NEWS

ViA Alumni Jeļena Kijaško: „It is a guarantee of personal and professional growth, I would say, not an opportunity.”

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.”

The E³UDRES² Annual Report 2024 is here!

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

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences offers an international master's program: Gamified Reality Applications For Real-World Challenges And Experiences

In response to growing demand, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) has launched the master's program Gamified Reality Applications For Real-World Challenges And Experiences, in collaboration with universities from the European Universities - E³UDRES² network, including St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences in Austria and Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. This program invites participants to gain expertise in developing and implementing advanced augmented reality (XR) solutions, incorporating gamification elements.

This unique program integrates creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship, preparing professionals for careers across various industries, such as medicine, education, and more.

“The goal of the program is to prepare future professionals in fields like creative industries, smart industries, and digital healthcare, equipping them with practical skills such as developing innovative technologies, conducting user research, and mastering industry-specific business skills,” says Dr. sc. ing. Linda Lancere.

The program spans two years or four semesters. Each semester offers both practical and theoretical knowledge, starting with problem research and customer needs analysis and progressing to the development of fully realized XR solution prototypes tailored to industry needs.

Through the GRACE integrated mobility concept, students will gain experience in three European Union member states, expanding their global perspective while leveraging the unique strengths of each participating partner university:mge web

  • Semester 1 (St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, Austria): Basics of XR, gamification, and user-centered design principles.
  • Semester 2 (Saxony University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands): Development of innovative, low-fidelity prototypes in practical collaboration with industry partners.
  • Semester 3 (Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Latvia): Implementation and preparation of advanced, high-fidelity XR prototypes for market applications.
  • Semester 4 (Partner university of the student's choice): Creation of a market-ready product, with a focus on professional growth.

Program Details:

  • Language: English
  • Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
  • Degree: Master's degree
  • Number of places: 25 funded places
  • Application deadline: April 30, 2025
  • Admission requirements: See the partner university website for details on admissions – Joint Master Grace

During the program, students will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners from the Netherlands, Austria, and Latvia. Partnerships have been established with several leading companies and institutions in Latvia, including SIA EXONICUS R&D, SIA "Overly Creator", SIA "BirgerMind", BIMSynch, Studio Perspective, Strenči Psychoneurological Hospital, High Hill (Fungo App), Latvian Construction Companies Association, RIGA STRADIŅA UNIVERSITY, and VREACH. Students will work closely with these partners and, upon successful collaboration, develop real, usable products with high technical readiness levels (TRL6-7).

XR technologies are increasingly applied across industries such as education, entertainment, and medicine, offering extensive career opportunities for program graduates. Possible career paths include XR developer, game specialist, innovation/innovative technology project manager, technology engineer, CTO, educational technologist, interactive media designer, and XR application researcher, among others.

 

Things You Should Know Before Studying in Latvia

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 StudentsVidzemes Augstskolas publicitates foto

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 levelInformation TechnologiesTourism and organization management
Master's levelBusiness Environment AdministrationMedia and Information LiteracyStrategic Communication and GovernanceVirtual Reality and Smart Technologies, Tourism Competitiveness ManagementGamified Reality Applications For Real-World Challenges And Experiences (Grace)
Doctoral levelEconomics 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 Weather37859 Riga

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.

Youth Innovation Forum 2025 and Business Lab 2025 as the examples for driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the region

Universities in regions, although small, play a huge role in the development of the region – they are powerful drivers of regional development in multiple ways. Their contributions span intellectual, economic, entrepreneurial, and innovative fields, making them essential pillars for their communities. Entrepreneurial mindset of universities emphasizes close collaboration between university, industry and government, and has the contribution of tertiary education to society and the economic development. The mindset of an Entrepreneurial University also leaves an impact to the economic growth, employment, importance of socioeconomic and environmental issues.IMG 1890

Latvia's higher education institutions are navigating both regional and global pressures to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) as a relatively small university is closely connected to various business activities in the region, cooperates with local entrepreneurs by organizing student internships, creating hackathons, joint entrepreneurial and innovative projects, and cooperating with business incubators. ViA vision is closely connected with entrepreneurial and innovative transformation both in university and in all Vidzeme region.

During Vidzeme Innovation Week 2025, ViA brought together the region's largest employers, young and experienced entrepreneurs, university employees, pupils, students, business incubators, and local governments in several powerful events. Together with the Latvian Investment Development Agency and with the support of Accelerate Future HEI project our university organized a youth and young entrepreneurs Innovation Forum, during which ~200 young people had the opportunity to gain knowledge about business areas, participate in master classes, workshops on inspiring topics, as well as listen to inspirational stories from young entrepreneurs, inspirational stories from graduates, how to innovate, how to succeed in business, how to fail, and stay very inspired. It was a huge satisfaction after the ViA Youth Innovation Forum, seeing how young people were inspired by the speakers, responded vividly to the success and failure stories of entrepreneurs, actively participated in workshops, and discussed their experiences during breaks. The forum showed that courage is also an integral part of innovation – it is the courage to abandon the usual and accept new challenges, overcoming the obstacles of traditional thinking and action.

The importance of developing entrepreneurial skills was also noted by teachers and career counsellors in an open discussion panel organized by Accelerate Future HEI ViA representatives with educators from various schools in the region, saying that it allows young people to broaden their horizons, promote thinking and provide experience, as well as develop higher self-confidence. They also noted the role of regional universities in the career development of young people. It is a challenge for young people to find out what they want and like to do, they are afraid to start new things, and these kinds of events help them to overcome the hesitation and take the first step. Inspiring examples and stories how to cooperate, how to fail and start again mean a lot for their self-development and becoming more entrepreneurial. We also identified the role of municipalities to bring together schools, universities and companies to ensure that the education is better connected to real business environments.

The power of Innovation Week continued with another of the university's largest entrepreneurial events - the Cooperation Forum! At it, regional entrepreneurs and major cooperation partners exchanged experiences with entrepreneurial successes, established mutual contacts, and outlined further cooperation opportunities with the university. I.Putniņa and A.Šmitiņa, project managers of the Accelerate Future HEI project, shared both their vision of the role of an entrepreneurial university in the region and their experience in promoting cooperation between the university and the regions, talking about the excellent program - Business Laboratory 2025, in which 40 young entrepreneurs from 4 regions, together with university lecturers and mentors, develop their ideas, establish contacts, and gain excellent experience and knowledge trying turn their ideas into reality! During Innovation Week, Business Laboratory participants met with mentors, discussed their intended business ideas, networked, and listened to lecturers. As one of project leaders- Agita Šmitiņa highlights, “𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘴, 𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘴. 𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳’𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴!”IMG 1779

The programme “Business Laboratory 2025” is implemented within the framework of the Accelerate Future HEI project and ends with a final event on 15 May 2025, when participants will present their refined business ideas.

During this week the significant open lecture was also offered to anyone interested in the art of innovation management, creating an understanding of different types of innovation, the role of innovation in sustainable and powerful business development.

"An important aspect of ViA's vision is to become an engaged university and to be a leader in promoting entrepreneurial skills in the region. And with such events, we are succeeding!", emphasize the ViA leaders of the Accelerate Future HEI project.

We conclude what regional universities are far more than educational institutions; they are catalysts for holistic regional development. By nurturing talent, driving economic activity, fostering entrepreneurship, and leading innovation, they create self-sustaining ecosystems that improve the quality of life and competitiveness of their regions. Investing in these universities ensures long-term prosperity for local communities and beyond.

Authors: Iveta Putniņa, Mg.paed.,ViA, Agita Šmitiņa, Dr. sc.admin., ViA

Find out more about project: Home - Accelerate Future HEI

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Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Cēsu street 4, Tērbatas street 10, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvija

Company reg. Nr. LV90001342592

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