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

VUAS adopts policy for equality, diversity and inclusion

By Rota Žagare • May 29, 2026
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has officially adopted the COLOURS Alliance EDI Policy – a shared framework for equality, diversity and inclusion. The policy will now be adapted and implemented within the university’s operations. The aim is to strengthen inclusion across education, research, and everyday practices. The policy can therefore be seen as both a pedagogical and strategic implementation tool to prevent discrimination, increase understanding of differences, and equip students and staff to perform at their best in diverse teams. EDI stands for equality, diversity and inclusion. The training in EDI is designed to strengthen interpersonal relationships, raise awareness of the value of diversity in innovation, creativity and knowledge development, and encourage reflection on one’s own position and approach to others. The implementation of the policy contributes to the development of generic competences and critical thinking among both students and staff. This EDI policy is part of a much larger context, as we are one of nine higher education institutions in Europe adopting the same framework. EDI as a driver for an inclusive society The policy also emphasizes the importance of collaboration through the Quadruple Helix model, where universities, industry, the public sector, and civil society work together. The goal is not only to develop knowledge within EDI, but also to disseminate it and create societal impact. The policy marks the starting point for new initiatives and serves as a bridge to society. EDI strengthens the quality of education and research and is an important tool for both current operations and future needs. Signed policy is available HERE

Translation programme students expand their knowledge with guest lecturers from France and Poland

By Rota Žagare • May 28, 2026
On Tuesday, May 19th, second year students of the bachelor’s study programme “Translation and Language Technologies” participated in a lecture lead by guest lecturer Aurélie Le Melinaidre from the Southern Brittany University in France. She tested the students’ knowledge of various English idioms, encouraged creativity by asking them to rewrite a text fragment as differently as they could, and was pleasantly surprised by the students’ excellent knowledge of English. Students also learned about the guest lecturer’s experience teaching English in different countries. Guest lectures held on May 20th and 21st were led by guest lecturer Karolina Siwek from Jan Dlugosz University in Poland. The guest lecturer, met through the COLOURS network, gave four interconnected lectures about different translation aspects for the second- and third-year students of the bachelor’s study programme “Translation and Language Technologies”. Karolina Siwek firstly introduced the students to the history of translation, compared what the profession of a translator was like in the 19th and 20th centuries and what it is like today, highlighting the aspects that have remained the same and those that have changed. During Wednesday’s lecture, students had the opportunity to engage in a discussion and compare the nature of the profession, not only from a historical perspective, but also in terms of the current state of the translation industry in Poland and Latvia. During the lecture about the differences between literary and specialised translators, the guest lecturer compared the translator’s visibility in their work, various potential risks during translation, and the necessary skills, as well as discussed about the prestige and income of the profession. Particular attention was paid to hybrid competencies, which play a significant role in the modern translation profession. Meanwhile, on Thursday, a series of related lectures took place about ISO standards and their impact on the daily work of translators, covering both the positive and negative aspects. The guest lecturer also discussed possible emotions of a translator, their causes, and how to manage them, emphasizing, above all, that emotional regulation is a core professional skill for translators. The guest lecturer shared several stories about her experiences, describing how she handled specific situations and what she learned from them, giving the students a realistic insight into the profession of translation and offering useful advice. Prepared by Sanija Zundovska and Sindija Plotniece from the study programme “Translation and Language Technologies”

Students Explore the World of Diplomacy at “Meet the Nordics”

By Rota Žagare • May 19, 2026
Three students from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences participated in the student networking event “Meet the Nordics: Insights, career opportunities and networking”, organized by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia in Riga. The event was organized in cooperation with the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden the event brought together students from different universities to explore diplomacy, Nordic-Baltic cooperation, and international career opportunities. Throughout the event, students gained valuable insight into the daily work of diplomats, the challenges of working in international environments, and the skills needed to succeed in diplomacy. The speakers shared not only professional experience, but also personal stories about communication, adaptability, and building a meaningful career in an ever-changing global environment. Second-year student of the bachelor’s study programme “Intercultural Communication”, Luīze Anna Spriņģe , highlighted the networking session as the most memorable part of the event: “This part was the most valuable because we could learn more directly from the professionals and their experience. It was valuable to speak with diplomats in a more open environment where we felt comfortable asking different questions.” She also admitted that it was especially interesting to hear the advice of Norwegian Ambassador Ine Måreng, Finnish Deputy Head of Mission Eero Vento, and Danish Deputy Head of Mission Alexander Lemche on how to stand out professionally and build a career in diplomacy. Additionally, second-year student of the bachelor’s study programme “Intercultural Communication”, Evija Saldaka , emphasized the practical value of the experience: “It was interesting to hear about different career paths and practical examples from the diplomats’ daily work. The networking conversations felt especially useful.” Meanwhile, first-year student of the bachelor’s study programme “Translation and Language Technologies”, Janita Kate Asare , shared that the event gave her a deeper understanding of the responsibility and complexity of diplomatic work. She especially appreciated the discussions about diplomacy, work-life balance, and maintaining professionalism in international environments. The students agreed that international events like this provide much more than new knowledge. They create opportunities to develop communication skills, build meaningful professional connections, and inspire students to think more boldly about their future careers. The event also highlighted that diplomacy is not only about politics or international agreements, but equally about building understanding, trust, and dialogue between people and cultures. Written by: Elizabete Apiņa-Fleisa (BSP “Intercultural Communication”, 1st year)

Annual Culture Day 2026 "Between Respect and Mistake"

By Rota Žagare • May 14, 2026
On May 6, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences hosted its annual Culture Day event, this year titled “Between Respect and Mistake”, organized by 1st-year students of the Bachelor’s study programme “Intercultural Communication”. The event brought together more than 54 local and international students and lecturers in a shared exchange of cultures and experiences. During the event, participants had the opportunity to explore the traditions, social norms, and cultural differences of Croatia, Ukraine, Germany, India, Ghana, and Latvia through interactive presentations and activities. Students shared personal experiences, engaged in dialogue with the audience, and encouraged participants to reflect on the importance of respect, understanding, and the ability to adapt to different cultural environments in everyday communication. This year, the event was also organized as an international initiative within the COLOURS Alliance, involving students and participants from various European universities. A special contribution was made by representatives from Croatia, who introduced the social norms, etiquette principles, and common cultural misunderstandings of their culture. The event was also accessible online, allowing the international audience to participate in activities and cultural exchange regardless of location. An essential part of the event was the “Flavor of My Culture” table, where participants shared traditional dishes and snacks representing their cultures. The atmosphere throughout the event was characterized by openness, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn about one another beyond familiar boundaries. Culture Day once again demonstrated that intercultural communication is not only about simply speaking to one another — it is about the ability to listen, understand, accept, and most importantly, build connections between people with different experiences and worldviews. Events like these strengthen the international environment of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, foster a stronger sense of community, and highlight the importance of cultural diversity both within the university and in society as a whole. Prepared by: Elizabete Apiņa-Fleisa Bachelor’s study programme “Intercultural Communication”, Year 1

Students Develop Innovative Workplace Well-being Solutions at Hackathon

By Rota Žagare • May 6, 2026
The modern work environment is undergoing rapid change, and companies are increasingly seeking solutions to improve employee well-being. Last week, the hackathon “Workplace Reinvented” took place at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, where over three days students developed solutions to challenges posed by companies from Ventspils, focusing on strengthening employees’ physical and mental health. During the hackathon, inspiring lectures were delivered by “Vesels Birojs” founder Laima Buša, director of Ventspils Music High School Jēkabs Macpans, and public speaking specialist Rūta Maltisova. At the end of the hackathon, students presented their ideas, which were evaluated by a jury. The three best teams were awarded a total prize fund of €2,000: 1st place and €1,000 went to the team “Slippies” with their solution “Pawse” – a service providing regular dog visits to offices, carried out by trusted and experienced dog walkers. Such visits were intended to improve well-being in the workplace, resulting in higher work efficiency. 2nd place and €600 went to the team “Taij” with an idea of integrating treadmills into the work environment, emphasizing that this solution could improve employees’ concentration, decision-making, and reduce fatigue caused by sedentary work. 3rd place and €400 went to the team “Enviora” , which developed an artificial intelligence office assistant aimed at improving employee well-being. Throughout the hackathon, participant teams were supported by experienced mentors, including Sandra Žukova (head of the regional office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in Ventspils), mentors of the “Startup Management” study program Elviss Brauns and Atis Mertens, and Ventspils Music High School director Jēkabs Macpans. On the second day, mentoring was provided by VUAS HR department head Elīna Feldmane and senior specialist Raitis Didrihsons, head of the Science and Development Department Vitālijs Petkevičs, mentor and lecturer Āris Birze, ASYA customer support team leader and VUAS alumna Marta Anete Vinniņa, and HR WellBe founder Vija Niedre. In addition to developing ideas, participants also had the opportunity to strengthen team spirit and take care of their well-being outside of work sessions. The students visited the Adventure Park in Ventspils, where they tried disc golf and a ride on the toboggan track, and also took part in meditation sessions. The hackathon was supported by Alpro, Paulig, SaltCave, Ventspils Adventure Park, Rimi, and Red Bull. The event was implemented within the COLOURS European University Alliance, bringing together students from Latvia as well as partner universities in Italy and Germany. More photos are available HERE Ventspils Augstskolas Hackathon "Workplace reinvented" Password: ventspils2026

TEA & TALKS afternoon – Day of the Restauration of the Republic of Latvia

By Rota Žagare • May 5, 2026
We invite YOU to another cozy TEA & TALKS afternoon! This time we will talk about May 4th "Day of the Restauration of the Republic of Latvia" and why it is so important for Latvia! We will also make a traditional Latvian dish - so make sure to keep your afternoon free to not miss out on valuable insights and food! As always, you are welcome to bring snacks and your cup as there will be tea! Everybody is welcome to join! Where & when? Date: 7th May 2026 Time: 17:00 Place: D0 We are looking forward to seeing you and your friends!
Other news