Advancement of UL Academic Centre Continues

The planned investments in the third phase of the University of Latvia Academic Centre development programme amount to 103 million euros. Next to the Houses of Nature, Science and Letters, which comprise the investment of almost 130 million euros, will rise the new applied science and technology transfer centres. It is expected that the House of Letters will open its doors in 2023, and that the entire Academic Centre will be put into operation in 2025.

“The establishment of the Academic Centre will enable the university to consolidate study and research activities, ensuring efficient, rational use of infrastructure and human resources. In addition to being a catalyst to development of our country’s higher education and science, it will also advance the economy, health care and culture. The overarching goal of studies and research must be the quality of human life in the era of big data and digital society,” explains the University of Latvia Rector Indriķis Muižnieks.

“The development plans of the Academic Centre are drafted in close cooperation with the EIB, whose task is both to assess the interest of potential investors and to monitor the progress of projects to ensure that they are able to attract the interest of financial institutions. The creditworthiness and solvency of the University of Latvia are sufficient to implement these projects within the specified timeframe. There are numerous possible fundraising scenarios – both borrowing directly and implementing public-private partnership projects,” explains Dace Tola, the feasibility study project manager.

The EIB confirms that it is considering the possibility of participating in the financing of the UL Academic Centre project also in its third phase. “The European Union is currently facing one of the most difficult moments in its history. The coronavirus pandemic will have a severe impact on the economy, and we must be able to respond in a united and convincing manner, without wasting a minute. The EIB has repeatedly shown that it can provide support when it is most needed. And it is ready to do it again,” emphasizes Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the EIB. He also believes that Latvia has been able to prove its sustainability and that the EIB is ready to continue supporting the country's projects to the best of its ability.

As potential sources of financing for the third stage of the development program, the European Investment Advisory Hub recommends European Union (EU) structural fund guarantees, financing from international lenders, UL equity investments or funds attracted by investors within the framework of the public-private partnership model.

The non-consolidated financial performance of the UL for 2019 shows that last year the assets of balance sheet of the university increased by 1.7 %, reaching 181 million euros, while the turnover of the University of Latvia (budget revenues) amounted to 100.8 million euros. “The study has provided an insight into the financial parameters of the projects and helped the University of Latvia to prepare the plans for the third phase. A number of investors and real estate project developers were interviewed in the framework of feasibility study, and they provided valuable advice. Various possible scenarios have been evaluated and the possibilities of the university to provide equity and borrow for the development of the third phase, attracting funds from the sale of its real estate, have been studied. Various public-private partnership solutions have also been outlined,” says Chiara Continenza, representative of the European Investment Advisory Hub.

House of Technology

It is planned to consolidate the University of Latvia scientific excellence in the House of Technology with laboratories providing state-of-art equipment. This building will constitute a technology development and transfer centre. The House of Technology will encompass three centres:

• Life Sciences Centre;
• High Energy Particle Centre;
• Mechanics of Materials and Prototyping Centre.

Life Sciences Centre

The goal – to ensure the development of new technologies and products in the field of life sciences, to further the cooperation with industry and creation of startups. To establish a material and technical basis for the creation of new technologies, production systems and products, as well as services in the pharmaceutical and medical industries.

High Energy Particle Centre

The goal – to create an infrastructure for the commercialization of high energy radiation research, to support the existing radiation technologies, as well as advancement of innovative technologies, to strengthen the partnership between academia and industry in the field of radiation science and technology.

“There are many prototype-yielding projects already at the University of Latvia, however, the level of technological readiness is still low. Specific equipment is needed to raise the readiness level of this prototype technology and bring these prototypes closer to the market,” explains the Director of Institute of Chemical Physics at the University of Latvia and the scientific expert of the centre, Dr. chem. Donāts Erts.

Mechanics of Materials and Prototyping Centre

The goal – to develop research of composite materials for the needs of the aerospace industry, design and modelling of new material prototypes and production technologies.

“Mechanics of Materials and Prototyping Centre at the House of Technology provides, among other things, materials testing equipment that will allow conducting internationally competitive high-quality scientific research. We are already the only ones in the Baltics to test materials and structures in an accredited laboratory. What is important - there is a laboratory in the Technology House, where it will be possible to make samples from composite materials and later also prototypes with the help of, for example, 3D printing,” says the Director of the Institute for Mechanics of Materials and the scientific expert of the centre Egils Plūme,.

House of Health

The goal – synergy of medical treatment, pedagogy and science, development of new treatment technologies, establishment of centres of excellence in social paediatrics and family doctors. The House of Health is conceived as a synergy between medical science and primary health care – here, the students will acquire knowledge and practice, and the polyclinic established here will provide medical services to the UL students, employees as well as residents of the city.

“It seems that we have been looking for an answer to why health is important to humans for more than 2 400 years, when the philosopher of ancient Greece Socrates came up with the idea that “health” is not everything, but without health, everything is nothing. The House of Health is a contribution of the University of Latvia in the context of this question, starting to treat the disease before it has become clinically manifest. This is especially important in case of children, as any disease diagnosed and treated with delay threatens their development. Both students and city residents will be able to receive services at the House of Health,” affirms the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Valdis Folkmanis.

House of Sports

The goal – to create a sports ecosystem centre in Latvia, providing a wide range of services in sports, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and ensuring the quality of life.

The House of Champions or the House of Sports will have two transformable halls that can be adjusted to the requirements of different sports. Students will also have access to a large swimming pool and gym. This complex will be available not only to the UL family – its students and staff – its infrastructure will also be accessible to city residents.

“The House of Champions in a way is a unique sports facility, which will provide the UL students, employees and the residents of Riga with active lifestyle opportunities, suitable conditions for professional teams and athletes, and will develop sports science study programmes with extensive rehabilitation and diagnostic opportunities. It includes two large halls for team sports, fitness and dance halls, a swimming pool, a track, a gym and other sports facilities,” explains the Director of the University of Latvia Sports Centre, Head of the House of Sports feasibility study project Uģis Bisenieks.

Student hotel and apartments for guest lecturers

The goal – to create a modern living space for students, ensuring that apartments and common areas are equipped for fast and modern living. The House of Students will have approximately 900 square meters for the services required by students. Student hotel and guest lecturer apartments could be developed as a public partnership project.

“Market and developers are more interested in getting involved in projects that have commercial potential, while the objects that provide socio-economic benefits must seek funding from various funds and grants, or, for example, a loan from an international financial institution,” notes Reinis Rotkalis, feasibility study project manager.

Source: Newspaper Dienas Bizness, April 7, 2020