University of Latvia

University of Latvia is a state-run university located in Riga, Latvia established in 1919.

The QS World University Rankings places the university between 801st and 1000th globally, seventh in the Baltic states? and 50th in the EECA (Emerging Europe and Central Asia) category.

History

Central building, originally constructed for the Riga Polytechnic.

The University of Latvia, initially named as the Higher School of Latvia was founded on September 28, 1919, on the basis of the former Riga Polytechnic (founded in 1862). The first rector of the university was chemist Paul Walden. In 1923, the school received its current name with the approval of its constitution, the University of Latvia (Universitas Latviensis).

In the period between 1919 and 1940, the University of Latvia was the main centre of higher education, science and culture in the Republic of Latvia.

In 1958, the university was renamed as the Pēteris Stučka Latvian State University, which was its official name until 1990.

The EuroFaculty, created by the CBSS to support reforms at the universities in Tartu, Riga, and Vilnius, was organized with its headquarters at the University of Latvia from 1993 to 2005.

The Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy was merged into the university in 2017.