CERN Latvia Group acts as a supporting body to the CERN National Contact Point in Latvia by promoting Latvian academic institutions and relevant industries in CERN activities like research in high-energy physics and particle accelerator technologies, industrial R&D projects, IT solution, data processing, etc.
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Date: 20 November 2019
Place: Riga Technical University
Chairperson: Toms Torims (Riga Technical University)
The first meeting of CERN Latvia Group gathered a large audience from Latvian universities, research institutions and associations, leading industry representatives and governmental officials.
The meeting was commenced with an opening speech by Toms Torims, Director of the Center of High Energy Physics and Accelerator Technologies. He familiarized the audience with the most recent CERN activities, possibilities to engage and the long-term value gained from it.
A representative from CERN Prof. Christoph Schaefer expressed his admiration for such high interest from various sectors. He walked the meeting attendees through the benefits from joining CERN for individual participants and the country as a whole.
Supportive attitude was also signified by Kaspars Ozoliņš, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, and Dmitrijs Stepanovs, Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. Prof. Mārcis Auziņš from UL Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Optometry expressed the intertest as well, but, meanwhile, noted the necessity for appropriate study programmes in Latvia to be able to provide high-class expertise.
Local industry representatives also joined the discussion. Andis Sproģis from Primekss Ltd. introduced everyone to the experience what the company has gained from working with CERN and solving tasks related to material science. Aldis Gulbis from Dati Group Ltd. Talked about the possibilities now and in the near future for IT companies to participate in data processing at CERN.
The meeting was closed by coming to an agreement with all the interested parties about the mutual support and collaboration in the actions to reach the objectives of CERN Latvia Group.
More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/860840/
Date: 14 February 2020
Place: Riga Technical University
Chairpersons:
Toms Torims (Riga Technical University)
Mārcis Auziņš (University of Latvia)
As it was stressed out during the previous meeting, it is necessary to create academic research and study programmes in relevant fields in Latvia. For this reason, a Strategic Committee Meeting for the State Research Programme in High Energy Physics and Accelerator Technologies was held.
The meeting was attended by university representatives and officials from Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia to discuss possibilities of such State Research Programme.
Topics that were covered within this gathering included the scope, objectives and deliverables of this programme, public, academic and industry involvement by other interested parties, as well as the possible financing options.
More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/885425/
Date: 20 May 2020
Place: Videoconference
Chairperson: Toms Torims (Riga Technical University)
This meeting gathered 31 participants from the CERN Latvia Group.
First, the Chairman Toms Torims reported the progress of Latvia’s accession to CERN as an Associate Member and gave an update on CERN projects like CMS and MEDICIS. Scientists and industry partners informed about their involvement in the "CERN Against COVID-19" task force developing a ventilator and personal protective equipment. The group also discussed the work on the developing study programme and the plans for the CERN Baltic School in August 2020. In the end, possible scientific and industry involvement in the recent CERN projects I-Fast, PRISMAS MAP and HITRIplus was assessed.
More information at https://indico.cern.ch/event/879680/