Why Latvia’s higher education needs full-time lecturers

Lecturer as mentor

In modern higher education, the lecturer’s task is no longer limited to transmitting knowledge, as information is now widely accessible. Students need to learn how to find reliable sources, assess them critically, and turn theory into practice. The lecturer thus becomes a mentor – encouraging discussions, helping analyse situations, providing feedback, and sometimes even helping students commercialise their knowledge during their studies.

Independence and professional identity

Universities must also foster self-directed learning skills, since not all students have developed them earlier. The lecturer becomes a guide in the student’s development. Moreover, lecturers who actively work in their field – such as entrepreneurs, lawyers, or doctors – are particularly valuable because they can show students real-world situations. Full-time academic staff, in turn, ensure continuity: they engage in research, develop study programmes, create international projects, and cooperate more closely with students outside the classroom.

Benefits of full-time positions

A larger share of full-time lecturers makes them easier for students to reach. They have more time for consultations, methodological work, improving study processes, and involving students in research. A stronger academic community also emerges, with a shared understanding of the university’s goals and a greater sense of belonging.

A pressing issue in Latvia

Latvia has many higher education institutions and similar study programmes, which often forces lecturers to work at several universities because a full-time job at one institution is not always available. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, around a quarter of academic staff are older than 60, meaning the creation of a new academic generation will become increasingly relevant in the coming years.

Professional development and motivation

Lecturers themselves need continuous training in teaching methods, digital skills, and student motivation. Universities must provide methodological, administrative, and technical support so that lecturers can devote more time to students. Motivation is not only about salary – internal factors such as interest in one’s field, opportunities for growth, and seeing students become professionals are equally important. The future of Latvia largely depends on the work of its lecturers.