The aim of the project was to strengthen digital, research, international cooperation and pedagogical skills of adult educators in Latvia, by introducing modern formal and non-formal learning methods in the work of virtual Senior University nationally. We aimed to explore the best possible introduction of the virtual model in Latvia in order to expand the educational opportunities of seniors remotely, by strengthening digital skills and social inclusion. Senior University is composed of students (seniors) and learners, learning environment and content, as well as co-ordination of the whole process. However, the cornerstone of Senior University is educator, which creates high-quality learning content for seniors and is able to teach digitally, which is today's new reality in the context of Covid19. The project mission was the digital transformation of Senior University concept, particularly the teaching community, by developing a high quality concept of the virtual university in Latvia.
The 2020 Covid 19 crisis brought global change to the organisation and conduct of educational work. In Latvia in 2020, 80 seniors continued their training in the SU pilot project, both onsite and remote in three cities of Latvia, namely, Riga, Jelgava and Malpils. Remote learning in the internet environment was an important milestone in the further work of SU, as it demonstrated the virtual possibility of providing training to date. Seniors were able to start training remotely, which created a new perspective for the development of virtual SU. Since 2019 project main beneficiary NGO Project Net is a SU promoter in Latvia and a member of RUTIS 347 of the international third-generation network association. RUTIS members also sought solutions and introduced virtual seniors' university work, rapidly developing new teaching models in 2020, leading to a major step in the development of SU globally. SU digitisation is an essential factor in the development of SU today. We aimed to expand remotely by offering a unique opportunity in Latvia for elderly adults – Virtual University.