News

At the 18th meeting of the Arqus Rectors’ Council on 13 February, two new Arqus joint study programmes were approved. The Joint Bachelor’s Programme in Physics for Technology has been developed by Vilnius University together with the University of Granada, the University of Padua and the University of Wrocław, while the Joint Master’s Programme in Translation, Technologies and Artificial Intelligence will be delivered by Vilnius University in cooperation with the University of Granada, the University of Graz and the University of Minho.

"Optoman“ has established a scholarship to encourage students to pursue research in the field of photonics, particularly in areas related to the company’s activities. The company is one of the fastest-growing high-technology companies in Lithuania, specializing in laser optics.

On 13 February 2026, the Presidium of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LMA), acting on the recommendations of the evaluation committees of the Young Scientists and Doctoral Students Research Competition and the nominations submitted by the LMA scientific divisions, awarded the 2025 prizes to the competition winners and letters of commendation to its participants. Among those recognised are four researchers from Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of Physics.

The science communication competition “Scientific Sprint” returns for its fifth edition, inviting registrations from teams ready to present captivating research or inspiring science ideas in just three minutes.

Vilnius University (VU) offers a Smart Internship programme that gives students the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into organisations, acquire valuable knowledge, and actively contribute to real business processes. This was clearly demonstrated by an international team of VU students whose proposed solutions to the ‘Rimi’ challenge are set to be implemented in practice.

Vilnius University (VU) is approaching its 450th anniversary with a new strategic ambition – to strengthen the University’s leadership in the region. 

The Association of Spanish Scientists in the Baltic Countries (ACEBaltic) is pleased to announce the First Edition of the Antonia Ferrín Moreiras Award for the Best Doctoral Thesis in Astronomy and Astrophysics in the Baltic Countries.This award honors the legacy of Prof. Dr Antonia Ferrín Moreiras, a pioneer of Astronomy as the first Spanish woman to be awarded a PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 

Rūta Racz, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Physics, Vilnius University (VU), is conducting her research at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN). She is the first VU doctoral student – and the first woman from Lithuania – to work on one of CERN’s flagship experiments, LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty).

Dr Arnoldas Deltuva, a theorist at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University, has been included in the list of distinguished referees for 2025 in “The European Physical Journal“.

An asteroid has been named after Prof. García Alabiano, the second Rector of Vilnius University (VU). The asteroid was discovered by Dr Kazimieras Černis, a researcher at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of the VU Faculty of Physics, and Rev. Dr Richard P. Boyle, S.J., from the Vatican Observatory in Arizona.

The international Centre of Competence for Terahertz and Hybrid Semiconductor Chips, newly established at Vilnius University and Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, opens positions of Principal Investigators (Group leaders) and invites to apply ambitious and motivated researchers. The Centre aims to bring together knowledge and expertise as well as competencies and technological facilities of VU, FTMC, TU/e and IMEC in the fields of semiconductors and terahertz (THz) physics, optoelectronics and photonics. The Center intends to create new scientific knowledge and innovative technologies for the development of THz frequency and hybrid semiconductor chips dedicated to 6G wireless communication systems.

Registration for the student conference "Open Readings 2026" is open until February 9.

On 15–16 January 2026, the University of Wrocław hosted the seventh meeting of the partners involved in the Arqus Joint Bachelor of Science in Physics for Technology, a programme currently under development. Representatives from the Universities of Granada, Padua, Vilnius and Wrocław took part in the meeting.

The University of Minho invites Arqus researchers, teaching staff and administrative colleagues to take part in the “University Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems” Staff Week. The event will be held in Guimarães, Portugal, from 22–26 June 2026. Registration is open until 24 April.

The third edition of this Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) will begin online on 25 May, with face-to-face sessions taking place from 22 to 26 June at the University of Minho in Guimarães, Portugal.

The call for tutors is open again for the 12th edition of the Arqus Café, which will run from 16 March to 29 May 2026. If you would like to join the Arqus Café community as a tutor, register here. All Arqus languages will be offered, and new languages are also welcome.

The Arqus Alliance announces the third webinar in its English-Medium Instruction (EMI) seminar series for the academic year 2025–26, hosted by Maynooth University. This year’s series explores effective assessment in English-taught programmes and classes.

“Open Readings” conference organisers announce award opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of physics and science students – the “Open Readings Research Excellence Award”.

The award will be presented in two categories: undergraduate/graduate and doctoral students.

Applications must be submitted by February 9, 2026.