Foundation Stone of UL Academic Centre Laid in Torņakalns

UL Rector, Prof. Mārcis Auziņš says, ‘The construction of the UL Academic Centre in Torņakalns has started in the year when our Alma Mater celebrates its 95th anniversary. For UL’s 100th anniversary, we will have a new academic centre, one of the most up-to-date centres of education and research in Europe. In the 21st century, no nation can have sustainable development without such academic centres.’ The guests of honour of the ceremony was Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma, Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete, and Minister of Justice Baiba Broka, as well as representatives from the Riga City Council, the board of the UL and the deans of the UL faculties, and other prominent guests. The architects from Sestais stils and the constructors from LNK Industries Group presented their design of the UL Academic Centre.

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Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma expressed her support for the Academic Centre, and emphasising it will be the first centre of the higher education built in Latvia since the renewal of the country’s independence. The Prime Minister believes it will be a new page in Latvia’s education and science. However, she reminds that Latvians themselves are to write this page. Although it takes hard work and co-operation of all the parties involved to reach the goals of higher education, the future of Latvia depends on educated society. Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete says, ‘Torņakalns as a place for the UL’s Academic Centre has a very deep symbolic meaning. Pārdaugava used to be the centre of Latvian economic growth and wealth creation. Science is the treasure of tomorrow; therefore, I am glad to see how our dream of an internationally acclaimed University of science is becoming true.’ The first stage of the project involves creating a Centre of Natural Sciences, a modern centre of knowledge and new technologies. The first stage of the project is scheduled to complete in August 2015. The new building is going to accommodate four UL’s faculties - Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, and Faculty of Medicine, as well as the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology and Institute of Chemical Physics, providing rooms for 3,000 students. Board Member of LNK Industries Jevgenijs Locovs says, ‘The construction of the UL Academic Centre is a new stage in the development of education and science in the Baltic States. We are proud to be a part of this project. The Academic Centre will give an extra motivation to talented students and scientists and provide them with a modern and functional environment that will satisfy both their demands and the highest international standards. The most important is that the Centre will guarantee that Latvia’s intellectual potential will develop as students and researchers choose not to go abroad.’ The Centre of Natural Sciences 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 subsequent stages of the project include a Centre of Humanities, Centre of Life and Health Sciences, Teacher Training Centre, and Centre of Social Sciences. The Academic Centre will hold for student services and recreation, as well as a student hostel, sports centre and an ecumenical church. The whole complex is scheduled to be complete in 2023, and it will be ready to serve 15,000 students. The construction company was selected in the procurement process. In September 2013, UL signed a contract with LNK Industries Group to build the UL Academic Centre. The EUR 21.18 (LVL 14.89) million contract (VAT not included) regulates drafting of the first stage technical design, construction, and author’s supervision. Before the construction started, archaeological research was carried out in the construction site on 1 Jelgavas Street; there used to be Kobronskanstes Fortress built in the 17th century. All the findings were documented and will be placed in a museum. The project is carried out within the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) sub-activity Development of Scientific Infrastructure and University Infrastructure Modernisation within Priority Study Programmes Development project (No. 2010/0114/3DP/3.1.2.1.1./09/IPIA/VIAA/029) which is part of the 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. About the University of Latvia The University of Latvia was founded in 1919. With its 15,000 students and rich cultural traditions, the UL is the largest institution of higher education in Latvia, offering 134 state-accredited study programmes. Latvia’s leading experts of natural sciences, humanities and social sciences are working in the 13 faculties and 21 institutions of the UL. The UL’s highest overall priority is to become a leading university of science recognised at both European and global levels, with a deep commitment to support the national economy and sustainable social development. About LNK Industries Group LNK Industries Group was established by two companies of LNK Group - LNK Industries and Latvijas tilti. LNK Industries specialises in implementing innovative construction and production projects, industrial and civil engineering designs, as well as infrastructure objects. Other areas of expertise include transportation systems and non-standard equipment, as well as production of metal and reinforced concrete building structures of large scale. Latvijas tilti, one of the largest construction companies in Latvia, specialises in construction and renovation of bridges, flyovers, and tunnels, as well as construction and renovation of wharfs and quays.