Academic Centre
Contents include:
Would the world become poorer with no sound of the female voice?
Dace Balode, Associate Professor of Biblical Theology, is the first woman to become the Dean of the Faculty of Theology. She talks about her new post and the faculty development plans, promising that radical changes are not anticipated. The Associate Professor discusses theological studies and research of religion, and mentions that the reasons why people come to study theology are not always associated with a future plan to work in the church. D. Balode is one of the fighters advocating for women's ordination in Latvia, recalling that the first woman has been ordained here 40 years ago and emphasizes that God does not "sort" people according to gender, therefore, unless this issue is artificially constructed as a problem, no difficulty exists. Research: Comparative analysis of registered and unregistered cohabitation factors - Love is between you and me! Last year, the Estonian parliament in the final reading with predominance of only two votes approved the partnership law. It will permit to register a partnership of people who are not married, including the same-sex couples. Earlier this year, Veiko Spolītis, the member of the 11th Saeima - Latvian parliament, made amendments to the law that would legally define the partnership, but his initiative was rejected. The public discussions regarding this issue still continue. What are the Latvian people's values and considerations, establishing cohabitation and registering it legally or not, what problems are encountered with termination of cohabitation, - these questions were explored in collaboration with the research program EKOSOC_LV by the University of Latvia Public Anthropology Centre. Latvian archaeologists in collaboration with Norwegian colleagues will explore iron manufactories pertaining to Duchy of Courland period Latvian archaeologists and the University of Latvia historians from the Faculty of History and Philosophy and the Institute of Latvian History, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Oslo Cultural History Museum in Norway have begun to implement the project "Technology transfer in the processing of mineral resources in earlier times". The project is intended to study the technologies used in prehistoric and historic times for the treatment of major mineral resources, focusing on the issues related to technology transfer between different societies and cultures. An important raw material for the manufacture of tools in the Stone Age was flint, consequently, special methods developed over millennia for the treatment of this material, attested by flint objects found in excavations. The techniques that have been used to split long splinters from a piece of flint to be further used for manufacturing tools, will be analyzed in cooperation with Norwegian specialists, and this technical knowledge transfer will be studied in the context of Northern Europe. Botanical Garden - a place where culture blossoms University of Latvia Botanical Garden visitors are pleased by treasures of plant world as well as the diverse cultural events. Throughout the year the exhibitions, concerts and other activities are organised here. For example, the visitors of annual "Riga Flower Ball" were able to visit the art exhibition "Biomimēze VIII'' in the Palm House, alongside enjoyment of the traditional summer flowers, including the abundant collection of lilies and roses. Guests participated in creative workshops, listened to concerts. The program of events constantly expands and the number of visitors grows, confirming that the University of Latvia Botanical Garden is becoming an important cultural centre of Riga. Universities of Latvia and USA have more in common than we think Jānis Priede, the Vice Dean at the Faculty of Economics and Management, talks about his experience after six months spent in New York. His success story is based on big dreams and perseverance that have helped him to enter an internship in one of the world's best universities - Columbia University, meet inspiring colleagues and cooperation partners. J. Priede speaks about the similarities and differences in Latvian and American educational systems, future plans and current, topical research issues, recognizing that in the near future the already accumulated ideas must be implemented here, in Latvia. University of Latvia Natural Sciences Centre in Torņakalns is completed! Torņakalns - Jelgavas iela 1, five years ago a site of small communal gardens, now is a home to the completed University of Latvia Natural Sciences Centre, where more than 3000 students will begin their studies this September, specialising in biology, geography, chemistry, as well as optometry and vision science. The publication conveys the building process and the Centre's modern equipment, which will be available to students and teachers. Those involved in building of the Centre pride themselves in the fast construction progress - a time capsule with a message for future generations was immured only in May last year, but the rafters' celebration was held in October of the same year. It took less than a year until the building was accepted as ready to use by the authorities. The new building is the first stage of the project which envisages establishing the University of Latvia campus in Torņakalns. The following stages hold a plan to create a Humanities and Social Sciences Centre, as well as Exact and Life Sciences Centre. From business management studies to obtaining funding for business development After completing the course "Business Economics" in early June, a team of four students scored a total of 12 800 EUR for the development of their business idea and an opportunity to develop it in the University of Latvia Student Business Incubator for four months. The authors of "CatFeeder" idea are currently implementing their plan to generate a remote pet feeding solution. "Creativity Within" business objective - to perpetuate the memory and emotions in 3D format. "Pinaceja" will produce jam from pine cones, while the internet platform's "rebelprint.eu" idea is to create a web site where designers will be able to offer their works, and customers - to order T-shirts, hats, bags, and other items with the pattern of their liking. The support to student business ideas was provided by the University of Latvia patrons. Mentoring at the University of Latvia - everyone wins! Supporting the first-year students who start their studies at the University of Latvia, the University Student Council together with Student Services have developed a mentoring program "Student to Student". In its framework every freshman has an opportunity to get a mentor - a knowledgeable and responsive senior student, who has already mastered the complexities of settling down in the new University environment and is sufficiently competent to provide detailed recommendations on how to address quite a few situations. Mentoring movement is a very important way of supporting students, and for this purpose it has been developed in most of the world's universities. Theoretical knowledge, university research and practical experience of higher education institutions show that the senior students' support to freshmen significantly helps in the beginning of the studies. Freedom to act and creative conditions for young Latvian scientists The middle of the current year saw the conclusion of the European Social Fund project "Support to doctoral studies at the University of Latvia". The project enabled 828 University of Latvia doctoral students and scientific degree candidates to receive scholarships. During the project period of six years 1517 scholarships were awarded in open competition to 828 doctoral students and scientific degree candidates. The publication presents the stories about the role of scholarship support in the study process told by young scientists representing four different scientific fields.
Dace Balode, Associate Professor of Biblical Theology, is the first woman to become the Dean of the Faculty of Theology. She talks about her new post and the faculty development plans, promising that radical changes are not anticipated. The Associate Professor discusses theological studies and research of religion, and mentions that the reasons why people come to study theology are not always associated with a future plan to work in the church. D. Balode is one of the fighters advocating for women's ordination in Latvia, recalling that the first woman has been ordained here 40 years ago and emphasizes that God does not "sort" people according to gender, therefore, unless this issue is artificially constructed as a problem, no difficulty exists. Research: Comparative analysis of registered and unregistered cohabitation factors - Love is between you and me! Last year, the Estonian parliament in the final reading with predominance of only two votes approved the partnership law. It will permit to register a partnership of people who are not married, including the same-sex couples. Earlier this year, Veiko Spolītis, the member of the 11th Saeima - Latvian parliament, made amendments to the law that would legally define the partnership, but his initiative was rejected. The public discussions regarding this issue still continue. What are the Latvian people's values and considerations, establishing cohabitation and registering it legally or not, what problems are encountered with termination of cohabitation, - these questions were explored in collaboration with the research program EKOSOC_LV by the University of Latvia Public Anthropology Centre. Latvian archaeologists in collaboration with Norwegian colleagues will explore iron manufactories pertaining to Duchy of Courland period Latvian archaeologists and the University of Latvia historians from the Faculty of History and Philosophy and the Institute of Latvian History, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Oslo Cultural History Museum in Norway have begun to implement the project "Technology transfer in the processing of mineral resources in earlier times". The project is intended to study the technologies used in prehistoric and historic times for the treatment of major mineral resources, focusing on the issues related to technology transfer between different societies and cultures. An important raw material for the manufacture of tools in the Stone Age was flint, consequently, special methods developed over millennia for the treatment of this material, attested by flint objects found in excavations. The techniques that have been used to split long splinters from a piece of flint to be further used for manufacturing tools, will be analyzed in cooperation with Norwegian specialists, and this technical knowledge transfer will be studied in the context of Northern Europe. Botanical Garden - a place where culture blossoms University of Latvia Botanical Garden visitors are pleased by treasures of plant world as well as the diverse cultural events. Throughout the year the exhibitions, concerts and other activities are organised here. For example, the visitors of annual "Riga Flower Ball" were able to visit the art exhibition "Biomimēze VIII'' in the Palm House, alongside enjoyment of the traditional summer flowers, including the abundant collection of lilies and roses. Guests participated in creative workshops, listened to concerts. The program of events constantly expands and the number of visitors grows, confirming that the University of Latvia Botanical Garden is becoming an important cultural centre of Riga. Universities of Latvia and USA have more in common than we think Jānis Priede, the Vice Dean at the Faculty of Economics and Management, talks about his experience after six months spent in New York. His success story is based on big dreams and perseverance that have helped him to enter an internship in one of the world's best universities - Columbia University, meet inspiring colleagues and cooperation partners. J. Priede speaks about the similarities and differences in Latvian and American educational systems, future plans and current, topical research issues, recognizing that in the near future the already accumulated ideas must be implemented here, in Latvia. University of Latvia Natural Sciences Centre in Torņakalns is completed! Torņakalns - Jelgavas iela 1, five years ago a site of small communal gardens, now is a home to the completed University of Latvia Natural Sciences Centre, where more than 3000 students will begin their studies this September, specialising in biology, geography, chemistry, as well as optometry and vision science. The publication conveys the building process and the Centre's modern equipment, which will be available to students and teachers. Those involved in building of the Centre pride themselves in the fast construction progress - a time capsule with a message for future generations was immured only in May last year, but the rafters' celebration was held in October of the same year. It took less than a year until the building was accepted as ready to use by the authorities. The new building is the first stage of the project which envisages establishing the University of Latvia campus in Torņakalns. The following stages hold a plan to create a Humanities and Social Sciences Centre, as well as Exact and Life Sciences Centre. From business management studies to obtaining funding for business development After completing the course "Business Economics" in early June, a team of four students scored a total of 12 800 EUR for the development of their business idea and an opportunity to develop it in the University of Latvia Student Business Incubator for four months. The authors of "CatFeeder" idea are currently implementing their plan to generate a remote pet feeding solution. "Creativity Within" business objective - to perpetuate the memory and emotions in 3D format. "Pinaceja" will produce jam from pine cones, while the internet platform's "rebelprint.eu" idea is to create a web site where designers will be able to offer their works, and customers - to order T-shirts, hats, bags, and other items with the pattern of their liking. The support to student business ideas was provided by the University of Latvia patrons. Mentoring at the University of Latvia - everyone wins! Supporting the first-year students who start their studies at the University of Latvia, the University Student Council together with Student Services have developed a mentoring program "Student to Student". In its framework every freshman has an opportunity to get a mentor - a knowledgeable and responsive senior student, who has already mastered the complexities of settling down in the new University environment and is sufficiently competent to provide detailed recommendations on how to address quite a few situations. Mentoring movement is a very important way of supporting students, and for this purpose it has been developed in most of the world's universities. Theoretical knowledge, university research and practical experience of higher education institutions show that the senior students' support to freshmen significantly helps in the beginning of the studies. Freedom to act and creative conditions for young Latvian scientists The middle of the current year saw the conclusion of the European Social Fund project "Support to doctoral studies at the University of Latvia". The project enabled 828 University of Latvia doctoral students and scientific degree candidates to receive scholarships. During the project period of six years 1517 scholarships were awarded in open competition to 828 doctoral students and scientific degree candidates. The publication presents the stories about the role of scholarship support in the study process told by young scientists representing four different scientific fields.
- <link eng general press almamater internal-link>Magazine "Alma Mater"
