RSU Rector participates in conference on the importance of knowledge for Latvia’s economic eevelopment
On 3 March, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons took part in the conference Zināšanas – Latvijas ekonomikas un uzņēmējdarbības attīstības pamats. Ceļa karte zinātņietilpīgai Latvijas ekonomikas attīstībai (Knowledge as the Foundation of Latvia’s Economic and Business Development. A Roadmap for the Development of a Knowledge-Intensive Latvian Economy). The aim of the event was to promote dialogue between policymakers, universities, and business organisations on concrete steps for Latvia’s transition to a high value-added, knowledge-intensive development model.
The conference was attended by Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, rectors of several Latvian universities, as well as representatives of public administration and business organisations. In the discussion on the experience of university consolidation and its impact on quality and competitiveness,
the RSU Rector emphasised the importance of the internationalisation of higher education and education exports for Latvia’s economy.
RSU currently has more than 12,000 students, 27% of whom are international students from 87 countries. A few years ago, the university’s contribution to Latvia’s economy through education exports reached EUR 139 million. As an example of international development, the Rector also mentioned RSU’s branch for clinical studies in Stade, Germany, where clinical training for medical students is implemented in cooperation with the Elbe Hospital.
The conference brought together policymakers, the academic community, and entrepreneurs to discuss the importance of innovation, knowledge, and international cooperation for Latvia’s economic growth.
