European Policy Statement of JVLMA
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) is the only one university-type education establishment in Latvia providing higher musical education in performing arts, composition, musicology, music education, as well as carrying out research. JVLMA offers internationally accredited study programmes on bachelor, master and doctoral level and professional qualifications.
JVLMA is a member of several international organisations - AEC (Association Europeenne des Conservatoires, Academies de Musique et Musikhochschulen), ABAM (Association of the Baltic Academies of Music), ELIA (European League of Institutes of Arts) and NICA (Network for International Cooperation in Arts).
Participation in EU PHARE TEMPUS programme was the beginning of intensive international collaboration. At present JVLMA has signed Erasmus Bilateral Agreements with 62 partner institutions in Europe, as well as agreements of collaboration with Conservatories in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk and Tbilisi. Project based collaboration has been developed with several Universities in the USA and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
Next to student and teacher mobility JVLMA participates in various Intensive Projects in the framework of Erasmus and Nordplus programmes and Erasmus Thematic Network for Music Polifonia.
Strategy of JVLMA international policy is based on main principles of Bologna Declaration. A serious work was accomplished regarding structure and content of study programmes, evaluation and recognition of study periods abroad, internal quality assurance criteria and professional qualification criteria system in the field of music. JVLMA has introduced ECTS system and students receive full recognition of their study periods abroad in accordance with Learning Agreements.
JVLMA provides possibility for the young musicians to participate in the activities of the world music culture (study periods, workshops, festivals, competitions, participation in the international youth orchestras and choirs).
The majority of JVLMA international activities is based on collaboration in the framework of Erasmus programme. Main task of the Academy - training of highly qualified professionals in the field of music - is ensured by creating opportunity for all the students to benefit from the internationalization of tuition process. One of the priorities in expanding internationalization of the tuition is increasing the number of visiting staff. Masterclasses of guest teachers contribute greatly to the advancement of professional and cultural integration, stipulate necessity to master foreign languages which is a prerequisite for study period abroad. Those masterclasses are widely advertised and open for public, and often culminate with a recital and student concert.
High quality in student mobility is ensured by strong competition and internal selection process. Outgoing Erasmus students are informed about conditions and regulations of Exchange programme, curricula in the chosen host institutions and receive all possible counselling and assistance in the establishment of contacts and practical arrangements (travel, accommodation). Incoming students can find all essential information including study programmes on the web page of JVLMA and receive necessary assistance in practical arrangements (accommodation, language courses) and support to ensure their integration in the Academy activities.
In the forthcoming period JVLMA shall contribute to the following priorities:
• support to all activities and projects in the framework of Erasmus bilateral and multilateral agreements;
• intensification of efforts to increase the number of incoming Erasmus students;
• further development of student and teacher mobility with special attention to the fields where considerable improvement of tuition quality is necessary.
JVLMA shall implement following activities in the framework of Erasmus programme:
• student mobility in all 3 cycles;
• academic staff mobility for teaching;
• student placements;
• academic and other staff mobility for training and exchange of experience;
• participation in the Intensive Projects and multi-lateral thematic networks coordinated by European associations.
The policy of JVLMA is based on principles of democracy, humanism and moral values ruling out any social or gender discrimination, as well as display of xenophobia or racism, because the nature of the art of music is international. JVLMA has an experience with the integration of disabled students and staff.
The Commission of Ethics is one of the elected bodies of the Academy board. In case of necessity it is dealing with the above mentioned issues.
