Indriķis Muižnieks handed the rector’s chain of office in ceremony

“There are no objective obstacles to the growth of the UL – we must work to boost competitiveness in scientific work, to attract and retain students, to create new study options, to tell the world about the achievements of the UL. In order to achieve this goal, synergy between multidisciplinary research and studies, science-intensive services and technological solutions is essential. Optimism is our moral duty,” said the rector. During the staff meeting, Professors’ diplomas were awarded to those elected to the offices of Professor and Associate Professor for the first time during the academic year of 2014/2015. Newly elected faculty deans were congratulated. The rector of the UL expressed gratitude to the participants of the Salaspils nuclear reactor group and the project team of the UL Academic center in Torņakalns. Rector Indriķis Muižnieks assumed office on August 4 of this year. An important goal of his activities is the improvement of governance quality within the UL through increased work efficiency of the administration and the reduction of administrative and operating expenses. Between August 27 and September 3, the rector along with the currently proposed pro-rectors for fields of sciences (prof. Ina Druviete for the field of humanitarian and education sciences, prof. Valdis Segliņš for the field of natural and life sciences, and prof. Jānis Ikstens for the field of social sciences and law) met with UL faculty deans and institute directors in order to discuss the progress of the institutional capacity development project and the required university reorganization process as well as the strategy plan of the UL, the main tasks and  management priorities, and to introduce the deans and directors to changes in the structure of the UL. The new structure of the UL as envisioned by the rector includes three pro-rectors for fields of sciences, an administration manager, two deputy rectors – one for development-related issues, and a second for student-related work. The Quality management and auditing department and the Media and marketing center will work closely with the rector’s office. A key innovation in the structure of the UL will be the strategy council, which will serve as a counseling institute and as a significant instrument for the strengthening of internal democracy with the UL. The council will be comprised of pro-rectors, social partners of the UL and academic thought leaders. On August 24, Reinis Bērziņš started work as the rector’s counsellor for legal issues and Baiba Broka assumed the post of rector’s office manager. The duties of the rector’s press secretary will officially be assumed by Laura Ardava, lecturer at the UL Faculty of Social sciences and PhD candidate in communication sciences. Indriķis Muižnieks aims to build the UL into a national university of science by facilitating cooperation between scientific fields and institutions of the UL, by developing the internationalization of studies and research, and by strengthening the bond between the UL and Latvian society, allowing for increased financing for academic activities and modernization of infrastructure.