Education and Science, Latvia

The first events marking the University of Latvia's centenary will be held already this month. One of the most important of these will be the opening of the university's new center for science in Riga's Tornakalns on January 28, said Muiznieks.

In February, the University of Latvia will host the annual conference of researchers. The conference's plenary session on February 8 will be dedicated to the State of Latvia and the university's role in the development of Latvia. Later in February, the Council of the Baltic Sea States' Baltic Sea Science Day will take place at the university.

International scientific conference marking the 150th anniversary of Peteris Smits, supported by UNESCO, will be held at the University of Latvia in April. According to Muiznieks, Smits was one of the first experts on the Chinese language in Latvia, and teaching Chinese in Latvia today is still very much based on Muiznieks' approach.

In the summer, new study programs in English and a new grants program for student innovations will be introduced at the University of Latvia.

The central event marking the University of Latvia's centenary will take place at Arena Riga on September 27, featuring performances of the university's traditional dance and music groups. The "University Garden" event will take place at Vermanes Park, while on September 30, the University of Latvia Senate will hold a meeting at Latvian National Opera and Ballet, which will be followed by a festive concert.

The University of Latvia was officially established on September 28, 1919.