LU konference
Contents include:
Lecturer of the Year 2012: Gunta Krūmiņa, the Mother of the Optometrists Gunta Krūmiņa, the associated professor of the Department of Optometry and Optical Science of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, has won the Lecturer of the Year award at the Annual Award 2012 organized by UL Student Council. In the competition application, which was written without the professor knowing, the students praised her responsiveness and ability to inspire naming her the mother of the optometrists and a hard worker. G. Krūmiņa is one of the first four students who graduated the Bachelor of Optometry study programme. Currently, she runs a project for vision screening in schools and wants to implement a study on visual overload. Her key to success is avoiding postponing everything until the last minute and finding a creative spark in every job. How to make learning exciting? On January 4, teachers of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and geography as well as the 7th to 9th-grade students from all over Latvia gathered at the event ‘Nāc un dari kopā ar mums!’ (Come Along and Do It with Us!), which was organized by UL Natural Science and Mathematics Education Centre, to share their experiences in learning the exact science-related subjects in an efficient, joyful and exciting way. At the end of the day, the most creative and captivating teachers and school teams received rewards. In its turn, the Excellence Awards were given in a special ceremony to those teachers of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, who had proved their professionalism both in their daily work and on the spot by competing with the other award candidates in the competition organized by the UL. The link between the university and the secondary school The beginning of January saw the fourth ‘Novadu spēles’ (The Games of the Municipalities) competition, in which a record 13 teams took part. The participants developed and defended the ideas for improving the municipalities' future. After a fierce struggle, the winner of ‘Novadu spēles 2013’ became Limbaži Secondary School No. 3. These games encourage the students not only to think about the future of their native region, appraise its cultural heritage and exchange views in a meeting with their peers but also to learn more about the studies at the UL Faculty of Social Sciences and understand what the professional sociologists do. UL students for students: united in diversity ‘Everyone has their own colours, and together we have the power!’ is the slogan under which UL students united at the annual freshman celebration ‘Aristotle’ in 2012. It vividly describes the diversity of students, different fields of their studies and interests, but especially their traditions and activities, without which the study time would be unthinkable. At the end of the last year, all UL students could participate in the electronic voting to determine the best event for the students organized by the Student Council. Thirteen faculties and thirteen stories about best activities – boat rides, sports games, acoustic music and poetry evenings, informal and scientific conferences organized by students, mock trials and many more – give an idea about the scope and variety of activities at the UL.
Take a look inside the treasure chest of the UL Library! In the UL Library stock, there are hidden treasures next to the books necessary for studying process. The Library boasts a historically valuable Collection of Rare Editions and Manuscripts, which contains the original etchings, unique parchments, images, different manuscripts and books published abroad in foreign languages before 1801 as well as in Latvia – in foreign languages before 1830 and in Latvian before 1855. The collection includes a wide range of editions in linguistics and literary studies, history, philosophy, theology and natural science with historical, religious and literary texts, as well as text commentaries and studies essential in their time. Students develop business skills at a lightning speed At the beginning of February, 15 UL students took part in a unique entrepreneurial development training ‘Zibens’ (The Lightning): within three days, students, divided into two teams, went through all stages of business from the idea to the product, to the sale of the product simultaneously developing teamwork, communication and crisis management skills. Students' task was to create a company which produces biscuits and then sells them at the shopping centre Mols. The winning team was the one with the highest profit margins. The student training process was organized by the Business Incubator at the Faculty of Economics and Management in partnership with the Daily dining restaurant chain. European experts certify the quality of studies at the UL Several UL study programmes were awarded with international quality marks for the maximum possible period, five years. This confirms the quality of the study programmes and their ability to compete with other European university programmes as well as promote their reputation in Europe, and student mobility. The UL Bachelor’s programme in Chemistry has received Eurobachelor quality mark by the European Chemical Thematic Network (ECTN) Association Committee. Euro-Inf Quality Label has been granted to the Bachelor’s and Master's programmes in Computer Science at the UL Faculty of Computing. This award, based on an international expert group decision, is given by the non-governmental organization European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education (EQANIE) established in 2009 in Germany. Scholarships for the most diligent and motivated students The University of Latvia Foundation annually grants scholarships for young, talented and ambitious students. The scholarships are very various and are open to both the secondary school students who plan to study at the University next year and current University students. Secondary school students can apply to scholarships ‘Ceļamaize 2013’ and ‘M. M. V. Petkevičs piemiņas stipendija’ as well as municipality scholarships by March 25 by completing an online form and submitting the necessary documents. More information at www.fonds.lv. Stepping into a student’s shoes At the UL event ‘Studenta kurpēs’ (In a Student's Shoes), high school pupils can participate in studying at the University for one day. The pupils go to lectures and seminars, take part in laboratory and practical work, as well as get to know the UL study programmes and the peculiarities of the study process, which helps them make a reasoned decision regarding future education options. Participation in this event also implies getting acquainted with other important aspects of student life, such as living in a hostel or taking part in self-government activities and amateur performance groups. Each pupil has their own guide to the world of studies – a student who is already familiar with the University life. This year, high-schoolers will be able to step into students’ shoes from April 2–8. Solar eclipse at the Land of Kangaroos At the end of 2012, a group of the UL representatives went to Australia to watch a unique natural phenomenon, solar eclipse. In the long journey, there was a plenty of adventures and wonders, and the astronomical purpose of the journey was achieved as well because, even though most of the time the sky was covered with clouds, just at the moment when the Sun became obscured by the Moon, the clouds opened up and everyone could see the eclipse. In the article, Emīls Veide, a Bachelor student of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics programme in Physics, tells about his impressions about the journey. Party in the gym or the UL Night Tournaments The UL is the first higher education institution in the world which has started to organize night tournaments in team sports. Currently, there are night tournaments in floorball, frisbee, street ball and volleyball, and previously, also tournaments in football. Tournaments are open only to University students, and the philosophy of these games is to give students the opportunity to participate in tournaments for free. The tournaments have become very popular due to their attractiveness – music is playing all night long, tea and biscuits are being offered, and the players are dressed in specially prepared outfits. Annual Awards of the UL have found their owners A UL staff meeting took place at the beginning of February. At the meeting, the rector, Professor Mārcis Auziņš, gave a speech to the university staff, and the UL Annual Awards for achievements in science and research work in the preceding year were granted. Also, awards were given to the best University employees, the best teachers and the best school director. Curiosity is the key This year, the UL science communication award, Researcher of the Month, has been given for the first time. The award is granted for the ability to explain the complex matters in a simple and exciting way. Guntis Brūmelis, the professor at the Faculty of Biology, received the award, voted by the readers of the UL website and the jury. Free space for critique A weblog Ubi Sunt (www.ubisunt.lu.lv), which is created by students of the Faculty of Humanities and in which almost all articles are written by students, has started its activity since November last year. Ubi Sunt writes about cultural processes and literature – there are reviews, critique and reflections. Weblog is created by two enthusiastic PhD students, Jūlija Dibovska and Elīna Kokareviča, who also have big plans for the weblog development. L. W. Kerkovius's House: Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre and the Library At the end of January, a ceremonial presentation of the UL premises in Riga at 4 Kalpaka Blvd. took place. From now on, not only the UL Library but also Social Sciences Research Centre will function in the historical Kerkovius's House. The house of Riga mayor, Ludwig Wilhelm Kerkovius (1831–1904), was engineered by architect Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis in 1874. The construction of the three-story building was finished in 1878. It is designed with expressive neo-Gothic forms by following the asymmetric design of neo-Gothic palaces. This building has been the home of the UL Library since 1940s. The total cost of renovation works was LVL 2.6 million including 1.95 million cofinanced by the ERDF. Schools of Faculties that open up new horizons For those high school students who are taking interest in future professions and higher education options or just want to spend time meaningfully, the UL Faculties offer a variety of thematic schools, the completion of which gives the opportunity to secure a state-funded study place if the student has been particularly diligent. At classes, the students are introduced to the faculties they are taking interest in as well as told about, and involved in discussions on, current topics that are not included in the compulsory school programmes. With a new perspective on studying at home The ERASMUS student exchange programme is an opportunity that must be used during the studies! It is acknowledged by everyone, who had spent a semester at another university acquiring both new friends and experiences, and knowledge, and even love. Three UL students speak about their experiences in European universities. Elza Brundzule studied one semester in Tallinn, Estonia, Ieva Zilberte studied on an exchange programme in Athens, Greece, and Jūlija Boikova gained the ERASMUS experience at The Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
Lecturer of the Year 2012: Gunta Krūmiņa, the Mother of the Optometrists Gunta Krūmiņa, the associated professor of the Department of Optometry and Optical Science of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, has won the Lecturer of the Year award at the Annual Award 2012 organized by UL Student Council. In the competition application, which was written without the professor knowing, the students praised her responsiveness and ability to inspire naming her the mother of the optometrists and a hard worker. G. Krūmiņa is one of the first four students who graduated the Bachelor of Optometry study programme. Currently, she runs a project for vision screening in schools and wants to implement a study on visual overload. Her key to success is avoiding postponing everything until the last minute and finding a creative spark in every job. How to make learning exciting? On January 4, teachers of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and geography as well as the 7th to 9th-grade students from all over Latvia gathered at the event ‘Nāc un dari kopā ar mums!’ (Come Along and Do It with Us!), which was organized by UL Natural Science and Mathematics Education Centre, to share their experiences in learning the exact science-related subjects in an efficient, joyful and exciting way. At the end of the day, the most creative and captivating teachers and school teams received rewards. In its turn, the Excellence Awards were given in a special ceremony to those teachers of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, who had proved their professionalism both in their daily work and on the spot by competing with the other award candidates in the competition organized by the UL. The link between the university and the secondary school The beginning of January saw the fourth ‘Novadu spēles’ (The Games of the Municipalities) competition, in which a record 13 teams took part. The participants developed and defended the ideas for improving the municipalities' future. After a fierce struggle, the winner of ‘Novadu spēles 2013’ became Limbaži Secondary School No. 3. These games encourage the students not only to think about the future of their native region, appraise its cultural heritage and exchange views in a meeting with their peers but also to learn more about the studies at the UL Faculty of Social Sciences and understand what the professional sociologists do. UL students for students: united in diversity ‘Everyone has their own colours, and together we have the power!’ is the slogan under which UL students united at the annual freshman celebration ‘Aristotle’ in 2012. It vividly describes the diversity of students, different fields of their studies and interests, but especially their traditions and activities, without which the study time would be unthinkable. At the end of the last year, all UL students could participate in the electronic voting to determine the best event for the students organized by the Student Council. Thirteen faculties and thirteen stories about best activities – boat rides, sports games, acoustic music and poetry evenings, informal and scientific conferences organized by students, mock trials and many more – give an idea about the scope and variety of activities at the UL.
Take a look inside the treasure chest of the UL Library! In the UL Library stock, there are hidden treasures next to the books necessary for studying process. The Library boasts a historically valuable Collection of Rare Editions and Manuscripts, which contains the original etchings, unique parchments, images, different manuscripts and books published abroad in foreign languages before 1801 as well as in Latvia – in foreign languages before 1830 and in Latvian before 1855. The collection includes a wide range of editions in linguistics and literary studies, history, philosophy, theology and natural science with historical, religious and literary texts, as well as text commentaries and studies essential in their time. Students develop business skills at a lightning speed At the beginning of February, 15 UL students took part in a unique entrepreneurial development training ‘Zibens’ (The Lightning): within three days, students, divided into two teams, went through all stages of business from the idea to the product, to the sale of the product simultaneously developing teamwork, communication and crisis management skills. Students' task was to create a company which produces biscuits and then sells them at the shopping centre Mols. The winning team was the one with the highest profit margins. The student training process was organized by the Business Incubator at the Faculty of Economics and Management in partnership with the Daily dining restaurant chain. European experts certify the quality of studies at the UL Several UL study programmes were awarded with international quality marks for the maximum possible period, five years. This confirms the quality of the study programmes and their ability to compete with other European university programmes as well as promote their reputation in Europe, and student mobility. The UL Bachelor’s programme in Chemistry has received Eurobachelor quality mark by the European Chemical Thematic Network (ECTN) Association Committee. Euro-Inf Quality Label has been granted to the Bachelor’s and Master's programmes in Computer Science at the UL Faculty of Computing. This award, based on an international expert group decision, is given by the non-governmental organization European Quality Assurance Network for Informatics Education (EQANIE) established in 2009 in Germany. Scholarships for the most diligent and motivated students The University of Latvia Foundation annually grants scholarships for young, talented and ambitious students. The scholarships are very various and are open to both the secondary school students who plan to study at the University next year and current University students. Secondary school students can apply to scholarships ‘Ceļamaize 2013’ and ‘M. M. V. Petkevičs piemiņas stipendija’ as well as municipality scholarships by March 25 by completing an online form and submitting the necessary documents. More information at www.fonds.lv. Stepping into a student’s shoes At the UL event ‘Studenta kurpēs’ (In a Student's Shoes), high school pupils can participate in studying at the University for one day. The pupils go to lectures and seminars, take part in laboratory and practical work, as well as get to know the UL study programmes and the peculiarities of the study process, which helps them make a reasoned decision regarding future education options. Participation in this event also implies getting acquainted with other important aspects of student life, such as living in a hostel or taking part in self-government activities and amateur performance groups. Each pupil has their own guide to the world of studies – a student who is already familiar with the University life. This year, high-schoolers will be able to step into students’ shoes from April 2–8. Solar eclipse at the Land of Kangaroos At the end of 2012, a group of the UL representatives went to Australia to watch a unique natural phenomenon, solar eclipse. In the long journey, there was a plenty of adventures and wonders, and the astronomical purpose of the journey was achieved as well because, even though most of the time the sky was covered with clouds, just at the moment when the Sun became obscured by the Moon, the clouds opened up and everyone could see the eclipse. In the article, Emīls Veide, a Bachelor student of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics programme in Physics, tells about his impressions about the journey. Party in the gym or the UL Night Tournaments The UL is the first higher education institution in the world which has started to organize night tournaments in team sports. Currently, there are night tournaments in floorball, frisbee, street ball and volleyball, and previously, also tournaments in football. Tournaments are open only to University students, and the philosophy of these games is to give students the opportunity to participate in tournaments for free. The tournaments have become very popular due to their attractiveness – music is playing all night long, tea and biscuits are being offered, and the players are dressed in specially prepared outfits. Annual Awards of the UL have found their owners A UL staff meeting took place at the beginning of February. At the meeting, the rector, Professor Mārcis Auziņš, gave a speech to the university staff, and the UL Annual Awards for achievements in science and research work in the preceding year were granted. Also, awards were given to the best University employees, the best teachers and the best school director. Curiosity is the key This year, the UL science communication award, Researcher of the Month, has been given for the first time. The award is granted for the ability to explain the complex matters in a simple and exciting way. Guntis Brūmelis, the professor at the Faculty of Biology, received the award, voted by the readers of the UL website and the jury. Free space for critique A weblog Ubi Sunt (www.ubisunt.lu.lv), which is created by students of the Faculty of Humanities and in which almost all articles are written by students, has started its activity since November last year. Ubi Sunt writes about cultural processes and literature – there are reviews, critique and reflections. Weblog is created by two enthusiastic PhD students, Jūlija Dibovska and Elīna Kokareviča, who also have big plans for the weblog development. L. W. Kerkovius's House: Humanities and Social Sciences Research Centre and the Library At the end of January, a ceremonial presentation of the UL premises in Riga at 4 Kalpaka Blvd. took place. From now on, not only the UL Library but also Social Sciences Research Centre will function in the historical Kerkovius's House. The house of Riga mayor, Ludwig Wilhelm Kerkovius (1831–1904), was engineered by architect Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis in 1874. The construction of the three-story building was finished in 1878. It is designed with expressive neo-Gothic forms by following the asymmetric design of neo-Gothic palaces. This building has been the home of the UL Library since 1940s. The total cost of renovation works was LVL 2.6 million including 1.95 million cofinanced by the ERDF. Schools of Faculties that open up new horizons For those high school students who are taking interest in future professions and higher education options or just want to spend time meaningfully, the UL Faculties offer a variety of thematic schools, the completion of which gives the opportunity to secure a state-funded study place if the student has been particularly diligent. At classes, the students are introduced to the faculties they are taking interest in as well as told about, and involved in discussions on, current topics that are not included in the compulsory school programmes. With a new perspective on studying at home The ERASMUS student exchange programme is an opportunity that must be used during the studies! It is acknowledged by everyone, who had spent a semester at another university acquiring both new friends and experiences, and knowledge, and even love. Three UL students speak about their experiences in European universities. Elza Brundzule studied one semester in Tallinn, Estonia, Ieva Zilberte studied on an exchange programme in Athens, Greece, and Jūlija Boikova gained the ERASMUS experience at The Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
- <link eng general press almamater>Magazine "Alma Mater"
