To enhance the quality of higher education and research, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of higher education institutions, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions on Thursday, 24 October, adjusting language requirements for academic staff. This legislative initiative was submitted by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.

To support the strategic development of higher education institutions, the amendments allow for the election of foreign academic staff whose proficiency in the official language does not initially meet regulatory requirements. This flexibility, however, does not apply to lecturers and assistants. Under the amendments, individuals lacking the requisite official language proficiency may be elected only once, and for a term not exceeding six years.

Higher education institutions will be responsible for offering opportunities for foreign academic staff to acquire the official language. After the six-year term, re-election will be contingent upon the foreign academic obtaining the language certification specified by the Cabinet. The Cabinet is required to issue the corresponding regulations within two months of the amendments’ entry into force.

The amendments aim to foster a more internationally open academic environment, enhancing the quality of higher education and research. As highlighted in the explanatory note, strict language requirements have sometimes posed barriers to the international competitiveness of Latvian higher education and research institutions.

These changes will enable the recruitment of highly qualified specialists interested in long-term academic and research careers in Latvia with transparent career progression. Furthermore, by ensuring an opportunity to learn the official language and setting certification requirements for continued employment beyond six years, the amendments balance the promotion of international openness with the preservation of the official language in academia.

The amendments also address the extension of study programme accreditation periods when the Cabinet decides to reorganise a state higher education institution, and another institution assumes responsibility for the study programmes.

Saeima Press Service