RSU signs institutional funding agreement with Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Health
Photo: Courtesy of RSU
On 15 January, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) signed an agreement on the implementation of institutional funding. This initiative is an important milestone in the modernisation of Latvia's higher education system and a step for RSU to achieve its strategic goals by providing more flexibility in planning how budget funds are allocated and increased efficiency in preparing specialists required by the national economy.
The new funding model grants RSU greater autonomy in planning study places, while maintaining high-quality education and a low dropout rates. This approach enables the University to align with labour market demands better through closer collaboration with the industry and international universities.
Anda Čakša, Minister for Education and Science: ‘The introduction of institutional funding is an important step in a targeted national policy aimed at strengthening our universities.
The funding model aims to create incentives for higher education institutions to focus on results, reduce bureaucracy and create opportunities to attract more funding from employers to cover the cost of study.’
RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons: ‘The institutional funding pilot project is a historic milestone in the development of RSU, which shows the government's faith and, at the same time, imposes a big responsibility. This model gives us the opportunity to plan our activities strategically and underlines the importance of higher education and research for the development of the Latvian economy and society.
RSU is ready for this challenge and sees it as an opportunity to further strengthen its position in the international academic environment.’
During the pilot project, RSU will focus on several strategic objectives: aligning the range of programmes and graduate preparedness with the needs of the national economy; enhancing the quality control of education by reducing student dropout rates; promoting lifelong learning and securing funding for new programmes; training specialists in medicine, healthcare, public health, and other priority sectors for the country.
The results of the pilot project will be evaluated by the end of 2026 and will provide the foundation for implementing institutional funding at all state universities across Latvia.
About the institutional funding model
The institutional funding model developed by the MoES gives universities more autonomy and flexibility to allocate funding based on results rather than the number of study places. The model strengthens universities' focus on quality education, research and industry needs, contributing to Latvia's economic growth and competitiveness.
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