CONFERENCE
Contents include:
Library Keeps up with Latest Developments Many people are still under a delusion of the librarian’s role in society. Modern library has changed from the Soviet ideological tribune into an active participant of social life and one of the most active environments using new technologies. Under the guidance of Maija Barbale, UL Library staff member and the Master of Library Science, the Multi-Branched Library has acquired new features. Special attention is paid to an active collaboration with clients; the Library’s collection is made available to open access; there are a self-service facility and a quiet reading room; new forms of cooperation such as competitions and surveys are being developed; the Library’s resources and services are improved; the Library performs its cultural function organizing exhibitions and events. Maija’s initiative and enthusiasm help to implement new and useful projects. She speaks about librarians’ daily practices and reveals why she became a librarian herself.
Riga’s Old Believers - Open to Dialogue and Cooperation Despite all the changes that have occurred in Latvia, many religious denominations have still persisted through time and continue to live in harmony with their cultural policies and religious practices. When religion can most certainly be a source of conflict in the world today, it would be unusual to see about thirty different denominations in Latvia co-existing and making it a unique multi-religious country. One of the most ancient churches in Latvia with more than 80 thousand members is Old-Believers. Although there are quite different attitudes and even prejudice towards them, an explanatory and understandable insight into the Old-Believers’ world has been lacking. A new survey, “Riga’s Old-Believers”, issued by researchers of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of UL and representatives of Latvia’s Old-Believers will be a valuable addition to investigation of Latvia’s religious landscape; the book is also available in foreign languages as printed and digital editions.
Turn the World in Behalf of Science Since April UL “Radio NABA” 93.1 FM every other Thursday at six o'clock in the evening offers a programme “In Behalf of Science” which introduces listeners to the Latvian scientists’ researches, experiments and findings. Each broadcast invites a recognized scholar who tells about his or her scientific research, shares ideas about academic life, students, studies, cooperation with the state and science itself. The programme is aimed at a wide audience and scientists talk here about science in a simple, understandable language. The programme is run by Ilze Klepere, an engineer, UL, Institute of Solid State Physics and UL, Faculty of Biology, Chair of Microbiology and Biotechnology; Janis Daugavietis, a doctoral student in Sociology, UL, research assistant and lecturer; Sandris Murins, a doctoral candidate in Sociology, social entrepreneur; Anna Platpire who graduated from the Master’s programme in Communication Sciences and works at the Latvian Radio.
Bright Cheerleaders The University of Latvia cheerleaders’ team “Mango” established two years ago has become an integral part of students’ life. The girls not only represent UL and support sports, but also popularize UL in Latvia. “Mango” participates in various, mainly basketball events such as “Ghetto Basket”, streetball championships, basketball games, and, of course, supports the UL basketball team in the Latvian Basketball League and the SEB Student Basketball League. After the basketball season the girls participate in various charity and corporate events, fashion shows and so on. Since last year, they are the Moto Society “Streetfighters” cheerleaders. Currently the team has 12 dancers from different UL Faculties, for example, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Computing, Faculty of Social Sciences and others.
The University of Latvia Brass Band: “We breathe together”! The UL Brass Band was formed on September 1, 2008 bringing together more than 50 young musicians from higher educational institutions and music schools from all over Latvia. The founders of the orchestra are conductor and Associated Professor Janis Purins, the Jazeps Vitols Latvia Music Academy, and producer Astraida Kenina. The UL Brass Band participates in various festivals, contests and stages solo concerts. It has taken part in many music festivals at the Jazeps Vitols Latvia Music Academy - Trumpets Days 2008, Low Brass Days 2009, Trombone Day 2009 performing with soloists from the United States, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia. In 2009 and 2010, the UL Brass Band participated in the Baltic States Wind Orchestra Conductors and Ensemble Leaders Forum in Riga presenting Latvian composers.
The University of Latvia’s Reality Show: Lesser Eagle Couple Since April, when a couple of lesser eagles returned in Latvia, everyone can watch their nesting on the UL website www.lu.lv/tiesraide/3/ or www.pomarina.lv. In Madona region the video camera was installed near the eagles’ nest in 2008 so the birds are kept under observation 24-hours-a-day. Then there were a couple of other birds – Gints and Greta. This year, another camera was installed near new lesser eagle couple who got their names on Easter - Matcho and Metra. The couple successfully accepted the camera located nearby, about 7 metres away from the nest. The survey is conducted by ornithologist Ugis Bergmanis of the Nature Protection Board of Latgale Regional Administration. He graduated UL where got PhD in Biology. UL students actively participate in the survey and diligently keep watch on the nest and collect data. The University also provides an online broadcast server in order to study the eagles’ food chain and their daily activities.
UL - Home to Students, Relatives and Neighbours “My University - My Home” is a feeling shared by thousands of UL students. On May 14, this year’s Museum Night’s guests were welcomed to become a University’s friends, relatives and neighbours and join for a traditional presentation “UL House” held for the second time at the main building of UL (19 Raina Boulevard). As a tradition established in 2004, the UL Garden moved from Vermanes Park to Raina Boulevard or Rainitis and changed into “UL House”. This year’s theme was unmistakable – through the Rainitis door went nearly 2000 visitors during the Night of Museums. “UL House” welcomed visitors with fencing demonstrations, sonorous students’ songs. Students’ associations represented by male and female convention also joined “UL House”. Students from all 13 UL Faculties, representatives of research institutes and colleges for several months had been working on the best and most interesting presentation to surprise Riga.
Towards European Quality Is it possible to have a high quality education in Latvia? What is better - to study here or to study abroad? These and many other questions about the quality of education in Latvia worry potential students. In order to prove Informatics study potentialities in Latvia that comply with the European quality standards, UL Faculty of Computing submitted an application for obtaining the European Quality Label - “Euro-Inf Label”. Recently as first higher education institutions in Europe - RWTH Aachen University and the University of Bonn were awarded the Euro-Inf Quality Label for their Master’s degree programmes in the field of Informatics. Several European universities applied for the European Quality Label for their Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes and UL Faculty of Computing is among them. To assess whether the study programme is of high quality, procedural principles for the accreditation of degree programmes are developed, so the experts could evaluate how well students are prepared to meet the European standards.
Library Keeps up with Latest Developments Many people are still under a delusion of the librarian’s role in society. Modern library has changed from the Soviet ideological tribune into an active participant of social life and one of the most active environments using new technologies. Under the guidance of Maija Barbale, UL Library staff member and the Master of Library Science, the Multi-Branched Library has acquired new features. Special attention is paid to an active collaboration with clients; the Library’s collection is made available to open access; there are a self-service facility and a quiet reading room; new forms of cooperation such as competitions and surveys are being developed; the Library’s resources and services are improved; the Library performs its cultural function organizing exhibitions and events. Maija’s initiative and enthusiasm help to implement new and useful projects. She speaks about librarians’ daily practices and reveals why she became a librarian herself.
Riga’s Old Believers - Open to Dialogue and Cooperation Despite all the changes that have occurred in Latvia, many religious denominations have still persisted through time and continue to live in harmony with their cultural policies and religious practices. When religion can most certainly be a source of conflict in the world today, it would be unusual to see about thirty different denominations in Latvia co-existing and making it a unique multi-religious country. One of the most ancient churches in Latvia with more than 80 thousand members is Old-Believers. Although there are quite different attitudes and even prejudice towards them, an explanatory and understandable insight into the Old-Believers’ world has been lacking. A new survey, “Riga’s Old-Believers”, issued by researchers of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of UL and representatives of Latvia’s Old-Believers will be a valuable addition to investigation of Latvia’s religious landscape; the book is also available in foreign languages as printed and digital editions.
Turn the World in Behalf of Science Since April UL “Radio NABA” 93.1 FM every other Thursday at six o'clock in the evening offers a programme “In Behalf of Science” which introduces listeners to the Latvian scientists’ researches, experiments and findings. Each broadcast invites a recognized scholar who tells about his or her scientific research, shares ideas about academic life, students, studies, cooperation with the state and science itself. The programme is aimed at a wide audience and scientists talk here about science in a simple, understandable language. The programme is run by Ilze Klepere, an engineer, UL, Institute of Solid State Physics and UL, Faculty of Biology, Chair of Microbiology and Biotechnology; Janis Daugavietis, a doctoral student in Sociology, UL, research assistant and lecturer; Sandris Murins, a doctoral candidate in Sociology, social entrepreneur; Anna Platpire who graduated from the Master’s programme in Communication Sciences and works at the Latvian Radio.
Bright Cheerleaders The University of Latvia cheerleaders’ team “Mango” established two years ago has become an integral part of students’ life. The girls not only represent UL and support sports, but also popularize UL in Latvia. “Mango” participates in various, mainly basketball events such as “Ghetto Basket”, streetball championships, basketball games, and, of course, supports the UL basketball team in the Latvian Basketball League and the SEB Student Basketball League. After the basketball season the girls participate in various charity and corporate events, fashion shows and so on. Since last year, they are the Moto Society “Streetfighters” cheerleaders. Currently the team has 12 dancers from different UL Faculties, for example, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Computing, Faculty of Social Sciences and others.
The University of Latvia Brass Band: “We breathe together”! The UL Brass Band was formed on September 1, 2008 bringing together more than 50 young musicians from higher educational institutions and music schools from all over Latvia. The founders of the orchestra are conductor and Associated Professor Janis Purins, the Jazeps Vitols Latvia Music Academy, and producer Astraida Kenina. The UL Brass Band participates in various festivals, contests and stages solo concerts. It has taken part in many music festivals at the Jazeps Vitols Latvia Music Academy - Trumpets Days 2008, Low Brass Days 2009, Trombone Day 2009 performing with soloists from the United States, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Latvia. In 2009 and 2010, the UL Brass Band participated in the Baltic States Wind Orchestra Conductors and Ensemble Leaders Forum in Riga presenting Latvian composers.
The University of Latvia’s Reality Show: Lesser Eagle Couple Since April, when a couple of lesser eagles returned in Latvia, everyone can watch their nesting on the UL website www.lu.lv/tiesraide/3/ or www.pomarina.lv. In Madona region the video camera was installed near the eagles’ nest in 2008 so the birds are kept under observation 24-hours-a-day. Then there were a couple of other birds – Gints and Greta. This year, another camera was installed near new lesser eagle couple who got their names on Easter - Matcho and Metra. The couple successfully accepted the camera located nearby, about 7 metres away from the nest. The survey is conducted by ornithologist Ugis Bergmanis of the Nature Protection Board of Latgale Regional Administration. He graduated UL where got PhD in Biology. UL students actively participate in the survey and diligently keep watch on the nest and collect data. The University also provides an online broadcast server in order to study the eagles’ food chain and their daily activities.
UL - Home to Students, Relatives and Neighbours “My University - My Home” is a feeling shared by thousands of UL students. On May 14, this year’s Museum Night’s guests were welcomed to become a University’s friends, relatives and neighbours and join for a traditional presentation “UL House” held for the second time at the main building of UL (19 Raina Boulevard). As a tradition established in 2004, the UL Garden moved from Vermanes Park to Raina Boulevard or Rainitis and changed into “UL House”. This year’s theme was unmistakable – through the Rainitis door went nearly 2000 visitors during the Night of Museums. “UL House” welcomed visitors with fencing demonstrations, sonorous students’ songs. Students’ associations represented by male and female convention also joined “UL House”. Students from all 13 UL Faculties, representatives of research institutes and colleges for several months had been working on the best and most interesting presentation to surprise Riga.
Towards European Quality Is it possible to have a high quality education in Latvia? What is better - to study here or to study abroad? These and many other questions about the quality of education in Latvia worry potential students. In order to prove Informatics study potentialities in Latvia that comply with the European quality standards, UL Faculty of Computing submitted an application for obtaining the European Quality Label - “Euro-Inf Label”. Recently as first higher education institutions in Europe - RWTH Aachen University and the University of Bonn were awarded the Euro-Inf Quality Label for their Master’s degree programmes in the field of Informatics. Several European universities applied for the European Quality Label for their Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes and UL Faculty of Computing is among them. To assess whether the study programme is of high quality, procedural principles for the accreditation of degree programmes are developed, so the experts could evaluate how well students are prepared to meet the European standards.
- <link eng general press almamater>Magazine "Alma Mater"
