On September 26, the European Researchers’ Night events took place throughout Latvia, where colleges, universities, and scientific institutes opened their doors to visitors, offering a variety of free activities. At the VIZIUM Science Center, activities organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center (VIRAC) introduced visitors to the processes of star formation, comets, and other small bodies of the Solar System. Throughout the evening, visitors played language games, observed stars and planets through a telescope, and tried their hand at solving a mathematical puzzle – the Tower of Hanoi. Guests also had the opportunity to test their knowledge in various quizzes related to space and languages, gaining new insights along the way.

If you want to feel at home faster in our city of Ventspils and like to build your confidence in everyday conversations, and looking to make friends and integrate into the Latvian community, then join the first Language Café meeting – organized by COLOURS WP5 (EDI)! It’s a relaxed and welcoming meet-up where international and local students come together to: Practice different languages Make new friends Enjoy light snacks and friendly conversations No grammar tests, no pressure – just real conversations in small, friendly groups. Come as you are and enjoy the exchange of cultures and languages! Register HERE Tuesday, 30th September at D0, 16.30!

Approximately 700 million Europeans are constantly encouraged throughout their lives to learn as many languages as possible – whether in educational institutions, through self-study, for professional purposes, or out of personal interest. The Council of Europe states that multilingualism is a means to foster better intercultural understanding and is a key component of our continent’s cultural heritage. Representatives from the language centres of the COLOURS European Universities Alliance* joined forces in a collaborative project, creating a video greeting in honour of the European Day of Languages, celebrated annually on September 26. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is represented in this team by Rūta Maltisova, lecturer at the Faculty of Translation Studies, who also took part in the creation of the video greeting. Rūta is currently working together with colleagues from all COLOURS partner universities on a virtual language and culture guide – a glossary and language learning materials – which are planned to be developed and made available to all partner universities by the European Day of Languages in 2026. This initiative aims to support students and lecturers in learning and teaching nine European languages and cultures: Swedish, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Latvian, Polish, Croatian, and Macedonian. At the end of the video, greetings can be heard in each of the COLOURS alliance member languages, all translating into English as “Happy European Day of Languages!” or in Latvian, “Priecīgu Eiropas valodu dienu!” On the European Day of Languages, Rūta Maltisova encourages everyone to remember that languages are like bridges connecting different cultures. Without them, we would only be able to observe each other from a safe distance, separated by a potential barrier of prejudice that prevents us from understanding the essence and values of another culture. By learning a language, we also learn about the culture – and, in doing so, we learn about one another. Thanks to the COLOURS Universities Alliance, we learn something new every day about each other’s cultures, values, and, undoubtedly, languages. *Le Mans University (France), University of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), University of Ferrara (Italy), Paderborn University (Germany), Jan Dlugosz University (Poland), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (North Macedonia), Kristianstad University (Sweden), and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

On 24 September 2025, a delegation from the University of Latvia Faculty of Science and Technology (UL FST) visited Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS). The UL delegation included FST Dean Aigars Ekers, Acting Vice-Dean for Science Sandris Lācis, Vice-Dean for Studies Aiga Švede, Vice-Dean for Development Diāna Šmite, and Head of the Department of Physics Tija Sīle. VUAS and the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) were represented by Rector Andris Vaivads, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology Vairis Caune, Head of the Doctoral School Lilita Sproģe, Chairman of the VUAS Senate and, at the same time, Chairman of the VIRAC Scientific Council Juris Freimanis, along with other researchers and teaching staff. The visit began with a trip to the VIRAC radio telescope complex in Irbene, where senior researcher Artis Aberfelds introduced the guests to the telescopes, associated equipment, and laboratories, and their use in astronomical observations. After a joint lunch at VUAS café Panorāma, Jānis Šate showed the guests the university's electronics teaching laboratories and their equipment. The event reached a productive apogee in a joint discussion lasting around two hours in the VUAS Rectorate conference hall. At its opening, Rector Andris Vaivads gave a presentation about VUAS, followed by a presentation by, Juris Kalvāns, Head of the VIRAC Astronomy and Astrophysics Department, about the main research directions in VIRAC astronomy, while researcher Vladislavs Bezrukovs outlined VIRAC's extensive international cooperation, particularly its participation in European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC). “The event reached a productive apogee in a joint discussion lasting around two hours in the VUAS Rectorate conference hall, where Rector Andris Vaivads gave a presentation about VUAS.” The discussion covered a range of topics related to science and studies. Both sides expressed interest in officially involving VUAS in the UL Master’s programme in Physics, alongside Daugavpils University. VIRAC researchers already teach several astronomy courses within this programme. The potential involvement of the VIRAC high-performance computing cluster in a new computing consortium, where UL is expected to take the leading role, was also discussed. Looking further ahead, UL is also interested in gaining access to VIRAC satellite communication abilities. Finally, the UL–VUAS cooperation agreement is to be renewed, including matters of collaboration in doctoral studies and research, as well as Latvia’s participation in the International Astronomical Union. The meeting took place in a frendly atmosphere, giving confidence in the successful continuation of cooperation between UL and VUAS.

On September 1 of this year, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences launched a new European Union (EU) co-funded project “Modernization of the Study Environment of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences”, No. 4.2.1.8/2/25/I/007. The project implementation period is 24 months, until August 31, 2027. The project aims to ensure the modernization of the study environment of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, which includes the improvement and development of the infrastructure of the bachelor's study program "Computer Science" and the professional bachelor's study program "Electronics Engineering". To ensure high-quality and competitive education, targeted measures will be implemented within the project framework, focusing on the technological modernization of study spaces, enhancing the material and technical base, and introducing information and communication technologies (ICT). These engineering and IT programs are strategically important for the sustainable economic growth of the Ventspils region and the entire country of Latvia, preparing highly qualified specialists to promote digital transformation and technological development. During the project, the infrastructure of laboratories and classrooms will be enhanced to ensure that study rooms are equipped with the latest technologies and meet the standards of modern higher education. The latest technologies and equipment will be purchased and introduced, significantly expanding students' opportunities to work with current industry tools and software, thereby preparing them to work with technologies widely used in the industry. In addition, it is planned to continue adapting the digital infrastructure to modern requirements, allowing for the implementation of the hybrid and distance learning process in accordance with current educational trends. The modernization carried out will significantly improve the quality of studies and compliance with labour market requirements, providing students with the opportunity to acquire practical skills and adapt to the growing requirements of the industry. This project will not only improve the study environment and promote the integration of innovations into the learning process, but will also contribute to the development of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences as a higher education and research center in Latvia and beyond, attracting students from the region and the country, as well as from abroad. The total cost of the project “Modernization of the study environment of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences”, No. 4.2.1.8/2/25/I/007, is 215,083.00 EUR, of which the planned amount of the European Regional Development Fund is 85% of the eligible expenses – 182,820.55 EUR, and the amount of state funding is 15% of the eligible costs – 32,262.45 EUR.