Queues and crowds on Researchers' Night at the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre

On Friday, 29 September, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) opened its doors for European Researchers' Night. For four hours, individual visitors and families, as well as groups of pupils and youngsters could move through the building looking into each room. This was the first Researchers' Night to be held in person since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first two hours of Researchers' Night were particularly busy. The volunteers from RSU student body deserve our admiration as they tirelessly and patiently explained exhibits, showed people around, and answered questions over and over again.

Visitors had the opportunity to try out surgical suturing and laparoscopy, as well as various simulators used by medical students during their training. They also could taste and identify several herbal teas and learn about their use in childbirth, fill a cavity, learn about the use of artificial intelligence and smart textiles in health monitoring, and take part in many other exciting activities.

Laparoscopic surgery and cavity filling were particularly popular among the visitors, who had the opportunity to try it out in practice. In addition, students – future dentists and hygienists – gave an insight into their daily work. Among other activities that caught visitors’ attention were the simulated surgical unit, the simulated delivery room, and an activity where it was possible to find out the sugar content of different foods.

Young people and children particularly enjoyed the immersive environment, or the augmented virtual reality simulator and trainers.

‘My daughters really enjoyed the hand washing demonstration. They didn't know that physicians have to wash their hands so thoroughly and for so long to keep them clean,’ said a mother who came to Researchers' Night with her two primary school-age daughters.

This was the 17th time that Latvian universities, research institutes, research centres and laboratories, invited visitors to take part in experiments, creative workshops, participate in lectures and engage in discussions with researchers as part of European Researchers' Night.

The Researchers' Night activities at RSU were organised by the RSU Technology Transfer Office with the participation of representatives from the Research Department, the Department of Sports and Nutrition, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the Faculty of Dentistry, and the Medical Education Technology Centre.