LU konference
From 1991 to 2006, Andrejs Erglis worked as an assistant in the Institute of Cardiology incorporated into the UL in 2005. From 2000 to 2006, he was a doctoral student in the UL. In 2006, he became the leading researcher in the UL Research Institute of Cardiology, taking up the position as Director of this institute two years later. Since 2007 he is an associate professor at the UL Faculty of Medicine and since 2011 - a professor.
Prof. Erglis mentions UL Professors Uldis Kalnins and Uldis Vikmanis as people very significant to him in the academic environment. “Prof. Vikmanis who invited me to the UL helped me very much, as well as Prof. Viksna who guided me. I had never considered the University as a career opportunity. I was more interested in the University as a body of knowledge - it allowed me to look at the doctor’s career from another perspective. However, the University is like a narcotic that drags you in.” Prof. Erglis explains that in a way he sees the University as some irrational concept. “The University is not only a rational concept. People hold an opinion that the university exists per se, because they - people - are there. However, they are here, because the University of Latvia exists. It encompasses the traditions and knowledge of generations, carefully nurtured for decades. People graduated from the University, their children graduated and now their grandchildren continue their studies at the University. It is strange to hear somebody claim that he or she has given a lot to the University of Latvia. We should rather ask whether the University has given more to them.”
The Professor emphasizes that the University should not be viewed in the sense of facilities only, but mainly as a body of knowledge, traditions and other embodied values. “The University is also a team,” says A.Erglis. “One faculty does not form a university. This is why the distinction between higher educational institutions and universities exists. The university is a large international structure. It is an honour to be a part of the University of Latvia! In addition, the University provides possibilities for interdisciplinary development. In the past, it was not so important; however, today the medicine is rooted in base knowledge - biology, chemistry, mathematics, information technology and other disciplines. Nothing can be done without base knowledge. Similarly, if we want to summarize data, we need to have high-level statistics.”
A. Erglis suggests viewing the University only as a totality. “In the old days, classical education was considered to be an inseparable totality - languages, literature and art. University is a totality that cannot and may not be torn apart, and because of this we need interaction. The growth is the thing that attracts me in the University. It is clear that some parts will grow faster, but others more slowly. Someone might ask why we need philology in Latvia. It is the basis of the Latvian nation existence! It is our identity!”
The professor in a figurative way compares the coexistence of different disciplines with a family, where all family members have essential roles regardless of the current capacity. “From the family perspective, if someone, for example the mother or grandmother, has become less capable and does not earn money,that does not mean you will not take care of them. These people are, in any case, your family. It is similar with small kids, because they cannot work and bring income. The same applies to a new programme. We cannot always explain the University in numbers. There are many things that we do in the state as a matter of social responsibility. Of course, one should avoid extremes.”
“The University as a totality takes part in various large-scale programmes, for example, in Juncker’s investment plan, education and science programmes, innovation programmes etc. It is not a single faculty that works on these programmes, but the whole University. A good example is the new UL Academic Centre of Natural Sciences in Tornakalns. It is absurd to claim that it was not needed! We need state-of-the-art forms. It is not always form that determines content; however, form is essential to the realization of content. This building was built not by a single faculty, but by the whole university!” Prof. Erglis says with certainty.
He shares his reflections on the proven capacity and necessity for teamwork all across the world. “How few professions are there, in which we can work individually? Actually there are almost no such professions. Writers, composers... Even composers cannot work individually, for they need a good piano and performers. There are few such disciplines. I am certain that the aim of the Rector and pro-rectors is to create strength not in each discipline individually, but in the interdisciplinary cooperation that will only strengthen the University itself. Everyone will benefit from it.” In this respect, A. Erglis emphasizes the most important functions of the UL Strategy Council - to take part in the creation and implementation of strategic development policy, to promote exchange of information between the University of Latvia and society, Ministry of Education and Science, non-governmental organizations as well as other state and municipal institutions. In addition, he welcomes suggestions and proposals for the Strategy Council via e-mail at strategija@lu.lv
