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About LChrA | Documents | Study Programmes | Academic Staff | Cooperation and Internationalization | Students' Council | Sustainability | Quality Assurance |
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VISIT OF THE STUDY BRANCH ACCREDITATION EXPERTS IN THEOLOGY, DECEMBER 14
Both Bachelor and Master degree study programmes in theology were evaluated as having „having high value”. Within the frame of the branch accreditation of higher education study programmes in Latvia a team of international experts (headed by Dr., prof. Tõnu Lehtsaar, Tartu University, Estonia; Dr. Benas Ulevicius, Dean of the faculty of Catholic theology, University of Vilnius, Lithuania; Dr. Solveiga Krûmiòa-Koòkova, Latvian University; Dace Treigute, Student’s Council) visited LChrA in December 14. The visit was held within the frame of the European Social Fund project „Evaluation of higher education study programmes and recommendations for further improvement”. The goal of the project is to evaluate and to improve the education quality in Latvia. Because LChrA successfully executed the programme accreditation already in 2010 and received high marks valid for next 6 years, it was not obliged to submit to the new branch accreditation. However, the Academy decided to take in and prepared the self-evaluation report and other documents for the process. Experts checked the study process quality, provision, met the administration, academic staff, students, graduates and employers. They also met the Metropolitan of the Latvian Orthodox Church Alexander and priests from Roman Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Church, which stated the outspoken positive attitude towards both the goals and tasks of LChrA. The agenda of the visit envisaged introduction to academic research carried out by the academic staff, publications, grant research and programmes for international cooperation, as well as involvement of students in theological research. Exchange ERASMUS visits to partner universities and field works abroad along with execution of the ERASMUS IP at the Academy were discussed. At the end of the visit Dr., prof. T.Lehtsaar pronounced the informal opinion of the expert’s team which will be summarized in written report about the visit at the LChrA. On behalf of colleagues he emphasized that study programmes in theology are “unique and of high quality”: “It is difficult to level you with some other programmes since you have your own and internationally acclaimed programme.” Also material and technical provision of the Academy was valued as very good. The strength of the Academy is rooted in its method integrated in all study courses and offers quality knowledge in both academic and praxis-related fields of expertise. Experts had three key recommendations for further development of study programmes in theology: 1. To develop doctoral studies in theology, 2. To organize an international research institute for analysis of processes in both theology and social development, 3. To publish an internationally peered journal in English “Orthodoxy: Interdisciplinary Research” (suggested title). Dr. S.Krûmiòa-Koòkova acclaimed high quality of academic staff and invited to cooperate closer with the Institute of philosophy and sociology and other theological institutions in Latvia. All experts agreed that launch of doctoral studies based on Patristics would be natural development of the Academy. Dr., prof. B.Ulevicius confessed: „We arrived to evaluate quality of your work but to say the truth we learned a lot from you.”
SEMAINES SOCIALES DE FRANCE SESSION IN PARIS, NOVEMBER 25-27
Rector of LChrA S.Gûtmane and assistant to the rector L.Ozola attended the annual session of the European Catholic organization Semaines Sociales de France titled „Democracy: A new concept” in Paris together with well-known philosophers, theologians, representatives of the Church and politicians. The former President of Latvia V.Vîíe-Freiberga addressed the session.
VISIT OF THE STUDY BRANCH ACCREDITATION EXPERTS IN BIBLE ART, NOVEMBER 22
Biblical art study programme received excellent evaluation. Four international experts (head of the group Dr. Valdas Jaskunas, Vilnius University, Lithuania) visited LChrA in November 22 for evaluation of the Bible art study programme, Bachelor level. The visit was held within the frame of the European Social Fund project „Evaluation of higher education study programmes and recommendations for further improvement”. The goal of the project is to evaluate and to improve the education quality in Latvia. Experts met administration, academic staff, students, graduates and employers. The visit put an end to intense work on self-evaluation report and preparation of all necessary documents for inspection. Experts checked both creative and research activities of students and lecturers, met priests of Latvian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. They also met a guest–teacher – Icon painter from Moscow Georgy Mironov. Workshops and studios of icon painting, classical painting and drawing were open for visit, and experts were thrilled by beautiful icons in the Chapel of the Academy, all works by graduates of the programme. With great excitement we received their opinion at the end of the visit: „There is no similar study programme in Latvia and hardly one may be found in all Europe.” At the end of the visit experts pronounced an informal opinion of the expert’s group which will be summarized in written report about the visit at the LChrA: 1. The art study programme at the Academy is unique – both nationally and internationally, 2. The spirit of the Academy is that of creativity – both intellectually and spiritually, 3. Infrastructure of the Academy provides execution of the study programme with its studios, library, computers etc. Experts recommended to enrich social work study programme at the Academy with the rich potential of the art study programme, e.g., in the direction of art therapy, as well invited to „propagate the work done here on international scale” and to introduce international society with uniqueness of work at the Academy. Also recommendation to build up the master study programme in art was extended along with additional studies in frescoes and mosaics technologies.
DAUGAVPILS UNIVERSITY CELEBRATING ITS 90
Rectors of Latvian universities, representatives of CD, and leaders of traditional Christian denominations along with both friends, students and graduates of the Daugavpils University attended the official ceremony in November 4. Latvian Christian Academy was represented by its rector prof. S.Gûtmane and ass.prof. G.Diðlers, also the just-awarded DrHC of LChrA Rev. Jerald Borgie (Penasquitos Lutjheran Church, USA) and his son Benjamin Borgie attended the event. Special respects were paid to former rectors of the DU, authors of the enduring strategic development of the University, and key directions of further development were introduced to the audience.
CONFERRING doctor honoris causa to rev. Jerald Borgie
Official ceremony of conferring honorary degree Doctor Honoris Causa to Rev. Jerald Borgie (Penasquitos Lutheran Church, San Diego, USA) was held following the decision of the Senate of the Academy in November 3. Rev. Jerald Borgie and Penasquitos Lutheran Church have substantially supported the Academy by investing in its theological concept. The Diploma was presented by the representative of the Council of Higher Education Dr. Dace Markusa and the ceremony was attended by all Senate members, representatives of traditional Christian denominations in Latvia, students and graduates of the LChrA. The concept of LChrA differs from any other theological institution in Latvia and all formerly awarded Doctors have invested in its making. The honorary degree was conferred to Dr. W. Bell (Executive secretary of the SHUV institute, Seattle, USA), Metropolitan of Latvian Orthodox Church Alexander, former President of Swedish Alliance Mission E.Albertsson, the founder of the concept of Diaconia in both Norwegian and Latvian Lutheran Churches J.Gossner, and Chairwoman of the Social and Employment Affairs Committee A.Barèa and academician, prof. B.Rivþa.
EZA SEMINAR „Employment strategy in Europe: How can EUROPE 2020 strategy be implemented in the Baltic States?” IN OCTOBER 27-28
European Center for Worker’s Questions (EZA) collaborating with Latvian Christian Academy held an international educational seminar „Employment strategy in Europe: How can EUROPE 2020 strategy be implemented in the Baltic States?” It was developed in a challenging and mind-provoking discussion based on penetrating presentations by N.Klein from EZA, A.Altosaar from ETÖK, Estonia, P.Krîgers, Secretary General of Latvian Free Trade Unions Association, J.Stalidzâne, Chairwoman of the trade union Energija, I.Mikiðko, Chairwoman of Education and Science Workers trade union, D.Dolace, LChrA, I.Indâns, political analyst, M.Saukâns, Chairman of the RBSSKALS building company, Chairman of the trade union of book making industry E.Rutkovskis, and others. A field trip to the international airport „Rîga” was organized.
PARTICIPATION IN THE 3RD WORLD CONGRESS OF LATVIAN SCIENTISTS
Rector of LChrA prof. S.Gûtmane and assist. prof. G.Diðlers attended the plenary session of the 3rd World Congress of Latvian Scientists „Science, society and national identity” and visiting session of the European Academy of Science and Art in the Rundâle palace, in October 24. Also G.Diðlers took part in the workshop „Changes of Latvian cultural landscape”. LChrA is involved is the EU Culture project „Theology and art in preserving of Latvian cultural landscape”.
IP COURSE „Social Economy, Social Entrepreneurship and Theory of Associative Democracy”
An intensive international ERASMUS study course „Social Economy, Social Entrepreneurship and Theory of Associative Democracy” was held in September 25 – October 8. Students and lecturers from five universities (Denmark, Hungary, Romania, Lithuania besides Latvia) participated. Several following issues were covered in both lectures and workshops: presentation of European Legislation and European Social Model, European Statutes for Associations, Foundations, and Mutual Societies. Discussions were around variety of capitalism, income distribution, labor markets, employment performance; field trips were held to the Riga International Airport, State Revenue Service and Latvian Parliament. Students got knowledge for supported attitude towards the European Commission’s policy EUROPE 2020. At the course members of trade unions, NGO movements, educators, social political thinkers took part.
NORDPLUS MEETING IN TARTU, ESTONIA
The annual administrative meeting of the international NORDPLUS project „Climate Symbols in Theology and Art” was held in Tartu, Estonia, September 29-30. LChrA is coordinating institution of project which embraces partnering theological and art universities from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Lithuania. Members of the academic ECTA network discussed contents of the Proceedings as well as made plans for further cooperation in acad. year 2011./12. The meeting was run by Rector of LChrA Dr. S. Gûtmane, the work on joint academic Proceedings is coordinated by assist. prof. G.Diðlers.
COOPERATION AGREEMENTS WITH EU UNIVERSITIES
Following changes in the Law of higher education (July 14, 2011) Latvian Christian Academy has signed several agreements with accredited European universities about work of visiting professors and lecturers at the Academy in all its study programmes. Eight agreements have been signed.
15TH CONGRESS RENOVABIS IN FREISING
Rector of LChrA Dr. S. Gûtmane and coordinator of international projects B. Soloveja attended the 15th congress of Roman Catholic organization RENOVABIS, September 1-3, Freising (Germany). The title of the congress: „Structural changes in countryside – experience from Central and Eastern Europe”.
VISITING ORTHODOX ACADEMY OF CRETE
Rector of LChrA Dr S.Gutmane, Icon painter B.Soloveja and assist. prof. G.Dishlers visited Orthodox Academy of Crete in August 18. Perspectives of cooperation between the two academies were discussed with the head of the Institute of Theology and Ecology, OAC, Dr Lucas Andrianos, and visit of the General director of OAC Dr Dr Kenanidis Konstantinos at the Latvian Christian Academy is expected in September this year.
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