Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange
By collaborating with academic institutions, industry partners, and public organisations worldwide, RSU promotes knowledge exchange, advances educational excellence, and expands its practical impact.
Collaboration with stakeholders from various sectors to expand the university’s positive impact
Cooperation with regional and national institutions, including policymakers
RSU works with the local and national government bodies to contribute to policymaking, promote public engagement in research, and support the development of a highly skilled workforce that meets Latvia’s current and future needs. Among recent examples is RSU’s pioneering effort in military medicine, developed through collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the National Armed Forces. RSU experts also regularly participate in the development of policies related to health, nutrition, law, climate, and energy.
Partnerships with hospitals
RSU collaborates with hospitals in Latvia and abroad to advance medical research, improve healthcare services, and provide medical students with opportunities to gain relevant clinical experience. Owing to partnerships with hospitals in Germany, Finland, and other countries, international students can often do clinical placements in their native language and be ready to enter the labour market in their home countries.
Engagement with the healthcare and innovation community
Since 2018, RSU has served as the Latvian hub of EIT Health Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), strengthening the national innovation capacity by organising networking events and coordinating the participation of Latvian students in EIT Health innovation programmes. A flagship annual initiative is the i-Days hackathon for healthcare innovation.
Partnerships with other higher education institutions
RSU continually works to build new and strengthen the existing partnerships within the higher education sector, cooperating with other universities in research and education. Some partnerships have resulted in joint degree programmes, such as Social Work with Children and Youth, Nutrition Science, and Medical Engineering and Physics. In addition, RSU collaborates with the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University within the Knowledge Mile framework, cooperating with the Riga City Council to advance study-related infrastructure and promote knowledge development in central Riga and the Pārdaugava areas.
Collaboration with industry
The RSU Innovation Centre coordinates collaboration with industry partners from both medicine and social science sectors. Types of collaboration include joint and contract research projects, the transfer of the RSU intellectual property for use in the private sector, and events to foster innovation.
Knowledge exchange
Conferences and networking events in health sciences
- Medical Law Conference – held since 2021 by the Faculty of Social Sciences, this interdisciplinary conference brings together medical practitioners, legal professionals, and business representatives.
- Latvian Conference on Rare Diseases – organised in collaboration with the Latvian Association of Rare Disease Specialists (RSSA) and Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. The 2025 conference marked its 18th anniversary.
- RSU Research Week – held biennially, this flagship event always features plenary sessions, conferences, and poster sessions dedicated to medicine, healthcare, and wellbeing.
Conferences and networking events in law and other areas related to societal resilience
- Conference Lex Scripta – Since 2024, the RSU Faculty of Social Sciences hosts a national scientific and practical law conference that brings together legal scholars, professionals, and students.
- Student media network Skaļāk – a platform where RSU’s aspiring journalists, photographers, multimedia specialists, and public relations experts gain hands-on experience in their chosen professions and produce podcasts, articles, and other forms of media on topics important to the RSU community and society at large. Learn more on the Skaļāk website.
- RSU Research Week – held biennially, this flagship event always features plenary sessions, conferences, and poster sessions dedicated to social sciences.
International exchange opportunities for students and staff
RSU students and staff have an opportunity to study, teach, and receive training at partner universities abroad through the Erasmus+ programme. In addition, RSU shares its own accumulated knowledge by regularly hosting Erasmus+ Staff Weeks.
