The Ministry of Education and Science announces that the Parliament of Latvia has adopted significant amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions, marking a new stage in Latvian higher education. The amendments will provide universities with enhanced opportunities to attract international experts and improve the quality of higher education, thereby fostering a more open and competitive academic environment on a global scale. In the long term, these changes will support Latvian students and researchers in engaging with the global science community, as well as will contribute to the country's overall economic growth. The amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions were adopted by the Parliament of Latvia on Thursday, October 24.
“With the changes to the Law on Higher Education Institutions, Latvian universities will become accessible to a broader academic community, enabling our students and researchers to work alongside world-class experts, gain international experience, and develop new forms of collaboration. At the same time, we are upholding long-term requirements for the national language, ensuring that international development aligns with Latvia's cultural and linguistic values, such as the development of scientific terminology and research spaces in Latvian. This balanced approach will enable our higher education system to become a competitive player in the global education and science landscape,” emphasizes Anda Čakša, the Minister of Education and Science.
The legislative initiative was submitted to the Parliament by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs. H.E. the President proposed that universities, based on their strategic specialization, be allowed to appoint foreign specialists to academic positions even if their knowledge of the national language does not fully meet the standards set in regulations. This provision allows for an academic appointment for up to six years, on the condition that the individual learns the national language during this period, with the option to demonstrate language proficiency if reappointed or selected for a new academic role after this term.
According to the amendments, the scope to attract highly qualified professionals will be expanded, providing opportunities for both innovation and knowledge exchange, as well as fostering stronger academic ties with leading educational centers worldwide.
Latvian universities will become more attractive to international specialists motivated not only to share their expertise but also to make long-term contributions, working within a clear and transparent growth framework. Furthermore, by retaining requirements for learning the national language, the role of Latvian culture and language in higher education is reinforced, making the academic environment both internationally accessible and nationally responsible.