Latvian President Vaira Vike – Freiberga, in Cyprus on an official visit, delivered a speech today on “Education in Europe, Education for Europe†at the new campus of the University of Cyprus.
The Latvian President praised the University, saying that ”it is a good and new university created in the new European situation where many university exchange programmes for students and academic staff take placeâ€.
The Latvian President, who was welcomed at the campus by Minister of Education and Culture Akis Cleanthous and Vice-rector of the University of Cyprus Antonis Kakas, noted that coming from small countries like Latvia and Cyprus does not constitute “an impediment in doing well in academic affairsâ€.
In his welcoming speech, the Vice – rector said that the University explores ways to form bilateral relations with educational and research institutions in Latvia.
He also referred to the Latvian President’s long and successful academic career.
The event was attended by Cypriot Parliamentarians, Foreign Ministry officials, foreign Ambassadors accredited to Cyprus, University professors, other academics and students.
In her speech, the Latvian President analysed the concept of education in Europe from the past times until today.
She emphasised that concepts like the Erasmus – Socrates exchange programmes which exist now in Europe, as well as the Bologna Process, have been known through the mobility of students and professors.
“The challenge of education and civilization is to create noble human beings, who can make full use of their humanity potentialsâ€, she stressed, adding that “there is unfortunately a beast inside us and education is the way to control itâ€.
Moreover, she pointed out that arrogance does not go hand in hand with knowledge in the academia and added that there should be a link between academic knowledge and every day life in society.
Referring to today’s Europe, she said that the diversity in Europe allows each university and each country to flourish, by making use of its own traditions.
“Educational process is something that never finishes. In the EU we have to have basic principles and a common ground but at the same time preserve our national traditionsâ€, she added.
Stressing the importance of interaction between students and academics from different countries and universities, she said that interaction helps to prevent future or existing inabilities to communicate.
“We would like to see this interaction, also among the various countries of the EUâ€, Vike – Freiberga said.
She added “that is the only way, so that we don’t forget that in Europe, not so long ago, like in Cyprus now, we have been picking up the angers of the previous generations and resentment of the previous generations, the inability to communicate, to come together, sit down at the same table and reach common decisions, decisions where everybody would have to give something. Where we give something, we also take something backâ€.
The Latvian President said that in order to prevent the inability to communicate, one must have faith in his own abilities and his own partners.
“It takes courage to go to the unknown. Your must have faith in your own abilities and in your partner. It takes courage to go to the unknown and build something with your partnerâ€, she concluded.
The Republic of Cyprus together with Latvia and another eight countries, entered the EU in May 2004, during the EU’s biggest enlargement ever.
