University of Latvia becomes a member of European Foundation for Quality Management

The excellence approach and EFQM model have been used at the University of Latvia since 2010. Correspondingly, the quality management of every sphere at the UL is implemented, ensuring process and result analysis, as well as continuous improvement. The quality management system effected in accordance with the principles of excellence contributes to the confidence in the UL performance of the parties involved in the UL work, including the employers. Thus, the demand for UL graduates in the labour market is promoted. EFQM is a non-profit organization that over 30 years has been supporting organizations on the path to sustainable excellence in Europe and beyond.

“EFQM membership will provide the University of Latvia with an easy access to changes in the current excellence model and to leadership training, yielding the opportunities for excellence assessment and networking for best practice exchange,” emphasizes Santa Bondare, UL Quality Assurance Manager, pointing out the suitability and correspondence of excellence approach with regard to quality management needs in the higher education sector.

In ensuring quality, the UL pursues topicality of study programmes, promotion of excellence in teaching and learning, provision of study process support according to the needs of students, and promotion of interdisciplinarity both in studies and research.

“Academic and research excellence is at the core of UL competitiveness. Through excellence approach, the university strategically manages the development, generation and collaboration of its academic and research staff, ensuring the corresponding resources and administrative support. Staff engagement and academic collaboration with industry has contributed to the development of the academic centre, creating a contemporary, interdisciplinary environment that corresponds to the requirements of studies, science and industry,” says Santa Bondare.

Purposeful support and motivation activities are implemented to promote the achievements of the academic and research staff of the university, including attracting investments in several hundred international projects implemented by the UL. In addition to the more than three thousand graduates, that complete the UL study programmes annually, the UL has created over 60 potential forms of cooperation solutions for institutions and companies in industries like chemistry, environment, energy, food, materials and biomedicine, continuing to further the cooperation in a number of other spheres.

The University of Latvia membership and participation in EFQM is being implemented as a part of the project supported by the European Social Fund under SO 8.2.3. "To Ensure Better Governance in Higher Education Institutions".