Electronics engineering students from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) developed a probe that carried a can of “Rudy’s Kombucha” into near space, reaching an impressive altitude of 28,690 meters – nearly 30 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. While trying to locate the probe afterward, the students encountered major GPS signal disturbances across the Kurzeme region, so they called on radio amateurs for assistance. Working together, they successfully located the probe near Dobele. The space mission probe was equipped with a GoPro camera that captured both the launch and the breathtaking flight. After the controlled explosion of the probe’s balloon at nearly 30 kilometers altitude, a parachute opened, ensuring the can’s safe return to Earth. The probe was launched from Ventspils airfield and, after flying approximately 140 kilometers, landed near Dobele. Jānis Šate, Director of the Electronics Engineering study program at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, explained: “The company knew that our students develop probes, and they had the idea to attach a beverage can and launch it into space. Technically, it’s more accurate to say it was launched into the stratosphere. We discussed it in August, and within a few months, the electronics engineering students built the probe. It’s a group project in the third year of studies, and this collaboration added extra value. The most challenging part of launching the probe is creating the electronic system attached to the parachute and helium balloon. The balloon rises to about 30 kilometers, where air pressure drops, the balloon bursts, and the probe descends to Earth. Launching it is easy – the hard part is tracking and recovering it afterward. A GPS navigation system is required to continuously transmit the probe’s location. The students’ task was to design an electronic system that can operate in the stratosphere, where temperatures drop to –40°C.” “We coordinated the launch with the Civil Aviation Agency since air traffic is affected, and we also arranged it with Ventspils Airport. Eventually, the probe was found near Dobele, though there were unexpected complications – due to the global situation, GPS communications are regularly disrupted from Königsberg (Kaliningrad, Russia). Unfortunately, we launched on one of those days when signal interference over Kurzeme and the Baltic Sea was particularly strong. That meant that when the probe ascended above ten kilometers, our system showed it was no longer over Kuldīga, but over Kaliningrad. From there, spoofed GPS signals were being transmitted to mislead moving objects.

In October, VUAS COLOURS WP5, headed by Lasma Asme, joined other representatives from COLOURS partner universities gathered at Garage33, Paderborn University, Germany, for a dynamic CoLab dedicated to Mental Health, Body Image, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The three-day event, which is part of the COLOURS CoSpace initiative, brought together students, researchers, and staff from across Europe to exchange perspectives and co-create innovative approaches under the smart specialisation area of Health and Well-being. Participants from a very diverse background, under the moderation of Dr Christine Hante-Koch and Dr Alena Diedrich, discussed how issues like body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression are closely connected and how promoting a positive body image can make a real difference for people’s health. Using design thinking processes, the group also worked on the importance of creating fair and inclusive support systems that meet the needs of different communities, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people facing disabilities, financial struggles, or migration challenges. The participants were divided into 4 groups and had cases ranging from how to deal with women who survived breast cancer, to isolated international students living in other countries, and how to make gamers more active while utilizing their special skills and enlarging their comfort zone. At the end of the event, each group pitched their ideas, solutions, and next steps. These solutions were evaluated and challenged by a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, with the example of Martin Persson, Professor of Health Sciences at Kristianstad University. The CoLab encouraged teamwork, creativity, and cultural exchange. The ideas developed in Paderborn will help shape future COLOURS activities and strengthen collaboration between partner universities committed to building healthier and more inclusive learning environments and society at large.

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) has been recognized as one of 16 higher education institutions in Latvia to receive the “Best Practice University” award from the Study in Latvia initiative. This certificate confirms that the university meets the criteria set by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior, ensuring responsible admission of international students and a high-quality study process. With this Agreement, the VUAS have undertaken to comply with the criteria and principles of the Agreement fostering good practice in attracting international students and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality study process. VUAS promises to observe good faith and ethical principles, providing only true information in marketing activities and advertising campaigns for international students.

After a fantastic first edition, our Language Café is back and better than ever! If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to join the friendliest crew of language lovers on the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences campus. Expect good vibes, new words, and plenty of laughter as we meet again at D0 (Lounge Room) on 29th October 2025 at 16:30. Whether you’re a returning participant or a first-timer, everyone is welcome! So dust off your sense of humour, clear your schedule, and widen your comfort zone. Bring a friend, roommate, coursemate, and of course, your favourite snack – and let’s make language learning fun again!

In September, Lilita Sproģe, Head of the Doctoral School at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, went on a business trip to Le Mans University in France to discuss opportunities for creating a joint internship project for doctoral students and developing cooperation in providing doctoral study courses, research, and student mobility. The meeting was organized by COLOURS project partners at the Le Mans University. The day's program included several meetings with representatives of Le Mans University, including Christine Gonzalez, Deputy Director of the EDGE Doctoral School and Lecturer and Researcher at the Faculty of Management and Economics, Geoffroy Martin, Administrative Director of the Doctoral School, Selin Duhan, Head of the International Relations Office, Xavier Lachazette, Vice President of International Relations, and Miloš Borozan, former COLOURS WP3 Manager. During her visit, L. Sproģe familiarized herself with the language faculty and doctoral student workspaces, as well as the research infrastructure on the university campus. Le Mans University is closely integrated into the city structure and easily accessible by public transport from Paris and Le Mans itself. The talks covered key differences between Latvian and French doctoral school models and regulatory frameworks, credit point accounting principles, promotion procedures, and deadlines for completing doctoral theses. The meeting resulted in a strengthened mutual interest in further cooperation in the development of joint doctoral activities and research in the fields of linguistics and economics.