RSU Department of Information Technology Voted Structural Unit of the Year 2022

This autumn, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Department of Information Technology was voted Structural Unit of the Year at the 2022 RSU Annual Awards. Thanks to the department’s staff, the study process at the University was not interrupted for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IT Department employs IT specialists and system administrators from various disciplines. They provide the University's staff, lecturers, and students with various information technologies and run multiple projects that improve and optimise the efficiency of work.

‘The role of the department is to be a guide through the labyrinth of digital transformation,’

says Zigmunds Zitmanis, Head of the Department of Information Technology. ‘This function includes three main tasks: to identify the needs that users have now and will have in the near future; to ensure adequate IT infrastructure and services through timely acquisitions, to implement various solutions and to monitor the performance of the implemented systems; to promote the digital literacy of RSU employees, including developing RSU employees' skills in using specific IT tools, digitising processes, as well as supporting RSU employees in developing new services.’

RSU Gada balvu nominācijā Gada struktūrvienība RSU Akadēmiskajā ballē, kas notika 2022. gada 10. septembrī Rīgas Latviešu biedrības namā, Informācijas tehnoloģiju departamenta vadītājam Zigmundam Zitmanim (priekšplānā kreisajā pusē) pasniedza administrācijas un attīstības prorektors Toms Baumanis

The Department of Information Technology has two subdivisions (the IT Infrastructure Management Division and the Information Systems Division) and oversees the IT Service Centre.

Staff at the Information Systems Division maintain existing information systems and introduce new ones. They are responsible for about 50 different information systems. ‘They provide e-services in practically all areas of RSU,’ says Aigars Zupa, Head of the Information Systems Division. ‘We have changed our operating principles in recent years and instead of creating a new specific system for each need, we explore ready-made solutions available on the Latvian and international markets and integrate them into the University.

One of our success stories is introducing the PURE information system for research activities and the Student Portal. We plan to replace the existing intranet with a more modern solution in the near future.’

The IT Service Centre provides RSU students and staff with technical support, organises staff training, disseminates information about new IT solutions, and provides advice and guidance on the use of digital tools. ‘The range of topics for consultations is very wide, from short consultations on how to use the e-learning platform to complex tasks such as filming a video in a real operating room in a hospital,’ explains Jānis Laizāns, Head of the IT Service Centre.

For lecturers to be able to provide live videos of their lectures or record them at home, staff at the IT Service Centre can help them choose the right solution for a specific need. Webcams, microphones, and other equipment can be obtained from the IT Service Centre. It is possible to request mobile equipment in the laboratories and various rooms in the University.

Recently, RSU staff and students have also been given access to a specially equipped studio to create interactive content.

‘The studio offers a variety of technological solutions like a green screen, an interactive display, and the first transparent whiteboard (learning glass) in the Baltic States. This can be used to prepare more engaging video lectures and classes,’

says Jānis Laizāns, Head of the IT Service Centre.

The IT Service Centre also oversees a recording room where live broadcasts, video lectures, broadcast recordings, or audio soundtracks can be organised.

‘Each incoming request is registered in our application system and the user can track the progress and add comments, as well as provide feedback on our services,‘ explains IT User Support Specialist Baiba Jaunskunga.

The services, systems, and technical equipment serviced by the IT Department are constantly monitored: a special monitoring system monitors more than 1,000 items. It immediately reports a problem, which is addressed by the IT Department's staff before the user reports it. For example, one of the items monitored is RSU printer paper. ‘We can see when it's running low and needs to be replenished,’ Jaunskunga explains.

About the RSU IT Department

• Address: 16 Dzirciema iela

• Number of employees: 28

• Head: Zigmunds Zitmanis

• The Department of Information Technology has two subdivisions (the IT Infrastructure Management Division and the Information Systems Division) and oversees the IT Service Centre.

• The IT Department is under the authority of the Vice-Rector for Administration and Development

RSU employees and students nominated candidates for the RSU Annual Award in nine categories. Everyone could then vote for the 25 candidates nominated for Structural Unit of the Year until 12 August. The RSU management determined the winner by choosing one of the three top votes.