University of Latvia

University of Latvia
Latvijas Universitāte
Latin: Universitas Latviensis
Motto Scientiae et patriae (For science and fatherland)
Type Public
Established 1919
Rector Indriķis Muižnieks
Students 14,020 (2014)
Undergraduates 9,680 (2014)
Postgraduates 3536 (2014)
804 (2014)
Address Raiņa bulvāris 19, Riga, Latvia Latvia
Affiliations Campus Europae, Utrecht Network, EUA
Website www.lu.lv
Main entrance on Rainis Boulevard.

The University of Latvia (LU) (Latvian: Latvijas Universitāte) is a state-run university located in Riga, Latvia. It was established in 1919.

The university is ranked 701st–750th in the world,[1] as well as 4th in the Baltic states after the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, and Vilnius University.[2]

History

Central building, originally constructed for the Riga Polytechnic Institute.
Central building in winter

The University of Latvia, named at that time "Higher School of Latvia" (Latvian: Latvijas Augstskola) was founded on September 28, 1919 on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic (founded in 1862). The first rector of the university was chemist Paul Walden. In 1923, this school received its now resumed name – the University of Latvia (Universitas Latviensis).

In the period between 1919 and 1940, the University of Latvia was the greatest center of higher education, science and culture in Latvia. The former building of the Riga Polytechnic on Raiņa bulvāris 19 serves as the university's main building.

In the pre-war years, it was possible to gain higher academic education not only at the University of Latvia, but also at the Latvian State Conservatory and Academy of Arts. Over time, the Latvian University of Agriculture, Riga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University separated from the University of Latvia and became well-known centers of education and research in their own right.

With Latvia regaining independence, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia reconfirmed the Constitution of the University of Latvia on September 18, 1991. It stated that the Higher School is "a state establishment of academic education, science and culture which serves the needs of Latvia and people".[3] Alongside the Constitution, the flag, the hymn, the University's emblem, the Rector's chain, and the official garments for the Rector, Vice-Rector and deans were renewed as attributes of the University of Latvia.

The EuroFaculty, created by the CBSS to support reforms at the universities in Tartu, Riga, and Vilnius, was organized with its headquarters at the University of Latvia, 1993–2005.[4]

Enrollment

The University of Latvia offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels of study and in October 2014 more than 14,000 students, including PhD and exchange students, had enrolled in various study programs.[5] Almost one third of them studied in business and economics related programs.

Organisation

Faculty of Business, Economics and Management

The university consists of 13 faculties:

  1. Faculty of Biology;
  2. Faculty of Chemistry;
  3. Faculty of Physics and Mathematics;
  4. Faculty of Business, Economics and Management;
  5. Faculty of Education, Psychology and Arts;
  6. Faculty of Geography and Earth sciences;
  7. Faculty of History and Philosophy;
  8. Faculty of Law;
  9. Faculty of Medicine;
  10. Faculty of Humanities;
  11. Faculty of Social sciences;
  12. Faculty of Theology;
  13. Faculty of Computing.

In addition to the university's various faculties and its medical wing, the Riga Medical College (Rīgas Medicīnas koledža), the University of Latvia offers most of the resources traditionally associated with accredited universities, including several libraries, research facilities, study centers, a language school, and a career center.[6]

Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science

The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science (IMCS) was founded in 1959 as a computer research centre, now consisting of about 200 researchers, assistants, engineers, and software developers.

Amateur Art Activities

The university has a number of amateur choirs, orchestras and dance groups, as well as a student theater.

People

Notable professors and lecturers

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ QS World University Rankings 2013
  2. ↑ University comparison in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania QS World University Rankings
  3. ↑ LU.lv
  4. ↑ Kristensen, Gustav N. 2010. Born into a Dream. EuroFaculty and the Council of the Baltic Sea States. Berliner Wissentshafts-Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8305-1769-6.
  5. ↑ LU.lv
  6. ↑ LU.lv

Coordinates: 56°57′00″N 24°07′00″E / 56.95°N 24.1167°E / 56.95; 24.1167

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