CONFERENCE
Contents include:
China celebrates Minjona
At a choir championship that took place in China in November, University of Latvia (UL) female choir "Minjona", conducted by Romans Vanags, was awarded the highest possible award – the Platinum Medal – and proudly carried the names of Riga and Latvia into the world. Janis Pleps: I enjoy scientific research, and scientific writing in particular An interview with Janis Pleps, Legal Advisor at the Legal Bureau of the Saeima, Doctor of Law and lecturer at the UL Faculty of Law, tells us how lucky he has been in life. As a child, he dreamt of a suit, gray hair and glasses; today all except the gray hair has come true. Janis Pleps earned respect of the legal community with the book “Constitutional Rights” („Konstitucionālās tiesības”) that he wrote together with his colleagues when he still was a student. The book is now widely used by students as well as the author’s colleagues. In total, Janis Pleps has written or co-written nine books. Mikus Losans, Head of UL Business Incubator: entrepreneur protected by angels Mikus Losans, Head of the recently founded Business Incubator at the UL Faculty of Economics and Mangement, began his business career at school when he founded a successful student training company. Two years ago he created a board game called „Business Time” that is based on economic principles. Two thousand copies of the game have already been sold in Latvia, and Mikus intends to win the international market as well. In November, he is to go to Cyprus to take part in the closing event of the competition „European Enterprise Promotion Award 2012” organized by the European Commission; there he is to address potential business partners. Mikus wants to change the world, and he sees no boundaries for doing that. Juris Utans’s powerful art Juris Utans has been a lecturer at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art, since 1987. Currently, the central event in his artistic life is the personal exhibition “Utans paints and wins!” („Utāns glezno un uzvar!”) at the exhibition hall “Arsenāls”, the Latvian National Museum of Art. The exhibition displays Juris’ recent artworks that address social, political and ethical issues and characterise the artist’s creative aspirations and individuality. The goal set by Juris is to leave no one indifferent, which he achieves by challenging the audience, provoking reflection and triggering emotions. Every painting is a story – about existentialism, socialism, daily trivia – that collects the artist’s views on the real and the surreal world into a mosaic. This is all Juris Utans’ surreal realism. UL football players move up to the Higher League Football became a part of life at the University of Latvia in 1923; now, with the team „FS METTA/Latvijas Universitāte” playing in Latvia’s biggest football championship “The Higher League”, football has regained its former glory. The senior team was formed in 2007 in cooperation with the football school „METTA” that had previously taken part only in Latvian football tournaments for children and youth. For the sixth year, football players from all over Latvia are given the opportunity of combining top-level sports with studies at the University. Fans will always remember the UL team’s first triumph in the Higher League when they defeated Latvia’s repeated champions „Liepājas Metalurgs” and won the championship with a last-minute victory over the powerful „JPFS/FK Spartaks”. Paralympics compete for Latvia in London In the world of sports, the Olympic Games have been the focus of attention this year. London hosted the Olympics as well as the Paralympics. Latvia was represented by eights athletes in the Paralympics, three of whom are former or present students of the University of Latvia – graduates Taiga Kantane and Andis Ozolnieks as well as Edgars Klavins, second year student of the Bachelor sub-programme „Teacher of Physical Education” at the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art. Practicing has required a lot of willpower and trust, and all the UL athletes have delivered good results; some of them even improved their personal records. Currently, the athletes are preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Kendo, the Japanese sports discipline, can help students The first specialized kendo dojo (base) sports hall in the Baltic States was opened in October at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art. Kendo is a Japanese martial art that boasts a history of thousand years. „Kendo” (Jap.) means „Way of The Sword”. Takashi Osanai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Latvia, who participated in the opening of the sports hall, explained that kendo is more than just a sports discipline. Its basic principles – respect, courtesy and a difficult battle – can help students complete their tasks with greater success. Vladimirs Kindzulis, President of the Latvian Kendo Federation, says, „Kendo is a type of physical education”, and adds that new sports hall will be open almost every day. The universities of Latvia must be able to train professionals for Europe On the 93rd birthday of the University of Latvia, readings dedicated to Latvia’s higher education were delivered on topical issues in Latvia. Mostly, the readings centred around the possible reforms in <s>the </s>higher education and the country in general, necessity for such reforms and ways to reach them. Janis Stradins, Chair of the Senate at the Latvian Academy of Sciences, looked back at the history of the University of Latvia and pointed out that in the 1930s the university was among the most developed ones in Europe as well as in the world, a fact that remains true to this day. It was concluded that all disciplines must be supported and planned for qualitative and sustainable education, not just the natural sciences and industry disciplines that can offer immediate results. Technologist party in Berlin’s old airport This year Berlin, the capital of Germany, hosted the festival of technologies Campus Party Europe. Students, professors, IT bloggers and technology enthusiasts from the University of Latvia travelled to Berlin to meet colleagues and authorities from all over Europe. The festival is a yearly event that brings together thousands of IT specialists, gamers and enthusiasts of other technologies to participate in various presentations, workshops, lectures and other activities. This year, the festival was proud to welcome spokespersons such as Donald Gregory James, Acting Director of New Ventures and Communications at NASA Ames Research, Nando Patats, Head of the ESO Observing Programmes Office, writer Paulo Coelho and Sir Timothy John „Tim” Berners-Lee, inventor of the global network. Monument to enthusiasm: the University of Latvia radio NABA celebrates its 10th birthday Radio NABA was founded on December 1, 2002, in cooperation with the Student Council of the University of Latvia (UL). It introduced a music programme based on the non-commercial culture as well as a wide range of thematic programmes. The radio involved students and graduates of various universities in Latvia as well as popular figures with knowledge in a variety of music genres. In the last 10 years of its activity, the radio has widened its horizons by covering new activities. It organizes the competition „Hadrons” for the new UL bands, a photography competition and a travelling photography exhibition; the radio has founded the music club „Nabaklab”; it works in music production and organizes various musical concerts. The radio can be found on the frequency of 93.1 FM as well as on the Internet: www.naba.lv. All of NABA supporters, organizers and listeners welcome these changes and possibilities for development to their lives. From peat to nanotechnologies An artificial olfactory sensor that determines lung cancer in the patient’s breath, biological medicine to fight coccus diseases, cosmetics produced from mud – this is only a few of the innovative projects and studies that the researchers of the University of Latvia (UL) work on. Many projects are often carried out owing to external financial support. More information on the completed UL scientific projects can be found at the UL portal section „Projects”. Seven ideas turn into science – Research Project Competition organized by the University of Latvia Student Council Third year in a row, the University of Latvia Student Council encourages students to start their careers in science by entering the Scientific Projects Competition. Seven scientific ideas (one in the humanities and six in the natural sciences) were chosen in the autumn of 2012 to receive financial support for their projects. The selected ideas include study of stem cells, observation on the polar owls as well as publication of a collection of articles on cultural heritage. The competition is held twice a year – every autumn and spring term. The total financing available every term is five thousand lats. The next competition will take place in the beginning of 2013.
China celebrates Minjona
At a choir championship that took place in China in November, University of Latvia (UL) female choir "Minjona", conducted by Romans Vanags, was awarded the highest possible award – the Platinum Medal – and proudly carried the names of Riga and Latvia into the world. Janis Pleps: I enjoy scientific research, and scientific writing in particular An interview with Janis Pleps, Legal Advisor at the Legal Bureau of the Saeima, Doctor of Law and lecturer at the UL Faculty of Law, tells us how lucky he has been in life. As a child, he dreamt of a suit, gray hair and glasses; today all except the gray hair has come true. Janis Pleps earned respect of the legal community with the book “Constitutional Rights” („Konstitucionālās tiesības”) that he wrote together with his colleagues when he still was a student. The book is now widely used by students as well as the author’s colleagues. In total, Janis Pleps has written or co-written nine books. Mikus Losans, Head of UL Business Incubator: entrepreneur protected by angels Mikus Losans, Head of the recently founded Business Incubator at the UL Faculty of Economics and Mangement, began his business career at school when he founded a successful student training company. Two years ago he created a board game called „Business Time” that is based on economic principles. Two thousand copies of the game have already been sold in Latvia, and Mikus intends to win the international market as well. In November, he is to go to Cyprus to take part in the closing event of the competition „European Enterprise Promotion Award 2012” organized by the European Commission; there he is to address potential business partners. Mikus wants to change the world, and he sees no boundaries for doing that. Juris Utans’s powerful art Juris Utans has been a lecturer at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art, since 1987. Currently, the central event in his artistic life is the personal exhibition “Utans paints and wins!” („Utāns glezno un uzvar!”) at the exhibition hall “Arsenāls”, the Latvian National Museum of Art. The exhibition displays Juris’ recent artworks that address social, political and ethical issues and characterise the artist’s creative aspirations and individuality. The goal set by Juris is to leave no one indifferent, which he achieves by challenging the audience, provoking reflection and triggering emotions. Every painting is a story – about existentialism, socialism, daily trivia – that collects the artist’s views on the real and the surreal world into a mosaic. This is all Juris Utans’ surreal realism. UL football players move up to the Higher League Football became a part of life at the University of Latvia in 1923; now, with the team „FS METTA/Latvijas Universitāte” playing in Latvia’s biggest football championship “The Higher League”, football has regained its former glory. The senior team was formed in 2007 in cooperation with the football school „METTA” that had previously taken part only in Latvian football tournaments for children and youth. For the sixth year, football players from all over Latvia are given the opportunity of combining top-level sports with studies at the University. Fans will always remember the UL team’s first triumph in the Higher League when they defeated Latvia’s repeated champions „Liepājas Metalurgs” and won the championship with a last-minute victory over the powerful „JPFS/FK Spartaks”. Paralympics compete for Latvia in London In the world of sports, the Olympic Games have been the focus of attention this year. London hosted the Olympics as well as the Paralympics. Latvia was represented by eights athletes in the Paralympics, three of whom are former or present students of the University of Latvia – graduates Taiga Kantane and Andis Ozolnieks as well as Edgars Klavins, second year student of the Bachelor sub-programme „Teacher of Physical Education” at the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art. Practicing has required a lot of willpower and trust, and all the UL athletes have delivered good results; some of them even improved their personal records. Currently, the athletes are preparing for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Kendo, the Japanese sports discipline, can help students The first specialized kendo dojo (base) sports hall in the Baltic States was opened in October at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art. Kendo is a Japanese martial art that boasts a history of thousand years. „Kendo” (Jap.) means „Way of The Sword”. Takashi Osanai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Latvia, who participated in the opening of the sports hall, explained that kendo is more than just a sports discipline. Its basic principles – respect, courtesy and a difficult battle – can help students complete their tasks with greater success. Vladimirs Kindzulis, President of the Latvian Kendo Federation, says, „Kendo is a type of physical education”, and adds that new sports hall will be open almost every day. The universities of Latvia must be able to train professionals for Europe On the 93rd birthday of the University of Latvia, readings dedicated to Latvia’s higher education were delivered on topical issues in Latvia. Mostly, the readings centred around the possible reforms in <s>the </s>higher education and the country in general, necessity for such reforms and ways to reach them. Janis Stradins, Chair of the Senate at the Latvian Academy of Sciences, looked back at the history of the University of Latvia and pointed out that in the 1930s the university was among the most developed ones in Europe as well as in the world, a fact that remains true to this day. It was concluded that all disciplines must be supported and planned for qualitative and sustainable education, not just the natural sciences and industry disciplines that can offer immediate results. Technologist party in Berlin’s old airport This year Berlin, the capital of Germany, hosted the festival of technologies Campus Party Europe. Students, professors, IT bloggers and technology enthusiasts from the University of Latvia travelled to Berlin to meet colleagues and authorities from all over Europe. The festival is a yearly event that brings together thousands of IT specialists, gamers and enthusiasts of other technologies to participate in various presentations, workshops, lectures and other activities. This year, the festival was proud to welcome spokespersons such as Donald Gregory James, Acting Director of New Ventures and Communications at NASA Ames Research, Nando Patats, Head of the ESO Observing Programmes Office, writer Paulo Coelho and Sir Timothy John „Tim” Berners-Lee, inventor of the global network. Monument to enthusiasm: the University of Latvia radio NABA celebrates its 10th birthday Radio NABA was founded on December 1, 2002, in cooperation with the Student Council of the University of Latvia (UL). It introduced a music programme based on the non-commercial culture as well as a wide range of thematic programmes. The radio involved students and graduates of various universities in Latvia as well as popular figures with knowledge in a variety of music genres. In the last 10 years of its activity, the radio has widened its horizons by covering new activities. It organizes the competition „Hadrons” for the new UL bands, a photography competition and a travelling photography exhibition; the radio has founded the music club „Nabaklab”; it works in music production and organizes various musical concerts. The radio can be found on the frequency of 93.1 FM as well as on the Internet: www.naba.lv. All of NABA supporters, organizers and listeners welcome these changes and possibilities for development to their lives. From peat to nanotechnologies An artificial olfactory sensor that determines lung cancer in the patient’s breath, biological medicine to fight coccus diseases, cosmetics produced from mud – this is only a few of the innovative projects and studies that the researchers of the University of Latvia (UL) work on. Many projects are often carried out owing to external financial support. More information on the completed UL scientific projects can be found at the UL portal section „Projects”. Seven ideas turn into science – Research Project Competition organized by the University of Latvia Student Council Third year in a row, the University of Latvia Student Council encourages students to start their careers in science by entering the Scientific Projects Competition. Seven scientific ideas (one in the humanities and six in the natural sciences) were chosen in the autumn of 2012 to receive financial support for their projects. The selected ideas include study of stem cells, observation on the polar owls as well as publication of a collection of articles on cultural heritage. The competition is held twice a year – every autumn and spring term. The total financing available every term is five thousand lats. The next competition will take place in the beginning of 2013.
- <link eng general press almamater>Magazine "Alma Mater"
