Over 50 Distinguished Community Members Honored at Ceremonial Senate Meeting

September 26, 2025
At a ceremonial Senate meeting held today at VILNIUS TECH, doctoral diplomas, certificates for the pedagogical titles of associate professor and professor, and patents were traditionally presented. Prof. Habil. Dr. Gintaris Kaklauskas of the Faculty of Civil Engineering was granted the title of Professor Emeritus.

The Chairman of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Alfonsas Daniūnas, opened the meeting by expressing his joy that over the past semester, more than 50 members of the university's academic community had earned the awards being presented today. "This is a great joy for them. These individuals bring strength to our community and university and allow us to lead among other higher education institutions."

Rector Prof. Dr. Romualdas Kliukas invited the new doctors and experienced scientists to shape the future of the country and the world:

"One of the greatest assets in the world is intellectual power, innovation, and creativity. Their value is immense, as the well-being of a nation depends on its intellectual potential. It is your knowledge, skills, and new ideas that change the world, bring renown to VILNIUS TECH, and nurture talent. I invite you to accept today's recognitions and distinctions as an encouragement and inspiration to continue your work, to strengthen our country's future with your wisdom, and to build a better world with your ingenuity," said the Rector.

It is also gratifying that five more inventions by VILNIUS TECH scientists received patents—two from the European Patent Office and three from the State Patent Bureau of the Republic of Lithuania. The Rector expressed his hope that these scientific inventions will become business innovations and be successfully commercialized.

After all the diplomas and certificates were presented, the ceremony culminated with a musical performance by Tija Paulina Puodžiukaitytė, a singer and a student at the Faculty of Creative Industries.

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New doctoral dissertation
New doctoral dissertation
VILNIUS TECH Library invites you to follow the published new dissertations. The dissertation „Resistance of technological waste-modified concrete to freeze–thaw cycles and alkaline corrosion“  („Technologinėmis atliekomis modifikuoto betono atsparumas užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklams bei šarminei korozijai“) prepared at VILNIUS TECH by Edvinas Pocius. The dissertation was prepared in 2021–2026. Scientific consultant – Prof. Dr Džigita Nagrockienė. The dissertation was defended at the public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Council of the Scientific Field of Materials Engineering in the Aula Doctoralis Meeting Hall of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University at 10 a.m. on 8 June 2026. The dissertation investigates concrete modified with glass processing waste, concrete sludge, and a crystallizing additive. The goal is to develop concrete that is resistant to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) by replacing part of the cement with glass waste and sand with concrete sludge. By selecting the optimal amount of technological waste, the aim is to improve the basic properties of concrete while maintaining its resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. The tasks addressed in the work include the analysis of glass processing waste and concrete sludge, evaluating their impact on the properties of the cement paste. After determining the recommended waste content, the physical and mechanical properties of the modified concrete are investigated, focusing on resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. This research sequence aims to substantiate the basic properties and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction of the newly developed material. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, a list of references, a list of the author‘s scientific publications, and a summary in English. The Introduction discusses the research problem and relevance, describes the object of research, formulates the aim and tasks, and outlines the research methodology, scientific novelty, practical significance, and statements for defence. The First Chapter discusses active mineral substances, their formation and use in concrete production. It discusses the generation of concrete sludge and glass waste, as well as the impact of their use on the physical and mechanical properties and durability of concrete. The durability of waste-modified concrete and the assessment of carbon dioxide emissions are also described. Conclusions are formulated, and the objectives of the dissertation are refined at the end of the chapter. The Second Chapter presents the materials used, their properties, and their formation. It describes the research methods and equipment chosen to investigate the structure and properties of the concrete and to calculate its CO2 emissions. The Third Chapter substantiates recommended dosages of glass waste and concrete sludge and their effects on cementitious systems. Glass waste was found suitable for cement replacement, and dry sludge for fine aggregate. An environmental impact assessment was also performed. Five scientific articles were published on the dissertation topic in the Web of Science database, Science Citation Index Expanded, peer-reviewed publications with a citation index. Doctoral dissertation readers can search via VILNIUS TECH Virtual Library.
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