Academic CentreZiņa
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Kārlis Kaufmanis Memorial Scholarship, while 10 years have passed since the first AD VERBUM Scholarship was awarded to young researchers in the humanities, prospective translators and future pre-school teachers, whereas the Ramāns Family Scholarship for Special Education Teachers was established five years ago.
Kārlis Kaufmanis Memorial Scholarship
“For continued cultivation and prosperity of my beloved field of work – the science of astronomy – in Latvia,” thus wrote Prof. emer. Kārlis Kaufmanis (1910–2003) in his last will and bequest to the University of Latvia. The professor was a graduate of the University of Latvia, the oldest known Latvian astronomer, the world-famous Latvian in exile. According to his contemporaries, he highly valued the fundament of education he had acquired, while studying in his homeland.
The first scholarships were awarded in 2005. The beneficiaries are students of the UL Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Optometry (FPMO), whose research interests are related to astronomy or astrophysics. To date, 12 UL students have received K. Kaufmanis Memorial Scholarship, and two of them have been awarded this scholarship repeatedly.
In academic year 2019/2020, the scholarship was won by Kārlis Šļumba, a bachelor 's student in physics at the University of Latvia FPMO, explains that he also dedicates his free time to studies of physics and astronomy. “I usually obtain the state budget scholarship as one of the most diligent students in the course. However, it is not sufficient to achieve something notable. I am very grateful to have been able to receive this scholarship last year. Kārlis Kaufmanis Memorial Scholarship helped me spend the previous school year studying and without any concerns regarding my financial situation.”
AD VERBUM Scholarship
The family company AD VERBUM, founded in 2002, joined the circle of the University of Latvia patrons in 2009, and a year later established the first scholarship. The founders of the translation company are graduates of the University of Latvia, and since 2010 the support priorities have always been related to the humanities or social sciences, – the scholarship groups established by the company support the most talented students in theology, linguistics, history or pedagogy. To date, 16 scholarships have been awarded to excellent students.
For two consecutive academic years, that is, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 the AD VERBUM Scholarship for Preschool Pedagogy Students was won by Kitija Izmailova, a student of the UL Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art. The new teacher studies the characteristics of children’s behaviour – what inspires a child to move forward, the mechanisms of children’s thought and the reasons for certain actions. According to Kitija, obtaining the scholarship has given her enthusiasm, inspiration and impetus for her future work. “The scholarship opens opportunities to purchase materials for professional growth, provides support for the fulfilment of goals and the implementation of wishes,” comments K. Izmailova, for whom working with children is vital.
The Ramāns Family Scholarship
Living 9 000 km from his homeland, Andris Ramāns (1936) and his wife Betty (1935) are happy to contribute to the education, growth and professional development of Latvian students. Andris has been active in the Latvian society of the diaspora his entire life, he is also a board member of the UL Foundation's partner organization, the non-profit foundation “Friends of the University of Latvia” (501(c)3) since its establishment. In 2015, the Ramāni family created a scholarship for special education teachers who study at the UL Faculty of Education, Psychology and Art, and link their careers with helping and supporting those who need it most.
So far, 9 scholarships have been awarded, moreover, the University of Latvia graduate Ilze Liepa has received support for three consecutive years. “A simple “thank you!” is not enough to express how grateful I am for the scholarship. There is a saying “If “thank you’s” were the berries are alive, I would fill your lap with these gifts”. If it were autumn, I would pick a full basket with blueberries and cranberries and fill the laps of Ramāni family... Thank you!” comments I. Liepa.
The University of Latvia Foundation and the scholarship recipients thank all the donors for their contribution to the future of Latvia!
About the University of Latvia Foundation
Since 2004, the UL Foundation provides an opportunity to patrons and cooperation partners to support both the University of Latvia and other leading higher education institutions of our country, thereby investing in the future of Latvia. The priorities of the UL Foundation are to support the most outstanding, dedicated students and researchers, to advance creation of a modern study environment, as well as to promote construction and refurbishment of university’s buildings.
About “Friends of the University of Latvia”
Since 2012, the non-profit organization “Friends of the University of Latvia” has been uniting American citizens of Latvian origin – supporters of the University of Latvia. It is the partner organization of the UL Foundation, founded by the initiative of John J. Medveckis. By donating to this Foundation, US citizens can receive tax deduction. The main task of the foundation is to ensure a brighter future for Latvian education.
 and other universities receive scholarships every year. This year marks significant anniversaries for three groups of scholarships founded by patrons from around the world.){kind=link}