University of Daugavpils


The University of Daugavpils is a public university in Daugavpils, Latvia, and the largest regional university in the country.

History

The university was founded in 1921 as a teachers’ college. Its director between 1923 and 1940 was Valērija Seile.
Chronology of nomenclature:
DU received its present name on 13 October 2001. It has become the biggest public educational institution in Eastern Latvia and is a member of the European University Association and EU²S², the European Union association of universities of small member states.
On 1 March 2018 the Daugavpils Medical College was integrated into the university as an autonomous institution. The college provides education in Nursing, Medical care, Social care and Social rehabilitation.

Organisation

Faculties and departments

The University consists of five faculties:
These are divided into 51 study programmes that train biologists, programming engineers, physicists, intercultural relations managers, institutional managers, economists, psychologists, artists, linguists, interpreters, career consultants and other specialists. The university offers Doctoral, Bachelor and Diploma level studies.
The main foci of research at DU are Literature, Linguistics, History, Biology, Environmental Science, Physics, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Education and Art. The university has thirteen research centres, and has benefited from EU Structural Funds since 2004. The language of instruction is usually Latvian.

Rectors

The following have served as university rectors/institute directors:
Closed 1940–1944
In 2008 more than 4200 students were enrolled in study programs. A large Russian-speaking enrollment facilitates cooperation with universities outside of the European Union in the CIS, e.g. Scientific Readings, Slavonic Readings, and various thematic conferences.
Students can use Erasmus+ mobility options to study for one or two semesters at European partner universities. Students are able to receive funding from the Else Marie Tschermak Foundation in Denmark to study or conduct research abroad.
Student life is organised through the Students’ Council, the campus newspaper “Lai Top!”, the Latgale Students’ Centre, the Association of Young Scientists of Daugavpils University “DUJZA”, the Art Teacher's Union, the Health Care Centre and Natural Research and Environmental Education Centre. Students can also acquire a foreign language, take part in the students’ dance ensemble “Laima” and utilize a Sport Complex. Interested students have the opportunity to work in the research institutions and centres.

Notable alumni