BISS is a traditional summer education programme which has taken place in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences since 1999. It is organized with the financial support of Valmiera City Municipality. So far, more than 600 participants from 65 countries have participated in the Baltic International Summer School. The Summer School provides the opportunity for participants to get to know our culture by participating in educational trips and festivals, celebrating together and visiting different corners of Vidzeme region and Latvia. As many foreign participants have acknowledged, the experience of the summer school has promoted the interest in the Baltic States.
The award of the "Student of the year", which has already become a tradition, annually congratulates the socially active students who promote the name of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in Latvia and the world, invest their intellectual and professional skills in the development of the university and are true patriots of ViA. The awardees are nominated by both students and employees of the university; after a secret vote, the announcement of the winners is held in the most heart-warming and sweetest ball of the year, which the students call the Sugar Ball, taking place in celebration of all lovers day.
For several years Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Forum has been inviting representatives of state institutions, entrepreneurs and academics to discuss topical issues in society. The topic of the last forum was about the Latvian National Economy: the past, present and future.
ViA Rally unites the students, exchange students, lecturers, administrative staff and friends of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences for a trip on one of the rivers of Latvia or a hiking tour with an interesting route. The event also includes other activities (competitions, awarding titles, going on excursions to the sightseeing places, starting a quarrel, etc.).
The first Boat Rally of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences was organized by the experienced geographer Ilgvars Ābols in 2000. The following year the organization was already handed over to the students themselves. The event was so good that it became clear – ViA Rally would become a tradition.
The purpose of the conference is to encourage students to engage in research, to promote the development of creative abilities and the professional development of students, and to identify the authors of the best research work in various fields of science. The conference is held annually in autumn, bringing together students from various study programmes. The best research projects of students are collected in the proceedings of the research conference.
Every year in autumn, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences hosts a conference for the teachers of Vidzeme region, bringing together educators from various educational institutions of Vidzeme.
But in spring the university premises are filled with students from Vidzeme region secondary schools to present their research work. The aim of the conference is to expand students’ research skills in the nature, humanities, social and engineering science sectors, to involve students in research activities, to develop skills to independently carry out a research work, to improve students' skills of introducing others to the results of their research and to find out the best research projects.
The Christmas concert is a tradition that started in 2012. Since then, every year funds have been collected for the animals at Valmiera animal shelter, for the improvement of their housing, food and other needs. The tradition was established by the President of the Student Union at that time - Vita Štrobindere. The organizers of the charity event want to invite people to adopt the shelter animals, but if that is not possible, to help providing the best possible living conditions for them.
