Discussion focused on current reform priorities: better typology (universities, applied science universities, art and culture academies) and more transparent, modern and efficient university governance models. President of Latvia pointed out that reform is currently moving forward in the right direction, but it is important to keep focusing on its strategic role. Higher international competitiveness of Latvia depends on successful integration of higher education and science.
According to President, ‘it is the responsibility of the Committee to start laying the basis for Latvia’s development into a modern European country by the end of the next decade’. Higher education reform cannot be to dogmatic and it should reduce the bureaucracy, added the President.
While discussing reform progress and next steps, Egils Levits underlined two major issues that will need to be addressed through reform. These issues have already caught the public eye. One of them is the role of Latvian language in higher education and science, and the other one is election of associated professors, a procedure requiring major overhaul. President also stressed that he expects the Committee to complete the reform by the end of 2022 when work on a new higher education and science law will begin. Egils Levits also promised to follow the implementation of reform and actively participate in discussions about the strategic importance of higher education reform.
President met with Arvils Ašeradens, Chair of the Committe, Raivis Dzintars, Deputy Chair of the Committee, Evija Papule, Secretary of the Committee, and the following members: Anita Muižniece, Inguna Rībena, Jānis Vucāns, Edgars Kucins, Reinis Znotiņš, Ivars Puga.
