Rector’s Welcome Address on Christmas

Honourable staff members and students of the University of Latvia! December is traditionally a time for looking back, assessing the year’s highs and lows and setting up new future plans so as in January after a well-deserved holiday break we could proceed and establish new, higher goals for the next year. 2010 has seen various changes in Latvia; it made people reassess at both national and individual level how until now they have organized their work and social life. It can be assumed with caution and satisfaction that short-term thinking, the desire for immediate material well-being and unreasonable consumption are replaced gradually by long-term view based on fundamental knowledge and a prevailing set of human values. I am glad that, on the initiative of UL, people at the community and the governmental levels are involved in discussions about competitive and up-to-date higher education and most important – about reforms of structural nature needed for the successful achievement of this objective. It is the first step in making real and lasting change. In 2010, UL worked under significantly reduced budget conditions, but due to reforms and consolidation of expenses performed already in 2009, this year as such has been successful. Our Alma Mater’s main value is and remains its people - highly qualified staff and recognized researchers who are able to provide high quality study process with the limited amount of resources. As a result, UL is the leading higher educational institution and one of the biggest universities in the Baltic States with a no flux in the number of students compared with previous years. Thank you for being part of UL. A special word of thanks I have to say to all non-teaching staff of UL whose work and ideas continue to develop a support system and seek new and innovative solutions to substantially facilitate both teachers and students’ daily life. I would like to praise those who worked together on the European Structural Funds and on the development and implementation of large-scale scientific and infrastructure projects. A new University campus in Tornkalns should be mentioned as a unique and successful project for studies and research. Thanks to all students of UL – our biggest driving force and motivators, due to you UL will always be new in its spirit and brave in its actions! I would like to wish you inspiration for new ideas and achievements in the New Year! Sincerely, Marcis Auzins
Rector of the University of Latvia