In the coming years LLU plans a major academic and research environment modernization
At the annual Councillors convention which took place at the Jelgava palace ta the end of October, LLU management presented councillors with plans for the coming years, which includes extensive investments in academic and research environment development so that university could offer internationally competitive studies and specialized studies for entrepreneurs.
When addressing the councillors, composed of executives of leading Latvian businesses and skilled professionals of various sectors, LLU Rector Irinia Pilvere admitted that currently it is a challenge for the university to prepare documentation for the use of the fundings provided by EU structural funds.
“We are working hard to prepare for the implementation of two huge projects which will modernize study environment and scientific infrastructure. Thus we have made changes in the LLU strategy indicated by the Ministry of Education and plane to the use of funding in accordance with its objectives. At this moment it is necessary to convince both the government and the economic sector for the necessary investment in LLU infrastructure,” said I.Pilvere.
In the coming years LLU plans to restructure the scientific work, by focusing the research in 3 universities and 20 faculty-level laboratories and equip them with such equipment that would attract not only entrepreneurs and scientists from Latvia but also scientists and entrepreneurs from other countries. It is planned to raise more than 15 million euros for the modernization of the biosciences and engineering laboratories which will include the modernization of LLU scientific institutes in Dobele, Priekuļi, Stende and Riga.
“Already our scientists conduct internationally recognized research and their publications are with high impact indexes, but there’s a need of laboratory modernization so that they can be used to solve practical economic problems more effectively as well as to ensure better working conditions for researchers’ ” said pro-rector Arnis Mugurēvičs.
While in study area it is planned to modernize the teaching of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in order to prepare the knowledgeable and competent young specialists. At the moment in LLU in these fields of study are studying about 3000 students. Until the end of 2018th it is planned to invest more than 3 million euros on the renovation of study premises, IT solutions implementation and expansion of the library fund.
After the meeting I. Pilvere said that Councillors convention is an asset to the university, since it is possible to listen to the leading representatives of the economic sector, take account of their proposals while developing a variety of plans. It is not always easy to reconcile the vision of an academic environment with a vision of economic sector, but it is the right path to a smart society, strong state economy and stable future of the university.
LLU is one of the leading universities in the Baltic Sea region specializing in the sustainable use of natural resources by implementing studies and research in biosciences, engineering and social sciences thereby contributing to the communities quality of life.
LLU is the fourth largest Latvian university and every year 1000 new students start their academic life here.