From 23th until 31st October 2023, Liepaja University (LiepU) representatives – Head of the Circular Economy Centre and Director of the Master’s study programme “Ecotechnologies” Lilita Ābele and Senior specialist of International Relations Department Sintija Bruže visited Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) in Costa Rica on Erasmus+ exchange mobility to conduct lectures, exchange experiences and work together on a new international Erasmus+ KA171 mobility project for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Lilita Ābele gave lectures to TEC Bachelor and Master level students of the Environmental Engineering studies on the topic about the environmental impact assessment of the digitisation process moving to paperless management in municipalities in Latvia and Costa Rica. During the visit, several meetings were held with directors and researchers of the university's environmental engineering studies and research programs, as well as with the Director of International Relations, visiting two of five campuses in the cities of San Carlos and Cartago. The university's fields of studies and research, current research projects in waste management and alternative energy use, various environmental engineering laboratories, as well as international cooperation activities of the university were explored and discussed. Outside the university, representatives got familiarised with the progress of waste sorting in local municipalities and communities.
After the visit Lilita Ābele admits: “I think the most interesting thing we can learn from TEC was the separate solid waste sorting site, where each student has to work a certain number of hours, grading glass, plastic according to colour, separating different colours and thickness of paper, etc., and a composting plant that turns canteen biodegradable waste into a valuable feed additive for chickens and cattle overnight. Since the TEC also has a cattle farm and a chicken holding facility, it provides a practical example of a circular economy. Students should spend a certain number of hours developing their social skills – go to the local community and discuss current waste management problems. There is a need to listen and find solutions to problems that have been hurt, both management and technical. It was a pleasure to see that students were active and interested in dealing with environmental issues, engaged in discussions by asking crucial questions.”
Sintija Bruže shares her impressions: “I was surprised by how responsibly and purposefully the university deals with the issues of environmental sustainability, both at the university and across the country, practically educating the public and working closely with local municipalities, public institutions and communities. This university demonstrates a high quality of study and research, and we are pleased to be able to collaborate together in the Erasmus + exchange by exchanging experience and taking on good practices, familiarising ourselves with the use of different environmental technologies under another environmental conditions. We are glad that one of the students from TEC will have the opportunity to be an Erasmus+ exchange student at LiepU for one study semester in the professional Master’s study programme “Ecotechnologies” from February 2024."
Discussing the future university cooperation, the both sides agreed to collaborate on Eco-technologies, exploring paperless management in both municipalities, giving the guest lectures and promoting further study exchanges between the two universities.
