With the last day of 2024, the scientific research project “Desorption of icy molecules in the interstellar medium (DIMD)” ended. It was implemented at the Ventspils University College of Engineering “Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre” and was funded by the Latvian Science Council in its Fundamental and Applied Research Projects programme (project No. lzp-2021/1-0076). In the mid-term project report (2023), we already described the participation of the project participants at several conferences in Latvia and abroad, participation in the international cooperation project LILAC, a popular science article, and, most importantly, the scientific research conducted, which was submitted to the high-level astronomy journal Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A). “This turn of events left the participants in a poor situation. Before the last year of the project, none of the four planned major studies had been completed or at least submitted to an A&A-level journal.” Several assumptions had to be used in the submitted study, in particular, about the collision speed at which ice chunks break off in collisions between interstellar dust grains. The results of such collisions had been studied in recent calculations by a group of scientists at the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. From their published works, we concluded that our assumptions were wrong because at the moment of collision the ice mantle behaves like a liquid that deforms, rather than breaking into fragments like a crystal. Consequently, our submitted publication did not contain scientifically valid results and was eventually withdrawn. This turn of events left the participants in a poor situation. Before the last year of the project, none of the four planned major studies had been completed or at least submitted to an A&A-level journal. On the other hand, the work carried out was not without result – we had a highly developed astrochemical model at our disposal. Practically any investigation (except for those based on incorrect assumptions) could provide new, publishable scientific results with this program. At the end of 2023, the model was further improved and the race against time until the end of the project could begin! In the first [1] of the four major research studies conduced during 2024, we examined the general results of the model – the calculated amount of various solid (ice) and gas molecules in an interstellar nebula. This included organic matter, which was a special focus in the project. In the second publication [2], we explained the evaporation of organic matter from frosted dust near a newborn star. Perhaps the most interesting was the third paper, which examined the path of dust from a cold stellar envelope to the planet-forming disk around the young star. Research showed that two types of dust end up in the disk – cold and icy, and slightly warmer, but completely bare grains. The coagulation of such dust into sand, grain, pebble, and increasingly larger-sized clumps started of the formation of planets, including those in our own Solar System. The fourth article was completed with the final bell of the project and studied the origins of interstellar cosmic clouds. All articles were submitted to A&A. The first two have already been published, the third is in press, while the fourth still has the long road of scientific review ahead of it. Other planned works have also been successfully completed. Two smaller articles have been submitted for publication. The first considers the temperature of dust in circumstellar space, while the second addresses the conditions in a cosmic nebula that gravitationally collapses, until forming a newborn star at its centre. The work was explained to Latvian astronomers, interested people, and the public in the scientific conference of the University of Latvia, an article for the popular science magazine Zvaigžņotā debess (Starry Sky), as well as in an interview published in the magazine “Ir” [3]. The work on the project is not over yet – the submitted articles must be brought to publication, and reports are planned for the next (83rd) University of Latvia scientific conference, as well as the Latvian Astronomical Society. This research has been funded by the Latvian Council of Science, project “Desorption of icy molecules in the interstellar medium (DIMD)" No. lzp-2021/1-0076. [1] https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/07/aa50015-24/aa50015-24.html [2] https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/12/aa51858-24/aa51858-24.html [3] https://ir.lv/2024/10/16/zvaigznu-putekli/ Photo: Icy interstellar dust with the James Webb Space Telescope Chamaeleon I in the dark cosmic nebula. NASA, ESA, CSA, and M. Zamani (ESA). Science: M. K. McClure (Leiden Observatory), F. Sun (Steward Observatory), Z. Smith (Open University), and the Ice Age ERS Team

As part of the COLOURS project, an IMAGINE/IDEATE workshop was organized at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, where students applied design thinking principles to address equality, diversity, and inclusion issues within the university environment. This two-day workshop provided an opportunity for participants to analyze existing challenges and develop practical solutions they could implement themselves. During the workshop, students worked in groups, first identifying the challenges they face in their daily lives. They then focused on creating solutions using creative methods. Importantly, the proposed solutions had to be realistically implementable by the students themselves, fostering their responsibility for shaping the environment and driving positive changes. At the end of the workshop, students presented their ideas, and the best proposals were recognized. The winning group, composed of first-year students from the professional bachelor’s program in Intercultural Communication, proposed organizing events to help students integrate into their new environment and find like-minded peers. These events aim to provide practical support to young people facing challenges in adapting to a new social and academic setting. The authors emphasized that such events would foster a positive and inclusive experience, promoting mutual support among students. The workshop’s outcomes demonstrate that by encouraging active student participation and creative approaches, sustainable changes can be achieved in their daily lives. This workshop is part of the COLOURS project, which aims to promote the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in educational institutions.

On 10 December, the VUAS Library invited students to a meeting with Rafael Martín Calvo, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Translation Studies. He talked about how a writer's work is presented to publishers in another country before it is translated, what to do when only a few Latvians know a certain Latvian word, how many hours it takes to translate a novel and when is the best time to learn a foreign language. He also talked about participation in publishers' events, book fairs and book presentations in different countries. The students also had the opportunity to see translations of Nora Ikstena, Albert Bell, Guntis Berelis and other writers already published and to learn more about each of them. R. Martin Calvo also talked about his dream projects and revealed some of the works he is currently involved in. Thank you to the VUAS Library for hosting the event!

CoLab ""Higher Education and Workforce in the Region" held at the VIZIUM Science Center brought together academic staff, students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other members of the community. The discussions focused on analyzing current challenges and exploring innovative solutions to ensure that new specialists are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s labor market. Opening the event, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) Rector Andris Vaivads highlighted the increasing demand for highly qualified specialists in the coming years, referencing forecasts from the Ministry of Economics. He called for closer collaboration between universities, businesses, municipalities, and society to adapt educational programs to the real needs of the labor market. Dr. Annette Klinkert, Executive Director of the COLOURS project, and Dace Štefenberga, VeA’s COLOURS Content Manager, shared insights on the European University Alliance and its benefits for the region. Austris Galindoms, Head of the Economics and Procurement Department at Ventspils City Council, emphasized the municipality’s role in fostering cooperation between education and the labor market. Meanwhile, Sandrine Labory from the University of Ferrara presented Italy’s experience in the Emilia-Romagna region. Other participants included Baiba Kūma, Head of the Kurzeme Planning Region’s Business Center, and Gvido Grinbergs from the Business Support and Digital Innovation Center at Ventspils High Technology Park, who stressed the importance of developing digital skills in the workforce. Raita Rollande, Head of TDL School, a subsidiary of TestDevLab, shared her experience collaborating with higher education institutions to prepare new specialists. Additionally, Maksims Kovalenko, Production Director at Immer Digital, highlighted workforce challenges in the industry. The forum concluded with a panel discussion on the impact of higher education on local economic development and regional growth. The panel featured business representative Raita Rollande, Ventspils City Council Deputy Executive Director Egons Spalāns, VeA Rector Andris Vaivads, and student Kārlis Andrejs Krūmiņš.

On 3 and 4 of December, the European Parliament's service hosted the third edition of the Citizens' Language Days, a two-day event dedicated to exploring the power of clear language in fostering transparency and democratic participation. The event, organised in Luxembourg, was also attended by students from the translation programmes of the universities included in the EMT (European Master in Translation) network. One student represented each EU language. Latvia and the Latvian language were represented by Adrija Enrika Ēdele, a student of the Master's programme in Translation at VUAS. The students were invited to the European Parliament (EP) in Luxembourg, where most of the staff of the EP Directorate-General for Translation work. In addition to workshops and conferences, the students had the opportunity to get to know the quarter where the European Parliament is located and the work of DG Translation. "During the event, we were able to listen to conferences, workshops and speeches in different EU languages. It was particularly important that we were present at the presentation of the Citizens' Language Guidelines, which are an important tool for language professionals, translators and others interested in the production and adaptation of texts into plain language," says Adrija. It should be noted that the guidelines are derived from the ISO standard on plain language. The guidelines are available in all 24 EU languages and include not only text, but also video and audio material.