the programme's strong emphasis on practical modelling skills will equip you with the knowledge to work on projects that require a deep understanding of the physical principles underlying antenna design. The knowledge gained will enable professionals to contribute to the development of new technologies and products," says Ernestas Zdaniauskis, Vice President for Innovation and Business Development, Teltonika IoT Group, UAB.

The Antenna Engineering course will cover the basics of antenna theory, different types of antennas including dipole, aperture, microwave and millimetre band antennas, and antenna enclosures. Particular attention will be paid to planar and integrated antennas in electronic products, the electromagnetic properties of materials determining radiation characteristics, and applications of new materials (metamaterials) for antennas. Practical antenna modelling with Python, Matlab libraries and Ansys HFSS, a commercial 3D electromagnetic analysis package for antennas, will also be presented, allowing the design and optimisation of antennas with more complex structures.

On 6 July, on the Statehood Day, President Gitanas Nausėda awarded nearly 80 Lithuanian and foreign citizens with state orders and medals.

Photos of the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania/ Robertas Dačkus

The President awarded the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas to Dr. Arūnas Varanavičius, Chief Researcher of the Laser Research Centre of the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University (VU), for his services to Lithuanian science, innovative research, implementation of the achievements of basic and applied sciences in industry and promotion of Lithuania's name in the international scientific community.

Dr. Varanavičius' area of expertise is laser physics, specifically ultra-short pulse lasers. In 2004, he was awarded the Lithuanian Science Award and so far has supervised more than 20 student theses. He is also a member of the International Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (ELI ERIC).

Vilnius University (VU) has risen by more than 30 positions in the new QS University Ranking. VU now ranks 439th and remains the clear leader in Lithuania. This year's rankings include an unprecedented number of higher education institutions – more than 5,000 – all over the world.

The employability ranking of VU graduates has also improved at a record pace, rising by 220 positions to 105th place compared to last year's figures. This indicator reflects the ability of institutions to ensure a high level of graduate employability and their impact on their professional fields. In addition, the faculty-student ratio gained an exceptionally high score, reaching 168th place in this category. This indicator is associated with a higher level of lecturer attention to the student.

‘I am proud that the University has managed to strengthen its position in the world rankings. It is particularly pleasing to note the significant progress we have made in graduate employability rates and the exceptionally good faculty-student ratio. This shows that our commitment to creating a personal, warm relationship in the community is also reflected by the success in the rankings', says Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, the Rector of Vilnius University.

VU is also among the world's most sustainable universities. In the recently launched QS sustainability ranking, VU has risen by 176 places to 471th position.

In addition to sustainability, VU scores well on indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, employability ranking, faculty-student ratio, and international research network compared to other national higher education institutions.

The international research network indicator, a relatively new criterion in the rankings, introduced in 2022, reflects the number and quality of individual international partners (higher education institutions) from different countries. In this category, VU is ranked 398th globally.

VU is in 405th place in the employer reputation category. This indicator represents how international employers value the institution’s graduates. VU also maintains a high position (472nd place) in terms of academic reputation. The reputation of institutions and their programmes is assessed by asking external academic experts to nominate universities in their field.

The QS World University Rankings assess higher education institutions on a total of eight criteria: academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty-student ratio, international faculty ratio, international research network, international students ratio, and sustainability.

In 2024, QS University Ranking included 5,663 institutions from 106 countries around the world, with 21 institutions ranked for the first time.

With the end of the academic year approaching, Vilnius University (VU) graduates are invited to wear symbolic VU student caps instead of gowns. This will not only highlight the uniqueness of the VU community but also emphasise the University’s authenticity, traditions, and values.

"Every student is part of the VU history, just like the traditional student caps. By wearing them, we not only express our respect for the past and preserve traditions but also create a unique link with our Alma Mater," says Klėja Merčaitytė, President of the VU Students’ Representation.

The student caps reflect the influence of VU Jesuits – when they founded the University in the 16th century, certain academic symbols and clothing were introduced to represent the spirit and values of VU. The caps became an attribute distinguishing members of the academic community and symbolising their aspirations and commitment to science. This is what inspired VU to uphold this tradition.

Although we do not wear University caps on a daily basis, the Finis Anni Academici and Renovatio Studiorum events are a great opportunity to revive the old customs. By wearing a student cap, you can proudly demonstrate your belonging to the VU community and commitment to its values. Moreover, in warm summer weather, this symbolic attribute is a much more comfortable and practical choice.

VU-branded merchandise is available for purchase via the VU e-shop and at the physical shop located at Šv. Jono g. 12, Vilnius (entrance from Pilies g.).

We kindly encourage all VU graduates to foster this beautiful tradition!

Arqus Cultural Community Network, initiated by the Vilnius University (VU) Culture Centre in April 2023, has had an active and meaningful season of building connections and establishing foundations for future creative projects.

Community of Practice (CoP) – Arqus Cultural Community Network aims to bring together the cultural community of the Arqus Alliance into a long-term and sustainable network of partners maintain and community relations, and seek closer inter-institutional cooperation. The goal of the initiators of this CoP – is to get acquainted with the cultural, art and artistic activities carried out at universities and the specifics of their work, to share and exchange good practices and experiences, learn from each other, create a space and opportunity for sharing ideas, joint development, and implementation of international cultural initiatives, events, and projects, add a new dimension “Culture” on Arqus Alliance cooperation activities and agenda.

Arqus Cultural Community Network was initiated by VU Culture Centre project manager Sonata Adomaitienė and currently has 5 universities that are part of this Network:
• Vilnius University (VU Culture Centre)
• the University of Lyon 1 (Mission Culture)
• The University of Granada (La Madraza)
• Leipzig University
• The University of Padua

Building bridges

After successful mutual exchange visits at partner university Lyon 1 Mission Culture in autumn 2023 (read more here), in November 2023, a new partner – the University of Granada and its Center of Contemporary Culture La Madraza – joined this CoP. In March 2024, Mrs. S. Adomaitienė, along with Gintė Jokubaitienė, Director of the VU Culture Centre, and Irina Bukina, Communication Specialist, visited the University of Granada and its Arqus Alliance Department, as well as La Madraza.

During the visit, the VU Culture Centre team met with and presented the CoP initiative to the Arqus Officer of Granada University, Inma Yuste Martínez. Ms. Martínez shared her insights about the possibilities for expanding this network's practice, expressed her support for the project, and encouraged the Lithuanian team to continue developing the Network.

Regarding La Madraza – Center for Contemporary Culture of UGR – it serves as the reference centre for the university's cultural programming, encompassing a wide range of activities related to artistic, musical, stage, and cinematographic practice, as well as humanities, social and legal sciences, and experimental, environmental, and technological sciences. Marina Hervás, the vice-director of La Madraza, hosted the VU Culture Centre team, showcasing the centre, organizing the meeting with the Vice-Rector for Outreach, Heritage and Institutional Relations, Margarita Sánchez Romero, and extending an invitation to the performance of the University of Granada Orchestra.

At the same time as the Lithuanian visit, La Madraza hosted the 21st International Theatre Festival of the University of Granada. Not only the VU Kinetic Theatre troupe (dir. Andrius Pulkauninkas) showcased their 2023 performance "Starting Point", but also a spin-off initiative to establish Arqus Theatre Network and bring together Arqus university theatres for joint collaboration and projects was suggested by the Coordinator of the Performing Arts Mario de la Torre.

Mrs. S. Adomaitienė reflects on the visit to the UGR: "La Madraza Cultural Centre is a very valuable partner to us, with its experience in initiating, developing, implementing, and organizing various cultural and art activities at the university. During the meetings, we discussed our individual approaches towards cultural and art promotions at the universities, our traditions, and offers of cultural activities for students, the community and the residents of the city. All this resulted in a very useful comparison of both Vilnius and Granada universities and findings of common ground for the joint work together in the future. During the visit, we had a unique possibility not just to explore the premises of the Cultural Centre but also to see two wonderful performances of La Madraza art groups – UGR Theatre performance “Hommo” directed by M. de La Torre and UGR Chamber orchestra’s concert."

After some networking in the previous months, on April 8-9, Mrs. S. Adomaitienė attended the Arqus Communities of Practice Board & CoPs Leaders meeting at the University of Wroclaw (Poland), where she reported on the CoP Arqus Cultural Community Network activities (read more here). At the meeting in Wroclaw, Arqus representatives decided it was important to visualize the diversity of the Community of Practices across the universities to the rest of the Arqus Alliance at the Annual Conference (this year organized by another Arqus university – University of Minho, Portugal), where CoPs will be presented in an exhibition.

Future of the Network

So, the 2023-2024 season has been very active – many connections were established, friendships and collaborations began and the seeds for cultural projects were planted. Today this CoP has 5 members, but hopefully, more Arqus Alliance universities will also join. For instance, a new member – Virtual Museum of Lusophony, a Cultural Unit of the University of Minho – has recently reached out about the possibility to join the CoP.

In any case, the VU Culture Centre team is planning further meetings with other universities' representatives in the coming season as well.

Today, we come together to honor a significant event - the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. February 11th marks a pivotal moment in our global calendar, a day where we shine a bright light on the remarkable contributions and achievements of women and girls in the field of science.

As we reflect on this day, we are reminded of the countless women and girls who have fearlessly pursued their passion for science, breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and paving the way for future generations. Their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment have not only enriched the world of science but have also transformed our understanding of the universe and improved the quality of life for countless individuals around the globe.

Today, we honor the trailblazers -  Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Grace Hopper - who dared to dream beyond societal expectations and blazed a trail for others to follow. Their stories inspire us to push the boundaries of what is possible and to never underestimate the power of our own potential.

But today is not only about celebrating the achievements of the past; it is also about empowering the scientists of the future - our young women and girls who are poised to make their mark on the world. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to providing them with the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive in the world of science.

We must encourage and mentor the next generation of female scientists, ensuring that they have the confidence to pursue their passions and the resilience to overcome any obstacles they may face along the way. By nurturing their curiosity, fostering their creativity, and instilling in them a love for discovery, we can unlock their full potential and unleash a wave of innovation that will shape the future of our world.

So, let us use this day as a catalyst for change - a day to inspire, to educate, and to advocate for gender equality in science. Let us celebrate the diversity of voices and perspectives that women and girls bring to the table, recognizing that true progress can only be achieved when we harness the talents of all individuals, regardless of gender.

Together, let us strive to build a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to pursue her dreams and contribute her unique gifts to the scientific community. Let us work towards a future where gender no longer dictates one's opportunities or success in the world of science.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, young female researchers, doctoral candidates from Vilnius Universityand Kaunas University of Technology, came together and shared what science and their chosen path in doctoral studies mean to them.

On November 25-30, astrophysicists Juan Carlos Suárez Yanes (group leader), Antonio García Hernández, Sebastià Barceló Forteza and Giovanni Mirouh from the Group of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis at the University of Granada visited Lithuania. The University of Granada (Universidad de Granada) is one of the ten ARQUS European University Alliance members, along with Vilnius University.

The researchers went to the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory (MAO) and the Lithuanian Museum of Ethnocosmology. After returning to Vilnius, they worked on an asteroseismology project at the VU Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (TFAI), were welcomed by the ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Lithuania, María Nieves Blanco Díaz, and visited the historical VU astronomy observatory in the Central building of Vilnius University.

The guests also conducted seminars: Sebastià Barceló Forteza‘s presentation titled ‘The Quest to Analyse Delta Scuti Stars: From Light Curves to Characterised Stars’ and Giovanni Mirouh‘s ‘Asteroseismology of Rapidly-Rotating Stars: Recent Progress on a Challenging Topic’.

The first presentation began with the words of the group leader, Juan Carlos Suárez Yanes, who introduced the team. Meanwhile, the last one was concluded by Antonio García Hernández, who also with the attendees discussed the ongoing and future common projects.

This visit was the continuation of a previous one that Dr Erika Pakštienė and Dr Carlos Viscasillas Vázquez, researchers at the VU TFAI Astrospectroscopy and Exoplanets Group, had at the University of Granada last September. At that time, the primary aim was to model a specific Delta Scuti-type star in a binary system discovered at the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory.

‘Interacting and collaborating with the asteroseismologists from Granada provides us with a chance to enhance our expertise in this valuable and fascinating field of knowledge’, claimed Dr Carlos Viscasillas Vázquez.

‘I am extremely happy that we got in contact with astronomers from Granada University, as we found a lot of mutual interests, which should lead to a scientific production quite soon’, shared Dr Erika Pakštienė.

Congratulations to Dr. Thomas Gajdosik, Lecturer at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, who has been named the best lecturer for 2023.

Dr. Thomas Gajdosik received the most support from the students of the Faculty of Physics in 2023. He is highly respected for his professionalism, academic care, sincerity and attentiveness.

On 15 November, as the world celebrates Philanthropy Day, the family of Dr Algirdas Juozapavičius, a student and colleague of Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas (1942-2022), has donated EUR 100,000 to the named Prof. Piskarskas Endowment Sub-Fund, established earlier this year at the Vilnius University Foundation, the returns of which will be allocated for the named scholarships to laser physics talents.

The named sub-fund established by Light Conversion, a major ultrafast laser technology company, together with the Piskarskas family, has grown to EUR 300,000 following the Juozapavičius family's contribution, making it the largest endowment sub-fund managed by the VU Foundation.

Dr. Algirdas Juozapavičius is a former shareholder of the company Light Conversion, its long-time CEO (1994-2019), a Doctor of Physical Sciences, one of the pioneers of the Lithuanian laser industry, and has been awarded The Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania, and the St. Christopher Statue of Vilnius for his contributions to science and business. In 2018, he was elected CEO of the Year by "Verslo žinios".

The 67th International Conference for Students of Physics and Natural Sciences ‘Open Readings 2024’ invites its potential presenters to register!

The annually held ‘Open Readings 2024’ conference gathers over 400 students and researchers worldwide to share their scientific experience. Its participants actively exchange innovative ideas and the results of their latest carried out research. The conference grants the opportunity for BSc, MSc and PhD students to present posters and give talks on their scientific research to a larger audience, receive constructive criticism and insightful advice. The conference as well provides its participants and the general public with a great chance to listen to lectures of leading and accomplished scientists on a wide range of scientific topics. 

The conference also holds a Pupils’ Session, where many of the brightest students in Lithuania partake every year. 

Potential ‘Open Readings 2024’ presenters are invited to register through this link. 

The links for the conference’s main session’s listener registration and the Pupils’ Session’s presenter and listener registration will be published on the main ‘Open Readings’ page. 

The conference will take place on April 23-26, 2024, on-site in the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (NFTMC) in Vilnius, Lithuania. In case of any questions arising, please do not hesitate to contact the organisers at info@openreadings.eu. 

In the meantime, we greatly encourage you to actively follow the news on the main ‘Open Readings’  page.

From July 3rd to 5th, nearly 100 quantum physics researchers from around the world will gather in Vilnius. They are attending the international conference Humboldt Kolleg "Synthetic Quantum Matter," organized by the Physics Faculty of Vilnius University in collaboration with the Lithuanian Physical Society. The scientists will share the latest information on synthetic quantum systems, including ultracold atoms, photonic and condensed matter systems.

According to the organizers, the conference theme is closely related to quantum computing, which has recently received significant attention, and the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for outstanding achievements in this field.

"Control of quantum systems is a very important and relevant issue in modern physics due to applications in rapidly advancing fields of quantum informatics, quantum computing, and quantum simulations. In the latter case, the study of well-controlled quantum systems, such as ultracold atoms, helps us better understand the properties of more complex and technologically significant quantum systems and phenomena, such as high-temperature superconductivity," says the main conference organizer, Professor Gediminas Juzeliūnas from the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University.

The conference will be attended by researchers from Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland, Finland, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Taiwan, and other countries. The majority of them are physicists working at the forefront of synthetic quantum systems. Among them is renowned Professor Reiner Blatt from the University of Innsbruck (Austria), a member of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Council, who achieved the world's first teleportation of atomic ions and has received numerous prestigious awards for this and other important scientific work.

This year's conference in Lithuania is organizing by a Humboldtian Professor G. Juzeliūnas, along with his colleagues Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičiene, Domantas Burba, Edvinas Gvozdiovas, Algirdas Mekys, Mantas Račiūnas, and Dzmitry Viarbitski. This is the second Humboldt conference of this kind in Lithuania, the first one was taking place in Vilnius in 2018.

The Humboldt Foundation, which supports science and research, brings together 26,000 Humboldtians who are top specialists from all fields of science from 140 countries. Fifty-one Humboldtians are Nobel Prize laureates. Many Humboldtians are well-known experts in quantum simulations and quantum computing, studying ultracold atoms and ions, and advancing the field of photonics.
The presentations at the Humboldt Kolleg conference will be recorded and made available on the conference website.

Programme

4 July, 17.00. Dr Sara García Alonso, an astronaut and cancer medicine researcher from Spain, will visit Vilnius University Science Communication and Information Centre (Saulėtekio al. 5). She will give a public lecture on "Human spaceflights in the 21st century".

This public lecture is part of the Milky Way - Gaia 3-day school. It will explore new ways to increase inclusiveness in science, to improve the quality of science itself and to increase its impact. The school community, with the support of experts from scientific and social disciplines, will discuss best current practices, learn about possible new initiatives and solutions, speakers will explain how equality, diversity and inclusion are essential to their research.

The event marks the start of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union

The event is organised by the Embassy of Spain in Lithuania in collaboration with the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy at Vilnius University.

Read more about the MW-Gaia WG5 School here.

"ESA astronaut training"

Photo from www.ESA.int

Congratulations to the Lithuanian team of students who won a gold medal, two silver medals, a bronze medal and a letter of commendation at the 7th European Physics Olympiad in Hanover, Germany, 16-20 June 2023! The gold medal was won by Vilnius Jesuit Gymnasium graduate Tomas Babelis, the silver medals were won by Klaipėda Lyceum graduate Jokūbas Viršilas and Vilnius Lyceum student Paulius Kalinauskas, the bronze medal was won by Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium graduate Tomas Razbadauskas, and the letter of commendation was awarded to Kaunas University of Technology Gymnasium graduate Dominykas Krasauskas. The team was led by Dr. Jevgenij Chmeliov, associate professor at the Faculty of Physics. Three of the five team members deepened their knowledge of physics by studying at the "Fizikos Olimpas", a school of supplementary education for schoolchildren located at the Faculty of Physics premises.

176 students from 28 European and 10 other countries took part in the Olympiad. During the Olympiad, students competed against each other for two days of 5 hours each, solving experimental and theoretical problems prepared by the organisers of the Olympiad. 

21 June, St. On June 25, 2023 graduates were awarded their Bachelor's and Master's diplomas at St. John's Church. During the celebration, the graduates were greeted by the Vice-Rector of Vilnius University, Professor Edita Sužiedėlienė, the Dean of Vilnius University Faculty of Physics, Aidas Matijošius, and the guest of honour, the Chairman of the Board of the Ekspla Private Limited Liability Company, one of the largest companies of the Lithuanian Laser Association, Dr. Kęstutis Jasiūnas, and the graduate Mantas Auruškevičius.

During the ceremony, three Faculty of Physics BA graduates were awarded one-off nominal scholarships for their special achievements.

500 EUR Dr. Remis Gaška's nominal scholarship for the best Bachelor's thesis was awarded to Mantas Auruškevičius and Domantas Burba.

The aim of this scholarship is to encourage talented students of the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University to improve their academic performance, participate in research and pursue a career in physics and physical devices. This scholarship is awarded for the best bachelor thesis defended this year. The certificates for this scholarship were presented by Prof. Pranciškus Vitta, Vice Dean for Science and Strategic Development of the Faculty of Physics.

TELE2 Private Limited Liability Company has established a nominal scholarship for the best Bachelor's thesis in the field of Telecommunications and M2M technologies.

The EUR 500 nominal scholarship of UAB TELE 2, intended to encourage talented students of the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University to achieve better results in their studies, to take part in research in the field of Telecommunications and to pursue a career in the field of Telecommunications and M2M technologies, has been awarded to the graduate of the Faculty of Physics' Bachelor of Continuous Studies in the Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies study programme, Eidvidas Šatkauskas, for the best Bachelor's thesis in the area of telecommunications and M2M technologies. The scholarship certificate was handed over by Julija Tumaitė, HR Business Partner of Tele2 Private Limited Liability Company.

Congratulations to all graduates!

20 June 2023 The Presidium of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS), on the basis of the proposals of the expert commissions of the scientific divisions of the LAS for Young Scientists' Fellowships, has awarded 15 fellowships to the best young scientists in the fields of humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, biomedical sciences, technology and agriculture.

For the 2023 LMA Young Scientists Fellowships, 70 applications were submitted: 18 in the humanities and social sciences, 52 in the physical sciences, biomedicine, technology and agriculture. One of these fellowships was awarded to Dr Mantas Šimėnas.

The applications were evaluated by the LMA's panels of experts in the different fields of science. Three fellowships were awarded in each of the humanities and social, physical, biomedical, technological and agricultural sciences. Of these, 3 scholarships were awarded to young scientists from the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 2 scholarships were awarded to young scientists from Vilnius, Klaipėda and Vilnius Gediminas Technical Universities and the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology, and 1 scholarship was awarded to young scientists from Kaunas University of Technology, the National Cancer Institute, the Nature Research Centre, and the Lithuanian Centre of Agrarian and Forest Sciences.

Information from the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences