“He is a prominent figure in science and business. He is a person, who cares about the education of the younger generation, pays a lot of attention to the development of science, maintains strong relations with Klaipėda University, and supports it both intellectually and financially. It is an honor for the University that this personality has agreed to become a member of our community”, - Prof. Dr. Vaidutis Laurėnas, the Chairman of the Senate, presented the resolution of the Senate of KU on conferring the title of Honorary Doctor of KU on his fellow countryman Prof. Dr. habil. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis. The resolution was adopted on October 5th last year.
The guests invited to the solemnity greeted the new Honorary Doctor of KU with a round of applause. “I am extremely grateful to Klaipėda University for this exceptional honor. It is my duty to maintain and improve the standards embodied by this Honorary Doctorate ensuring that excellence and innovation become a value that we pass on to future generations. This recognition reaffirms that by working together and supporting science and education as the basis for society’s prosperity and growth we can reach great heights of success,” said Prof. Dr. habil. V. A. Bumelis, Honorary Doctor of KU, who shared his elation after the ceremony.
“We are delighted that the KU family has grown. A scientist with a vast and rich experience has joined it as a member of full standing. Let us be selfish and hope that professor’s knowledge of biotechnology and the laws of international business will enrich all of us – scientists and teachers, who create progress and raise the younger generation,” Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, the Rector of the University, greeted KU’s Honorary Doctor.
The eminent scientists or public figures honored by KU are publicly presented to the city and the KU community in accordance with the long-established tradition. Before the honors regalia ceremony, Prof. Dr. habil. V. A. Bumelis gave a lecture on the Development of the Biotechnology Industry in Lithuania. He also gave an overview of his own path: from a scientist-innovator to a successful international business development specialist.
The list of honorary doctors of KU includes 27 Lithuanian and foreign scientists as well as eminent public figures, who have significantly contributed to the growth of KU through their works and intellectual activities.
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About Prof. Dr. habil. V. A. Bumelis, Honorary Doctor of KU
Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, born in Kretinga on July 01, 1949, is a chemist, enzymologist, biotechnologist, doctor habilitated in a field of physical sciences, scientist-practitioner, and full member of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. He is the co-author of more than 150 scientific publications, and has dozens of inventions and patented products to his name. Prof. Dr. habil. V. A. Bumelis is referred to as a pioneer in applying genetic engineering to the pharmaceutical industry in Lithuania, who has developed technologies for the production of pharmaceuticals based on genetic engineering methods and laid the foundations for the biopharmaceutical industry in Lithuania. Today, Prof. Dr. habil. V. A. Bumelis is the CEO at Northway Group, which unites 17 companies operating in the medical and biotechnology sectors, and the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Northway Biotech.
