Science for healthy societies: RSU updates its development strategy until 2027

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has made a significant update to its Development Strategy for 2022–2027, reinforcing its goal of becoming one of the most influential universities in Northern Europe. The updated document highlights the university’s achievements on the international stage and outlines clear priorities in research, digitalisation, and sustainable development.  

The strategy update was necessary to ensure its alignment with current development priorities, RSU internal and RSU with the Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE) external consolidation processes, as well as with changes in the fields of higher education, science, and sustainability. 

As part of the update process, the university’s strategic goals, performance indicators, and development priorities were reviewed, as well as the alignment of its mission, vision, and values with the university’s development directions. At the same time, the strategy incorporates the Balanced Scorecard approach to improve the monitoring of strategy implementation and to align performance indicators with institutional goals. Likewise, a double materiality assessment was conducted to define the most important sustainability aspects for the university and to integrate them within its strategic development framework.  

Leadership in reputation  

RSU has been recognised as the university with the best reputation in Latvia for nine successive years, making also a significant contribution to the national economy. For instance, according to the 2025 study by the Latvian Strategy and Economic Research Institute (LaSER), the contribution of RSU international students to Latvia’s economy reached139 million EUR in 2024 and it is projected to grow to one billion euros by 2030.  

Earlier this year, the RSU second-cycle professional higher education Medicine study programme was accredited for the maximum term (5 years) by the Accreditation Agency in Health and Social Sciences (AHPGS) in Germany, an institution recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The decision confirms the compliance of the RSU Medicine study programme with the highest European and international quality standards, while strengthening the university’s position as an internationally competitive institution for medical education.  

Consolidation and structural development  

One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the successful implementation of internal and external consolidation. Since July 2024, the Latvian Academy of Sport Education has been integrated into the RSU structure, creating a single unified ecosystem for health and sports sciences. As a result of the internal reform, nine faculties have been consolidated into five strong faculties, including the new Faculty of Social Sciences, which is the first structural unit in Latvia with such governance model. 

RSU also continues developing its study centres in Germany, Italy, Finland, and Portugal, as well as its Elbe Klinikum Stade (Germany).  

Science and innovation in studies  

RSU research fields have received high international recognition, and the university is actively expanding its range of study programmes. In 2025, RSU launched Latvia’s first master’s study programme in Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management. In total, RSU currently offers 65 study programmes and attracts more than 12,000 students, 26% of whom are international students from 87 countries. One fifth of the university’s academic staff are international lecturers, including six tenured professors. 

Sustainability and future goals  

The updated strategy places a strong emphasis on sustainability. RSU has conducted a Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), identifying nine priority thematic blocks, ranging from climate action to the principles of good governance. The university’s vision for the future is captured in a new slogan: Science for healthy societies. 

The nine thematic DMA blocks are divided into four main categories. Each block has its specific priorities:   

I Environment  

1. Climate action: Priority on the organisation’s ability to adapt to climate change, manage greenhouse gas emissions, and control total energy consumption by increasing the share of renewable energy resources.   

2. Responsible resource consumption and circular economy: Focus on the efficient use of resources and the reduction of waste throughout the entire operational process, promoting the circulation and reuse of materials. 

II Management   

3. Good governance and corporate culture: Emphasis on a transparent governance structure, strategy, and processes; a corporate culture based on shared assumptions and group-defined norms.  

III Social aspects  

4. Inclusive work environment promoting growth and wellbeing: Priority on the organisation’s attitude towards employees by providing social guarantees, work-life balance, occupational safety, as well as gender equality and diversity.  

5.  High-quality, safe and accessible environment for student growth:  Focus on the transparency of information, availability to scholarships and student hostels, as well as personal safety measures during studies.  

IV Organisation-specific topics  

6. Investing in public health and safety: RSU mission to create and transfer internationally valued knowledge by contributing to the fields of public health, life and social sciences.   

7. Science and innovation: Goal to become a modern European-scale research university with outstanding, research- and practice-based education.  

8. Data protection and digital security resilience: Measures to ensure the data confidentiality and integrity, as well as protection against cyber threats.  

9. Sustainable infrastructure development: Improvement of infrastructure as a prerequisite for strengthening academic quality and research capacity.  

These blocks are integrated into the RSU strategic framework, and their targeted strengthening has been identified as a priority in the implementation of the strategy by 2027. 

The key development priorities by 2027 include: 

• achieving internationally and nationally significant research outcomes;
• preparing human capital in line with the societal development;  
• strengthening a resilient and sustainable organisational culture.  

The strategy update process involved external experts from SIA KPMG Baltics, alongside extensive collaboration with representatives from RSU and LASE, academic and administrative staff, expert working groups, student representatives, and other stakeholders. The update is based on data, interviews, working group discussions, international recommendations, and an evaluation of the university’s performance indicators to ensure an evidence-based strategic vision aligned with future challenges. 

RSU strategy