Last week, the European Student Assembly 2026 (ESA26) took place at the European Parliament in Strasbourg – one of the most significant student participation events in European higher education. It brought together students from across Europe to jointly develop recommendations for the future development of Europe. At the assembly, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VeA) and the COLOURS European University Alliance were represented by student Liene Rozenberga. In total, 2,889 applications were submitted to participate in ESA26, but only 250 students were selected, representing 54 university alliances, 195 universities, 34 countries, and 54 different nationalities. Among them was Liene Rozenberga, a student in the “Business Administration” bachelor’s program at VUAS. She represented the COLOURS alliance and worked in the subgroup “Democracy and Civic Engagement.” This panel focused on how to strengthen citizen participation in democratic processes within the European Union (EU) and promote clearer, more accessible language in EU-issued regulations. “Participating in the European Student Assembly gave me the opportunity to actively engage in discussions at the European level about the future of democracy. It made me even more aware of how important the voice and perspective of young people are in decision-making,” said Liene Rozenberga. The work of ESA26 was organized into eight major thematic groups, each tasked with developing 10–12 recommendations on issues not yet sufficiently addressed in EU legislation and regulatory frameworks. Work on these recommendations began back in January, when participants collaborated in teams, attended training sessions, and consulted experts. Meeting in person in Strasbourg, participants refined and presented their proposals and ultimately voted on their adoption. “We had many discussions about how to involve EU citizens in decision-making. Our goal was to create practical and implementable recommendations that could complement the existing EU policy framework. I worked on recommendations related to developing an action plan for media literacy and combating disinformation in the EU,” the student explained. At the end of the event, all recommendations were presented in a plenary session of the European Parliament, where students voted on their adoption. This process not only tested the quality of the ideas but also allowed participants to experience a real democratic decision-making process in an international environment. Participation in ESA26 provided Liene not only with academic and professional experience but also with valuable connections and the opportunity to represent both VUAS and Latvia at the European level. This experience once again confirms that the student voice matters in shaping Europe’s future, and that VUAS students are ready to be part of this process.

We invite you to participate in the guest lecture "Public Engagement in Civil Protection." The Representation of the European Commission in Latvia offers the opportunity to attend this lecture, which will be delivered by guest lecturer Inese Vaivare, Director of LAPAS, Head of the NGO Civil Protection Working Group of LPA, and Head of the Baltic Sea Civil Protection Network BSR-NOVA. Date: May 5 Time: 16:15–17:45 Language: English Location: Online ZOOM meeting Meeting ID: 984 9439 2957 Passcode: 773257

On April 14, Professor Una Libkovska and doctoral students Monta Anšica and Zane Zonberga of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences participated in the 84th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia within the framework of the State Research Programme project “Elaboration of evidence-based solutions for effective professional competence development of adults and assessment of the transfer of its results into practice in Latvia” (VPP-IZM-Izglitiba-2023/4-0001). During the conference session titled “Key Aspects of Entrepreneurship and Management in Strengthening Global Competitiveness,” the results of the study were presented and a report was delivered on the topic “Strategic Management Competencies and Their Impact on Organizational Competitiveness.” The conference section was intended as a platform for scientists, researchers and practitioners to share ideas, insights and research on current issues of sustainable development. It addressed a wide audience, from academic researchers to representatives of companies and the public sector. All speakers were invited to participate in original studies, situational analyses and experiential stories. Scientists, experts, entrepreneurs and academics from different countries participated in the discussions, promoting international exchange of experience and cooperation. The conference paid special attention to the development of education and human capital, the introduction of science-based innovations, attracting investments and the development of competitive projects in Latvia and Europe.

Have you ever wondered how first impressions and unconscious biases influence our thinking, attitudes, and behavior? Would you like to better understand yourself and others while developing skills to create an inclusive environment in your studies and future career? We invite you to participate in interactive training sessions where you will: learn about unconscious biases and their impact, acquire practical tools from Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) that help develop mindfulness, flexible thinking, and respectful communication, reflect on your values and their role in relationships with others. These trainings will help foster an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging, is valued, and is heard. 📅 Date: May 18 🕒 Time: 16:30–19:00 📍 Location: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Café “Panorāma,” 6th floor Register HERE  The event will be held in English, and snacks will be provided. Come and gain a new perspective on yourself, others, and society as a whole!

On April 20 and 21, Latvia will host a significant international scientific and academic event - the strategic seminar “Latvia’s National Partnership within LOFAR ERIC,” which will bring together leading radio astronomy experts from Europe. The event focuses on LOFAR - one of the world’s most advanced low-frequency radio telescope networks, which, by combining 52 stations across several European countries, provides unique opportunities for multidisciplinary research in radio astronomy and astrophysics, as well as in the development of phased-array antennas and advanced data processing technologies.