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The main aims of the Latvian Project Management Association (LNPMA) for 2010-2011 are to connect project managers and project management specialists of Latvia with our professional association, to promote the development of the project management field, and to enhance its total quality level. One more special step has been taken towards achieving this aim - the Zemgale Regional Division of the LNPMA has been established. The new division will be managed by Daina Grasmane, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Latvian University of Agriculture in Jelgava.

The new Regional Division will take an active role in the activities of the national association and the implementation of its objectives, and will co-operate with other regional divisions as well. The key directions of its activities will be related to communication and dissemination of professional project management information within the Zemgale Region, development and regular updating of the data base which will be kept on informational files on project management specialists who work at Zemgale, as well as promotion of project management in secondary and higher educational institutions, local authorities, NGOs and business companies, etc.

Arnis Leikarts, the Chairperson of the LNPMA Board, comments, "When meeting with project management specialists all over Latvia, it is evident that business companies and individual self-employed project managers have used the economic recession period to upgrade their qualifications and competence and to increase their efficiency in the field of project management as well. The Latvian National Project Management Association is going to develop a wide network of project management specialists and stakeholders, and I am sure that due to this networking opportunity and due to enhancement of the competence of project managers who are working in Riga and the regions of Latvia, the competitiveness of Latvian enterprises on the domestic and international markets will also increase."

The LNPMA intends to collaborate with the Master's program, "Project Management," which is offered by the Faculty of Social Science at the LLU. This collaboration will be implemented through participation in the work of the Examination Board; evaluating the defense and review of Master's papers; supervision of Master's program students; delivery of academic lectures; running seminars on best project management practices; and organizing study visits. Research activities will also be carried out in close cooperation with the academic staff of the Master's study program, and the research findings will be published in national and international scientific conferences.

Considering the great interest shown by project managers in the certification possibilities, the Zemgale Regional Division will also be involved in the organization of the IPMA certification process within Zemgale and will offer advice to business people, NGOs, other stakeholders, and interested professionals within the region on how to write project proposals and manage projects successfully.

The LNPMA has concluded an agreement with the Faculty of Social Sciences at the LLU on the cooperation and provision of office space for the functions of the Zemgale Regional Division. This office is located at Room 318 -1, 2 Liela Street, Jelgava. Detailed information on the activities of the Zemgale Regional Division and possibilities to be involved is available by contacting Daina Grasmane at e-mail address, <> or by telephone +371 26 8535 19.

The Latvian National Project Management Association, the only internationally recognized professional project managers` association in Latvia, was founded in 1998 with the aim to foster the development of the field of project management in the country. It has more than 70 active members. Since 1999, the LNPMA is a full member of IPMA. The LNPMA conducts internationally recognized certification of projects managers, and the certificates issued by the LNPMA are recognized in more than 50 member-states of IPMA. More information is available at: www.lnpva.lv