Commander of the Cross of Recognition Ilze Bārene Advocates Studying and Working for the Good of the Country

20 December 2022

For Students

Recognition

For RSU Employees

On 17 October 2022, the Chapter of Orders appointed Ilze Bārene, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Applied Pharmacy, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Faculty of Pharmacy, as Commander of the Cross of Recognition. She has been working at RSU since February 1971.

What do you enjoy most about your work at RSU?

I appreciate the young people who are interested in pharmacy and come to study at the RSU Faculty of Pharmacy. I am glad to see how serious the students are about their studies and their desire to improve and strengthen their theoretical and practical knowledge, which is important in the pharmaceutical sector. The lecturers are also pleased with the research projects that the students earnestly develop. I would particularly mention the practical research projects.

I am proud of our graduates, who have proved to be excellent specialists in a wide range of pharmaceutical enterprises, such as pharmacies, drug manufacturing companies, pharmaceutical wholesalers, research institutions, and the State Agency for Medicines. Several graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy have become successful lecturers. Most importantly, they all love what they do, and I am delighted that some of our graduates continue their education in Latvia and abroad. I meet many of my former students in pharmacies, at events organised by the Pharmacists’ Society of Latvia, and at scientific conferences.

The state award is a confirmation that you have contributed to the growth and development of Latvia. Which of your achievements are you most proud of?

There have been so many things over the years! I am proud of my former students and their activities and achievements. I am also proud of the changes in the Faculty of Pharmacy like how the material and technical base has improved and the opportunities that students now have to use modern and high-quality laboratory equipment for practical work. The changes at the Faculty of Pharmacy are related to the location of its departments. In the early 1990s, the faculty’s departments were moved from the premises at Baznīcas Street (formerly Eduarda Veidenbauma iela) to its current location at 16 Dzirciema iela, which was then newly built. At the end of this year and the beginning of next year, the departments are scheduled to move to new, modern study premises. I would like to express my gratitude to the University’s management for the new study and research facilities.

What is your most vivid memory from your time at the university?

I remember that when I started working at the university in 1971, there were two language streams with many students in each: three Latvian groups, three Russian groups. We worked six days a week, full time. I had just come back from Leningrad (now St Petersburg), where I had spent three years working on my thesis. Since I knew Russian well, the head of the Department of Technology of Medicinal Dosage Forms suggested that I give lectures to the Russian groups. When we switched to teaching only in Latvian in the 1990s, I had to adapt and put a lot of effort into preparing all necessary study materials in Latvian. I had to develop terminology in Latvian. It was a lot of work!

Ilze Bārene, Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Technology of Medicinal Dosage Forms at the Rīga Medical Institute (now RSU). Eduarda Veidenbauma iela, 1980s. Photo from the collection of the RSU History Museum.

As I mentioned before, it was a major event when we had to move to the new premises on Dzirciema iela. Back then, the Rector of the University was Prof. Vladislavs Korzāns. Our department was located on two floors and was headed by Vija Eniņa. The summer was very difficult due to the move, because we had accumulated a lot of things over the years. These all had to be packed into boxes and put on trucks, then unloaded at the destination and carried up to the 6th floor of Block A. All the bulky furniture had to be moved as well. I still wonder how the workers here at Dzirciema iela were able to carry the furniture up to the 6th floor, because they were not allowed to use the lift for anything too heavy.

What is currently the most important or most time-consuming aspect of your work at RSU?

The most of my work and energy is currently devoted to moving to the new Study and Research Centre at 21 Konsula iela. The next semester will start in February, so everything has to be be ready by then.

RSU Research Week will take place in spring 2023. Do you plan to participate and if so, how?

I continue to participate in the research on a conifer needle extract that we began two decades ago and there may be new findings to share with the public at RSU Research Week. There are many valuable substances in conifer needle extract that can be isolated and that we have studied.

On 18 November 2022 at the Riga Castle. President of Latvia Egils Levits awards Prof. Em. Ilze Bārene with the Cross of Recognition. Photo: Ilmārs Znotiņš (Chancery of the President of Latvia)

What should everyone in Latvia do in order to make our country a prosperous welfare state in the future?

Many things that happen here are very chaotic, disorganised, and unspecific. Those who have more say and power in our country should think more about making things better for everyone.

We should focus on taking action, rather than engaging in empty, vague language. We can achieve so much together!

What gives you strength and energy in these difficult times?

I find strength in my colleagues, my family, my friends, my wonderful neighbours, nature, and the various chores I do in my country house near Tukums. We all do what we can together. If we just sat around being horrified, nothing would change. As long as you can do something, do what you can!

Christmas is approaching and a new year will soon begin. What do you wish for the RSU family in 2023?

To work as selflessly as possible. Educate students and impart your knowledge reminding them how important it is to be smart and well-prepared professionals, exposing them not only to Europe, but to experiences from all over the world! It is good that our students have the opportunity to travel and gain experience abroad themselves, but I encourage them to return and contribute to Latvia. It is only in this way that we can be a strong and developed country!