RSU Convent of Councillors meeting

On 21 November this year, the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Convent of Councillors held a meeting. The agenda included electing a chair and vice-chair, as well as hearing a report by RSU Vice-Rector for Administration and Development Toms Baumanis on international student enrolment at the University, which included the economic impact, enrolment practices, and future strategic directions.

At the meeting, the Convent of Councillors was represented by President of Latvian Medical Association Dr. Ilze Aizsilniece, Supreme Court Judge Professor Sandra Kaija, Chair of the Scientific Board of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis Professor Ivars Kalviņš, Honorary Doctor of RSU and Chair of the Board of Veselības centrs 4 Health Centre Māris Rēvalds, Chair of the Council of Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, entrepreneur Aigars Rostovskis, Vice-Chair of Latvian Employers Confederation Ināra Pētersone, director of The State Blood Donor Centre Egita Pole, chair of RSU Senate Prof. Jānis Gardovskis, and Member of the Board of Daugavpils Regional hospital Edgars Labsvīrs.

At the beginning of the meeting, RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons emphasised that the cooperation with the Convent of Councillors has been productive and the recommendations put forward by the Convent of Councillors have been included in the RSU Development Strategy 2022-2027. The Rector expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the previous Chair, Prof. Ludmila Vīksna, and, with the support of the other members of the Convent, proposed to re-elect her as the Chair of the Convent of Councillors. Juris Bundulis, Chair of the Board at AS Olainfarm, was nominated as Vice-Chair.

In his report, Baumanis emphasised that international applicants’ interest in studying at RSU has been growing steadily in recent years. However, there are factors that determine that the number of students cannot grow constantly: the availability of lecturers, the quality of studies, and the development of infrastructure. RSU's higher education exports make a significant contribution to the Latvian economy: 127 million EUR in 2023. In 2027, the planned amount is 150 million EUR. The majority of international students at RSU come from the Scandinavian countries and Germany. Recently, there has also been growing interest from applicants from Spain and Austria. The recruitment process of international students is multi-faceted and includes participating in education fairs, seminars, information days at Latvian embassies, work with agents, as well as individual consultations and visits.

The challenges related to the export of higher education at RSU that are currently being addressed are related to the recognition of previous education documents and English language testing, as well as to obtaining accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the export of higher education, highlighting that this is a key sector of the economy with great potential and is important for the country's growth. It was noted that funding from international students helps to ensure quality medical studies also for local students.