Academic Centre
Contents include:
Research for a better future
The University of Latvia scientists have developed and submitted 29 research project applications in various scientific spheres. One of the conditions for elaborating an application was a cooperation with associates in the institutions abroad, thus expanding the capacity of the research to be performed, as well as gaining the benefit of mutually sharing the experience and knowledge. Three researchers representing different spheres of science shared their plans that will be implemented in cooperation with foreign partners.
Code of heartfelt emotions – animals at the University!
Several University of Latvia departments throughout the years have provided a home to animals, most frequently, dogs and cats, and benevolence toward living beings continues to this day. The article tells the story of the twenty-year-old she-cat named Murene, who inhabits University Botanical Garden, the guard watching over the Faculty of Social Sciences – dog Rondo, and the small kitten named Rainis at the Faculty of Humanities, who has found his home and the name here only this year, and is named in honour of the great poet's 150th anniversary.
Exchange of experience in foreign affairs at the University of Latvia
In the autumn of 2015, the University of Latvia Department of Foreign Affairs staff welcomed the Veronika Lacinová, a masters’ programme student at the Czech Silesian University in Opava, International Territorial Studies. She arrived at the University of Latvia in framework of Erasmus + exchange programme, and for three months helped the employees of the Foreign Affairs Department in their work with exchange students.
„13x13” – photo contest without limitations
In honour of the 13th anniversary celebrated by the University of Latvia Radio NABA as well as marking the establishment of Radio Latvia, at the end of 2015 everyone had the opportunity to apply for the annual photo contest of Radio NABA, "13x13". The competition theme continued the subject pursued in recent years, – the radio and all that it entails. This year's contestants were to send in work that best represents the theme "To Hear". The competition "13x13" of 2015 received the works sent by 59 people. Since the contest is unique in that there is no age limit or required experience in photography, it encompassed different age and social groups. The main awards went to Līga Irbe for her work "Rome klačas" (“the Gossip of Rome”), Katrīna Ķepule "Hear Me Out" and Ieva Icite "Dzirdēt otru" ("To Hear Another").
"Juventus" – for the lifetime!
"A university without a choir is not a university at all," in his speech at the University of Latvia choir "Juventus" 95th anniversary concert, said the Rector Indriķis Muižnieks. Although the University of Latvia today houses 9 different choirs, "Juventus" will always remain the first official choir of the historic higher education institution of Latvia. The literal meaning of "Juventus" in translation from Latin is "youth." Attractiveness and confidence are the recognised advantages of this choir. The article describes the choir's history and numerous traditions, as well as seeks to answer the question, what is the main motivation of young people’s altruistic and committed dedication to the choir.
The project ''Climate language'' – a party with scientists, experiments and showing a class together with a birch
The Latvian Fund for Nature and youth association “Latvijas mazpulki” in cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research ''Nibio'' in June of this year have initiated the project “Climate language''. The project aims to deepen the Latvian pupils' knowledge about climate change and to engage pupils in science. The project aims to create new study materials for primary and secondary school pupils, as well as to film ten videos dedicated to experiments, and to elaborate natural observation guidelines for primary school children.
The snowball effect– eruption of ''start – ups'' by UL young scientists
Since the establishment of Green Technology Incubator – a programme to support innovative business ideas in the sphere of ''green'' production and manufacturing, in the July of the last year, a many young scientists from the University of Latvia joined forces and founded their own businesses. The University of Latvia Innovation Centre director Matīss Neimanis shares his experience about how easy it is to set up one’s own company. He also explains the concept of an innovative business idea. The young researchers of the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences talk about their business project ''SaproGlue'' - they are working towards production of sapropel-based ecological glue. The article also reflects upon the success stories told by other young scientists of the University.
Road to UL development – purposeful work instead of sprint
After fifteen years as the Vice Rector of Sciences at the University of Latvia, Professor Indriķis Muižnieks has been elected the Rector and taken the office on August 4, 2015. In this conversation I. Muižnieks shares the plans for the future, stressing that "it will be a purposeful work, not a sprint" and the fruits of many efforts invested today will ripen in future. He believes that the University of Latvia is among the most constant and permanent values of Latvia, and perpetuating it will be the main goal for the four coming years.
- <link eng general press almamater>Magazine "Alma Mater"
