There are countless talented and capable students in Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. This time, one of us is Emīls Zukulis, who is a skillful computer specialist in the making, and one of the few new specialists, who has already decided to tie his professional career with his native region. The region has awarded the new specialist a scholarship, worth 10 monthly wages. After receiving the financial support, Emīls is determined to work in his native region for 5 years after graduating. We invited Emīls to a chat, in order to get to know him and find out about his plans for the future.



Tell us about yourself – where are you from and how did you end up in Ventspils University of Applied Sciences?

I am an average Courlander form a farm in the Medzes parish, Grobiņas region. I knew that I wanted to study Information Technology. I really liked what Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and the Ventspils city could offer me, as a student, and that is why I decided to study here.

In which study program are you in and why did you choose it?

I am a 2nd year student in the Computer Science program. I was always interested in the cutting edge technology, also, I really enjoyed programming in high school. I like to challenge my creative and logical thinking and programming is, sort of, like a logical puzzle.

What are your plans for the future career-wise, what do you want to accomplish?

Firstly, I would like to find a job with opportunities for growth, a job in my field that I would like and where I could put my skills and knowledge to full use. I would like to connect my career with program and application development. Also, I like to automate simple everyday tasks, as well as, I am interested in and would like to strengthen my knowledge in the machine learning and artificial intelligence fields, because they are no longer the future, but the present.

What are your hobbies, favorite pass-times?

Sports, for many years I trained in Athletics, I also like basketball and cycling. I continued training in Athletics when I became a student of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. In my free time, I went to the arena or stadium of Ventspils Olympic Center to run. I also took the wonderful chance of going ice-skating in the Ventspils Olympic Center ice hall. Nowadays, while the whole country is in an emergency situation, I continue to be active by going for runs along the beach.

Congratulations on getting the Grobiņas region scholarship! Do you have plans on where you are going to invest the scholarship?

Thank you! This scholarship will help me gain larger financial independence, but I don’t have any big plans for it.

What motivates you?

Curiosity, I always want to know what “lies in the bear’s stomach” and how it works. It is a never-ending competition with myself, trying to surpass myself and to prove to myself that I can.

These times the world is absolutely unpredictable. Do you have any kind words for other students?

To find the motivation to keep fighting and surpass yourself. To use this time for finding new hobbies and skills and perfecting them. And, of course, I wish everyone good health.