RSU and the Institute of Integral Education Sign Cooperation Agreement

On 31 May 2022, Professor Aigars Pētersons, the Rector of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), and Juris Rubenis, the Director of the Integral Education Institute, signed a cooperation agreement. The aim of the agreement is to develop interdisciplinary research in the field of public health promotion and social sciences.

Both parties plan to carry out joint research projects. The aim is to share human resources and the infrastructure available to both institutions, to make use of the potential for cooperation in study and research activities.

From the left: Aigars Pētersons, Agrita Kiopa, Kristīne Mārtinsone, Juris Rubenis and Indulis Paičs

RSU is a highly ranked research university and the lecturers from the Institute of Integral Education work with innovative methods and practices, which has led to significant experience in research on the development of human consciousness. Both institutions see opportunities to develop new research areas.

‘We are delighted with the cooperation with the active and creative Institute of Integral Education,’ says Prof. Pētersons. ‘RSU’s capacity, which has been highly rated in international university rankings, and the Institute’s experience create a strong basis for mutual cooperation in both study and research work.

We will combine our strengths, human resources, and infrastructure to experience exchanges, joint placements, and develop continuing education, as well as to create and implement new projects and social activities.

This cooperation opens up great opportunities, not only for mutual enrichment, but also for contributing to our society as a whole.’

‘The complexity of today's world not only foresees, but actually demands, collaboration between different areas of life and scientific disciplines,’ says Rubenis. ‘We need to apply an academically responsible approach, also when working with methods called spiritual practices. Unfortunately, we encounter completely different contents under the same names every day, often offered without quality and competence.

Moreover, differences in research methodology and terminology do not facilitate understanding between disciplines. There is a lot of work to do here, as well. Human beings are a whole universe –

the more viewpoints we have at our disposal, the more comprehensively we will be able to perceive our existence. We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with the leading researchers from RSU.’