Stakeholders

Student Union of Latvia (LSA)

LSA represents the interests of all Latvian students at national and international level. The organisation is an important partner of policymakers in higher education in student-related issues. The Student Union of Latvia is a collegial union of students’ self-governance bodies comprising the representatives of the students’ self-governance bodies of all accredited higher education institutions. The role of LSA is specified in the Law on Institutions of Higher Education. The organisation is a member of the European Students’ Union (ESU).

LSA shall:

  • provide opinions regarding draft laws and regulations regarding the interests of students;
  • nominate student representatives to the Council for Higher Education and other institutions according to the procedures specified in laws and regulations;
  • ensure the representation of Latvian students’ self-governance bodies abroad; and
  • within the scope of its competence, resolve other issues related to the representation of student interests.

LSA website: http://www.lsa.lv/

Council for Higher Education (AIP)

AIP has the status of a legal person, the operations of which are regulated by its rules of procedure. Pursuant to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, the term of office of AIP members is four years, whereas the term of office of a student representative is two years.

The basic tasks, competence, and functions of AIP are specified in the Law on Institutions of Higher Education. It shall:

  • develop a national concept for the development of higher education and higher education institutions, aimed at the development of higher education institutions founded by the state, other legal persons, and natural persons, and promote equal and balanced development of higher education institutions of all types and higher academic and higher professional education;
  • develop long-term plans and proposals for the development of education and science within the higher education system;
  • develop proposals for the enhancement of the quality of scientific work of higher education institutions, staff qualification, and study programmes;
  • forecast the number of students in the state as a whole necessary for the development of the state and develop proposals for the number of students to be financed from the state budget in each branch;
  • develop proposals for changes to the structure of higher education institutions in Latvia;
  • develop proposals regarding the number of professors at higher education institutions and recommendations for other issues related to higher education;
  • develop proposals for the improvement of higher education and financing of studies;
  • provide an opinion to the Minister for Education and Science and the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the draft state budget for the financing of higher education institutions;
  • take a decision on the accreditation of higher education institutions as a whole and submit it for the approval to the Ministry of Education and Science; and
  • liaise with the institutions of other countries, which deal with issues related to higher education.

AIP website: http://www.aip.lv/

Rectors’ Council (RP)

RP is a collegial advisory body, which coordinates the cooperation among higher education institutions and organises necessary joint activities. RP performs the functions and tasks specified in the Law on Institutions of Higher Education.

The tasks of RP are as follows:

  • to develop proposals for the Minister for Education and Science regarding the development of higher education;
  • to discuss issues regarding the designing of joint study programmes and the involvement of the academic staff and material base;
  • to prepare proposals and opinions regarding draft laws and other laws and regulations in the field of higher education;
  • to recommend experts for the accreditation of higher education institutions and specific study directions;
  • to develop proposals for the accreditation of higher education institutions on the basis of the outcome of an expert expertise;
  • to prepare proposals regarding the allocation of state budget resources to higher education institutions;
  • to represent Latvian higher education institutions abroad; and
  • within the scope of its competence, resolve other issues related to the activities of higher education institutions.

Association of Latvian Colleges (LKA)

LKA was established in 2002, and it comprises colleges founded by both the state and natural persons, as well as several higher education institutions, which implement also study programmes at the college level. Currently, the Association comprises 26 members.

The purpose of LKA is to contribute to the development and improvement of colleges and higher education institutions, which implement first-level professional higher education programmes, and the improvement of their performance.

Over the years, LKA has established active international cooperation with similar institutions across Europe and the USA, thus trying to promote its performance and adopt best practices and experience of their colleagues.

LKA website: http://www.kolasoc.lv/lv/

Employers’ Confederation of Latvia (LDDK)

LDDK is the most important organisation representing employees in Latvia. It was established in 1993, and its members employ 44 per cent of all Latvian employees. LDDK is the socio-economic interlocutor of the Saeima, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia.

LDDK comprises and represents 112 sectoral leaders – enterprises employing more than 50 employees, as well as 64 sectoral and regional employers’ associations and federations, and more than 5000 enterprises, 3036 of which are micro and small enterprises.

LDDK website: http://www.lddk.lv/

Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA)

LIZDA is an independent public organisation founded in 1990 and currently the largest sectoral trade union in Latvia. The 1248 trade organisations of LIZDA comprise 27,500 employees working in the field of education and science, and seniors for the protection of their economic, social, and professional rights and interests. LIZDA comprises 54 per cent of all employees working in the field of education and science, which actively advocate for the improvement of their working and living conditions and the development of the field of education and science.

LIZDA is a member of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia.

LIZDA website: http://www.lizda.lv/

Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS)

LBAS is a confederation of trade unions, which, on a voluntary basis, comprises trade unions and trade union confederations of the Republic of Latvia and operates in compliance with the Law on Trade Unions, the Law on Associations and Foundations, other laws, and related by-laws.

The main operating principles of LBAS are equality, solidarity, collegial leadership, and democratic representation at their institutions.

LBAS website: http://www.lbas.lv/

Ministry of Education and Science (IZM)

IZM is the leading national regulatory authority in the field of education, science, and sports, and with regard to the official language policy.

The main functions of IZM are as follows:

  • to develop policy on education, science, sports, youth, and the official language;
  • to organise and coordinate the implementation of the policy on education, science, sports, youth, and the official language; and
  • to carry out other functions specified in external laws and regulations.

IZM website: https://izm.gov.lv

Latvian Council of Science (LZP)

LZP was established according to the decision of the Council of Ministers No. 44 of 3 July 1990 “On the Establishment of Latvian Council of Science” to democratise the system for the management of scientific activity, improve the efficiency of scientific activity, and ensure the most efficient use of the resources allocated from the budget, based on a competition of research projects. The main objective of the Council is to contribute to the elaboration of the policy on the development of science and technology, and its implementation in Latvia, in accordance with the objectives and requirements of the European Union.

Pursuant to Section 14 of the Law on Scientific Activity, LZP is a collegial body of scientists, which has been established as a direct administrative institution subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science.

LZP website: https://www.lzp.gov.lv/

State Education Quality Service (IKVD)

IKVD is a direct administrative institution subordinated to the Ministry of Education and Science. The purpose of IKVD is to ensure high-quality law-based education by monitoring the quality of education and providing support for the implementation of the education process.

The functions of IKVD are as follows:

  • to collect, compile, and analyse information required for the development and implementation of education policy;
  • to register educational and scientific institutions, and providers of childcare services;
  • to license education programmes (except for interest-related education, non-formal adult education, and higher education programmes);
  • to ensure quality assessment of general and professional education (except for higher professional education);
  • to organise the assessment of professional competences acquired outside of formal education system (except for higher education);
  • to control the education process and provide recommendations for the elimination of the detected deficiencies;
  • to ensure the issuance and registration of certificates for employment of teachers in a private practice;
  • to monitor the work of sports specialists and sports education institutions;
  • to evaluate whether or not the interests of learners would be harmed by permitting a person previously convicted for an intentional criminal offence or less serious crime, regardless of whether or not the criminal record has been extinguished or set aside, to work as a teacher, and to take a decision on the issuance of such permission, refusal to issue it, or the revocation thereof; and
  • to organise the assessment of the professional activity of the heads of educational institutions.

IKVD website: https://ikvd.gov.lv/

Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK)

LTRK, established in 1934, is the largest association of entrepreneurs in Latvia comprising more than 2500 members. LTRK represents the interests of entrepreneurs and provides services, thus ensuring excellent enterprises in an excellent business environment in Latvia. Its main areas of activity are business environment, competitiveness of enterprises, and export. LTRK is also a member of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

LTRK website: www.chamber.lv

AIKA