As part of the financing of the new programming period of the European Union Structural Funds, the Ministry of Economics provides a series of new support programmes and support instruments to promote the learning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects in educational establishments with a view to promoting the development of human capital and science-intensive innovation in Latvia.
STEM areas open up more and more opportunities for successful business and innovation development. In addition, human capital will play a key role in unlocking this potential. Therefore, different-scale STEM initiatives are being launched in Latvia – the Science Centre VIZIUM was opened in Ventspils, a Space Research Centre in Cesis, while the RTU Science Centre will operate from next year in Riga. In order to promote interest in natural science activities are planned in science centres in Latvian regions starting from the next academic year.
STEM education ensures a successful career and provides secure income. The Ministry of Economics has therefore started to co-act in the development of education – in cooperation with regional science centres and with different programmes, creating opportunities for young people to acquire additional skills and knowledge in the fields of natural sciences, physics, biology, chemistry, programming and other exact sciences, fostering interest in technical and creative matters. Ventspils Science Centre Vizium, Ventspils High Technology Park and Ventspils design workshop RADE are interested in attracting pupils and students to STEM education, which is very important for the development of good education and successful careers,” the Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone emphasises.