The University of Latvia (UL) will open a new dental clinic and optometry training centre this summer, marking a major expansion of its medical education and healthcare services.
Reported by Padmel, the modern facility will welcome its first patients after construction and preparation work are completed. The premises are scheduled to be officially handed over to the university on June 1.
Equipped with advanced medical technology, the centre is designed to operate as a multifunctional facility. It will serve as a study base for students, a clinical training site, and a provider of public healthcare services. University officials say the model will strengthen the integration of academic learning, scientific research, and hands-on clinical practice.
The project follows a cooperation memorandum signed in September 2024 between UL and the Mūkusalas Business Centre. The agreement aims to deepen collaboration between academia and the business community.
UL Vice-Rector for Development Enno Ence said the partnership symbolically and physically connects education, science, and industry, referencing the newly opened pedestrian bridge over the Kīleveina ditch where the memorandum was signed.
Kristaps Jaudzems, Dean of UL’s Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, described the new clinic as a significant step forward for the university’s medical programs. He said the facility will help bridge the gap between theoretical studies and real clinical experience, while providing a safe and modern environment for both students and patients.
Jaudzems also emphasized the strategic importance of the clinic’s location. Situated near UL’s Academic Centre, the new site will allow close coordination between teaching, research, and clinical activities. The integrated setting is expected to enhance operational efficiency and support the long-term development of the university’s infrastructure.
In addition to functioning as a training centre, the clinic will offer a wide range of dentistry and optometry services to the public. University leaders believe the project will strengthen UL’s competitiveness in Northern Europe and contribute sustainably to Latvia’s healthcare system.
Iveta Bahmane, Chair of the Board at the Mūkusalas Business Centre, said the establishment of the centre will help develop the Mūkusala area into a healthcare and medical education cluster. She noted that combining academic education and high-quality healthcare services in one location would benefit both the city’s infrastructure and the national healthcare system over time.
The new facility will replace UL’s current dentistry clinic at 5 Aspazijas Boulevard, which has become too small to meet operational needs. Meanwhile, university units currently housed in that building will relocate to the “Rakstu māja” at UL’s Academic Centre.
University officials said the move was necessary to ensure students can receive practical training in a modern, well-equipped, and comfortable environment while maintaining high standards of patient care.