Accessibility Tools
Join us in Riga
While sustainability is about building a better future, resilience is about overcoming internal and external challenges. Crucially, both elements are needed for universities to succeed in today’s world.
The 2025 EUA Annual Conference, hosted by the University of Latvia in Riga from 10-11 April, will strive to define what sustainability and resilience, as multi-faceted concepts, mean for universities. By ‘Connecting the dots on sustainability and resilience’, this event will explore how universities can contribute to a more sustainable future, both on and off campus, while strengthening institutional and societal resilience. So, how can university leadership and communities best pursue sustainability and resilience as key objectives of institutional missions, strategies and activities?
To reflect on this, the 2025 Annual Conference will explore what sustainability means from the point of view of funding, digitalisation, academic careers and university leadership. Sessions will also shine a spotlight on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing how they can be put into action by universities. At the same time, participants will reflect on how institutions can become resilient without turning inwards on themselves, in sessions dedicated to knowledge security and inclusion.
Distinguished colleagues,
It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome the attendees of the 2025 European University Association Annual Conference and General Assembly to Latvia!
This is a country with one of the highest proportions of students in Europe. It means that Latvia is a clever, youthful and creative place to be. A place to grow, learn and pursue your dreams.
Welcome to Riga – a beautiful, safe and friendly city that ranks among Top 120 student-friendly cities in the world! If you are here, everything is within easy reach – work and study, great architecture and wilderness, a rich cultural scene and active sports life, travel and leisure.
The University of Latvia (UL) is home to over 15,000 students from 81 different countries. UL is a place to gain a unique study experience, enjoy modern study and research infrastructure, and learn from experienced and professional academic staff. I truly believe that this is an excellent place for brilliant minds.
The university’s historic motto ‘ Scientiae et Patriae’ (For Science and Fatherland) alludes to its prominent position in the country’s economic, societal and scientific processes and reminds me of the unique role universities play in shaping not just the future of our students, but the future of our societies. I look forward to the discussions, ideas, valuable insights and collaborations that will emerge from this year’s conference, and I am confident that together, we will continue to shape higher education as a driver of positive change for the years to come.
We look forward to hosting a productive and inspiring conference and seeing you soon in Riga.
Prof. Gundars Bērziņš Rector, University of Latvia
© Toms Grīnbergs, UL Communication department
About Riga, Latvia
Ranking among the most student-friendly cities in the world, Riga – the capital of Latvia – lies by the Baltic Sea, in Northern Europe. Its medieval Old Town is named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city ’s mix of gothic, art nouveau, eclectic and modern architecture is home to a vibrant cultural life that will please even the most demanding cultural gourmands. Riga’s compact size makes it ideal for daily living, but with its closeness to the Baltic Sea and wild forests – a perfect spot for nature fans too. It is also a great starting point for international travel, as it is well connected with the most popular tourism destinations. Riga is also a regional financial and commercial hotspot.
© Latvia Travel
University of Latvia
Founded in 1919, the University of Latvia (UL) is the leading comprehensive university in Latvia with a prominent standing both in the development of the entire education system and in the overall growth of the country’s economy. Today, UL is developing into the most modern study and research centre in Northern Europe, closely collaborating with industries and political decision-makers. Its alumni are sought-after professionals in the labour market, ranking UL among the top 20 European universities for alumni employment.
The University of Latvia is home for more than 15,000 students from 81 different countries. It offers over 100 study programmes in natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, technical sciences and medicine, and research processes are organized in six faculties and 20 scientific institutes. Over 30 study programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level are taught in English. UL also offers international double degree programmes, joint degree programmes and professional study programmes that allow students to acquire specific professional qualifications (as teachers, engineers, IT specialists, nurses, lawyers).
UL continues to invest in the Torņakalns district of Riga by further developing a new campus. The existing facilities are among the most modern facilities of Northern Europe and future campus extensions are planned to increase international competitiveness of the university even more.
The House of Nature opened its doors to students in 2015, followed by the House of Science in 2019. Five more buildings are planned. The campus embodies the vision of a ‘green university’, applying ICT solutions to meet sustainability and accessibility goals. It is located on a strip of land on the left bank of the Daugava River. In the coming years, the territory of the UL Campus will be augmented by the House of Letters, which will be home to the faculties of humanities and social sciences. The subsequent plans involve construction of a Technology Centre, an academic square, as well as state-of-the-art sports and healthcare infrastructure, car and bicycle parking.
Participants and guests of the 2025 EUA Annual Conference will have the possibility to truly explore the new modern campus buildings as the conference’s main talks will take place at the House of Science.
©Toms Grīnbergs, UL Communication department
JOIN US
EUA aims to ensure participation of all members who wish to attend its events. However, each event has a limited capacity, and to guarantee a fair balance among countries and institutions, EUA may at times have to restrict attendance. As a result, EUA reserves the right to refuse registrations if there are too many participants from any one country or institution. Priority will be given to those who register early. We will not be able to accept additional registrations once the event is full, even if this occurs before the registration deadline.
The early registration deadline is 24 February 2025. The ultimate deadline for registration is 24 March 2025.
Fees are received by the host university in order to cover the cost of the organisation.
Student feeThis fee is only valid for students enrolled at an EUA member university. To benefit from this fee, please download and send the Student certificate to the EUA Events Team (annual-conference@eua.eu) which has to be signed and stamped by your institution’s secretariat.
Please note that by submitting the event registration form you agree to full payment of registration fees.
The participant fee (EUA members, non-members and students) includes attendance at the conference, all documentation, coffee breaks, lunches and the networking reception/gala dinner on Thursday 10 April. Participant fees do not cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Information regarding the General Assembly
EUA members are encouraged to attend the EUA General Assembly (GA). EUA members who register for the Annual Conference will be able to indicate during the registration process whether they wish to attend the General Assembly.
EUA members who do not wish to attend the EUA Annual Conference are entitled to attend the EUA General Assembly (GA) only, in which case no registration fee is charged. If you wish to attend the General Assembly only, please select the registration type ‘GA only’ during the first stage of the registration process. For more information, please contact the EUA events team at annual-conference@eua.eu.
Confirmation
Please note that by filling in the registration form for an event you agree to pay the registration fee in full. Your registration will be confirmed by email. Please wait for your confirmation before making any further arrangements. Deadline for registration is 24 March 2025.
Payment has to be made upon receipt of confirmation and prior to the event by bank transfer or credit card. Failure to pay all or part of the registration fee before the stated deadline will result in the registration not being further processed. The participant assumes full responsibility for paying all bank charges associated with the payment.
Cancellations
Cancellations or changes must be sent in writing to the following email address: annual-conference@eua.eu.
Liability
Neither EUA nor University of Latvia will be liable for any losses, accidents or damage to persons or objects, regardless of the cause. Participants and companions attend the conference and all related events at their own risk and responsibility.
Photography
Please note that photos and videos will be taken during the event and may be used by the organisers and host for publications and websites. Should you be opposed to your picture being used in this way, please contact the photographer or the organisers onsite.
ADDRESSES OF THE CONFERENCE VENUES
The 2025 EUA Annual conference and the 2025 EUA General Assembly will take place at:
University of Latvia Academic Centre House of ScienceJelgavas street 3, RigaLatvia
The conference dinner on Thursday 10 April 2025 will take place at:
Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa HotelElizabetes iela 55, Centra rajons, RigaLatvia
REGISTRATION
Thursday 10 April08.00-09.00 Registration for General Assembly08.30-17.15 Registration for Annual Conference
ACCOMMODATION
There are more than 40 hotels with over 5,000 rooms in the city centre and 30 minutes from the conference venue by public transport. These range from 3* budget hotels (from €34) over 4* hotels (from €53) to luxury 5* hotels (from €100).
International Chain Hotels: Kempinski, Pullman, Radisson, Mercure, AC by Marriott, Hilton, Park Inn, Ibis.
Local Chain Hotels: Wellton, Rixwell, RIJA, SemeraH, Centrum, Hestia.
We recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town, it is in a well-accessible location - next to the House of Black Heads and the iconic Town Hall Square. St. Peter’s Church, the Daugava River, and Dome Square are within a five-minute walk and less than 2 km from the conference venue.
More information: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rixrlgi-hilton-garden-inn-riga-old-town/
The hotel also provides a special offer for EUA Annual Conference guests: https://group.hiltongardeninn.com/zkwcsn
GETTING AROUND AND GOOD TO KNOW
For more information on how to get to the venue and practicalities for the forum, please check the "Getting around & Good to know" document in the downloads section.
ENQUIRIES
1. Registrations, visa applications and general coordination: annual-conference@eua.eu2. EUA 2025 General Assembly: general-assembly@eua.eu3. Payments, invoices and local information: eua2025@lu.lv4. Programme: annual-conference@eua.eu
The 28th EUA General Assembly (GA), taking place on Thursday 10 April, 09.45-12.00 EEST, is open to representatives of EUA member institutions and organisations. EUA Affiliates may attend the General Assembly as observers.
During the General Assembly, EUA members will elect four new members to the EUA Board. The candidates will be announced in February, following endorsement by EUA Council on the recommendation of the EUA Nominations Committee.
Get more information on the EUA General Assembly webpage.
Through a mix of plenary and parallel sessions addressing a range of topics – from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and funding to digitalisation and knowledge security – the event will examine how university leadership and communities can best pursue sustainability and resilience as key objectives of institutional missions, strategies and activities.
In order to showcase good practices from among its membership, EUA is now inviting contributions for practice presentations for three breakout sessions at the 2025 Annual Conference.
Get more information on the call for contributions.
