54 International Graduates to Receive Higher Education Diplomas at LBTU Summer Graduation Ceremonies
June marks the graduation season at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), when students who have completed their exams and defended their final theses gather in the LBTU Aula to receive their diplomas. This summer, approximately 600 graduates from five LBTU faculties will be awarded higher education diplomas, including 54 international graduates. Among them is Ekaterina Borodich, who will receive a diploma of excellence.
The summer graduation series will begin on June 17 at 11:00 AM with the graduates from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies. This group includes seven international graduates from the professional bachelor’s study program "Information Technologies for Sustainable Development", three from the academic master’s program "Information Technologies" and one from the academic master’s program "Agricultural Engineering".
On June 18 at 2:00 PM, students from the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences will join the graduate community. Among the new professionals is one international graduate from the academic bachelor’s program "Sustainable Forestry".
The graduation ceremony on June 19 at 2:00 PM will honor graduates from the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology. Eight international students will also receive diplomas—two from the academic bachelor’s program "Sustainable Agriculture" and six from the academic master’s program "Food Science".
On June 20 at 11:00 AM, graduates from the Faculty of Economics and Social Development will be honored in the LBTU Aula. This includes 23 international graduates: two from the academic bachelor’s program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration", two from the academic master’s program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration", two from the academic master’s program "Agri-food Business Management" (note: admissions to this program will not take place in the 2025/2026 academic year), and 17 from the professional master’s program "Business Management".
A special recognition will be given to one international graduate, Ekaterina Borodich, who will receive a diploma of excellence. She studied in the bachelor’s program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration" and completed her final thesis on the topic "Informal Relationships in Workplaces in Latvia: The Perspective of Young Employees", achieving a weighted average grade of 9.035 (on a 10-point scale).
The graduation series will conclude on June 20 at 3:00 PM with the graduates from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, who have completed the second-level professional higher education program Veterinary Medicine. This program also includes international students – this year, 15 international graduates will receive their diplomas.
Graduation ceremonies at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) in Jelgava are held twice a year – after each academic semester. However, the most well-attended events take place in summer, marking the end of the academic year. Each faculty's graduation is characterized by its own unique traditions, which are communicated to students by their respective faculties. These ceremonies are typically attended not only by graduates and university faculty members but also by family members and friends, who are warmly invited to congratulate the new professionals and enjoy the festive event. The official ceremony usually lasts from one to two and a half hours, followed by group photos in the historic courtyard of Jelgava Palace.
Traditionally, all LBTU graduates who have obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree wear academic gowns and caps during the graduation ceremony. Master’s degree graduates also wear stoles in the colors of their respective faculties. Graduates from first-level professional study programs do not wear standardized academic attire but are expected to dress in formal clothing suitable for a ceremonial occasion.
Useful Information for Graduation Guests:
The LBTU Aula, where all graduation ceremonies are held, is located on the 2nd floor of the South Wing of Jelgava Palace. Please follow the signs posted in the palace courtyard to reach the hall. For guests with mobility impairments, an elevator is available on the courtyard side of the building (the exact location is marked on maps posted near the building entrance). The elevator provides direct access to the Aula foyer by pressing the button for the 2nd floor.
During the ceremony, graduates are congratulated and presented with their diplomas in groups – several graduates at a time. Guests are kindly asked to greet their graduates only when invited to do so by the ceremony host.
Although the LBTU Aula has over 400 seats, the number of graduates per faculty often exceeds 100, meaning there may not be enough seats for all guests. However, a spacious foyer is available just outside the Aula, which can be used for resting and waiting. The ceremony will be live-streamed in this area, which will be especially useful for parents with small children who may find the full event too lengthy and may need a break.
For guests’ convenience, a large free car park is available behind Jelgava Palace.