Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) is the higher education institution in the region with a main goal to provide an INTERNATIONALLY recognizable regional PLATFORM for higher education, science, knowledge transfer and ideas leadership. ViA is established in 1996 by Lillehammer University College, Foreign Ministry of Norway, Nordic Council of Ministers, local governments of Vidzeme region (North part of Latvia), Valmiera City council and Ministry of Education and Sciences. Since 2001 the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences has state status.

ViA is offering an ECOSYSTEM of the digital era for versatile options in acquiring professional higher education and carrying out interdisciplinary research, giving a PROACTIVE response to the challenges of the society. ViA provides full academic (bachelor, master studies) and research cycle (PhD programs, postdoctoral programs, students involvement in the research). The ViA is currently member of the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (International), member of International Tourism Master Network, associate member of European Cultural Tourism network, member of Tourism cluster of Gauja National Park (Latvia), member of Vidzeme Tourism Association (Latvia), Latvia Convention Bureau. More about ViA https://va.lv/en and Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research (HESPI) https://www.hespi.lv/en