Why study Computer Science at University of Latvia? Part 2
Employers advise University of Latvia students to major in computer science.
Since 2017, employers in Latvia have recognised the UL bachelor’s degree in computer science as the most highly recommended curriculum. Employers value studies in the field of IT and recommend enrolling in ICT study programmes, according to a yearly survey by the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia and the portal Prakse.lv. However, employers recognise the UL bachelor’s study programme “Computer Science” as the best study programme overall, not just among IT programmes.
PhD-level lecturers with training and credentials from prestigious international universities
Several faculty members in the computing department have degrees from institutions abroad, such as professors Andris Ambainis of the University of California, Berkeley, Leo Sevo of the University of Pittsburgh, and Juris Ilters of the University of Mainz. Lecturers frequently take part in exchange programmes. For instance, four of our lecturers have currently completed a semester-long training programme at the University of Buffalo in New York, which is also used to inform their study material. Additionally, guest lectures are read to students by professors from various universities, including the Blekinge Institute of Technology and Stockholm University in Sweden. A lot of lecturers mix their work as a lecturer with their actual work experience in the sector.
Every lecturer chosen for academic roles holds a doctorate. High-level industry experts who are lecturing are also involved.
Excellent results in international programming contests
UL students have been able to get to the finals of the prestigious international student team programming competition, in which 120–140 teams from across the globe take part each year. This tournament attracts more than 50,000 competitors annually (a record number of 60,000 were present in 2019), representing more than 3.5 thousand colleges from 110 different countries. All inhabited continents are represented in the competition’s quarterfinal and semifinal locales. The combined 18th and 20th places are the University of Latvia’s best results to date. In the artificial intelligence challenge, which was part of the final the previous year, competitors had three hours to solve issues using neural networks and artificial intelligence.
Students receive honours in the competition for best work.
FC students consistently take home prizes in the bachelor’s and master’s thesis competitions for Latvian higher education, or “ZIBIT,” where industry professionals judge and choose the best of the finest works presented by Latvian higher education institutions. The top 3 bachelor’s theses and top 3 master’s theses are recognised.
