Survey: RSU retains its position of reputation leader

According to an academic reputation survey conducted by market research company Kantar TNS Latvia, for the second year in a row Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) has been recognised as a university with an outstanding reputation – being ranked the highest among the nine largest universities of Latvia. 

The reference group – aged 15–26 years – has assessed RSU reputation with 78 index points, while the sectoral average awarded by this target group was 60 points. The overall (15–60 years) assessment of RSU reputation is 73 points which is the highest score for Latvia, compared to the average academic reputation assessment by the given reference group – 59 points. The assessment given this year by both reference groups is higher than the number of points awarded last year. The RSU reputation index exceeds Europe’s average in all sectors, i.e. 46 points and can be compared to the overall reputation level of Estonian universities. 

It takes a long time and much effort to build a good reputation, which is an extremely significant asset of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and is characterised by our core value – our people. Our outstanding performance indicators are the result of a well-considered long-term development strategy, based on strictly defined goals set by the entire RSU team, especially our students and alumni, making it possible over the course of years to turn RSU into an education success story on an international scale. This high assessment is a credit of trust in the future development of our university.

RSU rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons

According to the survey, RSU reputation is rooted in the university’s trustworthiness from a long-term perspective, the overall success of its operations and high academic quality. A diploma awarded by the university is highly regarded in the job market (both in Latvia and abroad) and the acquired education offers practical knowledge and competences essential for work in the chosen profession. Compared to 2017, the overall reputation index of higher education in Latvia has remained stable.

 
Although the overall reputation of higher education in Latvia has not been subject to major changes over the past year, Kantar TNS expert Sanda Vecenane recognises, 

“There are certain changes at the individual university level. In addition to the objective achievements that are relevant for increasing competitiveness, universities are starting to pay increased attention to the maintenance and management of such an intangible asset as reputation.” 

A Latvian academic reputation survey was conducted in March and April 2018 in the form of computer-assisted telephone interviews, by surveying 1010 people from Latvia aged 15–60 (this is a representative sample for the general population in the given age group).