President Edgars Rinkēvičs, in accordance with the Law on Higher Education Institutions, has nominated representatives to work on ten state university councils. The President met with each nominated representative to discuss their vision for the development opportunities of the respective higher education institutions. The representatives nominated by the President will begin work on the councils from 1 July.
Latvia’s universities are centres for the development of knowledge, talent and innovation. The role of university councils is therefore to help higher education institutions make forward-looking and courageous decisions about their future development.
Demographic changes mean that universities must already begin rethinking their existing operating models. As the number of young people of traditional study age decreases significantly in the coming years, adult education, lifelong learning, more flexible study opportunities and thoughtful use of resources will play an increasingly important role. At the same time, universities must more clearly define and strengthen their study and research focus, cooperate more closely with each other and purposefully introduce artificial intelligence and other new technologies into their studies, research and management.
It is important that Latvia’s universities do not compete for the same resources, but use their strengths, complement each other and together create an internationally competitive higher education and science environment.
I wish success to all representatives whom I have nominated to serve on the state universities councils, and I thank to everyone for the work they have done so far," the President emphasised.
The Law on Higher Education stipulates that the President of Latvia nominates one representative for the position of council member at each of the state's higher education institutions, while the Senate of the relevant higher education institution and Cabinet of Ministers each nominate from two to five council members, depending on the type of higher education institution.
Science Universities
The President's nominee for the Council of the University of Latvia is Valters Ščerbinskis
Valters Ščerbinskis holds a doctorate in history and possesses extensive academic and institutional experience encompassing research, higher education, and knowledge management. His professional activities are associated with prominent Latvian knowledge and cultural institutions and focus on the study of history, statehood, and societal processes, as well as promoting accessibility to knowledge within society. Valters Ščerbinskis is an experienced researcher, scientific expert, and knowledge management professional. His professional background and expertise in the humanities and knowledge management will contribute significantly to the development of the University of Latvia, enhancing its unique role in studying issues of crucial importance to the Latvian state and society, advancing the research of the Latvian language, history, and social processes, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge between the academic community and society.
Valters Ščerbinskis has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of the University of Latvia.
The President's nominee for the Council of Riga Stradiņš University is Līga Meņģelsone
Līga Meņģelsone is a leader with extensive experience in strategic and change management, public administration, and the development of higher education. Her professional career includes significant expertise in organisational leadership, public health policy, and the strategic management of higher education. Līga Meņģelsone’s experience in the development of the health sector, human capital, and societal resilience will strengthen Riga Stradiņš University’s ability to adapt its study programmes to the needs and emerging trends of the health sector, enhance its contribution to societal resilience, and foster the development of an internationally competitive academic and research environment.
Līga Meņģelsone has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Riga Stradiņš University.
The President's nominee for the Council of Riga Technical University is Osvalds Pugovičs
Osvalds Pugovičs holds a doctorate in chemistry and possesses both academic and professional experience in chemical and biomedical research. He is recognised as one of Latvia’s leading figures in science and a key contributor to science policy, with extensive experience in managing scientific units as well as in the administration of higher education and scientific research. His professional activities are closely linked to pharmaceutical products development, international cooperation, and innovation advancement. Osvalds Pugovičs’s professional expertise and strategic understanding of the development of science, innovation, and technology will support the growth of Riga Technical University by strengthening collaboration with industry, promoting the transfer of research results into the national economy, and enhancing the university’s contribution to Latvia’s innovation ecosystem.
Osvalds Pugovičs has been nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Riga Technical University for the first time. Until 30 June 2026, Andris Ambainis, nominated by President E. Levits, will continue to serve as a council member.
The President's nominee for the Council of the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies is Laimdota Straujuma
Laimdota Straujuma holds a doctorate in economics and has extensive experience in public administration, policymaking, and economic development. Her professional background is closely associated with agriculture, regional development, evidence-based policy, and knowledge transfer. Laimdota Straujuma’s professional expertise and profound understanding of economic development will contribute to the advancement of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies by strengthening collaboration with industry and promoting the practical application of research results in the bioeconomy, food production, agriculture, and other sectors vital to Latvia’s development.
Laimdota Straujuma has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies (previously – Latvia University of Agriculture).
Higher education institutions of Applied Sciences
The President's nominee for the Council of Daugavpils University is Tālavs Jundzis
Tālavs Jundzis holds a doctorate in law and a habilitation doctorate in political science, with extensive academic, scientific, and institutional experience in the fields of law, political science, security, and state development. His professional activities have long been closely connected with the academic environment, science administration, and strategic research. Tālavs Jundzis has led and implemented numerous national and international research projects, particularly in the areas of Latvian statehood, national identity, democracy, security, and the rule of law. His extensive experience in the development of the science and higher education system will make a significant contribution to the advancement of Daugavpils University. His expertise will strengthen the university’s ability to align teaching and research with the developmental needs of the region and promote its contribution to societal resilience and the reinforcement of statehood.
Tālavs Jundzis has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Daugavpils University.
Universities of Art and Music
The President's nominee for the Council of Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music is Kaspars Putniņš
Kaspars Putniņš is one of Latvia’s leading conductors, renowned internationally with extensive experience. His artistic work encompasses a diverse repertoire, and his collaborations with leading European choirs, orchestras, and composers have made a significant contribution to the international recognition of Latvian choral music. Kaspars Putniņš’s experience in artistic leadership and his work in an international environment will promote the development of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, strengthening excellence in music education and its international competitiveness.
Kaspars Putniņš has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music.
The President's nominee for the Council of the Art Academy of Latvia is Māra Lāce
Māra Lāce is an art historian and one of Latvia’s most distinguished professionals in the culture and arts sector, with extensive experience in the management of museums and cultural institutions. Over more than fifty years, she has transformed the Latvian National Museum of Art into an internationally recognised cultural institution, enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Latvian art to the public. She has also established a modern Museum Repository, providing storage conditions that meet contemporary standards for the national collection and creating a convenient working environment for users. Māra Lāce has been actively involved in cultural policy development and professional organisations. Her professional experience, strategic thinking, and expertise in the development of cultural institutions, as well as her ability to implement long-term changes and strengthen international cooperation, will contribute significantly to the development of the Art Academy of Latvia. This will reinforce its ties with the professional artistic community and improve the preparedness of students for professional careers in the creative industries.
Māra Lāce has been nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of the Art Academy of Latvia for the first time. Until 30 June 2026, Valts Ernštreits, nominated by President E. Levits, will continue to serve as a council member.
The President's nominee for the Council of Latvian Academy of Culture is Gundega Laiviņa
Gundega Laiviņa is a curator and creative producer with over 20 years of experience in international performing arts and interdisciplinary projects, as well as a significant contribution to cultural theory and education. Her professional work is closely associated with the development of contemporary performing arts in Latvia and internationally, fostering new models of collaboration between artists, cultural institutions, and society. Gundega Laiviņa’s professional experience, international contacts, and strategic vision for the development of culture and the creative industries will contribute to the advancement of the Latvian Academy of Culture. This will strengthen its connections with the professional cultural environment, encourage innovative approaches to cultural education, and expand international cooperation.
Gundega Laiviņa has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Latvian Academy of Culture.
Universities of Applied Sciences
The President's nominee for the Council of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is Andris Slavinskis
Andris Slavinskis holds a doctorate in physics and possesses international academic and research experience in the fields of space technology, computer science, and innovation. His professional work is closely connected with research and development in space technology within an international context. Andris Slavinskis has led and participated in numerous international research projects and space technology missions, collaborating with the European Space Agency, NASA, and other international partners. He also develops space technology and satellite communication solutions within the business sector. Andris Slavinskis’s international experience, entrepreneurial skills, and expertise in space technology development will strengthen Ventspils University of Applied Sciences' research activities, its collaboration with the high-technology industry, and its involvement in the international scientific community.
Andris Slavinskis has been nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Council of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences for the first time. Until 30 June 2026, Kristaps Klauss, nominated by President E. Levits, will continue to serve as a council member.
The President's nominee for the Council of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences is Arnis Sauka
Arnis Sauka holds a doctorate in management sciences and is an economist and researcher with extensive experience in academia, higher education administration, and business policy development. He is one of the leading researchers in the Baltic states in the fields of business environment and shadow economy studies and is actively engaged in the development of economic policy and national competitiveness. Arnis Sauka’s professional experience and strategic understanding of business and regional development processes will contribute to the advancement of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. His expertise will strengthen the university’s research, collaboration with enterprises, and innovation development in the regions.
Arnis Sauka has been repeatedly nominated by the President of Latvia as a member of the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.