A Look Back at the RSU Student Union’s Annual Award Ceremony
22 April marked the 29th anniversary of the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Student Union (Studējošo pašpārvalde, SP). The 11 most significant events, people, and organisations that have contributed to the work of RSU SP in the previous year were congratulated and celebrated at the RSU SP Annual Zelta pakavs (Golden Horseshoe) Awards ceremony.
After a one-year hiatus, the RSU SP Annual Awards could take place in on-site with a grand event at Fantadroms. The ceremony gathered RSU SP members, board members, activists, senior members, representatives from university management, as well as guests from other student unions and partner organisations.
Horseshoe of the Year 2022
Amendments to the Regulation on Rīga Stradiņš University tuition fee discounts and the introduction of a gradation system
Driven by an initiative from the RSU SP and after active discussions by students from the social sciences faculties and representatives from the RSU SP, it was decided that it is necessary to introduce a gradation to the tuition fee discounts granted to social science students. The changes allow for tuition fee discounts of up to 100% as well as smaller discounts, enabling more students to qualify for support.
Growth of the Year 2022
Alise Antuanete Sniķere, 2nd-year student, Medicine
Having been involved in RSU SP since starting her studies at RSU, Antuanete has worked her way up to becoming the Head of the RSU SP scientific section.
Inspiration of the Year 2022
Ance Mistre, 2nd-year student, Physiotherapy
Ance is a tireless source of energy and kindness. She encourages everyone around her to get involved in RSU SP work and to do more by challenging themselves. She is an inspiration both to new students and her peers at the student union!
Senior Member of the Year 2022
Artūrs Kaļva
Artūrs is very loyal to RSU SP and the person to turn to when you need a valuable, meaningful opinion or experience story. His path in the RSU SU has been quite a trip – councillor, head of the RSU SU social section, RSU SU Chairman of the Board in 2015, and currently a representative of the Alumni Association. No matter how many years have passed, Artūrs is always there and ready to help!
Friend of the Year 2022
When RSU switched to remote studies, the RSU Department of Information Technology became central to most students’ everyday lives. The staff at the IT Department tirelessly helped students with their software errors, updates and improvements, IT issues, and so on, solving any and all problems calmly and efficiently. We hope that they can retain this calm, friendly demeanour, and their will to help students when we need it the most!
Supporter of the Year 2022
Healthcare company Roche Latvia
Roche Latvia was a reliable supporter and assistant in organising the RSU International Student Conference 2022 (ISC) due to their strong position in the pharmaceutical and diagnostics sector. The company supported the conference financially and helped assemble high-quality panel discussions on digitalisation in healthcare and personalised healthcare. Representatives from Roche Latvia also volunteered to participate in the RSU ISC talks – a series of broadcasts on issues of importance to society, healthcare and science, such as the secondary use of data. This is a successful and valuable cooperation, which will only grow deeper in the future!
Scientific Interest Group of the Year 2022
In the 2021/2022 academic year, the Surgery Interest Group provided and continues to provide opportunities for all members to participate in interdisciplinary theoretical sessions and diverse practical sessions. At the beginning of the academic year, each member was provided with a suture kit with tools to practice their skills remotely. There have been two practical sessions with a group of international surgical students, as well as a practical session at the Aiwa surgical clinic. The group has participated in the Young Physicians Academy educating 170 prospective doctors and organised two workshops at RSU ISC. Members of the Surgery Interest Group have conducted around 35 studies this year, and the year is not over yet!
Innovation of the Year 2022
Psychological support
Studying remotely and changes to the daily routine had a great impact on students’ mental and emotional wellbeing. In order to help, the RSU Career Centre created the opportunity for all students to be able to seek support and to receive a certain amount of psychological counselling free of charge throughout the year. Students were motivated to continue to work towards their goals, to be flexible, and received support in solving various issues, difficulties, and problems related to their studies. More than 100 students applied for support during 2021, and the demand is growing! We hope that this initiative will continue to be a reason to expand support for both students and lecturers further!
Activist of the Year 2022
Anna Niedra, 2nd-year student, Medicine
Anna has been part of almost every RSU SP event in 2021. She can fill a room with her energy, offers help without asking for anything in return, and is always ready to share her ideas. Anna makes the RSU SP better!
Issue of the Year 2022
Resumption of on-site studies in the autumn semester
Students eagerly awaited the autumn semester of 2021 with the hope that on-site or at least hybrid studies would resume. Given the circumstances, it was a priority to ensure epidemiologically safe conditions so on-site studies remained a mere hope for a large number of students. Although the university adapted very well to having to switch to remote studies at short notice, the return to on-site studies came with a lot of uncertainty and questions about the format of the study process.
Snail of the Year 2022
Train ticket discounts for Faculty of Rehabilitation students
The idea of providing discounts on train tickets for students from the Faculty of Rehabilitation to be able to travel to Jūrmala for their placements was born in 2019. The discounts would make students’ everyday lives easier and be beneficial for the train company due to the large number of commuting students. This work was initiated by the current RSU SP Chair of the Board, and then taken over by a representative of the SP Foreign Affairs section in 2020. Due to the pandemic and other reasons, the work stopped, but in 2021, the Head of Foreign Affairs involved the Student Union of Latvia and other partner organisations. The work is not yet done but is moving forward at a slow pace. Let’s hope that this will be a steppingstone to finally get what we need!
During the ceremony, both nominees and guests were entertained by several musicians – JL KALMANN delighted the audience with his husky voice, Liene Dzilna sang and played the kokle, while the traditional RSU SP anthem “Tikai tā” was performed by the band Mēneša darbinieks together with Anna Niedra, winner of Activist of the Year.
We would like to thank Haralds Gerts who created our special awards for the fifth year!
We would also like to say a big and heartfelt THANK YOU to our dear sponsors: the Smalkais stils agency for their tablecloths and napkins, Ausmeņa kebabs for providing gift cards, Latvijas Roze for the beautiful bouquets of flowers, the Museum of Photography and the Museum of Decorative Arts for giving away free tickets, VAIG for providing us with gift cards, Klerr for the elegant dress for the hostess, Mansards publishing house for the books, Nutriboom for the packages of dried fruits and berries, Drifta halle, VR gaming and River cruises for the gift cards and Konditoreja Rūberts for the delicious éclairs!
Photos from the picture corner
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