UL rector Indriķis Muižnieks receives Cicero award

Head of the Cicero Award Jury panel Jānis Stradiņš characterised Indriķis Muižnieks as a true scientist exploring plant physiology and microbiology, and, moreover, a leader dedicating his efforts to management and governance – initially as the Dean of the UL Faculty of Biology, subsequently – as a Vice-rector for sciences at the UL, and presently – as the Rector of the UL. “I. Muižnieks is a tolerant, active, far-sighted and inspirational rector, less of a theorist, much more – a practical person, a doer. Therefore, we bestow upon him the Cicero award, especially to honour his work in development of the monumental Torņakalns project. (..) We should also mention building of Riga Technical University complex in Ķīpsala and Rīga Stradiņš University in Dzirciema iela, Anniņmuiža. Riga becomes better balanced, and that may serve as a basis for increasingly studential spirit in Pārdaugava.” Receiving Cicero Award, Rector accentuated that he would like to be remembered as a scientist rather than a developer of the largest academic building in Latvia. ”Our temple acquires its name from the UL motto, our work dedicated to science and fatherland. Our work in Torņakalns is only a road and tool to reach this temple, to augment our students’, Latvian scientists’ and culture’s capacity for growth and development, taking their due place in European space of higher education and science, while enhancing the role of Latvia in evolvement of our science, economy and society,” said I. Muižnieks. Honorary Title of Cicero in category of education and science was bestowed upon Engineering High School of Riga Technical University for its contribution to raising the future engineers and scientific journal “Enerģija un Pasaule” for versatile reflection of energetics issues. Cicero Award in nomination “Culture” was conferred upon art historian Imants Lancmanis for his enduring work in renovation of Rundāle Castle, and writer Māra Zālīte for inspiration of Latvian society through poetry, journalism and librettos of rock operas. In this nomination, Cicero Award was also given to Latvian Radio 1 programme "Kultūras Rondo” for diverse and profound communication. Cicero Honorary title in nomination “International policy” was bestowed upon Emmanuel Macron, the President of France for strengthening European Union. Academician Jānis Stradiņš, who heads the Jury panel of Cicero Award since 1999, emphasised that Cicero Award reflects upon the personalities and achievements that during the respective year have earned appreciation by wider public, united the society, inspired Latvia toward progress. Cicero Award is a token of public recognition. Yet in his address the academician mentioned that, quite possibly, this is the last year of Cicero Award. This year, the Murphy Award was not presented.