Study Programme Group

Date: 9 July 2018
Place: Vilnius University
Chairpersons:
Andrius Juodagalvis (Vilnius University)
Juozas Vaitkus (Vilnius University)
Mārcis Auziņš (University of Latvia)
Kalvis Kravalis (Riga Technical University)

In the first CBG Study Programme Group meeting the main goal was to set up the baseline for creation of a new study programme between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The participants in this meeting were six Baltic universities and the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics (NICPB).

First, results of the survey carried out after the last CBG meeting were showed and discussed. The survey was conducted to gather opinion from all the members about arisen questions concerning the creation of a new joint Masters study programme.

After discussing the results of the survey each of the member states presented the existing local study programmes and academic resources that could be transferred to the new joint study programme. In addition, the potential of the region’s local industries was assessed to see how it could complement the study process and its outcome and what expertise could be given back in return from the academic establishments. Of course, the possibility of CERN’s involvement in the study process was considered as well as acquiring financial resources from EU funding.

At the end of the session Kaunas Technical University offered to host 2020 CERN Accelerator School for spring session on RF thematic. Estonia nominated their candidature to organize Digital School in 2021. All that was collectively supported by the CERN Baltic Group.

During the concluding discussions it was agreed:

• to keep it open for international students and not to limit to the Members;
• to avoid fragmentation – to have broad subjects;
• to include big data and data science in curricula on top of high energy particle physics and accelerator technology;
• to do risk/benefit analysis for all participants – to have situation awareness.

Challenges that the group recognizes:

• How to get enough students interested? Necessity to show the excellence of the programme and have enough outreach activities. Collaboration with CERN along with CERN lecturers is one of the ways to gain motivation. Also, industrial carrier opportunities are crucial for success at motivation of students. 
• Legal issues – double diplomas, etc. – Several or joint diplomas – common degree – challenging, but important for students’ motivation to apply for a unique programme, which could be a milestone for other countries. Two step approaches could be utilized as solution B – students go for mobility in an existing modified study programmes acquiring particle physics and accelerator technology until the excellence of studies is publicly recognized and only then the joint study programme is created.
• Mobility of students.
• Distance learning and modular system.
• How to attract “big names” - beacons? CERN specialists’ involvement is a key component for the study programme. 

More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/738506/

Date: 6 February 2019
Place: Videoconference

Review about the Trans-European School on High Energy Physics platform and the possible integration. The participants in this meeting were six Baltic universities and the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics.

The session discussed the possibilities for Latvia to participate in and host the TES-HEP Summer School.

More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/796204/

Date: 21 March 2019
Place: University of Tartu
Chairpersons:
Kalvis Kravalis (Riga Technical University)
Mārcis Auziņš (University of Latvia)
Toms Torims (Riga Technical University)

In this session, the participants introduced and explained the Masters/Doctoral study programme requirements in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to find commune point to establish the baseline of a mutual study programme. The participants in this meeting were six Baltic universities and the National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics.

An overview of the current progress on development of the study programme commenced the meeting, followed by the set national requirements for higher education study programmes. All three member states presented their situation and discussed the actions to be taken for the new joint study programme to comply with the each nation’s and participating institutes’ local rules.

From there discussions supplemented the accomplished from the last CBG Study Programme Group meeting elaborating on the content of the study process, admission model, internship opportunities and funding sources.

More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/804022/