INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
INTERNATIONALIZATION STRATEGY
Internationalisation is one of the priorities defined in EKA development strategy. The key objective is to enhance EKA international competitiveness by promoting students and academic staff mobility, strengthening international cooperation, involving foreign academic staff in the study process and supporting integration of international students into university life, thus contributing to the internationally recognized brand of the university and providing high quality multicultural learning environment.
The vision of EKA internationalisation: EKA is an internationally competitive and recognised, science-based and innovation-oriented higher education institution that:
- atttracts internationally recognised and qualified employees to perform scientific and academic activities;
- ensures multicultural environment to support students’ and staff competitiveness both in the local and international labour markets;
- is a place for globally-known international research and academic events;
- actively cooperates with other universities, institutions and employers in Latvia and beyond in academic, research and creative activities.
EKA main goals stated in Internationalisation and Modernization Strategy - IMS2028 are:
- To support EKA staff and students’ excellence by providing opportunities and motivating to participate in international mobility
- To establish the multicultural environment at EKA to ensure “internationalisation at home”
- To enhance the quality of the study process at EKA by attracting internationally recognized and qualified teachers to perform academic activities
- To support tolerance and diversity in the classroom by providing opportunities to develop intercultural and social communication skills among students and staff
- To raise awareness about environmental and climate-change challenges among students and staff and increase interest in social entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy and environment protection
- To promote civic engagement and active citizenship among students and staff
- To increase digital and research competences of EKA students and staff
- To promote the implementation of innovative teaching methods into the study process
- To increase the relevance of curricula by strengthening the cooperation with employers and providing problem-based learning and offering international mobility.
- To increase the number of programmes and study cources taught in English
- To increase international recognition of EKA and raise its reputational value in the academic and scientific environment
- To strengthen the existing and to expand the cooperation with other universities, institutions and employers in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America in the field of research and creative activities
- To enhance the quality of research process at EKA by attracting internationally recognised and qualified researchers to perform scientific activities
IMS2028 goals are aligned with the priorities of the Erasmus+ Programme:
- Inclusion and diversity
- Digital transformation
- Participation in democratic life
- Environment and fight against climate change
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
2022 - 2024: 2022 - 2024: Erasmus+ KA2 program - Cooperation within project “Boosting Circular Economy Competences for STEM Teachers” (Circular STEM)”
2022 - 2024: Erasmus+ KA2 program - Cooperation within project “Blended Learning and Evaluation Practices for Inclusive Digital Higher Education” (BENEFIT)
2022 - 2024: Within the framework of the EIT HEI Initiative - project "Building Forward Better’ ecosystems - Harnessing the power of networked communities to scale-up and accelerate the impact of entrepreneurial universities – Network IQ Alliance"
2021 - 2024: Within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic partnership program - project „Development of a virtual learning space as a tool for developing students′ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills in the context of COVID19” (VILESA)
2021 - 2024: Within the framework of the Erasmus+ CBHE program - project „Advancing circular economy in partner countries by development and implementation of Master programme "Waste management" (UnWaste)
2019 - 2022: project „Accelerating ICT students′ start-up development competence via interdisciplinary modular courses in the HEI curricula” (UXiship)
2017 – 2020: project „Online Master Programme for Circular Economy” (CIRCECO)
2017 – 2018: project „Strategic Partnership for Innovation and Development of Entrepreneurship” (SPIDE)
2017 – 2019: project “Partnership to develop VET educators in event management with learner-centred approach” (InVent)
2017 – 2019: project „Promoting E-Learning for Adults to Improve Quality and Availability of Life-Long Education”
2015 – 2016: project "Innovative Strategic Partnership for European Higher Education” (ISPEHE)
INTERNATONAL ACADEMIC WEEK (IAW)
On April 21-25, 2025, EKA University of Applied Sciences and Alberta College organizes an International Academic Week 2025!
EKA University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with Alberta College invites academic staff from educational institutions to participate in the International Academic Week (IAW2025), which will take place in Riga on April 21-25, 2025.
International Academic Week is an academic event organized to encourage internationalization of the study process at the EKA University of Applied Sciences and Alberta College. It will be a great opportunity for students to improve their ability to acquire knowledge and communicate in the international environment.
IAW2025 registration form will be available here.
Contact information:
EKA Erasmus+ coordinator Marina Tihomirova
erasmus@eka.edu.lv
IAW2025 coordinator, dr.oec. Jevgenija Dehtjare
jevgenija.dehtjare@eka.edu.lv
Vice Rector for Science and International Relations, Prof. Jelena Titko
jelena.titko@eka.edu.lv
STAFF TRAINING WEEK (STW)
The new EKA Staff Training Week (#STW2024) is coming! This year it will be dedicated to the design and writing successful European projects with AI.
The target audience includes representatives of HEIs and research centres, project managers, professionals and consultants managing EU-funded projects, grant writers specializing in EU funding proposals, innovation and development officers driving organizational growth through EU projects, policy makers and planners aligning projects with EU priorities and funding criteria.
The course will be guided by Gianluca Coppola, President and Founder of the European Digital Learning Network (www.dlearn.eu). Gianluca is an accomplished entrepreneur, chartered accountant and auditor with a specialization in the design and reporting of EU projects. For the past 15 years, Gianluca has served as a senior trainer in various training courses on European projects and financial reporting for numerous private and public organizations across Europe.
Designing and Writing Successful European Projects with Artificial Intelligence
Dates: Monday 23 September, 2024 to Friday, 27 September, 2024
Fee: €500 (5 day Course + Social Activities), eligible for Erasmus+ funding.
Application deadline: September 8, 2024
Minimum Level of English: B2
To Register: Click HERE
Accommodation is not provided; however, we will offer special prices in our partnering hotels.
Contact:
Jevgenija Dehtjare
Head of the Development of the EKA Scientific Institution
Erasmus coordinator:
Marina Tihomirova erasmus@eka.edu.lv
Preliminary agenda:
September 23, Monday, 2024
Understanding the objectives and priorities of the Erasmus+ programme
1. Exploring the basic of AI tools: myths and facts, prompt engineering (how to create full working and efficient questions for the AI), responsible use of AI (ethical consideration)
2. Exploring the different funding opportunities under KA2 Cooperation Partnerships
3. Identifying the key award criteria for successful KA2 project proposals
4. Roundtables and group exercises
September 24, Tuesday, 2024
Identifying Relevant Project Ideas and Partners by using actual AI tools
1. How to identify impactful project ideas that align with the Erasmus+ funding priorities.
2. Strategies for building a diverse, complementary consortium of partner organisations to strengthen your proposal.
3. Roundtables and group exercises
September 25, Wednesday, 2024
Designing an Effective Project Methodology and Work Plan by using actual AI tools including the budget
1. Articulation of the specific goals and intended outcomes of the project, ensuring they are aligned with the Erasmus+ programme objectives.
2. Development of a detailed work plan outlining the key activities, timelines, and milestones required to achieve the project′s objectives.
3. Resources allocation in an order to assign roles and responsibilities to the project team, and ensure adequate resources, including budget, personnel, and infrastructure, are in place.
4. Roundtables and group exercises
September 26, Thursday, 2024
Developing a Comprehensive Dissemination and Exploitation Strategy by using actual AI tools
1. Identification of the Stakeholders
2. Development of communication materials
3. Utilization of a mix of channels to reach your target audiences
4. Definition of the ways to sustainably continue and scale the impact of your project′s outputs.
5. Roundtables and group exercises
September 27, Friday, 2024
Finalization of the program, Q&A, feedback
The program will also include social program and activities.
