Named Prof. Piskarskas Endowment Sub-Fund of EUR 200,000 Established to Finance Laser Science Talents

Light Conversion, a major ultrafast laser technology company, together with the family of late academician Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas (1942-2022), has made a donation of EUR 200,000 to the Vilnius University Foundation. At the request of the patrons, the donation has created a restricted endowment sub-fund in the name of Prof. Piskarskas, the returns of which will be allocated for the named scholarships to laser physics talents.

Prof. Piskarskas, known as the father of Lithuanian lasers and one of the country's most renowned scientists, has contributed significantly to the fact that Lithuania is today known as the country of laser science. Prof. Piskarskas has devoted a great deal of attention to the strategy of high-tech development and has strived to ensure the international competitiveness of the Lithuanian laser industry. Lithuanian lasers are today exported to more than 40 countries. This success would not have been possible without the contribution of Prof. Piskarskas and his students.

"In addition to creating world-class science and business, Prof. Piskarskas actively supported the idea of the first university’s endowment fund in Lithuania. In 2016, representing the company Light Conversion, Prof. Piskarskas signed the agreement establishing the VU endowment fund. Prof. Piskarskas was also involved in the management of the VU Foundation, advising on key strategic issues. I am glad that Light Conversion and the Piskarskas family are continuing the work started by Prof. Piskarskas," says Justinas Noreika, CEO of the VU Foundation.

According to Justinas Noreika, the newly established sub-fund will be jointly invested with the existing capital of the Foundation, which has grown to EUR 3.6 million with the latest donation. In honor of late Prof. Piskarskas, the returns will be allocated for the named scholarships to the laser science talents of the VU Faculty of Physics, and to fund other scientific activities at Vilnius University.

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Photo: E. Blaževič/LRT