1. Faculty of Engineering Latvia University of Agriculture
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE FIRST TWO CYCLES OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN LATVIA Latvia University of Agriculture
Gints Birzietis
Faculty of Engineering
Latvia University of Agriculture

2. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS (before Bologna declaration)
Reforms started already in 1992
Education Law – June 19, 1991
Authonomy of HEI
Higher academic and higher professional education
Law on Higher Education Establisments – 1995
Licencing and international acreditation of study programs
Bachelor – master structure
Credit system based on student weekly load (40 credits per year)
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3. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS (after Bologna declaration)
National education standards - requirements for curriculum and obligatory standartized content
Regulations on first level professional higher education national standard
Regulations on second level professional higher education national standard
Regulations on national academic education standard
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4. REFORMS IN LATVIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION WITHIN BOLOGNA PROCESS
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Conceptual diagram of Latvian higher education degree structure after implementation of the planned Bologna process reforms

5. THE DRAFT OF NEW LAW ON HIGHER EDUCATION
establishing a national qualifications framework;
introducing a learning outcomes based approach and establishing internal quality assurance systems in higher education institutions which are using learning outcomes as a basis for quality improvements;
creation of a system for recognition of prior learning, takes up the main principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention into national legislation;
replacing the national credit system with ECTS, credits will be linked with learning outcomes;
allowing creation of joint programs, establishing and recognition of joint degrees
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6. RESEARCH RELATED ACTIVITIES IN THE 1ST CYCLE
students participate in research on voluntary basis
compulsory study course “The basics of Engineering” (6 ECTS, 2nd study year)
methodological basics of solving the engineering tasks
basic principles of research methodology
study course “Mathematical modeling” (2.25 ECTS, 4th study year.)
Bachelor thesis (15 ECTS, 4th study year)
20-30% of all bachelor thesis in the Faculty of Engineering are related to faculties' research topics
Annual student scientific conference (participate undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate students)
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7. RESEARCH RELATED ACTIVITIES IN THE 2nd CYCLE
Difference between academic and professional study program
Academic master students more involved in research conducted in the faculty or university
Some students as a part time research staff
Courses within the academic master program
Research in engineering (6 ECTS)
Computerized measuring systems (6 ECTS)
Systems dynamics modeling (6 ECTS)
Patenting (3 ECTS)
In few cases Master thesis lead to doctor thesis
Graduates have access to doctoral studies, both research and academic positions in research and education institutions
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8. 4th ERABEE Workshop - Malta
Rare knowledge
Renewal of historical farm buildings and use as a quest houses or open air museums
Number of small museums of historical agricultural machinery and tools and also historical agricultural practice
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9. Thank you for attention!
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