Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (former Ventspils University College, Latvian: Ventspils Augstskola) is a higher education establishment in Ventspils, Latvia.
Ventspils Augstskola | |
 | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1997 |
| Rector | Andris Vaivads |
Academic staff | 67 |
| Students | 902 (2013) |
| Undergraduates | 728 |
| Postgraduates | 140 |
| 34 | |
| Location | , |
| Website | en |
 | |
History
editVentspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) was founded in 1997 as a self-governing state university and a scientific institution. Its basic activity is to carry out scientific research and to implement academic and professional study programmes.[1] On May 20, 2013, VUAS acquired scientific institution status, which shows that it has met all state-adopted criteria for a scientific body.
Structure
editVentspils University of Applied Sciences has an elected rector, currently Andris Vaivads. The university has three faculties, a library and a few scientific institutions.
Faculty of Information Technologies
editThe Acting Dean of the Faculty from March 1, 2026, is Dr.Math., Associated Professor Gaļina Hiļķeviča.
The Faculty of Information Technologies (FoIT) was established in 2006. Since the Autumn semester of 2008, the Electronics Department, created under the faculty, has been offering a Bachelor’s degree program in Electronics. FoIT provides 1 short-cycle higher education program, 2 first-cycle (Bachelor’s) programs, and 2 second-cycle (Master’s) programs.
Short-cycle higher education programs:
- Short-cycle professional higher education program "Programming Specialist"
Bachelor’s programs:
- First-cycle (Academic Bachelor’s) program "Computer Science"
- First-cycle (Professional Bachelor’s) program "Electronics Engineering"
Master’s programs:
- Second-cycle (Academic Master’s) program "Computer Science"
- Second-cycle (Professional Master’s) program "Electronics"
Faculty of Economics and Management
edit- Dean: Liene Resele
Study programmes allow to get a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree in Business Administration, therefore providing professional workforce for a large number of local companies.
Studies available in English:
- Professional Bachelor's degree Study Programme "Start-up Management";
- Academic Bachelor's Study programme "Business Administration";
- Joint doctoral study programme "Economics and Business".
Faculty of Translation Studies
edit- Dean: Sandija Skudra
This faculty currently is the most popular by the number of enrolled students. One of the main objectives is to prepare the intercultural communication specialists with foreign language skills for the work in EU institutions and other international organizations.[2]
Studies available in English:
- Professional Bachelor study programme "Translation and Language Technologies";
- Professional Bachelor study programme "Intercultural Communication";
- Professional Master's study programme "Strategic intercultural communication".
Centre for Applied Linguistics
editThe Centre for Applied Linguistics of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is an internationally recognized scientific institution that specializes in language and translation as well as technology applications.[3]
Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development
editCentre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Regional Development is financially inspired by the Ventspils City municipality and aims to enhance the intellectual potential of Ventspils City, Kurzeme Region and Latvia. It focus on performing scientific work in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development.[4]
Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre – VIRAC
edit
This centre oversees the world's eighth-largest radio telescope that was used by the Soviet military to spy on Western countries during the Cold War.[5]
The Technology transfer centre of Kurzeme
editThis centre analyzes the ability of Engineering research centre of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and Ventspils International Radioastronomy Center to offer businessmen research services in accordance with businessmen needs and promotes the cooperation between Latvian and European scientists and businessmen.[6]
International Cooperation
editVentspils University of Applied Sciences has Erasmus Bilateral Agreements with more than 60 universities.[7] Some of these include:
Notable people
editProfessors
edit- Jānis Vucāns (b. 1956), former rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, politician
Alumni
edit- Madara Palameika (b. 1987), javelin thrower
- Dana Reizniece-Ozola (b. 1981), chess player, politician
- Haralds Silovs (b. 1986), long track and former short track speed skater
References
edit- ↑ "VUC". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Ventspils Augstskola Academic Bachelor's Study Program "Languages And Intercultural Communication"" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ↑ "Centre for Applied Linguistics". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "Irbene Radio Astronomy Center". Latvian Tourism Development Agency. 2014. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "The Technology transfer centre of Kurzeme". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ↑ "ViA Partner Universities". Ventspils Augstskola. 2014. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
