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Erasmus+ stories
July 10, 2020
Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Its budget of €14.7 billion provide opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, and gain experience abroad. Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has been a member of the Erasmus+ programme since it was first launched in Latvia and a large number of students and staff members have benefited from the opportunity to study, do an internship, train or teach abroad. Each person has given a different justification for their choices and the list of benefits is slightly different for each one of them. It is always really interesting to collect the reports about the mobility and get acquainted with the descriptions about chosen countries, universities and activities made while studying abroad. Here are some insights from our outgoing students after the period of exchange studies or internship.
Tatia Mikeladze: “I always considered Erasmus+ exchange program as a unique opportunity and a source of inspiration for future plans and broadening the horizon. I had a priceless chance to get German education which is highly ranked, and where universities are aiming to prepare highly skilled professionals with knowledge that is required in the job market. During the semester, I was once again proven right.”
Agate Freiberga: “During my mobility not only I worked on my German, I finally had the chance to take on some hobbies, as I was not working. I played basketball, did kickboxing, and took dance classes. Academically, the biggest endeavor was starting to learn French, which was something I had been wanting to do for a long time. I was very elated to learn that I had passed the A1 level examination. I am definitely going back more independent and self-assured.”
Alyona Ryabovalova: “I am the person who challenges myself all the time and pushes to the boundaries in order to identify my weaknesses and strengths. The last semester I spent in Germany on the Erasmus mobility, and decided to take the last chance of my overall studies to spend in Austria, Krems. My biggest adventures were hiking long distances. Krems is a wonderful place because it is surrounded by history – old castles which were built mainly in 12th century. I am amazed by nature and kind people in Austria so there was no wonder why I chose to come here to finish my master’s degree, even though the COVID-19 has completely changed my plans, I am still grateful for the opportunity to spend 4 months in Austria.”
Armands Zariņš: “The highlight of my Erasmus mobility was attending a Nordic Business Forum conference. It was held in a huge conference center, be with the most influential people in the world, listen to their experiences, stories, mistakes, suggestions, and visions for the future. It was very impressive, strong and motivating.
Practical advice - Say "YES" to everything and indulge in adventures. SERIOUSLY! It was as a result of this method that I got into the same room with Steve Worniak, George Clooney, Sara Blakely, Randi Zuckerberg and Brene Brown.”
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About the event From November 18 to 22, students and staff of COLOURS partner universities are invited to embark on an interactive, virtual journey through nine different countries. This exciting Virtual Journey Week will provide participants with unique digital experiences, including language cafés, taster courses, quizzes, and engaging video clips, showcasing the diversity of the Alliance’s universities, cultures, and languages. In a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, attendees can participate in discussions in various languages, connect with students and colleagues from across Europe, and exchange insights on cultural and academic topics. Student representatives will be available to answer questions, and Erasmus students will share their personal experiences, offering a first-hand glimpse into the world of international study. Whether you’re looking to expand your cultural knowledge, meet new friends, or simply enjoy a week of digital exploration, Virtual Journey Week is the perfect opportunity to engage with the COLOURS Alliance community—all from the comfort of your own desk! Don’t miss this chance to explore, connect, and be inspired.
International Workshop of Student Innovation 21 November 2024; 09:00 - 18:00 MASTERCLASS : Aula Magna, Department of Economics (Via Voltapaletto 11) WORKSHOP : Student Enterpreneurship Centre c/o Laboratorio Aperto (Via Castelnuovo 10) Are you passionate about creating real-world solutions ? Do you aim to make a lasting impact on your community while gaining entrepreneurial skills ? Then, this is your chance to dive in! Emilia-Romagna’s coastal ecosystem is threatened by the invasive blue crab , a species wreaking havoc on its biodiversity and local fishing and tourism industries. But where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. We’re inviting you to a solution-driven, hands-on workshop that tackles this urgent issue head-on! The Workshop In this dynamic, one-day intensive workshop organized by the European University Alliance COLOURS, you’ll collaborate with international peers from different fields to brainstorm, design, and develop innovative entrerpreneurial solutions that can engage with the blue crab emergency, all accompanied by a skilled mediator. Whether it’s new product ideas, market strategies, or sustainable techniques and methodologies, your creativity and insight will help imagine a better future for our region. Why Join? Develop entrepreneurial skills : Learn the ins and outs of business problem-solving, from ideation to execution. Work with a multidisciplinary team : Collaborate with students from various backgrounds and bring diverse perspectives to the table. Gain real-world experience : Contribute to solving a pressing environmental challenge, with the chance to turn your ideas into actionable projects. Boost your CV : Get recognized for your innovative thinking and teamwork, gaining valuable skills for your future career. Bring your ideas, your talent, and your energy. The climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges of our generation, and addressing invasive species like the blue crab is part of this issue. Whether you're passionate about starting entrepreneurial projects, supporting sustainability, or just brainstorming new solutions, your fresh perspective is exactly what we need. Are you ready to take on the Blue Crab Challenge? Apply now by filling out this form (deadline 15/11/2024!) and plunge into this opportunity! At the end of the lab, a certificate of attendance will be issued. For those who cannot join us onsite, there is an opportunity to participate online via a link that will be shared before the event.
This week, all of Europe is celebrating Erasmus Days! Erasmusdays2024 invites you to enrich your experience and think bigger! We, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, are also taking part in this initiative and invite every student to the event "Erasmus days 2024", which will take place on Wednesday, 16 October 2024 at 18.00 in D0 – Student lounge room . The event will be held in English! We will have Latvian representatives of the Erasmus Student Network as guests ; Stories from Erasmus experiences; Refreshments and valuable time! If you have any questions - come to C301, email: erasmus@venta.lv
We are pleased to announce the first annual COLOURS Conference, which will take place in Osijek, Croatia, from October 24-25, 2024, with a pre-conference day on October 23. This event will be organized by Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia in cooperation with Paderborn University, Germany. It represents a significant step in the development of our alliance, bringing together COLOURS partners, stakeholders, and students to discuss key initiatives and foster collaboration across institutions. The conference will be held in a hybrid format, enabling wider participation from across the COLOURS community. Those who are unable to attend in person will have the opportunity to join online and engage with the sessions remotely. The conference will provide a structured platform for sharing ideas and strengthening partnerships. The program will include workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on innovation, education, and strategic collaboration within the COLOURS network. Key Details: Pre-Conference Day (October 23) : Field study focused on the COLOURS Smart Specialization Strategy IT and Digital Transformation, for internal COLOURS members. Day 1 (October 24) : COLOURS Innovation & Engagement Day, involving external partners and stakeholders, with workshops highlighting Smart Specialization Strategies and a session dedicated to student talent development. Day 2 (October 25) : COLOURS Collaborative Progress Day, aimed at reinforcing internal collaborations, featuring the “Creators’ Corner” for showcasing innovative solutions and projects. We invite all partner universities to contribute ideas, and participate actively in the program. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a pioneering event that celebrates collaboration and the creative spirit of our alliance. Please register here by October 14, 2024
From this year, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Master's study program "Strategic Intercultural Communication" includes study course "Digital Corporate Communication Strategies", within which our students together with other Master's students from different universities will participate in the "Global virtual teams" project. Students will work in multicultural teams, mixed from different universities, to develop a digital communication strategy for the expansion of a company in another country's market. This project is a simulation and the strategies will not reach the selected companies, but it will be good practice for the students to work in international teams and try their hand at developing strategic documents. The project will run for 10 weeks, from 7 October to 13 December, during which the students will work independently in teams, participate in virtual workshops and consultations, and, at the end, present their work. The project will allow students to put into practice their knowledge of intercultural communication they have acquired in the studies, improve their digital skills, learn about the benefits and challenges of multicultural virtual teams, and exchange knowledge and experience with students and lecturers from other universities who act as team mentors in the project. The mentor and lecturer in the project from VUAS is guest lecturer Elīza Cimdiņa. This international study project, led by the Paderborn University, has been running for several years. It is intended to be conducted entirely virtually, using the Paderborn University's e-learning platform KOMO. This will also give the VUAS representatives opportunity to adopt good practices in using e-learning platforms for virtual course delivery. The project will bring together students and lecturers from 6 European universities: Clermont Auvergne University (France), University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (Czech Republic), Paderborn University (Germany), Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Finland), University St Kliment Ohridski Bitola (Northern Macedonia) and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). Along with VUAS, the “COLOURS” Alliance university from Northern Macedonia has also joined the project this year. It is this European University Alliance "COLOURS" that is the basis for new faculty friendships and new faculty cooperation. This is a practical example of how the “COLOURS” Alliance colours and enriches our study process.
On the 16th and 17th of September was held in Paris the kick-off meeting for the Astrophysics Centre for Multimessenger studies in Europe - ACME. This HORIZON-INFRA-2023-SERV-01 EU-funded project coordinated by Centre national de la recherche scientifique CNRS aims to realize an ambitious coordinated European-wide optimization of the accessibility and cohesion between multiple leading astroparticle and astronomy research infrastructures, offering access to instruments, data and expertise, focused on the new science of multi-messenger astrophysics. With 40 world-class collaborating institutions from 15 countries, ACME brings together the astroparticle and astronomy communities in a joint effort to forge a basis for strengthened long-term collaboration between these research infrastructures irrespective of location and level up access opportunities across Europe and beyond. ACME objectives are to implement the Astroparticle Physics European Consortium’s (APPEC) and the Planning and Advisory Network for European Astronomy’s (ASTRONET) roadmaps’ recommendations and act as a pathfinder to broaden and improve access to the respective research infrastructures services and data, assess and evaluate new models for better coordination and provision of at-scale services, provide harmonized trans-national and virtual access, develop centres of expertise, improve science data products management, improve interoperable systems for rapid identification of astrophysical candidate events and alert distribution to optimize follow-up observations, provide training for a new and broader generation of scientists and engineers, open the astrophysics and astroparticle physics data sets to other disciplines and increase citizen engagement. The ACME project coordinator Prof. Antoine Kouchner (CNRS/Université Paris Cité), and co-coordinator Paolo D’Avanzo (INAF), represent each community to ensure balance and drive cross-domain collaboration. The Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) is dedicated to research in radio astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences. Its key instruments include the fully steerable parabolic antennas RT-16 and RT-32, and the LOFAR-LATVIA station. A primary scientific goal is conducting VLBI observations in collaboration with global networks like the European VLBI Network (EVN) and LOFAR. VIRAC has rapidly expanded beyond radio astronomy and astrophysics to include robust scientific groups in satellite communication, space technologies, and high-performance computing. As part of the ACME project, VIRAC will provide transnational access to its infrastructure, coordinated by Dr. Ivar Shmeld and Vladislavs Bezrukovs. Project page: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101131928 Contact: Antoine KOUCHNER, Scientific Coordinator (CNRS/UPCité): kouchner@apc.in2p3.fr Paolo D’AVANZO, Scientific Co-coordinator (INAF): paolo.davanzo@inaf.it Julie EPAS, Project Manager (CNRS): epas@apc.in2p3.fr Vladislavs Bezrukovs (VIRAC): vladislavsb@venta.lv More information: Multi-messenger astronomy is the coordinated observation and interpretation of multiple signals received from the same astronomical event. Many types of cosmological events involve complex interactions between a variety of astrophysical processes, each of which may independently emit signals of a characteristic "messenger" type: electromagnetic radiation (including infrared, visible light and X-rays), gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays. When received on Earth, identifying that disparate observations were generated by the same source can allow for improved reconstruction or a better understanding of the event, and reveals more information about the source.
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