To strengthen collaboration with industry companies and organizations and to discuss how to jointly develop a modern tourism education offering, an interactive seminar titled "Future Paths of Tourism Education" was held at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences on 3 April 2025. The workshop brought together 17 organizations from all regions of Latvia.

The event began with a presentation on tourism study opportunities at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, introducing participants to current projects and research in the tourism sector and their practical application. Attendees learned about projects such as CirToS, Change(K)now!, Life LatViaNature, Interactive Gardens, and SIPAS. The university students also provided insights into how industry collaboration is integrated into their studies, for example, through joint activities such as hackathons.

The second part of the event featured a workshop titled "Towards Tourism Education in Collaboration", organized in the framework of the SIPAS project (Promoting Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Service Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships). Within the SIPAS project, all participating universities - in Latvia, Portugal, and India - are hosting meetings with industry representatives to evaluate existing collaborations and develop new ideas for improving cooperation between universities and the industry. This includes discussions on new tourism courses developed within the SIPAS project. The workshop focused on generating ideas and solutions that benefit all parties, covering aspects such as study content, collaboration, and resource sharing.

As a result of the workshop and discussions, industry stakeholders and collaboration partners shared their perspectives on improving cooperation with the university. Recommendations were provided, and barriers were discussed regarding how to ensure more effective communication of research results, improve the internship process and study content, and provide better feedback to the industry on various university initiatives. A key takeaway from the workshop was that collaboration should bring mutual benefits to both involved parties.

GRACE is a cutting-edge programme designed to develop and implement Extended Reality (XR) solutions for real-world challenges in healthcare, education, smart industries, and beyond.

💡 Why Choose GRACE?
- Hands-on Experience: Work on real-world projects in healthcare, education, smart industries, and design & art.
- Strong Job Prospects: The EU Strategy on Virtual Worlds forecasts 860,000 new jobs in Europe.
- Expert Mentorship: Gain insights from academic and industry mentors who help shape your project and tackle real-world challenges.
- Gamification in Action: Experience gamification firsthand through the Path to Reality concept.
- Inclusive & Global: Join an international, diverse, and welcoming learning community.
- Expand Your Network: Connect with professionals across 3+ countries to kick-start your career.

"GRACE will equip students with the skills to create and implement XR experiences and allow them to explore how gamified XR and games can address real-world challenges" - Michael Iber

🎓 Who Can Apply?

Bachelor’s graduates in game studies, creative computing, digital media, computer science, information or multimedia technology, extended reality (XR/VR/MR/AR), or a related field. 

The Joint Master Programme Gamified Reality Applications (GRACE) is the first joint degree of our European University Alliance @EUDRES.

🗎 Check the programme brochure now! 

🔗 Find out more on our website: GAMIFIED REALITY APPLICATIONS FOR REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES AND EXPERIENCES (GRACE)

📅 Application is open till June 30th.

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences(ViA), together with researchers from Riga Technical University and the Tallinn Center of the Stockholm Environment Institute, as well as professionals from the companies “Genevos SAS” (France) and SIA “A2Z Gannet” (Latvia), launched the project “Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero-Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cells (H2-SEAS)”.

The project researchers have conducted a first-of-its-kind literature analysis, including a legislative analysis, and provide a first insight into the extent to which Latvia, Estonia and France are ready to use hydrogen as a fuel. The barriers identified by the researchers for the use of hydrogen in Latvia are:

• The national energy and climate policy documents do not specify specific hydrocarbon use and do not provide for specific actions
• As an obstacle to hydrogen production and deployment of fueling stations, the national policy document mentions the lack of experience of state institutions and the lack of appropriate legislation regarding the deployment of hydrogen fueling stations, which complicates the administrative process for obtaining the necessary permits, causing delays and additional costs
• The country has not yet developed a hydrogen strategy
• The biggest obstacle to the introduction of hydrogen in Latvia, as in other countries, is the lack of cheap renewable energy for hydrogen production.

A large part of Latvia's thermal energy and electricity is still obtained from imported natural gas, but there are changes in the field of marine energy, however, it is expected that Latvia will remain dependent on imports.

The project’s recommendations for policy makers on promoting the use of hydrogen in small-scale fisheries are based on reviews of current policies and legislation, as well as on the experience of project partners working on energy and environmental policy planning and implementation at national level in the respective countries. The main conclusions drawn from the initial literature review are as follows:

1. When revising European Union Hydrogen Strategy, refer to and present sector specific tangible goals like goal of transition to carbon neutral fuels in fisheries by 2050.

The current Hydrogen Strategy does not contain any reference to hydrogen use in fisheries.

2. Continue to pursue transition to renewable energy particularly supporting the rapid enlargement large scale offshore wind energy production linked with hydrogen production.

Main barrier to wider use of hydrogen is lack of affordable renewable energy.

3. Together with supporting production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen, consider also measures for encouraging the demand side in order to create a market for hydrogen.

One of the barriers to hydrogen deployment is lack of demand.

4. Take measures to reduce the legal and administrative barriers in the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen.

One of the barriers to hydrogen use in fisheries is bureaucracy, lengthy and costly permitting procedures to invest in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution facilities.

5. Take action to phase out harmful subsidies for the production and use of fossil fuels.

Subsidies for fossil fuel production and use distort the market and prevent transition to carbon neutral fuels.

6. Adopt Commission proposal to revise the Energy Tax Directive (COM(2021) 563 final).

ETD is not in line with EU climate and energy objectives, taxes on fossil fuels are low and do not cover external costs of production and use of fossil fuels.

7. When preparing and adopting regulations for use of European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), require inclusion of hydrogen infrastructure development in national programming documents.

Development of infrastructure allowing access to hydrogen fuelling in small fishing harbours is not prioritized in EMFF programming.

8. Current CFP Regulation should be revised in order to accommodate repowering of fishing fleet with hydrogen propulsion systems.

Current regulation restricts changes in tonnage and engine capacity of registered vessels.

9. Member States should develop dedicated administrative support for Small-scale Coastal fishers at the local level that would help them access EU funds.

Currently fishermen lack information, competence and skill to fill in web-based bureaucratic application formats to access funds.

10. Member States should develop strategic plans at the local level to facilitate access to funding for Small-scale Coastal Fisheries enterprises. These plans should aim at achieving their resilience, sustainability and adaptability to external factors, including increased funding towards investments for fleet energy transition to use hydrogen and establishing supply infrastructure in fishing harbours.

Currently such dedicated funding plans are missing and Small-scale Coastal fishermen are not able to compete with larger fishing companies over the funds.

Read full document: HERE

Horizon Europe Research and Innovation (2021-2027) Missions 2023-2024

Work Programme “Restore our ocean and waters by 2030”, the call HORIZON-MISS-2023-OCEAN-01-05, Grant Agreement: 101157530

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