Named Prof. A. P. Piskarskas Scholarships Awarded at the VU Faculty of Physics Graduation Ceremony

During the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University (VU), the named Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas Scholarships were awarded for the best Bachelor's and Master's theses in the field of laser physics. This year's recipients are Gabrielius Rusonis and Augustė Grigaravičienė.

The €2,000 named scholarship for the best Bachelor's thesis was awarded to Gabrielius Rusonis, a graduate of the Bachelor's programme in Light Technology. His thesis, Investigation of Ultrashort-Pulse Nonlinear Frequency Converters Pumped with Pump Beams of Different Spatial Profiles, was recognised as the best Bachelor's thesis in laser physics.

The €3,000 named scholarship for the best Master's thesis was awarded to Augustė Grigaravičienė, a graduate of the Master's programme in Laser Physics and Optical Technologies. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, and her thesis, Investigation of Ultrashort Pulse Generation in the Short-Wave Infrared Spectral Region Using Stimulated Raman Scattering, was recognised as the best Master's thesis in its category.

Established in 2025, the named Prof. A. P. Piskarskas Scholarships aim to encourage talented students of the VU Faculty of Physics to pursue academic excellence, engage in cutting-edge laser science research, and confidently build careers in one of Lithuania's strongest fields of science and high technology.

The scholarships for students at all study levels are financed annually from the investment returns of the Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas Endowment Sub-fund. The Sub-fund was established in 2023 by the Piskarskas family together with Light Conversion, while the families of Reda and Alvydas Žaboliai and Irena and Algirdas Juozapavičiai made significant contributions to its growth. With assets approaching €1 million, the Sub-fund ensures the long-term sustainability of these scholarships and contributes to strengthening the future of laser science in Lithuania.

Prof. A. P. Piskarskas began his work at the VU Faculty of Physics in 1968. In 1983, he defended his doctoral dissertation in physics and mathematics and, in the same year, became the scientific director of the VU Laser Research Center. Known as the father of Lithuanian lasers, he is one of the country’s most prominent scientists and played a significant role in earning Lithuania the title of the "land of lasers." The professor dedicated considerable effort to the strategy for high-tech development and worked to ensure the international competitiveness of Lithuania's laser industry.