Documentary about Prof. Avižienis Screened at VMU
On 28 October, the documentary “Algirdas Avižienis – the Odyssey of Life” premiered at VMU. The movie, which was directed by Arvydas Barysas, tells the life story of the first rector of the re-established VMU, famous scientist Professor Avižienis.
VMU Rector Prof. Zigmas Lydeka gave the opening speech at the screening. The event was also attended by Prof. Avižienis himself, who shared his impressions about the documentary.
The film was first previewed at the VMU Kaunas Botanical Garden during the celebration of Prof. Avižienis’ 80th birthday in July 2012.
About Prof. Algirdas Avižienis
- World-famous scientist, VMU Honorary Professor. He is responsible for introducing the revolutionary concept of self-repairing computer (STAR) and fault-tolerant systems, which are still widely used in space exploration, aviation, nuclear energy and other fields. In Lithuania, Avižienis was a major contributor to the re-establishment of VMU and implementation of its liberal system of studies and research.
- Algirdas Avižienis acquired his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1960 and started lecturing at UCLA in 1962, where he headed labs and the Faculty of Informatics.
- He has received the AIAA Information Systems Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Award, the IEEE Computer Society Technical Achievement Award and the IFIP Silver Core Award.
- On 29 December 1990, he was elected the foreign fellow of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Avižienis has also served as a member of the first Research Council of Lithuania.
- For achievements in the development of international research relations, he was awarded the Docteur Honoris Causa honorary degree by the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse (France).
- In 1994, the VMU Senate granted him the title of Honorary Professor (P.H.C.).
- In 1995, he initiated the Czeslaw Milosz Birthplace Foundation. He is currently the Director of this foundation, which is dedicated to the famous 20th century poet, Nobel Prize Winner, VMU Honorary Doctor Czeslaw Milosz. Avižienis aso organised numerous events marking Milosz’s 100th birth anniversary in 2011.
- For his merits in Lithuania, Prof. Algirdas Avižienis was awarded the Order of Grand Duke Gediminas (3rd degree).
