Education and Science, Latvia

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 14:21

AmCham Latvia: A new higher education governance model is a must

BC, Riga, 05.02.2020.Print version
In order to create a higher-value added economy, to provide a high quality and modern education and to increase Latvia’s competitiveness in the global marketplace, major changes in the higher education system are needed. The American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham) strongly supports the Ministry of Education and Science in its efforts to change the governance model of higher education institutions.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia (AmCham) expressed its support for the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to introduce a new, more transparent governance model of higher education institutions that separates decision-making and executive roles, and includes external partners such as entrepreneurs, alumni and foreign experts in oversight roles.


Ingrida Karina-Berzina, AmCham President said: "Unfortunately, none of our higher education institutions ranks above 700 in the global university rankings. In the Baltic region, we are firmly in last place in reputation, quality of research, efficiency and internationalization. The current model, in which academic and administrative governance is conjoined, has proven itself unable to deliver excellence."


Changing the governance model will help improve transparency in the decision-making process, balance administrative and academic governance and align study programs to the labor market demand. Although new for Latvia, this governance model works effectively across the EU and the United States.


The AmCham President added: "By improving governance, we will be able to attract internationally renown professors, fill the gap between study programs and contemporary industry trends and significantly improve the quality of higher education. Without changing the existing decision-making model, long-awaited reforms will simply not take place." 


AmCham speaks on behalf of more than 150 leading U.S. and international companies in Latvia. AmCham is committed to fostering trade, investment, partnership and friendship between the U.S and Latvia and it serves as a business, knowledge, networking and policy forum for its members and partners. AmCham's actions are grounded in four core values: integrity, responsibility, cooperation and excellence.






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