Raina Blvd. 19
Riga, LV-1586
Latvia
- Arts
- Democracy and community development
- Heritage
- International/Cultural relations
The University of Latvia is the leading research university in Latvia with outstanding intellectual capacity and profound expertise in different fields. The University of Latvia (UL), a state funded institution with its 13,000 students, 13 faculties and more than 20 research institutes is one of the largest in the Baltic States public comprehensive multidisciplinary university, which concentrates the leading study and research potential in humanities, social and natural sciences, medicine. Through the continuous internationalization the UL seeks to achieve the highest international standards in teaching and research, to increase the international recognition of the UL and to strengthen its reputation in the academic environment abroad. The partners around the world both bilateral and within great number of various projects approves this objective. The UL is the member of international networks, active participant in Erasmus+ exchanges, proposes different scholarships for the students. The implementation of the planned national measures within the Modernization Agenda and UL Strategic Plan ensures that such important principles as: learning outcomes based teaching, accreditation of all study programmes within the fields of science, the proposed new national funding models, the quality improvement in all functions as well as permanent revision of the curricula relevant to the labour market, emphasis on the links between education, research and business, training researchers as the active agents for innovation will support growth and excellence.
According to the UL Strategic Plan 2010-2020 goal to ensure the long term development of the Latvian economy in coopreation with the state, regional institutions, enterprises, NGOs and other relevant actors, the UL aims to continue its development according to the strategic objectives: to raise the quality, widen knowledge alliances, foster the UL involvement in research collaboration, promote intensive international cooperation, increase the numbers of projects, publications, etc.
At UL research is conducted in over 50 research fields within the main areas : humanities, natural sciences and social sciences, medicine. The projects are conducted in all areas. The latest example: BIRTI(Baltic innovative research and technology infrastructure) The University of Latvia pays great attention to the development of international collaboration, and especially supports different schemas of mobility. At present, the University of Latvia participates in Erasmu+ projects, has been a a successful partner in various Erasmus Mundus Action 2 projects, i.e. JoinEU-SEE, Triple I, Lot 3b, Centauri, Mover and Aurora, as well as Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme (MISOCO). The UL participates at the moment in 7 EEA/Norway grants projects, etc.
In cooperation with the Network members, to organize joint activities, events, exhibits, and projects that would: a. involve large numbers of people which would enhance integration processes in the society as well as reciprocal cultural exchange and mutual understanding; b. stimulate and facilitate the exchange of ideas between the members of ALF network; c. contribute to the management of issues related to the refugee crisis. To involve in these projects and events people familiar with the languages and culture/s of our Mediterranean partners, in particular, students and teachers of Arabic and Turkish language.
1) First of all, to give the Latvian audience an opportunity to learn about the languages and cultures of Mediterranean countries as well as to present own culture, thus supporting a reciprocal cultural exchange process; 2) To involve the youth in multicultural communication with the aim of widening their horizons and promoting further international cooperation; 3) To bridge the cultural gaps, fight xenofobia, find common values, promote mutual understanding and support peaceful communication, which might be especially important during the refugee crisis in Europe. 4) And last, to provide an opportunity to LU Arabic and Turkish Language students to communicate with native speakers of these languages. Thus, the students will be able not only to learn more about the language/s and culture/s of the Mediterranean members of ALF Network, but also to use their knowledge in an authentic communicative situation and gain motivation for further studies and employment according to their major.