Who are you and why are you here? The National Union will closely engage with foreign students

"The parliamentary commission of the Saeima will assess the problems and necessary improvements in the work of institutions and in the laws concerning citizens of third countries studying at Latvian universities," the National Union stated in a press release issued today.

On March 2, a meeting of the parliamentary investigative commission will take place to address "issues in immigration regulation at the national and European levels and the work of executive bodies leading to the mass entry and stay of citizens of third countries in the Republic of Latvia." Minister of Education and Science Dace Melbarde has been personally invited to outline what the ministry plans to do to prevent the abuse of the higher education system by citizens of third countries, as well as to clarify how much funding has been spent on attracting citizens of third countries to Latvian universities and how much has been spent on attracting Latvian citizens living abroad."

In addition, representatives of the State Border Guard, the Security Police, and the Academic Information Centre have been invited to the meeting to provide information on challenges, security risks, and necessary solutions related to the education of citizens of third countries in Latvian universities.

On March 3, a meeting will be held to which representatives of several universities have been invited to provide information on the number of students from third countries enrolled in their institutions, the countries represented, the selected study programs, student oversight, control, as well as the future goals of the universities regarding the attraction of foreign students. Representatives from the Higher School of Economics and Culture, Riga Technical University, the Riga Higher School of Northern Countries (formerly ISMA), the Institute of Transport and Communications, and the Turība Business School have been invited to the meeting.