Following a good tradition, the new academic year at the Baltic International Academy began with an orientation and introductory week for newly enrolled international students. They were welcomed with memourable souvenirs and an extensive informative programme, which included meetings with the directors and representatives of BIA study programmes, as well as other introductory events.
The Orientation Week opened with welcome speeches by the Rector of our Academy, Associate Professor Vladislav Volkov; Vice-Rector for International Relations Inta Buka, Coordinator of the Erasmus+ International Student Exchange Programme Viktorija Petlak, and the Head of the International Department of the BIA Student Parliament Thamara Siriwardena.
They warmly congratulated the first-year students on the start of the academic year and introduced them to the specifics of the study process in English, student exchange programmes with foreign universities and opportunities to participate in research activities. They encouraged the students to approach mastering their chosen specialties creatively and to make effective use of the Academy’s resources.
Elena Uzbekova, International Relations Coordinator of the BIA Admissions Office, led an informative tour of the Academy’s classrooms and information centres for the first-year students. Rector’s Assistant Maria Tkachukova and Director of the Scientific Library Natalia Gratkovska introduced the new students to the scientific collections of the library and explained how to use them. Doctor of Engineering Sciences Vyacheslav Zhilinsky conducted an introductory test in informatics for the international students.
The newcomers listened with great interest to the introductory lectures delivered by study programme directors Ksenia Doronina and Julia Mahmudova, as well as Assistant Professor Nadezhda Pazuhina.
At the end of the Orientation Week, a guided tour of Old Riga was organised for the international students.
In the photos: Rector’s Assistant Maria Tkachukova introduces new students to the collections of the Scientific Library. The academic building of the Baltic International Academy.
Photos by Natalia Gratkovska.
