A summary of the implementation of the plan of the project “Support for Preparation of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences International Cooperation Projects in Research and Innovations (ATVASE)”

June 30, 2021

On 30 June 2021, another six months of the implementation of the project “Support for Preparation of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences International Cooperation Projects in Research and Innovations (ATVASE)” (project No. 1.1.1.5/18/I/009) at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences have passed. Several activities have been implemented during the last six months. Due to the Covid19 pandemic, all business trips have been cancelled, so all activities have been carried out

remotely on online platforms.


Activity 1.2. Business trips for the preparation of “Horizon 2020” and European Union’s 9th Framework Programme international cooperation projects


09-10.03.2021 The director of VIRAC participated in the remote conference “Paris Space Week 2021”. This conference is dedicated to business meetings, exhibitions and innovation challenges in the space industry. Paris Space Week is “The Networking Place” where companies, space agencies, start-ups, buyers and investors in the space industry from all over the world, through prescheduled qualified leads, take part in our innovation challenges, listen to our conferences and share their innovative products. At this event, A. Klokovs had organised 12 One2One meetings with the representatives of the space industry to make contacts, promote VIRAC and build international

cooperation in projects, space technology and pooling of resources. With two of them, cooperation in investment in space technology and implementation of joint projects continues. The VIRAC had created a participant profile in the event system with a full description of activities and services offered, which, according to statistics, had around 25 unique visits. In general, the conference was attended by around 40 speakers and 1,000 participants, over 9,000 business meetings were organised.


17-19.03.2021 The director of VIRAC participated in the remote conference “CYSAT’21”. This is the first European conference on cybersecurity in the space industry, particularly in satellite communications. With easier access to space and the boom of new space services collecting valuable data, space assets are becoming an attractive target for hackers. ​This 3-day event, in partnership with CYSEC, APSwiss and ESA’s ARTES Applications programme, gives the European space community the opportunity to learn, share and connect on the topic of cybersecurity by bringing selected executives, ethical hackers and experts together. At this event, A. Klokovs had organised 4 One2One meetings with the representatives of the space industry to make contacts, promote VIRAC and build international cooperation in projects, space technology and development of VIRAC services. Discussions continue with Leafspace from Italy, one of Europe’s largest satellite communications companies, about the use of the Irbene radio telescope complex in satellite communications services, satellite technologies and new investment projects, including the construction of new antennas. The VIRAC had created a participant profile in the event system with a full description of activities and services offered. In general, around 21 speakers and 206

participants from 26 countries attended this conference.


Activity 3. Ensuring participation in the JIV-ERIC consortium.


During the six months, Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has implemented several activities.

Activity 3.2. Business trips (in Latvia and abroad) for ensuring participation in the JIVERIC consortium


21.01.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the ILT Board meeting held online in Zoom to discuss progress in the implementation of LOFAR 2.0 and current issues. The meeting was chaired by Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen, who first presented the reports on the technical issues of the development of LOFAR 2.0 in HBA LOW (110190 MHz) and HBA MID (170230 MHz) modes and then the discussion continued on the possible solutions.


28.01.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFAR-ERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by J. Ridded-Numan, the representative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, who started by presenting the issues from the previous meeting on 25.10.2020 to review the ongoing activities and tasks. Then, Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen reported on tax and investment issues, on the new draft of the Technical Annex, on

the current version of the LOFARERIC Statutes V4.0 and the planned financial plan. At the end, there was a discussion on the future steps in implementing the ERIC project. The ILT Board members from France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands, as well as the representatives of national ministries of education and science, participated in the meeting. In this meeting, Latvia was represented by Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs and Head of the RIS3 Unit from

the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Ministry of Education and Science Uldis Berķis.


19.02.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFARERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was opened by Wim van Cappellen, ASTRON engineer and project manager, with a report on the compatibility of LOFAR1.0 and LOFAR2.0 stations. Discussions continued on the LOFAR2.0 upgrade and ERIC prospects. Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen reported on a summary of current issues and also events, including the priorities in the financial plan, the timetable.


18.03.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFARERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by J. RiddedNuman, the representative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, who started by presenting the ongoing activities and tasks for the next meeting of the Working Group on 19.04.2021. The ILT Board members from France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands, as well as the representatives of national ministries of education and science, participated in the meeting.


31.03.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the ILT Board meeting held online in Zoom. It was chaired by the Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen, who started by presenting reports on ILT activities and then continued with statistics on observation applications. Dr. Carla Baldovin, ASTRON project manager and LOFAR policy coordinator, spoke about the progress in the implementation of LOFARERIC, the statutes, the return on investment, the financial model of the consortium, the transition process from ILT to ERIC and the next steps. The meeting continued with Wim van Cappellen, LOFAR2.0 project manager, who spoke about current events and progress in the implementation process of LOFAR2.0.


19.04.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFARERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by J. Ridded-Numan, the representative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, who started by presenting the issues from the previous meeting on 18.03.2021 to review the ongoing activities and tasks. Then, Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen asked all members of the Working Group to answer six strategic questions for the LOFARERIC implementation process in each member country.


12.05.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the EVN Board meeting held online in Zoom. It was chaired by the Chairperson of the EVN Board Tiziana Venturi, who first presented the issues from the previous meeting on 12.11.2020 to review and adopt the protocol of the previous meeting and review ongoing activities. Then the Chairperson of the EVN Programme Committee Kazi Rygl continued with the results of the scientific activities in the network, statistics on observation applications and trends. This was followed by a discussion among the participants on operational and technical issues of the EVN, including future EVN scientific events and seminars. Then Director of JIVE Paco Colomer spoke about JIVE current events, the interaction between EVN and JIVE, the update of the VLBI global alliance, support for new potential stations and EVN’s communication and information network. At the end, reports from the observatories were presented.


19.05.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the JIVERIC Board meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by JIVERIC Director Francisco Colomer and Board Member John Conway, who started by presenting the issues from the previous meeting on


13.11.2020 to review and adopt the protocol of the previous meeting and review ongoing activities. Then Director of JIV-ERIC Francisco Colomer continued with updates on the JIVE strategy, financial flows for 2020, financial forecast for 2021-2024, observational statistics and staff changes. At the meeting, participants voted in favor of admitting the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) to JIVERIC as of 2021. Also, a new chairperson of the JIVE Board, Tiziana Venturi from Italy, and a

new vice-chair, Jose Antonio Lopez Fernandez from Spain, were elected. The meeting was attended by members of the JIVERIC Board and invited organisations from France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Sweden and the Netherlands, as well as representatives of national ministries of education. Latvia was represented only by a representative of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences.


27.05.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFARERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen, who started by presenting the current issues and announcements from the member countries.


16.06.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the ILT Board meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by the Director of the ILT Rene Vermeulen, who started by presenting the ILT reports and urgent issues for discussion in the consortium. This was followed by a discussion among the members on software development issues, LOFARERIC preparations, budget reports of 2018 and 2019, ILT & ERIC financial plans and the annual reports of the observatories.


21.06.2021 Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs participated in the LOFARERIC Working Group meeting held online in Zoom. The meeting was chaired by J. RiddedNuman, the representative of the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, who started by presenting the issues from the previous meeting on 19.04.2021 to look through ongoing activities and tasks. This was followed by a discussion among the members on the statutes, the technical and scientific annexes, the user access policy, the transition model, the decommissioning model and the interim Board.


Activity 3.4 Organisation of events for ensuring participation in the JIVERIC consortium

On 28 April 2021, a workshop and JIV-ERIC Consortium Board meeting took place within project No. 1.1.1.5/18/I/009 “Support for Preparation of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences International Cooperation Projects in Research and Innovations (ATVASE)”.


The workshop was attended by the representatives of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS), Riga Technical University (RTU) and the University of Latvia (UL).


At the JIVERIC Consortium Board meeting, Director of VIRAC A. Klokovs spoke about the progress on the project “ATVASE”, problems and obstacles due to the coronavirus pandemic. A. Klokovs also talked about news in the consortium and that several new activities are planned with the Space Agency.


The workshop was opened by Vladislavs Bezrukovs, VIRAC researcher, who presented the VIRAC radio astronomical observations of 2021. Boriss Rjabovs, VIRAC leading researcher, presented radio measurements of the magnetic field in open structures of the solar corona. The seminar was also attended by Ilgmārs Eglītis, the representative of the University of Latvia, who gave a presentation on research at the Baldone Astrophysical Observatory 20202025. Jurģis Poriņš, the representative of RTU, in his presentation spoke about current research in the field of optical frequency combs. At the end of the seminar, Jānis Kaminskis, the representative of RTU, gave a presentation on the role of GeoVLBI and the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) from the perspective of the Nordic Geodetic Commission (NGC).


Taking into account the situation in the country due to Covid19, the seminar and the Board meeting were held on an online platform accessible for everyone interested. The total costs of the project “Support for Preparation of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences International Cooperation Projects in Research and Innovations (ATVASE)” (project No. 1.1.1.5/18/I/009) are EUR 262,751.76, the planned amount of the European Union Regional Development Fund is 85.00% of the eligible expenses – EUR 223,339.00, and the amount of state funding is 15% of the eligible expenses – EUR 39,412.76.


Share on other platforms

Other news

Talks&Tea – learn about the Baltics

By Rota Rulle • March 23, 2026
On Tuesday we invite you to another TALKS & TEA afternoon with activities to learn about Latvian culture and to connect with local students! This time we will talk about different cities in Latvia and in general the Baltic countries, so you have the opportunity to get inspiration for your next weekend trip! You are welcome to bring snacks and your cup because this time there will be tea! Everybody is welcome to join! Where & when? Date: 24th March 2026 Time: 17:00 Place: D103 We are looking forward to seeing you and your friends!

Rector participated in a roundtable discussion “Best Practice Examples of Latvian European University Alliances in Promoting Innovation and Regional Development”

By Rota Rulle • March 11, 2026
At the end of February, the Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Andris Vaivads, participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Best Practice Examples of Latvian European University Alliances in Promoting Innovation and Regional Development.” The discussion brought together representatives of Latvian universities, ministries, and European University alliances to evaluate more than five years of experience and to discuss the potential of European Universities for the development of higher education in Latvia. During the discussion, participants focused on how European University alliances can be used effectively to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvian higher education, promote innovation, and support regional development. The role of universities in developing human capital and fostering international cooperation was also emphasized. At the same time, participants discussed challenges faced by universities, including resource-intensive coordination, issues related to institutional capacity, and the importance of state support for the successful implementation of these initiatives. The participants of the discussion also highlighted the need for closer cooperation between universities and policymakers to ensure the sustainable development of the higher education and innovation ecosystem in Latvia.  The roundtable discussion concluded with a shared recognition of the importance of exchanging experience and a common willingness to continue strengthening the role of Latvian higher education at the European level.

International Meeting Strengthens Collaboration in Space Technology and Innovative Materials Research

By Rota Rulle • March 11, 2026
Within the framework of the JIVE ERIC Latvia Partnership Plan, a meeting took place on February 24 to enhance cooperation in the research of space technology solutions and innovative materials. The meeting brought together Latvian representatives from the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences – Engineering Research Institute “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” (VIRAC) and the Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia, as well as international guests from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany) and L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan). During the meeting, participants presented their current research directions and opportunities. Discussions were held on potential joint cooperation and the development of projects within European and international programmes. The participants also identified potential synergies between space research technologies and innovations in new materials. Particular attention was given to shared use of research infrastructure, the involvement of early-career researchers, and the strengthening of long-term partnerships. This meeting marks an important step in expanding the international cooperation of Latvian scientific institutions, laying the foundation for joint research and innovation projects while promoting knowledge transfer and technological development on both regional and global scales. The meeting was held within the framework of the European Regional Development Fund project No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012 “Ventspils University of Applied Sciences` International Cooperation and Innovation for the Development of Latvia’s Smart Specialisation”.

“Talks and Tea” Explores Festivals and Traditions

By Rota Rulle • March 10, 2026
On Monday, March 3rd, the latest Talks and Tea session gathered around 16 participants, including international students, Erasmus+ students, and local students, for a relaxed afternoon focused on the theme “Festivals.” The event aimed to create a welcoming environment where students from different backgrounds could meet, exchange experiences, and build a stronger sense of community. The session began with a short introduction to several Latvian celebrations connected to the traditional sun year, highlighting a few interesting customs during these festivities. Following the introduction, participants divided into small discussion groups where they shared festival traditions from their own countries. These conversations created a lively exchange of ideas and experiences, allowing students to discover both differences and similarities between cultures. Beyond learning about traditions, the event’s main focus was bringing people together. Through informal discussions over snacks, students had the opportunity to connect, practice intercultural communication, and build friendships in a welcoming and inclusive space. The Talks and Tea series continues to support community building, inclusion, diversity, and cooperation between international and local students. By creating opportunities for dialogue and shared experiences, the events help strengthen connections within the student community and encourage a sense of belonging for everyone involved.

Researchers are participating in the international Economic Forum 2026

By Rota Rulle • March 10, 2026
On March 5–7, 2026, the Latvian Academy of Sciences hosted the 8th International Forum of Humanistic Economics “ Innovative Economy in a Time of Geopolitical Change ”, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Researchers from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Professor Una Libkovska and doctoral student Monta Anšica, participated in the forum, presenting research findings on the importance and development of management competences as a strategic investment in the development of organizations operating in knowledge-intensive sectors and promoting sustainable development, within the framework of the State Research Programme project “Elaboration of evidence-based solutions for effective professional competence development of adults and assessment of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia” (VPP-IZM-Izglitiba-2023/4-0001). The main objective of the forum defined the promotion of dialogue between science, business and policy makers in search of solutions for sustainable economic growth, the development of innovation and the acquisition of new export markets. The forum brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors and international experts from European, American and Asian countries to discuss the importance of innovation in economic development in a time of change. During the discussions, special attention was paid to the development of education and human capital, the introduction of science-based innovations, attracting investments and the development of competitive projects in Latvia and Europe. During the forum, plenary sessions were held in which international experts analysed global economic development trends, the importance of innovation in technological advancement, and the role of human capital in ensuring sustainable growth. The programme also included thematic workshops and discussion sessions addressing current issues related to economic development, including the role of artificial intelligence and high technologies in shaping modern economies. Scientists from different countries, innovation policy experts, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the academic community participated in the discussions, fostering international exchange of experience and strengthening cooperation. The insights gained at the forum promote the use of research results in practice and help to develop knowledge transfer, which is essential for strengthening the competitiveness of the Latvian economy.

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences at Vidzeme Innovation Days: "Start-up management" as a pillar of the regional ecosystem

By Rota Rulle • March 4, 2026
On February 26, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences participated in the Vidzeme Innovation Days event in Valmiera, "START-UPS – THE NEXT LEVEL IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN VIDZEME REGION", where VUAS was represented by Elvis Brauns, a mentor of start-up management and head of the Student Entrepreneurship Centre. As part of the event, Elvis Brauns participated in a panel discussion on the development of start-ups in the regions, emphasizing that a competitive business environment outside the capital requires purposeful cooperation between educational institutions, entrepreneurs and support organizations. At the same time, the issue of how to create the conditions in the regions for ideas to become pilot projects, products and sustainable companies more quickly was raised. In addition to the panel discussion, participants in the event were presented with the approach and practical methods of the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences study programme "Start-up Management," based on the principles of Learn by Doing. The presentation explained how, through teamwork, real challenges and mentoring, students develop entrepreneurial skills and create projects that can make a significant contribution to regional development. "The ecosystem of regional start-ups is not just about ideas – it needs the environment, people, collaboration and practice. That is why at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, we learn by doing and create a platform where students can work with real business needs," emphasizes Elvis Brauns. Participation in the event strengthened the presence of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in the regional business support network and promoted the identification of new contacts and cooperation directions with entrepreneurs, education representatives and ecosystem organizations of the Vidzeme region. About the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences programme "Start-up Management" "Start-up Management" is a professionally oriented study program with an emphasis on developing practical business skills, teamwork and mentoring, helping students create projects and develop ideas to real solutions for the market. 
Other news