Delegation of the ELI ERIC General Assembly Visited Vilnius University

The ELI ERIC General Assembly, which was significant for the whole country, took place in Lithuania on 21-22 March of this year and was organised by Vilnius University (VU). On the occasion of the event, representatives of the university and the delegation of the ELI ERIC General Assembly met at VU, where the potential of Lithuanian-made lasers and the access to infrastructure provided by ELI to Lithuanian researchers were discussed.

During the General Assembly organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports of the Republic of Lithuania, Vilnius University and the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology, important issues of ELI ERIC were discussed, i.e. budget, development, reports on the activities of ELI-Beamlines and ELI-ALPS infrastructures were presented, the options to provide free access to the ELI infrastructure and its hardware and other equipment were discussed. Lithuania, together with Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic, is the founder of this scientific research infrastructure.

Free access to the ELI infrastructure and its hardware and other equipment will help to strengthen the international relations of Lithuanian scientists and raise their qualifications, as well as strengthen the potential of Lithuanian companies, increase their commercial activity and Lithuanian budget revenues.

"The potential of lasers is practically inexhaustible, and Lithuanian scientists and researchers should not only continue to develop this field of science and industry, but also use the advantages of ELI ERIC membership: make use of the ELI infrastructure in order to solve their tasks, participate in joint research and projects, promote excursions, traineeships and internships of students, doctoral students and young scientists in ELI centres, thereby raising the level of Lithuanian science and its prestige both nationally and internationally", says the Dean of the Faculty of Physics Prof. Aidas Matijošius, Assembly Member from Vilnius University.

At the meeting held at VU, representatives of the General Assembly met with VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Pro-Rector for Research of the University Prof. Edita Suziedėlienė.

After the ELI ERIC General Assembly, a special seminar was held to once again tell a wider circle of Lithuanian scientists about the access provided by ELI to the ELI infrastructure and its hardware as well as other equipment.