WELCOME TO THE COLOURS ALLIANCE!

The modern work environment is undergoing rapid change, and companies are increasingly seeking solutions to improve employee well-being. Last week, the hackathon “Workplace Reinvented” took place at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, where over three days students developed solutions to challenges posed by companies from Ventspils, focusing on strengthening employees’ physical and mental health. During the hackathon, inspiring lectures were delivered by “Vesels Birojs” founder Laima Buša, director of Ventspils Music High School Jēkabs Macpans, and public speaking specialist Rūta Maltisova. At the end of the hackathon, students presented their ideas, which were evaluated by a jury. The three best teams were awarded a total prize fund of €2,000: 1st place and €1,000 went to the team “Slippies” with their solution “Pawse” – a service providing regular dog visits to offices, carried out by trusted and experienced dog walkers. Such visits were intended to improve well-being in the workplace, resulting in higher work efficiency. 2nd place and €600 went to the team “Taij” with an idea of integrating treadmills into the work environment, emphasizing that this solution could improve employees’ concentration, decision-making, and reduce fatigue caused by sedentary work. 3rd place and €400 went to the team “Enviora” , which developed an artificial intelligence office assistant aimed at improving employee well-being. Throughout the hackathon, participant teams were supported by experienced mentors, including Sandra Žukova (head of the regional office of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in Ventspils), mentors of the “Startup Management” study program Elviss Brauns and Atis Mertens, and Ventspils Music High School director Jēkabs Macpans. On the second day, mentoring was provided by VUAS HR department head Elīna Feldmane and senior specialist Raitis Didrihsons, head of the Science and Development Department Vitālijs Petkevičs, mentor and lecturer Āris Birze, ASYA customer support team leader and VUAS alumna Marta Anete Vinniņa, and HR WellBe founder Vija Niedre. In addition to developing ideas, participants also had the opportunity to strengthen team spirit and take care of their well-being outside of work sessions. The students visited the Adventure Park in Ventspils, where they tried disc golf and a ride on the toboggan track, and also took part in meditation sessions. The hackathon was supported by Alpro, Paulig, SaltCave, Ventspils Adventure Park, Rimi, and Red Bull. The event was implemented within the COLOURS European University Alliance, bringing together students from Latvia as well as partner universities in Italy and Germany. More photos are available HERE Ventspils Augstskolas Hackathon "Workplace reinvented" Password: ventspils2026

We invite YOU to another cozy TEA & TALKS afternoon! This time we will talk about May 4th "Day of the Restauration of the Republic of Latvia" and why it is so important for Latvia! We will also make a traditional Latvian dish - so make sure to keep your afternoon free to not miss out on valuable insights and food! As always, you are welcome to bring snacks and your cup as there will be tea! Everybody is welcome to join! Where & when? Date: 7th May 2026 Time: 17:00 Place: D0 We are looking forward to seeing you and your friends!

We are excited to invite you to the annual VUAS Culture Days 2026 – an interactive event organised by 1st year Intercultural Communication students. This years' topic: Cultural Minefield: Step Carefully Explore the unspoken rules of culture and test your instincts in real-life situations. During the event, you will: Take part in interactive quizzes Engage with real-life cultural scenarios Gain practical cultural insights You will also hear from representatives from Croatia, Ukraine, Germany, India, Turkey, Latvia and Ghana, who will share cultural taboos, etiquette rules, and common “tourist mistakes”. Bonus for the on-site participants: “The Flavor of My Culture” table. Participants are warmly invited to bring a homemade dish or drink that represents their culture and share it with others. When? May 6 At what time? 16:00 (EEST) (3:00 PM CET) Where? Room D0 and online – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89909358229 This event is designed to be practical, engaging, and memorable – whether you are preparing for international experiences or simply curious about cultural differences. In order to participate, please register here: https://forms.gle/pR9QvZirzf3nwne97

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.

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!

This weekon Thursday we invite YOU to another cozy TEA & TALKS afternoon! This time we are turning the tables and some international students will tell us about their country and culture! So make sure to keep your afternoon free to not miss out on valuable insights! You are welcome to bring snacks and your cup as there will be tea! Be aware that this time we will meet in the Student Lounge D0. Everybody is welcome to join! Where & when? Date: 16th April 2026 Time: 17:00 Place: D0

From May 20 to 22, the CoLab "Challenges of the IT Sector in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" will take place in Ventspils. This year, it is dedicated to the challenges of the IT sector in the age of artificial intelligence. On the first day of the CoLab , entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn about the most actual issues and solutions in the fields of artificial intelligence and human resources in the IT sector by participating in discussions with industry experts. This day will serve as a foundation for the subsequent forum activities, during which students will analyze the identified challenges and develop ideas and practical solutions. On the first day of the CoLab, May 20, the main focus will be on strategic industry issues and current challenges. The program includes expert keynote speeches, panel discussions, and co-creation sessions involving representatives of IT companies, developers of artificial intelligence solutions, cybersecurity specialists, as well as representatives from universities and the public sector. Discussions will center on topics such as labor market transformation under the influence of AI, the availability of qualified specialists, cybersecurity challenges, and companies’ adaptation to the new technological reality. The day will also feature solution presentations (pitches), highlighting existing initiatives and approaches to industry development. “The CoLab is an important platform where education, business, and the public sector come together. Artificial intelligence is already significantly impacting the economy and the labor market, so it is important to identify both risks and development opportunities in a timely manner to strengthen the region’s competitiveness,” emphasizes Jānis Vītoliņš, Chairman of the Ventspils City Council. On the second day, May 21, the CoLab will continue with practical work and the promotion of collaboration. The day will begin with the interfaculty activity “Networking Exchange”, where students will present their ideas, projects, and initiatives, fostering new connections and cooperation among representatives from different fields. Afterwards, students, academic staff, entrepreneurs, and industry experts will work together in teams to develop solutions to the challenges defined on the first day, receiving methodological and content-related support in structuring and developing their ideas. The third day, May 22, will be dedicated to refining, presenting, and receiving feedback on the developed ideas. Teams will summarize their work, refine their solutions, and prepare short idea pitches to present to a jury and other participants. The final day will highlight the most promising ideas and outline their further development opportunities, promoting continued collaboration between students, universities, and industry partners even after the event concludes. “The CoLab enables the university to closely link studies and research with real industry needs, helps the region develop its innovation ecosystem and strengthen competitiveness, and serves as a clear example of how international cooperation can translate into practical benefits at the local level,” notes Andris Vaivads, Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The CoLab is organized as a unified three-day collaboration cycle, encompassing the identification of challenges, development of ideas, and presentation of solutions, thereby forming a complete innovation process and strengthening the connection between education, business, and the public sector. More information about the forum program and agenda, as well as registration, is available HERE Participation in the event is only possible with prior registration. The forum is organized by Ventspils University of Applied Sciences within the framework of the European Universities Alliance COLOURS, which brings together nine regional universities to address challenges relevant to regions, in cooperation with the Ventspils City Municipality, the Freeport of Ventspils Authority, and the Latvian Artificial Intelligence Association.

On Tuesday we invite you to another TALKS & TEA afternoon with activities to learn about Latvian culture and to connect with local students! This time we will talk about different cities in Latvia and in general the Baltic countries, so you have the opportunity to get inspiration for your next weekend trip! You are welcome to bring snacks and your cup because this time there will be tea! Everybody is welcome to join! Where & when? Date: 24th March 2026 Time: 17:00 Place: D103 We are looking forward to seeing you and your friends!

At the end of February, the Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Andris Vaivads, participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Best Practice Examples of Latvian European University Alliances in Promoting Innovation and Regional Development.” The discussion brought together representatives of Latvian universities, ministries, and European University alliances to evaluate more than five years of experience and to discuss the potential of European Universities for the development of higher education in Latvia. During the discussion, participants focused on how European University alliances can be used effectively to strengthen the competitiveness of Latvian higher education, promote innovation, and support regional development. The role of universities in developing human capital and fostering international cooperation was also emphasized. At the same time, participants discussed challenges faced by universities, including resource-intensive coordination, issues related to institutional capacity, and the importance of state support for the successful implementation of these initiatives. The participants of the discussion also highlighted the need for closer cooperation between universities and policymakers to ensure the sustainable development of the higher education and innovation ecosystem in Latvia.  The roundtable discussion concluded with a shared recognition of the importance of exchanging experience and a common willingness to continue strengthening the role of Latvian higher education at the European level.