Ambassador of Ukraine visits RSU and emphasises the importance of education during war
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Latvia Anatolii Kutsevol visited the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) and met with RSU management and students from Ukraine. During his visit, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to Latvia and RSU for their continued support to Ukraine and stressed the importance of education even in times of war.
Ambassador Kutsevol (fifth from right) during his visit to the RSU METC with RSU Rector Prof. Pētersons and colleagues
From 2022 to 2025, RSU has provided support to Ukrainian students and the academic community to the amount of more than 250,000 euros. The support includes discounts on tuition fees, registration and Open University costs, as well as on accommodation at the university’s student hostels, scholarships, as well as psychological support.
Currently, 39 students and nine staff members from Ukraine are studying and working at RSU. Cooperation in studies and research is being developed, encouraging mutual participation in conferences and joint projects. RSU believes that such cooperation contributes both to the reconstruction of Ukraine and to the strengthening of the international academic environment.
RSU Rector, Prof. Aigars Pētersons expressed his hope that Ukrainian students and colleagues will become important contributors to fostering cooperation between Latvia and Ukraine in the future:
‘Our international students, including those from Ukraine, are learning Latvian. We hope that in the future they will become the ones who will build cooperation between Ukraine and Latvia in the fields of medicine, sports, healthcare and social sciences.’
During the meeting, RSU representatives introduced the Ambassador to the military medicine course that launched at the University in the 2024/2025 academic year. The aim of the course is to ensure that every healthcare student in Latvia acquires the knowledge and skills necessary in crisis situations, including wartime conditions. This course is a significant contribution not only to the strengthening of the medical system of Latvia but also enhances the sustainability of the international medical system in general.
METC Director Ieva Šlēziņa Ambassador Kutsevol
‘Today, life in Ukraine consists of two parts - one is the war, the other - life. We must live and educate the younger generation, both in schools and universities. Education is essential at all times,’ emphasises Ambassador Anatolii Kutsevol.
The visit also highlighted a number of prospects for future cooperation, from joint scientific research and innovation projects to lifelong learning initiatives and collaboration in the field of military medicine. RSU is ready to continue supporting Ukrainian students, researchers and academic staff, as well as to jointly seek new solutions to today's challenges in healthcare and education.
