Photo: lrp.lt

The European Organization for Nuclear Research is the largest and most advanced scientific institution employing the most talented scientists on the planet and carrying out unique scientific experiments that can change the future of humankind. This research center houses the world’s largest particle collider, it has discovered the Higgs boson particle explaining how the universe works and searchers for answers to the most complex questions in physics.

“Membership in the most famous scientific institution is of special importance to Lithuania. Our country is joining the group of the most advanced countries in the world. This will open up infinite opportunities for Lithuanian scientists, business people and also our youth to draw on global experience and contribute to modern inventions, ensuring a rapid evolution of innovation and future technologies in Lithuania, promoting its economic progress and the welfare of people,” the president said.

Only a very limited number of states become members of CERN. It currently has 21 members and 2 associate members. Membership in CERN is directly related to membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which places special focus on innovation.

Lithuania and CERN have been cooperating since 1993. Every year, about 20 Lithuanian scientists do an internship there. Joint projects are carried out with Vilnius University, Vilnius Gediminas Technological University, Kaunas University of Technology, and the laser manufacturing companies Ekspla and Standa. Medicine, energy, materials engineering, and information technologies are the most promising areas for cooperation.

Lithuania is a research leader in the Baltic States. It has five modern science and business valleys that carry out the most advanced research in health, energy, technological, marine, and agricultural areas. Young people in Lithuania are increasingly interested in studying technological sciences. Over the past year alone, the number of students of technologies has increased by 10 percent. In 2017, 10 STEAM centers will be opened in the main districts of Lithuania to popularize life, technological, engineering, and mathematical sciences among young people.

During her visit to CERN, the President met with Lithuanian scientists working there and saw GRID, one of the largest and fastest data transmission computer servers in Europe.

The President will also hold a virtual conversation with students from Vilnius Lyceum, Vilnius Saulės gymnasium, Pasvalys gymnasium, and other schools participating in the S’Cool LAB project which helps to make virtual visits to the CERN laboratories through via smart technologies.

This coming March, Vilnius will host an exhibition which will offer a unique opportunity for the Lithuanian people to see the CERN collider tunnel. At the same time, the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology and the Center for Life Sciences – the most modern research centers in the Baltics – will be opened in Vilnius.

Half of the world’s physicists do their internship CERN, which employs 2,300 scientists and has 12,000 visiting scientists from 113 countries. People all over the world can use scientific discoveries made at CERN for free – this is how the organization contributes to promoting scientific progress.