On Thursday, the annual reporting meeting of the community of the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center (VU LSC) was held remotely.
The event was attended not only by the staff and students of the Center, but also by the Rector of VU Prof. R. Petrauskas, Pro-Rector Prof. E. Sužiedėlienė, Head of VU Hospital Santaros Klinikos Prof. F. Jankevičius, representatives of the University administration and other VU departments, social partners and other guests.
At the beginning of the meeting, the introductory welcome speech was given by LSC director Dr G. Valinčius. Welcoming all those present, he noted with pleasure that, despite the global pandemic, the event took place and a large number of guests were attending it remotely.
Following the congratulations, the head of the Center moved on to the annual report presenting the key issues of the 2020 events, achievements and trends. At the end of the speech, Dr G. Valinčius described the plans of the Center for 2021.
The introductory part was followed by guest speeches. VU Rector Prof. R. Petrauskas stressed the fact that the LSC is an example to refer to when talking about the meaningfulness of investments.
Speaking at the event, VU Pro-Rector Prof. E. Sužiedėlienė wished the LSC not to limit itself to the great current achievements, but to go further and serve as a source of inspiration for others.
The head of VU Hospital Santaros Klinikos Prof. F. Jankevičius expressed his pleasure at LSC's scientific capacities and joint work. A. Vaitkevičienė, a representative of the social partners and vice-president of the Lithuanian Biotechnology Association, acquainted the participants with the development of the biotechnology sector in Lithuania and welcomed its development and importance to society.
Representatives of the LSC students M. Arbačiauskas and I. Mogila also took part in the event. The head of the LSC Students’ Representation M. Arbačiaukas presented students’ issues, surveyed the possibilities and challenges faced by the students of BSc and MSc programmes. The realia of PhD students were described by I. Mogila.
The speeches were followed by an awards ceremony, during which the employees and students of the Life Sciences Center as well as representatives of the VU community, who significantly contributed to the activities of the Center, were granted thank you letters by the Director of LSC.
At the end of the event, the director of the Center Dr G. Valinčius thanked the guests and the speakers for their speeches. “I am extremely grateful to all the representatives of the Center community, regardless of their field of activity. Without all of you, this success story would not exist”, he said.