Following a good tradition, the new academic year at our Baltic International Academy began with Welcome and Orientation Week for first-year students. They were greeted with memorable souvenirs and a programme of useful meetings and events. It was divided into two streams – one for future Bachelors, the other – for Master’s students.
The week for international first-year students was opened by the Rector of our Academy, Professor Vladislav Volkov, Vice Rector for International Affairs Inta Buka, and Coordinator of the ERASMUS+ Exchange Programme Viktorija Petlak. They warmly congratulated the first-year students on the start of the academic year, introduced them to the organisation of the study process, exchange programmes, opportunities to participate in scientific events. They encouraged students to master their chosen specialities in a creative manner and to use all the resources of the BIA.
The new students listened with interest to speeches by representatives of the International Department of the BIA Student Parliament, as well as first-year student buddies Thamara Siriwardena, Pinidu Ushira Perera from Sri Lanka, and Alina Islamova from Uzbekistan. They shared their experiences of studying at the Baltic International Academy, provided information about the activities of the Student Parliament, invited new students to join them, and offered their assistance and support during their first months of studies and life in Latvia.
International Relations Coordinator Yelena Uzbekova led an informative tour of the Academy for the first-year students, including visits to the Scientific Library, classrooms and information centres. Orientation Week also included meetings with study programme directors, introductory lectures and testing.
Orientation Week concluded with an educational tour of Old Riga.
In the photos: BIA Rector Vladislav Volkov and Vice Rector for International Affairs Inta Buka welcome international first-year students. BIA students Thamara Siriwardena and Pinidu Ushira Perera from Sri Lanka share their experience of working in the BIA Student Parliament with new students. Coordinator of the ERASMUS+ Exchange Programme Viktorija Petlak introduces first-year students to the opportunities offered by the international exchange programme.
