Academic CentreZiņa
Alfrēds Raisters bequeted 223 000 dollars by will to each university, with the condition that students having received his scholarship would dedicate part of their employment life to Latvia. Therefore, the recipients will have to work in Latvia for as long as the duration of their scholarship. The universities will also use the donation for funding scientific projects.
Students will be able to apply for the scholarship in fall 2016.
"The sciences are one of UL research priorities this year and we are thankful for patrons supporting it very generously: almost 700 000 EUR have been donated (UL received 500 000 EUR from the company Mikrotīkls in early 2016). Now it is time for UL researchers and students to build trust by their research meeting essential social and economic goals. I am glad that the name Alfrēds Raisters now shines in the constellation of UL patrons, strengthening the lifelong bond between graduates and their alma mater," says the UL rector, Professor Indriķis Muižnieks.
The RTU rector, Academician Leonīds Ribickis stresses: "RTU is very grateful to Alfrēds Raisters and his family for their investment in advancing Engineering Sciences in Latvia. This is one of the largest donations in RTU history and it will further the education of new engineers and support them during their studies. Latvia needs high-level engineers; RTU pours strength, money and energy into their education, but due to current budgeting constraints unfavourable to universities, we deeply appreciate the support from every patron. That keeps us on the path of excellence in studies, science, and creation of new products."
A. Raisters was born in 1921 in Riga. He began studying engineering in the UL Faculty of Mechanics which was part of the Riga Polytechnical Institute (now RTU) until the proclamation of independence of Latvia (18 November 1918). During World War II, A. Raisters left Latvia and received his degree in Electrical Engineering from the Technical College of Stuttgart. He built his engineering career in the United States working in the aircraft industry. In 1992, he became Latvian Honorary Consul in Southern California and performed this duty until passing away in 2012. He bequeathed his life savings to five universities that had been important in his life and career, including the UL and RTU.
 and Riga Technical University (RTU) have received a testamentary donation of 446 000 dollars to fund the sciences. The donation was made by Alfrēds Raisters, a Doctor of Engineering of Latvian descent. The universities will use it to award students with Alfrēds Raisters Scholarship and fund scientific projects.){kind=link}