Daugavpils University Students Gain Knowledge at a Night-Time Scientific Seminar
Published: 09.11.2015
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On the night of 6–7 November, the first night-time scientific seminar in coleopterology (the science of beetles) for students of the academic bachelor’s study programme “Biology” was held at Daugavpils University’s Ilgas Study and Research Centre. The seminar was attended by students who are developing their bachelor’s theses in the subfield of coleopterology under the guidance of Academician and Professor Arvīds Barševskis.
The seminar was intended as an all-night marathon of students’ scientific research, during which senior students presented their research to first-year students and introduced them to the research methods they had learned while studying biology at Daugavpils University, thereby helping them gain a better understanding of the science of coleopterology. In the laboratories, the students conducted research and discussed the results obtained with their scientific supervisor, Professor A. Barševskis.
First-year students learned the basics of creating beetle collections and preparing material for research, and became acquainted with DU’s beetle collection. Professor A. Barševskis discussed issues of beetle taxonomy and forest entomology with the students, thereby allowing first-year students who had expressed an interest in researching beetles to give the greatest possible consideration to the subjects of their future studies and bachelor’s theses.
Speaking about the idea behind the seminar, Professor A. Barševskis stressed: “As rector, I do not always have enough time in my daily routine to devote to discussions with students about their chosen research topics. Together, we came up with the idea of organising such a scientific night-time seminar, during which students could discuss with me all the questions they wished, at the DU Ilgas Study and Research Centre, even until dawn, in an informal laboratory atmosphere. Students’ scientific work must also be organised in such a way that young people find it interesting and exciting. It is important that scientific discussions take place among the students, that senior students pass on their experience to first-year students, and that an awareness develops that we are all one team in which we help one another. Such activities help create a better academic atmosphere at the university. This year’s first-year biology students are very promising, and I would like them to understand from the very first days of their studies that science is interesting, promising and stylish!”
Third-year student Marta Markote, who is researching the impact of deadwood on beetle diversity in forest clearings, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to work alongside professionals and meet new people who will become involved in beetle research in the future. It is very good that experienced professors can devote so much of their time to helping us develop our study and bachelor’s theses. Such informal communication between lecturers and students is not possible at many other universities. This is very important to us, the students, and we are happy that we can study biology at Daugavpils University.”
The scientific seminar also produced practical results. Third-year student Anita Rukmane, who is researching the weevil genus Pachyrrhynchus, which inhabits the tropical rainforests of East Asia, was pleased. After extensive analysis and discussion, a decision was made to begin preparing a scientific article describing two species of this genus discovered by Anita that were previously unknown to science. “The discovery of two species new to science in a student’s bachelor’s thesis research is a significant event. Not every professor is capable of that,” said her scientific supervisor, Professor A. Barševskis. The seminar participants agreed that such all-night scientific seminars for students would henceforth be held every month. The idea proved successful!
The seminar was intended as an all-night marathon of students’ scientific research, during which senior students presented their research to first-year students and introduced them to the research methods they had learned while studying biology at Daugavpils University, thereby helping them gain a better understanding of the science of coleopterology. In the laboratories, the students conducted research and discussed the results obtained with their scientific supervisor, Professor A. Barševskis.
First-year students learned the basics of creating beetle collections and preparing material for research, and became acquainted with DU’s beetle collection. Professor A. Barševskis discussed issues of beetle taxonomy and forest entomology with the students, thereby allowing first-year students who had expressed an interest in researching beetles to give the greatest possible consideration to the subjects of their future studies and bachelor’s theses.
Speaking about the idea behind the seminar, Professor A. Barševskis stressed: “As rector, I do not always have enough time in my daily routine to devote to discussions with students about their chosen research topics. Together, we came up with the idea of organising such a scientific night-time seminar, during which students could discuss with me all the questions they wished, at the DU Ilgas Study and Research Centre, even until dawn, in an informal laboratory atmosphere. Students’ scientific work must also be organised in such a way that young people find it interesting and exciting. It is important that scientific discussions take place among the students, that senior students pass on their experience to first-year students, and that an awareness develops that we are all one team in which we help one another. Such activities help create a better academic atmosphere at the university. This year’s first-year biology students are very promising, and I would like them to understand from the very first days of their studies that science is interesting, promising and stylish!”
Third-year student Marta Markote, who is researching the impact of deadwood on beetle diversity in forest clearings, said: “It is a wonderful opportunity to work alongside professionals and meet new people who will become involved in beetle research in the future. It is very good that experienced professors can devote so much of their time to helping us develop our study and bachelor’s theses. Such informal communication between lecturers and students is not possible at many other universities. This is very important to us, the students, and we are happy that we can study biology at Daugavpils University.”
The scientific seminar also produced practical results. Third-year student Anita Rukmane, who is researching the weevil genus Pachyrrhynchus, which inhabits the tropical rainforests of East Asia, was pleased. After extensive analysis and discussion, a decision was made to begin preparing a scientific article describing two species of this genus discovered by Anita that were previously unknown to science. “The discovery of two species new to science in a student’s bachelor’s thesis research is a significant event. Not every professor is capable of that,” said her scientific supervisor, Professor A. Barševskis. The seminar participants agreed that such all-night scientific seminars for students would henceforth be held every month. The idea proved successful!
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