This and the following issue of Lithuanian Journal of Physics are devoted to articles written by doctoral students, friends and colleagues of Professor Gintaras Valušis in order to honour him on his 60 years birthday.
Renowned for his academic prowess Professor Valušis has carved a niche for himself in the intricate fields of semiconductor and terahertz physics. Recalling his academic trajectory, Professor Valušis’ tenure as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the distinguished Institut für Angewandte Photophysik, TU Dresden, under the guidance of Prof. Dr Karl Leo, set the tone for his future endeavours. Later, the position of a Senior Research Associate at the Semiconductor Physics Institute further augmented his stature in the scientific community. Professor Valušis, as a respected Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, embarked on pioneering work at the Physikalisches Institut der J.-W. Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt, delving deep into terahertz effects in semiconductor nanostructures under the mentorship of Prof. Dr Hartmut G. Roskos.
His scholarly reservoir is both vast and profound, encompassing over 280 scientific articles, more than 250 presentations at national and international symposia, and almost 50 keynote or plenary addresses. His collaborative forays, especially with esteemed contemporaries, have resulted in groundbreaking research, meriting accolades like the prestigious Lithuanian Science Prize, honours from the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung in Germany, and the State Award of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Officer’s Cross in 2016.
Beyond individual research pursuits, Professor Valušis has displayed visionary leadership, notably through the conceptualization and realization of the Saulėtekis Valley project. This initiative has not only bolstered the cohesion of the Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC) community but has also elevated its global scientific reputation. Recognized as a sagacious educator, a proponent for Lithuanian science policy, and an accomplished departmental head, his leadership as the Director of FTMC has been nothing short of transformative. Since his induction as an Academician in April 2017, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences has greatly benefitted from his erudite insights.
Here we would like also to present excerpts of the greeting written on this occasion by Prof. Dr Karl Leo from Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, one of the eldest colleagues and mentors of Professor Valušis. He wrote:

Dear Gintas, … I am the only one who is left at IAPP of the authors of your famous paper on Bloch Oscillation amplitude. Thanks again for this excellent work! … I want to express how much I admire the very successful career you have had! It was a pleasure for me to see how you have developed. I wish you further success in the future, good luck in professional and private affairs, good health, and let’s stay friends! Su gimtadieniu!

Special dedications of some other authors might be found in the end of their corresponding articles.
In closing, we honour the achievements of a scientist whose career is an embodiment of unwavering dedication, profound insights and visionary leadership. As we celebrate Professor Gintaras Valušis’ 60th milestone, we anticipate many more years of his invaluable contributions to the global scientific community.