International Development at the Faculty of Economics and Management

During the studies, students have an opportunity to engage in international student exchange programmes, to attend lectures by guest lecturers and participate in the international conferences held on the Faculty. Moreover, some of the international projects are integrated into curriculum, especially for those who have chosen study programmes with international specialization, for example, “International Business Management”. Baiba Šavriņa, professor of the Chair of International Economic Relations, told us about the international projects organized by the Faculty. Baiba Šavriņa is the director of the Master’s degree of higher professional education programme “International Business (with a specialization in Export Management)”. She also represents UL at international conferences and events, as well as participates in creating new relations and cooperation networks among universities. From Disgust to Vital Interest in Economics It was an eventful and fateful story how the graduate of the Faculty of History and Philosophy entered the Chair of International Economic Relations. Remembering that, Prof. Baiba Šavriņa said: “Being in the right place at the right time, in particular – on the corner of the street, and meeting with the very person coming across decided my fate.” At that time the department, where Baiba Šavriņa studied and was about to work, was closed because the teaching staff under the pressure of dominating authority hid the true content of study programmes under the accepted titles, for example, the title “Criticism of Modern Bourgeois Philosophy” was “Modern Philosophy” in disguise, and under “Modern Ethical Challenges” – “Modern Religious Philosophy” was lectured. It was a rather unpleasant moment in her life. However, the fate decreed that on one significant day, as mentioned before, she met Ojārs Potreki, Communist Party Secretary at the University, who invited her to work for the Faculty of Political Economy. Baiba Šavriņa replied that Economics was the only subject she found disgusting during her studies therefore she would not take the offer. Nevertheless, Ojārs Potreki had succeeded in persuasion – he offered her to give lectures on History of Economics, which, in a sense, covered the same subject as Philosophy. As a result, economics has become an essential part of Professor’s life. The Charm of France The Professor’s link to France already formed during her studies at the secondary school. She graduated Henri Barbusse (Anrī Barbiss) Riga Secondary School No.11 as it was named at that time, now – Riga French Lycee (Rīgas Franču licejs). In 1993, Baiba Šavriņa got a French Government grant and possibility to write her doctoral thesis in Economics at the Sorbonne (Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne). This period makes her smile when she remembers how even food was cooked on the iron due to the limited amount of money. Instead of enjoying culturally abundant four years in France, Baiba Šavriņa wrote and presented the doctoral thesis in two years. Since then the international cooperation between the Faculty and France has grown and successfully resulted in the first major study program “Europe and Business”, and in its framework, French guest lecturers gave lectures in the Great Hall. Another project made it possible for Baiba Šavriņa to get a diploma in EU Studies (this is an equivalent to the certificate). “Since lots of French guest lecturers attended UL, a serious cooperation has formed expanding the Erasmus programme for the students of UL. Currently, we have not only the Erasmus agreement, and also an agreement with one of the French schools that creates new opportunities for the students to get a double diploma,” the professor pointed out. It is not surprising that Baiba Šavriņa has become the leader of Francophone network in Latvia due to her interest in France and cooperation projects. Latvia is the newest member of the network among 35 Member States. The French-speaking network is established in support of the development of science through cooperation of researchers and students from all over the world. Baiba Šavriņa, the director of this program, highlighted the endless possibilities of the network. These possibilities include conferences, doctoral schools, as well as opportunities for publications. The current event is marked by a competition for annual premium, and the doctoral students from Latvia are welcome to apply (an application may also be written in English). World-Class Doctoral Students from Germany and Austria The Faculty also participates in the activities related to the international network of Consortium of European Universities. Its initiators were the Austrians and Germans. The network also includes universities from Great Britain, France, Spain (Canary Islands) and Czech Republic. Up to now, UL has organized video conferences in collaboration with the Germans, but further conferences might be organized in cooperation with three and more universities. Video conferences are held every year (up to now - there were five conferences), and they are organized by both universities preparing one theme agreed upon in advance. During the conference, the best students give presentations of their term papers on a specific theme. Each year Baiba Šavriņa has been trying to involve all of her students in video conferences. It is an excellent opportunity for foreign students to become acquainted with the economy and business environment of Latvia, for local students – it is an opportunity to work together with representatives of other countries, see different approaches to tasks and so on. Last autumn the new Doctoral study programme within the Doctoral study programme “Global Management and Leadership” was introduced in Kufstein, the city in Tyrol, Austria. The programme is intended to accomplish the necessary curriculum both in Austria and Latvia. It also provides 30 outstanding doctoral studies at the UL. Among them are world-class executives of large corporations, for example, Deutsche Post and Siemens, thus the program raises the prestige of the Faculty. As the students have much experience and knowledge, their training requires professional competence of the teaching staff. Professors from Latvia, Austria, Germany and America will work with these students. Within the programme there will be a discussion between Latvian and foreign doctoral students. One such discussion took place this July. Creating an International Environment Working in collaboration with the Balkan States is no less fascinating. The EU-SEE Programme provides study opportunities for both Latvians and Balkan people to study at the Universities involved in this project. Last year young people from Kosovo and Serbia studied at the Faculty. The programme covers all of the study related costs. Prof. Šavriņa is fully convinced that the international environment is good for the Faculty. The more people will choose UL for their studies, the more likely the Faculty is to attract funds which, in its turn, will improve the quality of studies. The biggest faculty of UL has also drawn attention of the University of Lapland and its lecturers who are often guests at UL. Sometimes they come together with their students to participate in a joint conference. The Bridge between the East and Europe Establishing international cooperation with China is an important event for the Faculty. This cooperation just started within the Francophone network project. The Vice President of the University of China had participated at some francophone conference and understood nothing in French, so Baiba Šavriņa occasionally helped with explanations of what was being said.  After her returning to Latvia, she received an invitation to visit China together with the Dean of the Faculty. In Kunming, the capital of the province of Yunnan in Southern China, an agreement of cooperation intent between the Faculty and Yunnan University of Finance and Economics was signed. This spring the partners from China visited Latvia, and it was a significant step in cooperation development. This study year the first student from Latvia - Renars Lasko is going to study at Master's degree programme in China. In Professor’s view, it is a big challenge, because he will be the first student from Latvia not only in Kunming, but also in Yunnan. During the last meeting with the representatives of the Chinese University, Prof. Šavriņa realized how favourable the present situation is for us. For the EU we are a bridge to Russia as we are aware of Russian cultural traditions and are able to communicate with Russians, but we can also present interest for China as we can teach them how to communicate with the EU. For Chinese we are like a bridge to the EU, because our study programmes are of equal value to other EU institutions of higher education, and with our post-Soviet experience and heritage we can find common grounds communicating with them. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the recent visit of an Azerbaijan delegation to our Faculty this summer; it was a big culture shock for Baiba Šavriņa and her colleagues. The approach used in the Faculty in telling and presenting both Latvia and UL failed. Although there was no language barrier, the delegation could perceive neither information nor the way it was presented. Such notions as University cooperation networks or centres of excellency remained incomprehensible for our Azerbaijan guests. That makes us re-consider our future communication and cooperation strategies within this region, for instance, in Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The UL Faculty of Economics and Management offers various opportunities to gain international experience. If a student is motivated and interested in both studying and international cooperation, the University will be pleased to offer and help to find the best solutions. Thus, Prof. Šauriņa concluded, “However, students who intended to spend a part of their period of study abroad or who are attending daily lectures together with foreign students should remember that they are not only the representatives of the University, but also representatives of their country, and it is a great responsibility to choose which aspects of their culture they are willing to show.”
Translated by students of the professional study programme Translator of the University of Latvia.