On August 29, President of Latvia Egils Levits met with Rector of Riga Stradins University and Chairperson of the Board of the Association of Latvian Universities Professor Aigars Pētersons in the Riga Castle.
During the meeting, both parties discussed potential reform of education and science governance by reaching common conclusions. Namely, the priority should be given to national-level universities in Latvia characterised by modernity and international recognition, including diplomas recognised in Europe and worldwide. Both Egils Levits and Aigars Pētersons agreed that those universities should focus on science with appropriate funding and should attract more foreign applicants and professors, thus focusing on education and science at a global level. In this sector, reform is objectively necessary for growth in universities that have the prospects and opportunities to be on the top list.
Both officials also believe that it would be time for Latvia to talk about the quality standard of science, including international publications, and they admit that the state support for research to date has not been sufficient.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Aigars Pētersons invited the President of Latvia to visit Riga Stradins University, while Egils Levits praised the University for its achievements in science, research, and modernisation of its study environment.
