The traveling exhibition "Science for Latvia 2025", created by the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), offers a unique opportunity to explore 12 of Latvia’s outstanding scientists and their contributions to the development of society and research. Until August 27, this diverse exhibition can be viewed on the 2nd floor of the “Valleta” shopping center at 4 Rīgas Street, Valmiera, with a special focus on the contribution of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) and its role in advancing scientific research.

Twelve scientific excellence representatives from 12 leading Latvian research institutions highlight the strength and diversity of Latvian science within the European Research Area. In cooperation with the science communication platform researchLatvia, the calendar and exhibition "Science for Latvia 2025" showcase research topics explored by Latvian scientists that impact our society, environment, and culture. In August, particular attention is given to ViA’s role in developing internationally competitive research.

"Science and research, first and foremost, mean well-considered, knowledge-based decisions to me. Secondly, they are the key to prosperity, as research leads to new, innovative products and services with higher added value,” says Ph.D. Oskars Java, Director and Researcher at the Institute of Sociotechnical Systems Engineering at ViA.

Each scientist represents a unique research field, including choreomusicology, national defense and security, pharmacogenetics, protection of rare and endangered species, reduction of water body overgrowth, comet activity research, art science, simulation modeling, modern society’s inner logic from a philosophical perspective, cultural studies, and the history of books, library science, and the written word.

Throughout the year, the traveling exhibition will be displayed at various higher education institutions, as well as other public and cultural venues across Latvia. By scanning QR codes, visitors can watch all 12 video stories. This initiative not only promotes the visibility of science but also strengthens the public's connection with it.

“I am always pleased when we are approached to host exhibitions. It means that 'Valleta' is recognized and valued as a place that reaches a broad audience,” says Monta Rubene, Director of the shopping center.

She adds: “August is a time when students prepare for or return to school, so this kind of exhibition fits well with the spirit and rhythm of this season.”

The 12 scientists – six women and six men – each contribute with their unique research to the development of interdisciplinary national and global scientific centers:

• Dr. art. Diāna Zandberga (Vice-Rector for Scientific and Creative Work at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music; Director of the joint professional doctoral arts program of Latvian art universities; pianist)
• Dr. sc. pol. Toms Rostoks (Director of the Center for Security and Strategic Research at the National Defence Academy of Latvia; Associate Professor)
• Dr. biol. Renāte Ranka (Tenure Professor at Riga Stradiņš University Faculty of Pharmacy; Lead Researcher at the Institute of Public Health)
• Dr. biol. Artūrs Škute (Professor at the Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University)
• Ph.D. Rūta Ozola-Davidāne (Associate Tenure Professor at the Institute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies)
• Mg. sc. comp. Karina Šķirmante (Lead Researcher and Doctoral Student at Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Center, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences)
• Art. D. Ansis Rozentāls (Lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia; IT specialist and painter)
• Ph.D. Oskars Java (Director and Researcher at the Institute of Sociotechnical Systems Engineering, ViA)
• Dr. phil. Raivis Bičevskis (Tenure Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Latvia, specializing in social philosophy, ethics, and religious studies)
• Dr. sc. ing. Sergejs Gaidukovs (Tenure Professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technologies, Riga Technical University)
• Ph.D. Baiba Tjarve (Deputy Director and Lead Researcher at the Institute of Culture and Arts, Latvian Academy of Culture)
• Mg. art., Mg. soc. Dagnija Baltiņa (Director of the National Library of Latvia; Doctoral Student)

Modern science inspires, amazes, and shapes a knowledge-based society! May the achievements of the Castle of Light (National Library), Latvia's universities of science, arts, and applied sciences continue to inspire us all – to seek, to create, and to grow!

The science calendar has been developed with the support of European Union funds.
Developers: SIA “Entuziasti Digital,” including Mārtiņš Pavasaris, video director Kristaps Mozgirs, and photographer Mārtiņš Goldbergs, in collaboration with the researchLatvia creative team.

From July 14 to 18, the Ted4Lat Doctoral School and Workshop “Open Data for Addressing Interconnected Environmental and Social Challenges” will take place at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), bringing together students from Latvia, France, Italy, Ukraine, Hungary, Romania, Albania, and India.

The doctoral summer school will gather students and professors to work together with data. Students will present progress reports on their doctoral research and collaborate in teams to develop new open data solutions, while professors will provide valuable feedback and serve as mentors.

Students will participate in lectures, workshops, and a hackathon to not only learn about using data as a driving force of digital transformation but also to foster innovation across various processes.

“The doctoral summer school is designed to give PhD students and candidates a boost in developing their dissertations, while also enhancing skills in defining innovative products — a crucial aspect of modern science, which must become increasingly connected to society. To achieve these goals, PhD candidates will have the opportunity to present progress reports and participate in a data hackathon. Additionally, the program includes several guest speaker presentations, focusing both on data use in current research projects and on specific data-related topics,” explains lead researcher and doctoral school organizer Ph.D. Oskars Java.

The Doctoral School is implemented by the project partners: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (France), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Riga Technical University (Latvia) and The Baltic Open Solutions Center (Latvia).

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe under grant agreement. no 101079206

Last Friday, on 18 July, the TED4LAT Doctoral Summer School concluded with an inspiring excursion to the De Woldemer Museum. The summer school took place from 14 to 18 July at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), gathering PhD students from various European countries. This final event served as a symbolic "cherry on top," offering participants a chance to better understand Latvian culture and foster informal international networking.

The most valuable activities of the summer school, according to the PhD students, included the colloquium—an opportunity to present their doctoral research progress and receive constructive feedback from professors and fellow participants. Attendees especially emphasized that this activity helped them develop presentation skills, prepare for their defenses, and receive practical suggestions for further work. Another highlight was the open data hackathon—teamwork focused on developing data-driven business ideas to address societal issues. Its structured format, where each thematic part was followed by a three-minute pitch presentation, helped participants not only refine their ideas but also learn principles of research project development. The guest speaker presentations—contrary to expectations, even the classic lecture format received high praise. Participants noted that listening to some of Europe’s top experts in their fields provided them with both new knowledge and inspiration for their research.

“The TED4LAT Summer School proved that PhD student development is best supported through a diverse format—from academic colloquia to creative hackathons and cultural experiences. It is becoming an important platform for strengthening collaboration and developing new ideas among future researchers,” said lead researcher and doctoral school organizer Ph.D. Oskars Java.

Event gallery available here

The doctoral school is implemented by project partners: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia), Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (France), Politecnico di Torino (Italy), Riga Technical University (Latvia), and the Baltic Open Solutions Center (Latvia).

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement no. 101079206.

Researchers from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), Riga Technical University, and the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre in Estonia, along with entrepreneurs from Latvia and France, continue their work on the project "Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells (H2-SEAS)." The researchers and project partners are participating in seminars and the "Welding Ceremony."

On Wednesday, July 9, a Welding Ceremony was held at the shipyard of ATOZ Group, a partner in the Horizon Europe H2-SEAS project. The event marked the execution of the first weld on the vessel’s hull – similar to laying a cornerstone in a new building.
The project leader from ViA, lead researcher Ph.D. Oskars Java, delivered a speech expressing two acknowledgements. The first was directed to the representatives of the European Commission, as such international research and innovation projects facilitate knowledge transfer and innovation across a wider geographical scale than national project competitions typically allow. The second was directed to Riga Technical University for involving ViA in the implementation of this project, which has enabled ViA to strengthen its life cycle assessment (LCA) research group as a new research direction.
Life cycle assessments are essential in the development of new products because, when carried out correctly, they demonstrate how sustainable a product will be throughout its entire life cycle.

The focus of the project is the reduction of the small-scale fishing vessel footprint on the maritime environment. The use of H2 as a fuel will dramatically limited noise pollution (only propeller sound will radiate from the vessel), absence of diesel engine exhaust and oil pollution will make no impact on greenhouse gases, airborne particles, acidifying compounds, and others, and will make one significant step for improving sea ecosystem quality, human wellbeing, and climate stability. Energy efficiency during project design phase will be implemented by optimising vessel’s hull form, selection of efficient equipment and adaptation of soft programs for economical use of the vessel Energy system. After design and construction, during vessel tests, we will collect data for comprising and analysis with similar class diesel fisherman vessel, and not only in energy consumption but in full spectrum of the environmental footprint.

H2-SEAS is an innovation action aimed at fulfilling the general objectives of the HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-05 topic. The project is funded by the European Union.