EKA University of Applied Sciences (EKA) was founded in 1998. It is a privately-owned higher education institution that provides a formal education programs for learners in the form of in-class and distance learning.  

As of 2021, EKA has approximately 1100 students , approximately 25% of them are foreign students from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, India and other countries. 

Study courses are delivered in Latvian and English. EKA implements study programmes at 3 levels: college level, Bachelor level and Master level. Study programmes are implemented within five study fields: 1) economics, 2) management, 2) law, 4) information technologies, 5) arts. 

EKA has a large experience in providing e-learning, using modern e-learning tools, such as Moodle, AdobeConnect and BigBlue button. EKA staff is experienced in preparing e-courses and conducting webinars. EKA has a long-term experience in digital education.  

EKA has a good experience in the realization of the international projects within Erasmus+ program (Strategic partnership, Capacity Building for Higher Education). Having a study programme “Computer Game Design and Graphics”, EKA has collaboration partners from the game development industry that allows implementing VR-based practises into the study process. One of the examples is a Virtual game for the study programme “Circular economy and social entrepreneurship”. Being a partner in Erasmus+ KA220 project „Development of a virtual learning space as a tool for developing students′ critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity skills in the context of COVID19”, EKA has a capacity and resources to integrate VR technologies in other study courses. 

EKA has an experience of academic and research activities in the field of circular economy. During the participation in Erasmus+KA203 project “Online Master programme on Circular economy” (Ref.No. 2017-1-MK01-KA203-035392), the idea about the new Master programme at EKA- “Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship” – has come up. In 2021, a new Master programme “Circular economy and social entrepreneurship” was launched (https://www.augstskola.lv/?parent=413&lng=eng). Among others, study programme’s objective is promoting students’ interest in environmental and social challenges, sustainable use of resources, as well as entrepreneurship and its potential to respond to today’s challenges.