The President of Latvia commends Rīga Stradiņš University’s achievements in science and research

On August 29, the President of Latvia Egils Levits met with Professor Aigars Pētersons, the Rector of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and Chair of the Board of the Association of Latvian Universities, in Riga Castle.

From the left: the President of Latvia Egils Levits, with the RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons. Photo: Ilmārs Znotiņš

Levits and Pētersons covered many topics during the meeting, including potential reforms to the the administration of education and science. They agreed that national-level universities in Latvia should be a priority, and that these need to strive to be modern and internationally acclaimed with diplomas recognised both in Europe and worldwide. Levits and Pētersons agreed that these universities should focus on science, with corresponding funding allocated for this purpose, and work on attracting more international applicants and professors, in this way focusing on education and science on a global level.

Reforms are objectively necessary in this sector in order for those universities that have the possibility and opportunity to rank among the best to grow.
Both also believe that it is time for a discussion about the standard of quality in science to be held, including international publications, and went on to admitting that state support for research has not been sufficient to date.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Aigars Pētersons invited the President of Latvia to visit Rīga Stradiņš University, and Egils Levits praised the university for its achievements in science, research, and for modernising its study environment.