Meeting at the Latvian Academy of Sciences on the evolving role of academic institutions in Latvia

The UniDev Latvian team took part in the organisation of a regular meeting of the Latvian Academy of Sciences entitled “The evolving role of academic institutions in Latvia: challenges and perspectives” which was held on 14 December 2006 in Riga, Latvia. Presentations were given by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, the University of Latvia, the Transport and Telecommunication Institute and the Latvian Academy of Sciences. They were followed by a general discussion with contribution made by several invited discussants. The meeting altogether was attended by around 40 people representing high-level personnel both from the public authorities and the academic community (academy, research institutes, higher education establishments).

The main subjects addressed by the meeting included the discussion of the very notion of ‘academic institutions’ in the national context and identification thereof, their legal status, the acute legislative issues and the consequent implications in terms of their productive operation, the mandate of academic institutions with a focus on the global tendencies and their adaptation in Latvia, understanding of their ‘third mission’, problems faced by the current national system of higher education and institutions in both private and public sector, recent policy developments and the future prospects. The presentations and the following debates contributed to provoking discussion as well as deepening the understanding of the role of the academic institutions, challenges faced by those under the current conditions and the different views on those held by the involved stakeholders.

Participants at the meeting “The shifting role of academic institutions in Latvia: challenges and perspectives” held on 14 December 2006 at the Latvian Academy of Sciences:

Chairman:
1. Juris Jansons – Vice-president, Latvian Academy of Sciences; Director, Institute of Polymer Mechanics, University of Latvia

Presenters:
2. Maija Bundule – Head, Department of Science, Technologies and Innovations, Ministry of Education and Science (“Draft plan for the amendments of Law on Research activity”)
3. Indrikis Muiznieks – Pro-Rector for Research, University of Latvia (“Academic institutions in Latvia: the present and the future development of the University of Latvia”)
4. Igors Kabaskins - Pro-Rector for Research and Development Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Institute (“The evolving role of academic institutions: experience of the Transport and Telecommunication Institute”)
5. Janis Kristapsons – Head, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Latvian Academy of Sciences (“Third mission of academic institutions”)

Discussants:
6. Arvids Barsevskis – Pro-Rector for Research, Daugavpils University
7. Peteris Rivza – Pro-Rector for Research, Latvia University of Agriculture
8. Andris Sternbergs – Director, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
9. Juris Zakis – Rector, Higher School of Social Technologies (former rector of the University of Latvia, 1987-2000)
10. Ivars Knets – Rector, Riga Technical University
11. Ilga Jansone – Director, Institute of Latvian Language, University of Latvia
12. Tatjana Koke – Parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Education and Science; Professor, Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Latvia

Other participants:
13. Juris Ekmanis – President, Latvian Academy of Sciences
14. Raimonds Valters – Secretary General, Latvian Academy of Sciences
15. Irina Jackiva – Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Institute
16. Alma Edzina – Scientific secretary, Latvian Academy of Sciences
17. Erika Tjunina – Researcher, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Latvian Academy of Sciences
18. Anda Adamsone-Fiskovica – Researcher, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Latvian Academy of Sciences
19. Inga Ulnicane – Researcher, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Latvian Academy of Sciences
20. Henriks Zenkevics – Deputy director, Institute of Biology, University of Latvia
21. Uldis Vikmanis – Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia
22. Zinaida Somsteine – Director, Biomedical Research and Study Centre of Latvia
23. Peteris Cimdins - Rector, Vidzeme University College
24. Martins Eihe - Deputy director for economic affairs, Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, University of Latvia
25. Alekdsandrs Rapoports – Head of Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia
26. Ingrida Rumba – Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia
27. Ruta Muceniece – Associate professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia
28. Elmars Blums – Head of Laboratory, Institute of Physics, University of Latvia
29. Maris Daugavietis – Senior researcher, Latvian State Forestry Research Institute “Silava”
30. Konstantins Didenko – Dean, Faculty of Engineering Economics; Director, Institute of Production and Entrepreneurship, Riga Technical University
31. Imants Bersons – Leading Researcher, Institute of Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy, University of Latvia
32. Uldis Viesturs – Director, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia
33. Aivars Zurins – Director, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
34. Ilze Trapenciere – Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, University of Latvia; Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science employees
35. Bruno Andersons – Chairman, Scientific Council of the Institute of Wood Chemistry; Head of the Laboratory, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
36. Valda Bratka – Director, Latvian State Institute of Agrarian Economics
37. Vija Ancupane – Deputy director, Latvian State Institute of Agrarian Economics
38. Jurijs Dehtjars – Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Microtechnologies, Riga Technical University
39. Aleksandrs Sostaks – Head of the Section of Mathematical Analysis, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, University of Latvia; Head of the Laboratory of Algebra and Topology, Institute of Mathematics, Latvian Academy of Sciences and University of Latvia
40. Gunta Slihta – Deputy director for research, Institute of Physical Energetics, Latvian Academy of Sciences
41. Andris Krumins – Vice-Director, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia