Aiga Veckalne receives PEN award
May 15, 2025
This year, the general meeting of PEN Latvia decided to award the PEN Latvia Award to linguist, guest lecturer at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, translation industry expert, interpreter, and translator Aiga Veckalne. She received the award for compiling and publishing the Inclusive Language Guidelines last year, as well as for her long-standing work promoting public understanding of the importance of inclusive language.
The Inclusive Language Guidelines, which last year received unfounded and unprofessional criticism and attacks from the State Language Centre, are a valuable resource that compiles possible terms recommended for use when speaking respectfully about socially vulnerable groups. Until now, such a resource has been largely absent from the Latvian language and cultural space. The PEN Latvia Award recognizes Aiga Veckalne’s contribution to the development of inclusive language and the promotion of a more respectful and accessible linguistic environment. Language is perceived as a living organism that changes, influences, and interacts with people. Language helps us understand and even construct experience. Therefore, efforts to develop a language that is sensitive and aligned with human experience are both welcome and necessary, PEN Latvia comments on their choice.
PEN Latvia also appreciates Aiga Veckalne’s work in explaining the necessity of inclusive language to a wider audience. The linguist regularly conducts seminars and workshops, as well as gives lectures on the Latvian language, speech, electronic correspondence etiquette, simple, easy, and inclusive language. Over the last ten years, she has regularly appeared in various media as an expert, by speaking about the use of the Latvian language. She creates and hosts the podcast Pieturzīmes and promotes a form of language that makes all individuals feel more included, comfortable, and represented.
The PEN Latvia Award every year is created by a well-known Latvian artist. This year, the award was designed by Krista Vindberga (Dzudzilo). Describing her work, the artist stated: “The hand protects a fragile, smooth form where vulnerability and potential merge. It levitates in the palm – as if only the power of warmth and attention holds it. Not too tightly, not too loosely, because one who understands the value of fragility can protect it. The egg invites reflection on a voice that is still forming, on care, courage, and responsibility for what is still developing. It does not demand strength, but understanding and empathy. The hand that holds it is the same hand that allows a word to be born. It is the hand of responsibility that performs the work of empathy.”
The PEN Latvia Award has been presented since 2019 for significant achievements in promoting freedom of speech, countering censorship, and defending the rights of socially marginalized groups. Previous recipients include Lolita Tomsone, director of the Žanis Lipke Memorial and publicist; the Baltic Centre for Investigative Journalism Re:Baltica; writer and ornithologist Viesturs Ķerus; film director Alise Zariņa; Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Sanita Osipova; the association Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem (I Want to Help Refugees); and human rights activist Ieva Raubiško.
PEN is an international organization of writers, publicists, and editors that promotes the spread of literature and advocates for freedom of speech and other expression.
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Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is a regional university of applied sciences where scientific activities are carried out in three strategic specialization areas: In natural sciences – implementing research in the fields of mathematical modelling, optical signal technology, astronomy and astrophysics, space technology and engineering electronics, ICT and electronics In social sciences – conducting research in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional economics In the humanities – conducting research in applied linguistics, comparative linguistics, and translation studies In June 2025, the science communication brand researchLatvia paid special attention to the contribution of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences to research activities, emphasising the contribution of Mg. sc. comp. Karina Šķirmante, researcher and lecturer at the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, to science, technology and astronomy. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences – a university with the largest radio telescope antenna in Northern Europe Although Ventspils University of Applied Sciences will only be 28 years old this year, for most of its existence, it has been home to a world-class research centre – the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VSRC). Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has been home to the largest radio telescope antenna in Northern Europe for 21 years. " If the world stands on three pillars, then VeA has four – three faculties and the VSRC. Science is inseparable from education, and higher education must be grounded in scientific principles. It is this close connection between education and science that has ensured the rapid development of VSRC and the Irbene radio telescope complex over the past 20 years. More than 150 students have developed their bachelor's or master's theses at VSRC - either in science or technology development. The majority of VSRC employees are graduates of our university. VSRC has grown into one of the leading scientific institutions in Northern Europe, specialising in astrophysics and space technologies. VSRC conducts international-level scientific research and contributes to technological innovations, bringing Latvia's name to the world. Shortly, radio telescopes will also be used in a completely new direction - in satellite communications, communicating with space satellites near the Moon," says Andris Vaivads , rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. International partners highly value VeA's infrastructure – the radio telescope complex in Irbene is part of the European radio telescope networks (JIVE, ILT) with significant importance in scientific observations. VeA's scientific activities are focused on internationally significant research in collaboration with international partners, including the Swedish Space Corporation and the European Space Agency. 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You are kindly invited to attend a scientific seminar that will take place on June 27, 2025 , at Room D407, VeA IZI VSRC . Seminar Programme 10:00 – 11:00 Prof. Valery M. Nakariakov , University of Warwick, UK "A Plasma Orchestra, or Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in the Solar Corona" 11:00 – 12:00 Lunch break 12:00 – 15:00 Scientific seminar “Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in the Solar Corona” as part of the JIV-ERIC National Node Scientific Seminar Series Please confirm your participation by marking your name in the Excel sheet: Participation Sheet You can join in person or online via Google Meet . Google Meet link --- A Plasma Orchestra, or Magnetohydrodynamic Waves in the Solar Corona Valery M Nakariakov (University of Warwick, United Kingdom) The corona of the Sun is the outermost part of the solar atmosphere. The corona is a very hot, fully ionised plasma dominated by the magnetic field. The corona is the birthplace of extreme events of space weather, and a natural laboratory for plasma physics. One of the most fascinated discoveries made with recent high-precision spaceborne imaging telescopes operating in the extreme UV band is the ubiquitous dynamics of the corona in a form of various large-scale wave motions. An example of such an instrument is the Extreme UV imager on the recently launched Solar Orbiter spacecraft. Typical oscillation periods are several minutes, typical wavelengths are tens to hundred thousand kilometres, and typical speeds are from several tens to several thousand kilometres per second, which make the solar coronal waves the largest electromagnetic wave motions resolved simultaneously in time and space, detected in the Universe. The observed waves are confidently interpreted in terms of the magnetohydrodynamic theory. Various plasma structures of the corona support different types of wave modes, allowing for the use of the waves for the plasma diagnostics via the method of magnetohydrodynamic seismology.
Joint JIV ERIC and LOFAR ERIC National partnership Board Meeting and Scientific Seminar in Ventspils
On June 18 and 19, 2025, at the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Institute of Engineering Sciences "Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre" (VeA IZI VSRC), within the project "Ventspils University International Cooperation and Innovations for the Development of Latvia's Smart Specialization" (No. 1.1.1.5/3/25/I/012), which is being implemented with the co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund, the JIV ERIC and LOFAR ERIC Latvian national partnership joint board meeting and scientific seminar took place. June 18 - Board Meeting and Seminar Opening in Irbene The first day took place in Ance parish, Irbene, at the historic Irbene Radio Telescope Complex. The event was opened by VIRAC Director Mārcis Donerblics, who provided an introduction to the seminar's proceedings and significance. VIRAC researcher Vladislavs Bezrukovs introduced the project's activities, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences' international cooperation, and its importance in innovation and the development of Latvia's smart specialisation. Furthermore, Professor Jānis Kaminskis provided insights into current international activities in the fields of Geodesy and Geophysics, representing IUGG (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics) and EGU (European Geosciences Union). After the informational reports, seminar participants, led by Andrejs Dzelme, went on an excursion around the Irbene Observatory territory and visited the local museum. The evening concluded with discussions on collaboration opportunities between JIV ERIC and LOFAR ERIC national partnership consortiums, as well as the development of astronomy in Latvia.
The Erasmus+ program offers the opportunity to participate in an innovative and dynamic learning format – the Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). This format allows both students and staff to explore a specific topic in depth within an international setting, combining virtual learning with a short but intensive five-day on-site component. Students of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences actively take part in these programs – over the past two academic years, 18 students have participated in BIP courses held in Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and France. From 26 to 30 May, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences hosted its first Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme titled “Technology Startup Course”. The course was implemented as part of the “Developing by Experimenting II” module within the “Start-up Management” study program, in cooperation with two COLOURS partner universities – Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa (Poland) and University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola (North Macedonia). During the program, students from Ventspils University collaborated in international teams with peers from Poland, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria to develop innovative, technology-based business ideas. In total, 38 students participated, including 18 international students (six of whom represented COLOURS partner universities), forming 13 project teams. The primary goal of the program was to enhance students' skills in creating innovative, tech-driven business ventures capable of competing in the real-world market. On 30 May, five of the top teams were selected to present their ideas to investors at the TestDevLab headquarters in Riga. The winning team, “SOUNDPACK”, was represented by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences student Ronalds Palacis. The team’s idea focused on using AI to generate fully cohesive, royalty-free sample packs based on natural language prompts, simplifying the workflow for music producers. The Erasmus+ BIP program provided a valuable experience for both students and staff and helped strengthen cooperation with international partner universities. In the next academic year, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences aims to implement two more BIP programs – one for students and one for staff. We encourage all faculties to submit their BIP program ideas by emailing: erasmus@venta.lv
