RSU Opens Auditorium Named After Patron Boris Teterev by Congratulating New Scholarship Recipients

On Wednesday, 6 October, the auditorium named after Boris Teterev – a Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) alumnus, Honorary Doctor and long-term supporter – was opened with ceremony congratulating the new RSU students who have received the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foudation’s Scholarship in Medicine this year. The auditorium is located in the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre (METC), a place where students learn and researchers work on a daily basis and where international conferences are held both in healthcare and social sciences.

‘The saying goes that the real measure of human life hides in our generosity, and seen from this point of view, philanthropist Boris Teterev has set the bar of excellence. Awarding the honorary title to the most modern auditorium at Rīga Stradiņš University is a step how the patron’s alma mater can remind future generations of his contribution to education, science and culture and pass these values on. From the very beginning, the support of the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation has been important to hundreds of students, lecturers, researchers and graduates, and this contribution will continue to live on both inside and beyond the newly named auditorium,’ says RSU Rector, Professor Aigars Pētersons. 

At the opening event, Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the President of Latvia (1999–2007), wished the new auditorium a long and blissful life as well as to all those who will learn and share knowledge within it. During the speech, the Ex-President also reminded the audience about Boris Teterev's philosophy that it is important to learn throughout life, and to work on more than just our professional skills.

‘Follow the example of your patrons Ināra and Boris Teterev and always learn something new to enrich your culture, grow your spirit and aesthetics in parallel to the significant work you are doing!’

Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga wished the students who received the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation’s Scholarship in Medicine.

This year, the scholarship was awarded to 15 students from the RSU Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare, as well as the Faculty of Dentistry: Signija Betima Baranovska, Arīna Bistrova, Anastasija Dementjeva, Arina Deņisova, Katrīna Freimane, Gaisma Gurska, Anna Jepifanova, Venija Kalniņa, Kalvis Kaļva, Ričards Kauliņš, Edgars Krūmiņš, Nikita Kuzmins, Lauma Skarbinīka, Ilze Skrastiņa and Kirils Veļikijs.

Scholarships for students are only one of the many ways in which the Boris and Ināra Teterev Foundation offers support. Dins Šmits, Chairman of the Board of the RSU Alumni Association, emphasised that the Foundation has made significant contributions to the teaching staff, to the modernisation of the study environment and for developing research. Since this summer, the environmental art object “The Large Vase. ¼” was installed near the RSU Main Building. The piece was created by Ojārs Pētersons as part of the Art in Public Spaces programme implemented by The Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation.

‘Being an RSU alumnus himself, Boris Teterev has made a large contribution to the growth of current and future graduates. Moreover, it is not just a contribution to education, science, and art – it is a contribution to people, which is where it all begins,’ noted Dins Šmits.