RSU celebrates 15th anniversary since joining the Erasmus programme

In recognition of the 15th anniversary since Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) joined the European Commission’s Erasmus+ programme, on 18 October a reception was held together with the opening of a photo collage portraying Erasmus experience stories. The event agenda included an overview of the development of the Erasmus programme at RSU, and several participants of the programme shared their experiences. RSU rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons and the Ambassador of Italy to Latvia, Mr Sebastiano Fulci addressed attendees.

This was followed by the opening of a photo collage – photographs taken by more than 60 Erasmus programme participants during their period abroad, supplemented with key words characterising their experience. This photo collage is available to the public in the RSU main building, Block K, 2nd Floor.

 “Within the frame of the Erasmus programme, RSU has active agreements with almost 200 universities abroad. The majority of them are with universities in Europe, however, since 2015, Erasmus mobilities have been organised also to other countries. For the past three years we have been cooperating with partners from China, USA, Israel, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Serbia,” says the director of the RSU International Department Baiba Pētersone. “For the participants, the Erasmus programme offers great opportunities to gain international experience, while for the university as an institution – an opportunity to integrate into the global education arena and ensure the successful internationalisation of the university.”

Since 2003, 1085 outgoing RSU students have been on study and traineeship mobilities, and RSU welcomed 646 incoming students from partner universities. Whereas, 688 university employees benefited from the Erasmus programme by going on mobility to partner universities for training or teaching. 

For study and traineeship mobilities RSU students give preference to such countries as Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Great Britain, whereas, RSU employees visit partner universities in Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Belgium and Spain. RSU has been a preferred Erasmus exchange destination by students from our partner universities in Germany, Spain, Portugal, France and the Netherlands.

The Erasmus programme aims to support education by providing participants with an opportunity to gain experience abroad. As acknowledged by the Ambassador of Italy S. Fulci in his address, exchange in the field of education, including exchange implemented within the frame of the Erasmus programme, fosters the establishment of a deep mutual understanding among the countries. Italy as one of the founding countries of the European Union has always supported the establishing of international relations in the field of education by being an active participant in the development of the Bologna process and formation of the European Higher Education Area.

From 6 to 8 November, the 3rd International Conference and Erasmus+ week Internationalisation: From Words to Actions will be organised within the frame of the Erasmus programme at RSU. Please register for the event here.

The Erasmus 15th anniversary celebration as well as the internationalisation conference and Erasmus Week are organised by the RSU International Department.