RSU and international pharmaceutical company Novartis Baltics sign memorandum of cooperation
Photo: Courtesy of RSU
On 23 September, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and the international pharmaceutical company Novartis Baltics (Novartis) signed a memorandum of cooperation, providing comprehensive placement opportunities for students in the fields of medicine, business, medicinal products value and market access, registration, logistics, and pharmacovigilance.
The initiative not only supports the career development for individual students and the emergence of innovation in the pharmaceutical sector but also contributes to strengthening the healthcare ecosystem in Latvia and the Baltics by providing future healthcare professionals with interdisciplinary experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
Placement opportunities for students
The placement opportunities offered by Novartis will provide RSU students with an in-depth understanding of the pharmaceutical innovation cycle, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and develop capacity in clinical research, pharmaceutical regulation, and medicine accessibility strategies. Placement positions will be open to final-year undergraduate students from RSU or recent graduates of RSU’s medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and physiotherapy programmes who wish to contribute to innovation in the pharmaceutical sector and improve patients’ lives.
‘Novartis is continuously advancing medical practice aiming to improve and extend people’s lives. The memorandum reaffirms our commitment not only to nurturing the next generation of healthcare professionals but also to fostering closer collaboration between academia and industry,’
emphasises Irēna Teterina, Medical Head Baltics and Ukraine at Novartis Innovative Medicines. ‘In placements, we look forward to welcoming students who are curious and motivated to learn, able to adapt to new situations, and feel comfortable in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.”
Student innovation projects
As of October, as part of a RSU business incubator B-Space programme, students will begin working on their own innovation projects, developing solutions in various sectors vital to the national economy, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals. To turn these ideas into viable solutions within the healthcare system, the placement opportunities offered by Novartis will provide students with the chance to understand how the industry operates in practice and to work along with pharmaceutical specialists and researchers. Placements will also be available for students who are still exploring their innovation ideas and wish to develop professional skills for their future careers.
‘For several years now, RSU has consistently been creating an environment that motivates and supports students in developing meaningful solutions in healthcare,’
says Līga Žūka, Director of the RSU Innovation Centre. ‘We can be proud of what has been achieved. For example, RSU students are currently developing a digital tool for remote patient monitoring, which is being piloted at the Children's Clinical University Hospital and will allow doctors to make faster treatment decisions.
Collaboration with Novartis is an important step that demonstrates the University’s commitment to fostering the development of new medical technologies in the field of pharmaceuticals, while also giving students the opportunity to base their innovations not only on theory but also on real industry experience.’
Strengthening the memorandum
The memorandum was signed by Sweta Ghelani, Head of Europe Central Cluster at Novartis; Ramune Lauciuviene, Country President Baltics and Ukraine at Novartis, and Agrita Kiopa, RSU Vice-Rector for Science. The signed document confirms the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen the link between higher education and labour market needs, providing students with the opportunity to gain practical experience during their studies and to develop their potential in an international environment.
