Quantum electronics was made an official direction of research and studies in Vilnius University in 1974, when the Department of Astronomy and Quantum Electronics was founded. In 1975, the first graduates in quantum electronics received their diplomas. In 1988, a separate Department of Quantum Electronics, now called Laser Research Centre, was formed, where laser physicists are being taught to this day. From 1975, the Laser Research Centre has graduated over 600 people in laser physics.