Opportunities to learn a PR profession in Latvia

As I mentioned some days earlier, I think that Vidzeme University College offers very qualitative knowledge for public relations specialists. But which colleges and universities also in Latvia offer to learn this profession?
I know some people who has learn and still study in Latvia University communication or public relations. In public relations agency my college Alina some months ago graduated this university, but... She aren't satisfied and has an opinion that these studies are too theoretical, too uninteresting, too... Also I know some students from Stradina University. But there... There also lectures are too theoretical + the amount of works are too many (about these "legends" :) has heard I think every student in Lativa). Also there is School of Business Administration Turiba, Baltic International Academy, Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy and others where someone can study public relations. But which is the best in Latvia? How do you think?

Reputation of PR profession in Latvia

In many blogs, forums an other places in the Internet we can read a lot of different opinion about public relations specialists and PR profession. Some time ago I red a comment in discussion about one broadcast in TV. The Theme was public relations profession. In this discussion one person said: "Interesting discussion... Seems that in Latvia it is a sensitive question... The way it is with these public relations specialists - blabbering a lot, but sense mean nothing..."
These words made me to think... About this comment I can say - unfortunately in Latvia is the real situation. A lot of people and still many employers think that public relations practitioners aren't need. Actually public relations specialist generate and are responsible for reputation, internal, external communication which is essential to an effective existence of an organization. A public relations specialist is an image shaper. Their job is to generate positive publicity for their client and enhance their reputation. The client can be a company, an individual or a government. And I hope that in future more and more people will understand the importance of public relations practitioner.

Studies in Vidzeme University College

Vidzeme University College offers qualitative education, interesting and active process, obliging and knowledgeable lecturers. About that I am very thankful to my university because I am absolutely sure that this university is the best in Latvia. Talking to my colleges and friends they say that graduates from Vidzeme University College educate the best public relations practitioners in Latvia. It's a guarantee to employers that a student from Vidzeme University College will be knowledgeable and also with good skills in his profession. That's why I don't regret that now I study in Valmiera, not in Riga in other university or college.
Home page of Vidzeme University College you can see here.

PR in my opinion

To be effective, mutual understanding is essential in public relations. I believe that PR practicioner mission is to establish, maintain and favour it. Thus practicioners are learning the language its company and its publics as hardworking students. We are also assuming the duties of a reliable interpreter. And in addition PR practicioners are also teaching it's clients and its publics the ability to understand each other as enthusiastic teachers.

Dialogu vispirms profesionālajā vidē

Atjaunojot konkursu “Preses nagla”, pavisam drīz savas balvas gatavojas pasniegt arī Latvijas Preses izdevēju asociācija. Preses balvas rīkotāji tikuši nedaudz tālāk, konkursa nolikumā cenšoties aprakstīt vērtēšanas kārtību un kritērijus. Tomēr, tāpat kā Radio un televīzijas padome, arī preses izdevēji joprojām neatzīst tiešsaistes (online) žurnālistiku, kaut tieši drukātie mediji pašlaik uzrādījuši augstākos sasniegumus tiešsaistes žurnālistikas attīstībā (piemēram, laikraksta Diena projektu V-Diena un L-Diena centieni izkāpt no vienkāršajiem tradicionālo izdevumu materiālu pārcēlumiem tiešsaistes vidē un piedāvāt jaunu, patstāvīgu saturu).

Profesionālās balvas ir ļoti būtiskas, tomēr tās nes mazu ieguldījumu profesionālās vides attīstībā, ja konkurss netiek tālāk par svinīgu pasākumu ar balvu sadalīšanu. Žurnālistikas balvām vajadzētu ne tikai spēt atpazīst un izcelt izcilu žurnālistiku, bet vienlaikus kalpot par platformu diskusijām par profesijas veiksmes un neveiksmes stāstiem, kā arī jaunajiem uzdevumiem. Žūrijas vērtējumam par žurnālistikas profesionālisma līmeni nevajadzētu palikt tikai žūrijas iekšējās apspriedēs, bet iniciēt tālāku diskusiju, kas iesaistītu mediju profesionāļus, arī tos, kuri savu pieteikumu konkursam nemaz nebija aiznesuši, un uzrunātu sabiedrību kopumā. Žurnālistiem ir būtiski ne tikai izrunāties profesionālās vides robežās, bet arī uzrunāt plašāku sabiedrību. Žurnālistiem publikai ir jāskaidro savi lēmumi un prakse, jo žurnālistikas funkcionēšanas atslēga ir sabiedrības uzticība, bet uzticības pamatā ir dialogs starp medijiem un sabiedrību. Taču dialogam vispirms jāsakās profesionālajā vidē, un to izdarīt nemaz nav tik ļoti sarežģīti, vien citus gadus konkursu rīkotājiem blakus svinīgo pasākumu tāmēm vajadzētu paredzēt arī izdevumus diskusijas sarīkošanai.