University of Latvia Signs Contract to Build Academic Centre in Torņakalns

The LVL14.89 (EUR21.2) million contract (VAT not included) has been secured with LNK Industries Group, a developer selected in the procurement process. The project is set to start in October, and the construction and furnishing of the seven-storey building will conclude in the summer of 2015, when the building will be put into use. UL Rector, Prof. Mārcis Auziņš says, ‘We are glad that we were able to ensure a transparent procurement process for a project of such importance to the University of Latvia and the state as a whole. Accepting offers from a wide range of applicants has allowed the UL and the state to save millions of lats. It will be possible to channel this money towards other significant issues related to higher education. This is the best present we could possibly give to our Alma Mater on its 94th anniversary.’ ‘The UL Academic Centre is an important project not only for Latvia, but for the entire Baltic region. The project will provide opportunity for creating a modern environment for studies and research, thus attracting young and highly qualified experts in different fields. We have hard work ahead of us, starting with the development of the technical design in the coming days. However, one of the most challenging stages is going to be the construction and equipment of the laboratories for the research centres. This will require specific knowledge and complicated technical solutions,’ says Jevgenijs Locovs, Board Member of LNK Industries. After approving the project in September, the UL Senate formed a professional project management team and got acquainted with a risk management plan. The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia has passed an informative report on the construction of the UL Academic Centre in Torņakalns. The project envisages lecture rooms and laboratories equipped with modern appliances worth LVL10 (EUR14.2) million. The Academic Centre will accommodate the UL Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, as well as the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology and Institute of Chemical Physics, providing rooms for 3,000 students, scientists, and teaching staff members. The building will hold the laboratories of six national research centres: National Research Centre of Technologies of Acquisition and Sustainable Use of Energy and Environmental Resources, National Research Centre of Pharmacy and Biomedicine, National Research Centre of Use of Agricultural Resources and Food Technologies, National Research Centre of Forest and Water Resources, National Research Centre of Nanostructured and Multifunctional Materials, Structures and Technologies, and National Research Centre of Public Health and Clinical Medicine. The UL is planning to construct a modern multi-building Academic Centre creating a comfortable, functional, economic, and sustainable environment for studies, work, and daily life in Torņakalns district. The first stage of the project involves creating a Centre of Natural Sciences. The Centre will serve as a place to gain new knowledge and research modern technologies in the fields of chemistry, biology, medicine, geography, and earth sciences, as well as conduct scientific work. Subsequent stages of the project include a Centre of Humanities, Teacher Training Centre, and Centre of Social Sciences. Drafting the first stage technical design, construction and author supervision are carried out within the University Infrastructure Modernisation within Priority Study Programmes Development (No. 2010/0114/3DP/3.1.2.1.1./09/IPIA/VIAA/029). The project forms part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) sub-activity Modernization of Premises and Devices for Improvement of Study Programme Quality at Higher Educational Establishments, including Provision of Education Opportunities for Individuals with Functional Disabilities. The first stage technical design, construction and author supervision also fall within the ERDF sub-activity Development of Scientific Infrastructure focusing on the establishment of national research centres and comprising the following projects: No. 2011/0045/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/001,
No. 2011/0040/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/002,
No. 2011/0043/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/003,
No. 2011/0041/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/004,
No. 2012/0001/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/005,
No. 2011/0060/2DP/2.1.1.3.1/11/IPIA/VIAA/007. Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.