CONFERENCE
Santa Zarāne Says Yes to Challenges
Santa Zarāne, Head of UL Student Council, studies chemistry, biology and pedagogy. She knows how to organize an event from A to Z and is happy for being able to make students’ lives better. Santa has been working for the Student Council for four years, becoming the Head of the Council in October, 2014. And now not only she has to focus on her bachelor’s thesis but also manage budget, organise meetings with the Rector, as well as such important events as Aristotlis and UL House.
Where to start, when you don’t know where to go, and the school year is coming to an end?
Some people have decided upon their career and field of study already in the elementary school. This publication includes practical advice for those prospective students who still have to make their decision. Firstly, specialists suggest evaluating what kind of work they prefer and are best at: precise, practical, creative, intellectual, focused on initiative or support. Secondly, they have to think about professional areas related to this work. The next step is to identify their skills and capabilities using various tests, and this article includes references to some of them.
“I look for challenges all the time”, says scholarship winner Katrina Mertsa
Katrina Mertsa, a 2nd year student of the Faculty of Chemistry, has obtained M. M. V. Petkevičs memorial scholarship and Kristaps Morbergs scholarship, offering not only an emotional appreciation, but also financial support. It has helped her to gain valuable experience also outside the University: participate in international projects, travel, and also become a volunteer in Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. Katrina tells about her impressions as an exchange student in Germany, and shares her experience in the scholarship application process. This publication also includes information about UL Fund scholarships for students.
Kolka Old School for Young Biology Students
The UL Faculty of Biology offers a special open-air auditorium for students - the Kolka Old School. Located in unique natural surroundings it has been a place for practical studies for already 20 years. The first practical studies in 1992 did not go as planned due to a fire that broke out near Kolka and which students helped to extinguish. Since then, during almost a quarter of a century, young biologists have been observing changes in nature, and the school building itself has also been renovated, gaining a new appearance. Although biologists are considered the true owners of the house, the facility is also used by other faculties and higher education institutions that organize various field courses and research projects in Kolka.
Studies in Azerbaijan
Linda Eltermane, a 2nd year master’s programme student of Russian philology spent a semester in an exchange programme in Baku Slavic University, Azerbaijan, specializing in Russian literature. With many impressions about the studies, Baku city, and hospitable Azerbaijanis, she is confident that the opportunity to study in an exchange programme should not be missed. She encourages other students to participate in such programmes, because it is something truly astonishing to be remembered for a lifetime. Just make your decision and go for it!
Cherished for 40 years – Dance Group Dancītis
UL Dance Group Dancītis celebrates its 40th birthday this year, bringing together dancers of various ages - from 2-year-old children to 60-year-old dance enthusiasts. The dance group was founded in 1975 by Uldze Dzene, and since January 2014 it is managed by her daughter Ilze Dzene. Being proud of its coloured history, order, discipline, and love for dance, Dancītis has a rich repertoire including simple Latvian ethnographic folk dances as well as original choreography created especially for the group. This is going to be a very busy year, as the children, youth, and adult groups are getting ready for the preliminaries of the National Dance Celebration.
How is International Collaboration Established?
Asoc. Prof. Vjačeslavs Kaščejevs from the UL Faculty of Physics and Mathematics (FPM) is one of the authors of a recently published international research on partitioning of on-demand electron pairs. He is certain that science has no limits and scientists have to prove themselves at the international level. In the publication Vjačeslavs Kaščejevs, German scientists Bernd Kästner and Niels Ubbelohde, as well as Arnis Katkevičs, UL FPM master student and physics technician in the quantum nanoelectronics research group, describe the collaboration and research process.
The World Tuned In by NABA FM 95, 8
UL has its own small world with 13 faculties, 19 institutes, a large group of staff members, and a diversity of scientific areas that stands out among other higher education institutions. Therefore broadcasting under the auspices of UL for more than 12 years, the radio station NABA is a symbol of diversity, free and alternative way of thinking, and intelligence in the Latvian radio environment. It encourages people to tune in the world and broaden their horizons. After a year of silence, on February 16 NABA returns in a new frequency - FM 95. 8. This month will be marked in history with changes in the programme, and premiere of six new broadcasts.
Volunteers behind the Scenes of UL Sports Life
UL Sports Centre organizes UL sports life and offers a number of activities, competitions, and sports career opportunities for students. Kārlis Dārznieks, a representative of the centre, stresses that success of sports events mainly depends on volunteers. This year, nine people will help to organize all sports activities in the University. Lāse Mīlgrāve shares her experience working as a volunteer since her first year of studies.
Valdis Dombrovskis: your future depends on the work you do today
The UL 73rd conference opening plenary session “Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union” took place at the beginning of February. Among the speakers there was also Valdis Dombrovskis, UL graduate and Vice-president of the European Commission. In the interview he remembers his study years and reveals whether the knowledge and skills acquired in the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics help him in the world of politics.
Archive
