This academic year, the VUAS Lifelong Learning Centre is offering a new lecture cycle, "Science and Culture - for Society", featuring lectures by renowned scientists and distinguished personalities in Latvia, held once a month on Saturdays. On October 11, lectures by Juris Dzelmes, a leading researcher at the Institute of Chemical Physics of the University of Latvia, are scheduled to discuss the challenges of artificial intelligence. In parallel with research in the field of chemical physics, J. Dzelme's interests encompass problems in educational management, philosophy, psychology, and art, and he will discuss the possibilities, development, and threats of artificial intelligence. October 11 at 7 p.m. 11.30–14.30, at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, J. Dzelme will give an insight into the following topics: Digitalisation, robotisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligence; Emotions, free will and creativity in artificial and natural neural networks (AI and psyche); AI ethics, value and goal modelling; Supporting communities in an AI-driven world through art and philosophy, through physics and psychology. Application: https://www.venta.lv/muzizglitiba/pieteiksanas Price: 35 EUR More information: mic@venta.lv, tel. 63629650 

At 7 AM on the 24th September an airplane took off to fly to Brussels. It was a quiet morning, the air was charged with excitement and sleep deprivation, when seven 4TLT students, along with lecturer Zane France arrived at their destination, where they were welcomed by European Parliament’s vice-presidents’ assistant Guna Zaķe-Baltā. VUAS students had the opportunity to get lost in the ‘labyrinth’ of the European Parliament, attend a lecture about the work of both the European Parliament and its members, as well as get a glimpse into the history of the establishment. The students could learn about how actively (or not) Latvia participates in voting, how much ‘pocket money’ do members get, what is the monthly schedule and how often do the meetings happen in Brussels and Strasbourg. After the lecture the excursion continued, and the students saw a part of the enormous building of the Parliament (one can wonder, do the new hires get a compass and a map?), the famous conference room, gifts of the countries of the European Union (including artworks gifted by Latvia), and even the cabinet of Roberts Zīle (where the guests were greeted by sandwiches, apples, and chocolate :) ). The cherry on top was the opportunity to meet with the European Parliament’s interpreters Dace Rubene and Ilze Lauva, and the Head of the Latvian unit of Directorate-General of the European Commission Uldis Sproģis and talk about how many languages interpreters usually know, how does interpreting differ in the European Commission and European Parliament, what is retour, and what should one do if the speaker’s tempo is too fast, as well as if voice matters in interpreting. At the end, the students had the opportunity to try interpreting in the Conference Interpretation Booths (with the microphone, hopefully, turned off!) and interpret the conference about the safety of minors on the internet. It was a wonderful experience that allowed the students to learn about the professionalism of the interpreters and working in the Parliament, as well as internship opportunities and how difficult it is to become an interpreter in the European Parliament. In the evening and on the next day, the students were given free rein to taste Belgian chocolate, see the Peeing boy statue and ponder on whether to come back and work in the Parliament. Impressions of the participants: “Although I have never thought that conference interpreting is easy, this tour highlighted how difficult and challenging it actually is and what enormous wealth of background knowledge interpreters need to have.” “I really enjoyed the trip! At first, I wasn't too sure whether to participate, but I’m happy that I mustered up my courage and decided to go. I can definitely say that visiting the European Parliament is a wonderful opportunity, and that it was very interesting to learn about the work and experiences of the interpreters.” “I will definitely remember the visit to the European Parliament for an eternity, but the meeting with the interpreters that work there is what left the most significant impression. For a while I thought that they’re some kind of superheroes – which they definitely are – but after the meeting I realised that they are people just like us. Thanks to them, work in the European Parliament has turned from something intangible into a real possibility you can achieve by investing a lot of hard work.”

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).