The Autumn Summit began on 19 October at the University of Latvia Botanical Garden with the hackathon “From Challenges to Possibilities: What Else?”. Nearly 30 students from different countries worked on challenges proposed by Latvijas Finieris, the Sigulda Bobsleigh and Luge Track, and ZAAO. How can sports infrastructure be used throughout the year? How can textile waste be given new value? What other applications are possible for birch veneer? Working in teams, students spent 36 hours developing ideas before presenting them to a jury.
Hackathon and Conference Bring Participants Together
Meanwhile, the “Leadership Forum for Teaching & Learning”, held as part of the “Learning for Challenging Times” conference, brought together representatives from education and business. They discussed the development of higher education, its alignment with workplace needs and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The following day, 20 October, the conference continued at the Viskaļi creative quarter in Riga, where repurposed spaces have been given a new lease of life and bring creative people together. Across four parallel sessions, representatives of the alliance’s partners and associated partners presented their work and shared experiences of learning and educational development.
Awards were presented to the hackathon teams whose solutions received the highest scores from the jury, while the most inspiring contributions to the conference were also recognised. Recognition went to Santa Vītola from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Tetyana Mayborada from Sumy State University and Mina Silvennoinen from JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
In the evening, participants travelled to Valmiera. In the informal setting of the Akustika restaurant, they met a representative of ViA’s partner, Patria Latvia, and discussed practical safety matters, including how to respond in an emergency.
General Assembly Focuses on the Future of E³UDRES²
On Wednesday, 21 October, the E³UDRES² General Assembly began at Jānis Daliņš Stadium. It opened with two discussions involving alliance representatives and members of the E³UDRES² Student Board. Four success stories from the alliance prompted conversations about achievements and future priorities: how to engage more students, identify challenges early and strengthen cooperation between partner universities.
During project meetings, participants reviewed progress, discussed areas for improvement and planned their next steps. At the end of the day, guests had the opportunity to explore Vidzeme. They visited the Sietiņiezis sandstone outcrop and the area around Lake Burtnieks, explored Cēsis Old Town, discovered Latvian traditions.
Project meetings continued on 22 October, followed by the General Assembly’s closing ceremony in the afternoon. Participants reflected on the week’s discussions, outlined future goals and thanked the event organisers. ViA’s leading researcher Gatis Krūmiņš presented “Turbulence as a driving force”, a book he co-authored with colleagues, and gave copies to each E³UDRES² partner university and other cooperation partners.
As part of the “Learning for Challenging Times” conference, a research poster exhibition also opened outside the ViA building at Cēsu iela 4. It brings together research and ideas on new approaches to learning, challenge-based learning and educational development in changing circumstances. The exhibition showcases the ideas of E³UDRES² researchers and education professionals and encourages cooperation between universities and regional partners. It is open to everyone until 22 November.
Strengthening Regional Innovation Ecosystems
On Friday, 23 October, the Autumn Summit concluded with the “Building Regional Innovation Ecosystems” forum. Municipal leaders, regional decision-makers and innovation stakeholders explored international and Vidzeme-based experiences of creating an environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants discussed the role of innovation in regional development and worked together to shape a shared vision of the support needed to develop new ideas and how alliance partners can help provide it.
The conversations and ideas that emerged during the Autumn Summit will guide the next steps in the partnership. For Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, this means continuing to create international opportunities for students and staff while involving regional partners in finding solutions to shared challenges.
