New academic year at RSU begins with special event
Photo: Courtesy of RSU
On Friday, 29 August, first-year students celebrated the start of the new academic year at Inspiration Park near the main building of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU).
The event featured discussions and games with the RSU Student Union (Studējošo pašpārvalde, SP) and the RSU International Student Association (ISA), as well as sports activities led by representatives of the RSU Sports Club. Participants could also explore the RSU business incubator B-Space, get acquainted with the new flash assistant Learning How to Learn, and discover the services offered by the RSU Health Centre.
At the opening ceremony of the academic year, RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons addressed the new students:
‘RSU is a place where future scientists, researchers, and leaders are trained. From their very first days, students have the opportunity not only to learn, but also to create – to develop ideas, participate in research groups, or join the business incubator or the RSU Innovation Centre. It is an opportunity to be creative, bold, and to make a difference in the world.’
The RSU folk dance ensemble Ačkups performed at the event, and the day concluded with a concert by the band The Bad Tones. The event was hosted by actor Niklāvs Kurpnieks.
The University's 75th anniversary year
Over the years, RSU has grown from a medical school into a modern European university with strong international collaborations and a broad range of study programmes. RSU has maintained its leading reputation among Latvian universities for the ninth consecutive year, a status also reflected in this year’s admissions results. The University received more than 12,000 applications – 20% more than last year – a new record. Almost 2,000 new students are beginning their studies at RSU this year, including 429 international students from 42 countries. The majority of international students come from Scandinavia and Germany: 21% from Sweden, 19% from Germany, 19% from Finland, and 17% from Norway.
