RSU Student of the Year 2018 – Rihards Pēteris Ročāns

Rihards Pēteris Ročāns is a 4th year medical student at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) with outstanding academic results, a track record of active participation in research activity and holder of the Boris Teterev’s scholarship in medicine. 

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Rihards Pēteris Ročāns at the RSU Annual Awards Ceremony, RSU Academic Ball, Latvian Society House, Rīga, 24 March 2018

Describe yourself. Focused and determined. Persistent and searching both within and outside the study process. Medicine is my calling: my principal values are family and education. I have always taken the initiative to be socially active as I believe that by taking the possibilities given by life you can achieve much more. 

Three important things you have accomplished so far. 1. Twice the winner of the National Debate Tournament and the graduation of Liepāja Secondary School No.15 named after Oskars Kalpaks. 2. Studies at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) marked by academic and research achievements and a publication in the medical journal Doctus. 3. The RSU Student of the Year award in 2018. 

Studies at Rīga Stradiņš University. I am honoured to have the opportunity to study at Rīga Stradiņš University. It is a unique experience and an extraordinary journey. RSU gives me a variety of study and leisure possibilities. The hardships and the experiences I have during my studies prepare me for work in medicine and for overall life challenges that might be faced. Above all, at university I met my wife Kristiāna and now we are joined not only by our common interest in medicine but also our daughter Alise.

Teachers for life. The most important teachers are my parents. The values communicated by them have helped to set the right goals and persist in going after them. Every individual’s achievements are built on the foundations placed at the school and because of this I highly regard the knowledge given to me by the teachers of Liepāja Secondary School No.15.

I would also list among my teachers Boris and Inara Teterevs. I am grateful to them not only for the possibility to receive a scholarship but also for serving as an example of social responsibility, by supporting outstanding and vitally necessary public initiatives each year. I am thankful to the Vītols Fund for believing in the future of Latvia and supporting young, talented and persistent students. Their example inspires me for socially responsible actions in the future.

I would also like to thank Assoc.Prof. Ilze Konrāde, Assoc.Prof. Juris Karpovs and medical practitioner Agita Jukna for sharing knowledge and research possibilities. I am grateful to my mentors - medical practitioners Jānis Vozņesenskis and Oskars Gāliņš for the opportunity to volunteer and gain practical competences in medicine.

Values: family, education and the state. I strongly believe that hard work is the cornerstone of all success. 

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What should be done to make the world a better place? Each day should be spent in a way that allows you to feel that you have experienced some personal growth during the day, as a society can achieve new heights only if each one reaches his full potential.

Where do you see your place in Latvia’s development?  I will strive hard to justify the investment made in my education, by fulfilling my professional duties in good faith. I will continue to be socially active and patriotically minded. I am looking forward to being an active RSU graduate.