Researchers from VUAS develop useful materials for foreign language teachers
May 24, 2021
May marks the conclusion of the Erasmus+ strategic partnership project for innovation and the exchange of best practices, “Teachers in the Distance”. In collaboration with language teachers from Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, researchers from the Faculty of Translation Studies at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS FoTS) – Guntars Dreijers, Sintija Ozoliņa, Silga Sviķe, Aiga Veckalne, Jānis Veckrācis, and Artūrs Viļums – also participated in the project.
The project took place from November 1, 2018, to May 31, 2021, and during this time, there were three international in-person meetings of project participants, one online meeting, as well as a five-day online training session for language teachers on organizing online lessons, hosted and arranged by educators from the Oulu Adult Education Center. Full information about the project and its achievements can be found on the project’s website.
“The project participants have developed useful materials for language teachers to prepare lessons for distance learning. On the website Teachersinthedistance.eu, language teachers have the opportunity to learn the developed methodology in a modular format, explore guidelines on conducting language lessons in distance learning, and familiarize themselves with the instructions for using various tools. The portal offers recordings of language lessons, as well as a special innovative search tool that allows any teacher, as a portal user, to find a suitable tool from more than 200 tools and websites according to the intended lesson task. All the materials developed for teachers are available for free”, says the project manager in Latvia, Silga Sviķe.
On May 12, VUAS FoTS educators organized an online seminar, introducing nearly 100 participants – language teachers from across Latvia – to the project results, including the website, methodology, and guidelines. They also shared best practices and insights discovered during the project’s implementation for preparing English, German, Spanish, French, Latvian, and Russian language lessons. VUAS Rector, Professor Kārlis Krēsliņš, is pleased with the results of the project and the developed materials, which were created in collaboration with FTS colleagues and educators from partnering organizations. The materials developed in the project will be useful for any language teacher to prepare for distance classes. The project participants invite everyone to visit the website and use the developed materials to facilitate language teaching and create engaging and interactive language classes for students.
Contact information: Silga Sviķe, email: silga.svike@venta.lv
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Join us for an insightful and delicious journey around the world at our upcoming Culture Day event! On May 21st at 4:30 PM in the VUAS student lounge D0, students from Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, China, and India will take you on a fascinating exploration of their unique cultures, inspired by the concept of the Cultural Iceberg. Just like an iceberg, there's so much more to a culture than what meets the eye. Our presenters will go beyond the familiar tourist sights and delve into the deeper, often unseen aspects of their heritage. Prepare to: Savor authentic flavors: Taste traditional dishes prepared with love by our student representatives. It's a culinary adventure you won't want to miss! Uncover hidden depths: Through engaging presentations, discover the values, beliefs, and customs that truly shape each culture. Navigate cultural nuances: Learn about intriguing taboos and gain a better understanding of potential cultural misunderstandings. Challenge stereotypes: Engage in open discussions and hear firsthand perspectives that break down common misconceptions. This is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, connect with fellow students from diverse backgrounds, and gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of our global community right here at VUAS. Don't miss this chance to: Expand your cultural intelligence. Make new friends and connections. Enjoy delicious international food. Participate in thought-provoking discussions. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 21st at 4:30 PM and head to the VUAS student lounge D0 . Let's explore the fascinating depths of culture together! We look forward to seeing you there!
On April 9th, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences hosted Career Day 2025 , uniting high schoolers , university students , educators , and employers for a dynamic day of networking and hands-on experiences .
In February of this year, the European Union-funded project “Opticon RadioNet Pilot” No 101004719 (ORP) was successfully concluded at the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center (VIRAC), part of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, located in Irbene, Latvia. VIRAC is known for its two large radio telescopes – including a 32-meter dish, one of the largest in Northern Europe – which are used to study radio signals from cosmic objects. Given the scale and complexity of space, collaboration has always been essential, and VIRAC has long been involved in international and EU-funded projects. Since 2009, VIRAC has participated in a series of projects under the “RadioNet” umbrella, aimed at strengthening radio astronomy research across Europe by increasing access to facilities, advancing technology, encouraging institutional collaboration, and supporting the growth of young scientists. The ORP project represented the next step, merging the efforts of radio and optical telescope communities into a single coordinated program. By integrating facilities observing across the radio, sub-mm, infrared, and optical wavebands, ORP enabled seamless access for European researchers to an unparalleled array of observatories. With a total budget of €15 million, of which €60,000 was allocated to VIRAC and Ventspils University, the project supported VIRAC’s active participation in multiple scientific and collaborative activities. Among these activities, VIRAC regularly participates in EVN (European VLBI Network) observation sessions, held three times a year, as well as in monthly real-time e-VLBI sessions and EVN-lite observations, which serve as supplementary components to the main EVN observation programme. Participation in these activities has been actively supported and facilitated through the ORP (Opticon RadioNet Pilot) project. Additionally, VIRAC researchers are actively involved in the international scientific community, regularly attending major conferences and participating in training programs and exchange visits at leading European observatories. Activities such as transnational access to European ESFRI and ERIC research facilities, training programs, and support for the astronomical community will continue through one of the most significant outcomes of the ORP project—ACME (Astrophysics Centre for Multi-Messenger Studies in Europe). This new initiative aims to integrate not only optical and radio astronomy but also other branches of astrophysical observation, including gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays, fostering a truly multi-messenger approach to astronomy. This project has received funding from the European Union's research and innovation programme HORIZON 2020 under grant agreement No 101004719. Scientific Project Coordinator: Ivars Šmelds ( ivars.smelds@venta.lv ) Administrative Project Manager: Ieva Kozlova ( ieva.kozlova@venta.lv )
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At the Elektrum Physics Festival, which will take place on April 12 at the ATTA Center in Riga, young people will be invited to engage in exciting physics discovery activities and explore future professions in STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The final of the FIZMIX school knowledge and physics competition will be held for the 30th time during the festival. This will be the fifth edition of the festival, and this year's theme is "Mission: Future." Throughout the day, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, visitors of all ages can participate in creative workshops and experiments that will test both intellectual and physical skills. The event will feature engaging activities presented by science centers from Latvia and Estonia, universities, extracurricular education institutions, companies, and entertainment centers. Each year, the festival is widely attended, with young people and families appreciating the meaningful way to spend their time—last year, it attracted around 4,000 visitors. Science centers and universities, including Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center, will offer various educational and interactive activities. Program: 11:00 – 11:25 Opening Ceremony 11:25 – 12:15 Discussion: "STEM Sciences: Future Professions" 12:25 – 14:00 Competitions, experiments on stage, activities, and prizes 14:00 – 14:15 Honoring long-time teachers 14:15 – 14:30 Announcement of FIZMIX competition finalists 14:40 – 15:40 FIZMIX competition final 15:50 – 16:10 FIZMIX competition awards ceremony 16:10 – 16:50 Concert: Fiņķis & Patrisha Organized by AS "Latvenergo," the FIZMIX knowledge competition and Elektrum Physics Festival aim to spark young people's interest in exact sciences, demonstrate how theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice, and encourage students to consider careers in STEM fields.
