The Annual Awards of the University of Latvia have been presented

In his address, profesor took a look on the achievements of the past year, highlighted the importance-of and need for changes in the higher education, science, and legislation fields, and reminded the audience about current and upcoming events in the university. The following researchers recieved the UL Award for Achievements in Science:

• Faculty of Biology Professor Imants Juris Aivars, for the establishment of research school on human and animal physiology,

• Faculty of Economics and Management Professor Pēteris Zvidriņš, for the establishment of a research school on demography,

• Andrejs Ērglis, director of the UL Research Insitute of Cardiology and professor at the Faculty of Medicine, for outstanding results of an original research in cardiac surgery,

• Faculty of Social Sciences Associate Professor Ivars Ījabs, for remarkable results o fan original research in political science,

• Aivars Vembris, for an outstanding docttoral thesis in solid state physics ‘The optical and electro-optical properties of the dyes containing Pyranylidene fragments’,

• Sandis Laime for notable results o fan original research in the humanities ‘Witch traditions in northeastern-Latvia’,

• Faculty of Computing Professor Andris Ambainis, for the establishment of a new research group in quantum computing,

Aleksandrs Rapoports, a leading researcher of the UL Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology was awarded  with the rector’s Certificate of Appreciation for  organizing the first Baltic Congress of Microbiologists and an active part in involving Latvian microbiologists in the international cooperation. The  UL science communication award ‘Researcher of the Month’ was recieved by Guntis Brūmelis, a professor a tthe4 Faculty of Biology, for his ability to explain complicated matters in a simple and exciting way. Te award winner was determined by the portal readers’ and jury’s vote. The UL awards for teachers and school headmasters are conferred in order to recognize and support  those, who have made a significant contribution to preparing prospective students for studies at the University of Latvia. The award ‘Teacher of the Year’ went to Smiltenes Gymnasium chemistry teacher Jānis Celmiņš and Riga State Gymnasium No.2 history teacher Jānis Arājs. The award ‘School Headmaster of the Year’ was  granted to Daugavpils Russian Secondary School Lyceum headmaster Jevgeņijs Timošenko. According to the portal survey results, Skaidrīte Bultere, a studies assistant at the Faculty of Economics and Management, and Inese Leduskrasta, a deputy director at the UL Student Services Department, were selected as the best UL administrative staff members of the year 2012. Finally, the rector thanked the UL director, Atis Peičs, for a Professional management of the renovations works at the UL Library, the Kerkovius’ House, adn former dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Māris Purgailis, for an outstanding management of his faculty, and also presented Māris Purgailis with a UL Jubilee silver coin. The UL Annual Award is supported by Nordea Bank Finland Plc, Latvia Branch.

Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.