# Ventspils University of Applied Sciences

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (former Ventspils University College, Latvian: Ventspils Augstskola) is a higher education establishment in Ventspils, Latvia.

## History

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) was founded in 1997 as a self-governing state university and a scientific institution. Its basic activity is to carry out scientific research and to implement academic and professional study programmes. On May 20, 2013, VUAS acquired scientific institution status, which shows that it has met all state-adopted criteria for a scientific body.

## Structure

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has an elected rector, currently Andris Vaivads. The university has three faculties, a library and a few scientific institutions.

### Faculty of Information Technologies

* Dean: Vairis Caune
This is the newest faculty founded in 2006. There are available programmes that provide bachelor's and master's degrees in Computer Science and Electronics:
Studies available in English:
* Academic Bachelor's Study Programme "Computer Science"

### Faculty of Economics and Management

* Dean: Liene Resele
Current study programmes allow to get a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree in Business Administration, therefore providing professional workforce for a large number of local companies.
Studies available in English:
* Professional Bachelor's degree Study Programme "Start-up Management";
* Academic Bachelor's Study programme "Business Administration";
* Joint doctoral study programme "Economics and Business".

### Faculty of Translation Studies

* Dean: Sandija Skudra
This faculty currently is the most popular by the number of enrolled students. One of the main objectives is to prepare the intercultural communication specialists with foreign language skills for the work in EU institutions and other international organizations.
Studies available in English:
* Professional Bachelor study programme "Translation and Language Technologies";
* Professional Bachelor study programme "Intercultural Communication";
* Professional Master's study programme "Strategic intercultural communication".

### Centre for Applied Linguistics

The Centre for Applied Linguistics of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is an internationally recognized scientific institution that specializes in language and translation as well as technology applications.

### Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Development

Centre for Entrepreneurship Innovation and Regional Development is financially inspired by the Ventspils City municipality and aims to enhance the intellectual potential of Ventspils City, Kurzeme Region and Latvia. It focus on performing scientific work in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and regional development.

### Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre – VIRAC

This centre oversees the world's eighth-largest radio telescope that was used by the Soviet military to spy on Western countries during the Cold War.

### The Technology transfer centre of Kurzeme

This centre analyzes the ability of Engineering research centre of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and Ventspils International Radioastronomy Center to offer businessmen research services in accordance with businessmen needs and promotes the cooperation between Latvian and European scientists and businessmen.

## International Cooperation

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has Erasmus Bilateral Agreements with more than 60 universities. Some of these include:
* Aalborg University
* University of Tartu
* Ionian University
* Vytautas Magnus University
* Narvik University College
* West University of Timișoara
* Istanbul University
* University of Foggia
* Jean Monnet University
* Tampere University of Applied Sciences

## Notable people
### Professors

* Jānis Vucāns (b. 1956), former rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, politician

### Alumni

* Dana Reizniece-Ozola (b. 1981), chess player, politician
* Haralds Silovs (b. 1986), long track and former short track speed skater
* Madara Palameika (b. 1987), javelin thrower