Vilnius University granted Distinguished Professor Status to three Scholars

For the second year in a row, Vilnius University (VU) has granted three Professors with the Distinguished Professor award. Distinguished Professor status is given for excellence in research and studies. This year, commission decided to dedicate this award to Vladislav Fomin (VU’s Kaunas Faculty), Gediminas Juzeliūnas (VU’s Physics Faculty) and Česlovas Venclovas (VU’s Life Sciences Center).

According to VU Rector Prof. Artūras Žukauskas, the status is given to researchers who are leading international standards, promoting innovations and progress. It is also an acknowledgment as their activities benefit not only the University but Lithuania as well.

Vladislav Fomin’s research area includes design and application of information and communication technologies, information systems management and information infrastructure development. He has experience in international projects and stands out for his modern approach to academia with clear plans for its development.

Chief Researcher Gediminas Juzeliūnas is a physicist and a pioneer of cold atom research in Lithuania. He has published more than 100 scientific articles and leads six postdoctoral trainees. Mr. Juzeliūnas’ recognition worldwide is growing.

Another Chief Researcher Česlovas Venclovas works in the field of computational biology and bioinformatics.  He strengthens Lithuania's prestige in this field and has a clear international visibility of scientific publications and high-level project activities. Mr. Venclovas leads PhD and postdoctoral fellows.

International selection and evaluation criteria

A commission of VU researchers and lecturers representing various research fields decided whom to award the status of Distinguished Professor this year. Members of Commission are non-partisan and non-aspirant persons of academia who have broad academic background and research experience at foreign Universities. Researchers from foreign universities were also consulted. The head of the Commission is VU Vice-Rector for Science prof. Rimantas Jankauskas.

Commission has examined 11 applications, which were provided by the academic units and researchers themselves. In order to attract international researchers to Vilnius University, this year for the first time the public competition for the position of Distinguished Professor status was announced at VU’s Kaunas Faculty.

Distinguished Professor status established at VU in 2017 by the decision of the Senate. Last year six VU researchers were granted the status. Currently Distinguished Professor’s monthly salary reached from 2690 EUR to 5380 EUR.