On April, 2023, A major ultrafast laser technology company Light Conversion together with the family of late academician Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas (1942-2022), has made a donation of EUR 200,000 to the VU Foundation. At the request of the patrons, the donation has created a restricted endowment sub-fund in the name of Prof. Piskarskas.

In November, 2023, the family of Dr Algirdas Juozapavičius, a student and colleague of Prof. Piskarskas, has donated EUR 100,000 to the sub-fund. In April 2024, the Piskarskas family supplemented the sub-fund with an additional EUR 100,000. In October 2024, the subfund was supplemented with a EUR 100,000 contribution from the family of Reda and Alvydas Žabolis.

The capital of the sub-fund is jointly invested with the existing capital of the VU Foundation. 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:

• Scholarship for the Best Bachelor’s Thesis. A one-time scholarship of 2000 EUR is awarded to a student of the VU Faculty of Physics who has defended the best bachelor’s thesis in the field of laser science. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage talented students of the VU Faculty of Physics to achieve better results in their bachelor’s studies, participate in scientific research in the field of laser science, and motivate them to continue their studies at the master’s level.

• Scholarship for the Best Master’s Thesis. A one-time scholarship of 3000 EUR is awarded to a student of the VU Faculty of Physics who has defended the best master’s thesis in the field of laser science. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage talented students of the VU Faculty of Physics to achieve better results in their master’s studies, participate in scientific research, and pursue a career in the field of laser science.

• Postdoctoral Fellowship. A two-year fellowship ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 EUR (800–1,500 EUR/month) is awarded to a talented researcher working or planning to work at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center and who has defended a doctoral dissertation in the field of laser physics. The purpose of this fellowship is to provide financial support to talented and promising researchers at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center or other scientists, encouraging them to begin or continue their academic work at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center after defending their doctoral dissertation.

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.

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You can also donate via a bank transfer:

IBAN → LT03 7300 0101 7662 2937 (Swedbank)
Payment purpose → Donation to Prof. Piskarskas Sub-fund
Recipient → Paramos fondas Vilniaus universiteto fondas (company code 304222713)

For contribution contracts over 14.5 thousand euros notarization is required. Vilnius University Foundation will take care of it. Contact us in a convenient way.

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Photo credits: E. Blaževič/LRT