It is our pleasure to announce the 5th International Scientific Conference & the 14th Students’ Research Conference SOCIETY. TECHNOLOGY. SOLUTIONS taking place at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in Valmiera, Latvia on October 15-17, 2025. The Conference is organized within the E³UDRES² Science Festival that incorporates:  

• Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme for Students on October 13-17  

• The 14th Students’ Research Conference on October 15  

• Parallel Sessions of the 5th International Scientific Conference on October 16  

• Research Leadership Forum on October 16  

• Stakeholders’ Forum October 17  

In 2025, SOCIETY. TECHNOLOGY. SOLUTIONS aim to contribute to the synergy between society and technologies by highlighting the following focus areas: 

• Resilient and Circular Economy  

• Media, Communication and Societal Resilience  

• Simulation and Prediction  

• Digital Health and Rehabilitation  

• Nature Conservation and Outdoors  

• Creative Industries  

There will be two abstract books published digitally: the Abstract Book of the 5th International Scientific Conference & the Abstract Book of the 14th Students’ Research Conference. A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) will be assigned to each abstract. For the 5th International Scientific Conference, we invite authors to submit original abstracts that have not been published or submitted to other conferences or journals. For the 14th Students’ Research Conference, students and recent graduates from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and other higher education institutions are invited to submit abstracts based on their study projects and thesis. Research supervisor’s consent is required for the students’ submissions. The language of the abstracts is English. 

At the 14th Students’ Research Conference on the 15th of October, there will be two options for presenting: an 8-minute oral presentation or a poster. The language of the presentations and the posters is English. The best abstracts and presentations will be awarded. 

At the 5th International Scientific Conference on the 16th of October, presenters will be divided in panels based on the thematic of the abstracts submitted to the Conference. One panel will consist of 4 to 6 presenters and a moderator. Each presenter will give an 8-minute presentation providing short insight in the research. Presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion. The language of the presentations and the discussion is English.  

Abstract submission: HERE (Oxford Abstracts)  

till the 30th of April 2025 for the 5th International Scientific Conference  

till the 30th of June 2025 for the 14th Students’ Research Conference  

Acceptance of abstracts for the International Scientific Conference: till the 16th of June 2025. All abstracts submitted by the students with the research supervisor’s consent shall be considered accepted for the 14th Student’s Research Conference.  

Registration: HERE (Oxford Abstracts)  

till the 16th of June 2025 for Presenters at the 5th International Scientific Conference  

till the 16th of September 2025 for all other participants 

Fee for presenters at the 5th International Scientific Conference on the 16th of October: 

• EUR 160 regular fee  
• EUR 80 reduced fee applied to: 
  (1) doctoral students;
  (2) E³UDRES² members;
  (3) every next abstract of the same author. 

Free of charge:  

• participation with an abstract and a presentation in the 14th Students’ Research Conference on the 15th of October 

• listening to the presentations at the 14th Students’ Research Conference on the 15th of October (participation with no abstract) 

• listening to the presentations at the 5th International Scientific Conference on the 16th of October (participation with no abstract) 

Practical Information 

More information and updates: EUDRES SCIENCE FESTIVAL 

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Venue: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, 4 Cēsu Street & 10 Tērbatas Street, Valmiera, Latvia 

Destination Info: Visit Valmiera  

Jeļena Kijaško graduated from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences with a Master's degree in the „Tourism Competitiveness Management” program and is currently working in Rezekne. Jeļena is the head of the Rezekne Tourism Development Centre and the chairperson of the board of the Latgale Tourism Association.

Reflecting back on her time at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Jeļena says, that, what she appreciated most, was the professionalism of the lecturers in their field: „It is the collegial and supportive attitude and knowledgeable professionals, who are able to provide strong academic knowledge, successfully combined with personal years of practical experience in the field.”

Jeļena completed the Master's study programme "Tourism Competitiveness Management" with distinction, and won first place in a competition organized by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) with her master's thesis. However, while studying for her Master's degree at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Jeļena worked in Rezekne. Reflecting on combining studies with work, the graduate says it wasn't very difficult, but not easy either: „Of course, the process was made easier by the split format - face-to-face and remote, because the real commuting from Rezekne to Valmiera was mostly only in the 1st and 2nd semesters, and not on every weekend. As for combining studies with work and, of course, family - I'll be honest - yes, it was hard sometimes, but at the same time it was very interesting and worthwhile, and the sleepless nights were worth it.”

The graduate admits that several courses were useful in building her professional image, such as „Marketing Strategies in Tourism”, „Business Data Management Toolkit”, „Self-Management”, „New Product Development and Service Innovation”, „Tourism Competitiveness”. „The knowledge I gained has directly helped me a lot in my daily work and I am still applying it - starting with creating a quality marketing strategy for a tourism destination under my management in one course; in another course, learning how to use different digital tools for data acquisition and analysis, I also practiced on my destination, which allowed me to discover a lot of valuable information and draw data-driven conclusions. Overall, I would say that the knowledge you gain is divided into two parts - the concrete and practical, such as methods and tools that you can actually apply in your daily work, and the second part - the knowledge that simply changes your thinking and allows you to look at things in a broader way or see processes from a different angle, and both types of knowledge are equally valuable and useful.”

 Most memorable for Jelena are the lectures given by Aija van der Steina, especially the study trips, Andris Klepers, Linda Veliverronena and Agita Šmitiņa. „This programme undoubtedly brought together many very strong and knowledgeable representatives of the Latvian tourism academia and I remember with gratitude each of the lecturers, as absolutely everyone has contributed valuable knowledge and shared their professional experience.”

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences offers students not only theoretical knowledge, but also the opportunity to apply it in practice. Jeļena highlights this as the university's greatest advantage: „The brightest and warmest memories are definitely from study trips - we had a unique opportunity to visit important Latvian and Estonian tourism companies, communicate with their management and gain their experience), face-to-face lectures with valuable discussions and live communication, and Living-labs (problem-based learning course, where international student teams solved challenges of real companies using design thinking, future skills and other innovative methods).”

Jeļena recommends others to consider studying a Master's degree at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, because, as the graduate herself admits, „It is a guarantee of personal and professional growth, I would say, not an opportunity.”

We are excited to announce the publication of the E³UDRES² Annual Report 2024! This newly released report looks back on the achievements and highlights of the year 2024 in the E³UDRES² Alliance.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A message from the E³UDRES² President
• Key achievements of 2024, presented in numbers
• Updates on our progress across the alliance’s core objectives – from empowering learners and innovators to fostering collaborative innovation and strengthening regional communities
• Insights into ongoing associated projects
• Testimonials from our community, along with an overview of our governance, partners, and advisory board

Read Annual Report: https://eudres.eu/assets/files/eudres-annual-report_2024.pdf

Latvia is part of the European Union and offers world-class education in various fields, including Engineering, Medicine, Business, Tourism, Public Relations, Banking, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Latvia provides a modern and safe study environment, internationally recognized academic staff, competitive tuition fees, and reasonable living costs. The degrees obtained in Latvia are recognized across all European Union countries.

The focus of higher education in Latvia is on interactive learning and practical experience.

1. Studying in Latvia is Affordable

Most programs at Latvian higher education institutions charge tuition fees, but compared to other European countries, Latvia’s undergraduate tuition fees are relatively low.

Tuition fees vary significantly depending on the institution and the study program. For international study programs, fees range from €1,500 to €15,000 per academic year. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences offers some of the lowest study fees in Latvia, ranging from €2, 000 to €3,000 per year.

Living costs also vary between cities. In the capital, Riga, living expenses tend to be higher than in other regions. For example, accommodation in Valmiera starts from €150 (student hostel), while in Riga, it starts from €200 and higher. Transportation costs start at €30, and food costs around €300 per month.

2. Scholarships Available for International Students

Latvia offers various scholarship schemes to support international students interested in studying in the country. Scholarships are available for:

• Degree studies at Latvian higher education institutions
• Research work at Latvian higher education institutions
• Participation in summer schools organized by Latvian higher education institutions

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences offers five scholarships for EU/EEA and non-EU students in each program:

Bachelor's level: Information Technologies, Tourism and organization management
Master's level: Business Environment Administration, Media and Information Literacy, Strategic Communication and Governance, Virtual Reality and Smart Technologies, Tourism Competitiveness Management, Gamified Reality Applications For Real-World Challenges And Experiences (Grace)
Doctoral level: Economics and Business, Sociotechnical Systems Modelling 

For more details, visit https://va.lv/en.

Scholarships are administered by the State Education Development Agency (Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra – VIAA).

Find out more about scholarships here

3. How to Choose Your University

There are many universities, colleges, and institutions to choose from in Latvia, not only in the capital city, Riga, but also in regional areas. Most colleges and universities in Latvia are publicly funded and accredited, ensuring high-quality education to help you secure a job after graduation.

The Latvian higher education system distinguishes between academic and professional degree programs. Academic programs are more theoretically focused, while professional programs train students for specific professions. Both types of programs offer Bachelor's and Master’s degrees. Diplomas obtained in Latvia are highly regarded not only in Europe but also globally.

To find your ideal study program, visit the websites of Latvian universities, where you can find detailed information about their offerings.

4. The Weather

If you’re planning to study in Latvia, you should be prepared for colder weather during several months of the year. Latvia is located in the temperate climate zone and experiences four distinct seasons. You can expect a true winter with subzero temperatures and snow, spring floods, warm summers, and colorful autumns.

Winter in Latvia usually lasts from mid-December to the beginning of March. The temperature can range from +5°C to -30°C, though winters are now generally milder. You’ll need a good winter jacket, hat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof winter boots.

Spring may begin as early as late February or as late as late April, lasting until early June. The average temperature in spring is between 0°C and +15°C.

Summer starts in June and lasts until September, with an average temperature of around +19°C, though it can occasionally reach +30°C. The latter half of the summer may bring sudden thunderstorms.

Autumn lasts from September to December. The temperature typically drops from +10°C in September to around 0°C in November. Occasionally, there is an “Indian summer” in early autumn, with temperatures rising up to +20°C, while the first snow can fall as early as October or November. During the golden autumn period, the foliage turns vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold across Latvia.

Find out more: Weather in Latvia

5. Visa to Study in Latvia

The visa requirements for studying in Latvia depend on whether you are an EU/EEA citizen. Students from the EU/EEA do not need a visa to enter Latvia, but citizens from countries such as Russia, Belarus, Georgia, China, and others will need a visa to enter Latvia. These students are granted a Schengen visa, which allows them to stay in Latvia and other Schengen countries. Some non-EU/EEA countries also benefit from this privilege.

Note that students from the above-mentioned countries can stay in Latvia for up to 90 days within a six-month period. If you plan to stay longer, you should apply for a residence permit before or within the first 90 days of your stay.

Be aware that specific requirements may vary depending on the chosen university, so it is highly recommended to check with your university’s international coordinator.

Documents required for a visa or residence permit:

• A letter of invitation from your chosen university
• The application form (available on the embassy or consulate website)
• A copy of your passport (with the original for presentation). The passport must be valid for at least three months after your planned stay
• One photo (3x4 cm)
• Proof of sufficient funding (minimum of EUR 430 per month): original bank statement, signed and stamped, plus a copy of your bank card (valid for 3 months from approval date)
• Proof of accommodation (valid for 3 months from approval date)
• Copy of your study agreement with the university
• State processing fee

The entire residence permit process takes more than 40 days. Once the permit is approved, students will need to present a health insurance policy (valid for all Schengen countries) and fluorography or X-ray results from a reputable institution in Latvia.

6. Working While Studying

Foreign/international students studying in Latvia may work on or off-campus as long as they have a valid residence permit. All full-time students with a valid permit are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week during study semesters and full-time during semester breaks.

7. Travel to Latvia

Several airline companies, including budget airlines, serve Riga International Airport, making it easy to find reasonably priced tickets. You can check the list of airlines flying to Riga here: Riga Airport Airlines.

You can also reach Latvia by ferry. Riga is connected by ferry to Stockholm (Sweden), and Ventspils connects with Ninneshamn (Sweden) and Travemunde (Germany). The city of Liepāja offers a ferry route to Travemunde, Germany.

Currently, international train routes are limited to connections with Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, and Minsk in Belarus.

Riga is well-served by extensive bus connections. Bus routes connect Latvia with Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Russia, Switzerland, the UK, and Ukraine. Check with your local travel agency or transport provider for more information.

8. Language Learning Courses

Universities in Latvia may offer a variety of language support. At Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, all international students can attend the course "Latvian Language and Culture" to learn basic phrases and gain an understanding of Latvian.