RSU Healthcare study direction accredited for the maximum term

On Monday, 27 May, the Study Quality Commission of the Quality Agency for Higher Education (AIKA) decided to accredit the Healthcare study direction at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) for the next six years. It is the most extensive study direction at RSU, which includes 25 study programmes in medicine, pharmacy, public health, rehabilitation, and dentistry. Accreditation provides current and prospective students with the security and stability of having their RSU diploma recognised both nationally and internationally.

According to Assoc. Prof. Ingus Skadiņš, Acting Head of the study direction and Vice-Dean of the RSU Faculty of Medicine:

‘Accreditation ensures that RSU can continue to issue diplomas that will not only be recognised not only in Latvia but also throughout Europe in all 25 of the study direction’s programmes.’

The decision that the Study Quality Commission, headed by Prof. Tatjana Volkova, made to accredit RSU’s Healthcare study direction will take effect on Tuesday, 28 May.

At the basis of accrediting the Healthcare Studies programme is a commitment to delivering high-quality studies, as well as the extensive work involved in the accreditation process, which has taken more than two years. During the accreditation process, the study programmes were evaluated by a team of international experts, who reviewed the University’s self-assessment report, met with University management, representatives of the study programmes, as well as with lecturers, students, graduates, employers, and representatives of professional organisations. The team also paid an on-site visit to evaluate RSU’s material, technical, and information resources.

The experts had a positive evaluation of many aspects of the study direction, including the functional and efficient infrastructure, the fact that the study process is simulation-based, and the high competence of lecturers at the University. The RSU Centre for Educational Growth received special recognition for the support it provided during the accreditation process and for ensuring the paedagogical development of RSU lecturers daily. The experts prepared a broad and detailed report on the study direction and each study programme, including a high evaluation of the field and programmes and recommendations for further development.

‘Although the experts have rated the study programmes at RSU highly, the continuous improvement of the quality of studies requires keeping the contents of the programmes up-to-date, and this is a task we will continue to work on. We expect our graduates to take responsibility for their own professional development after receiving their diplomas.

We continue to develop, update, and improve our study programmes, even after receiving high ratings from the experts,’

notes Assoc. Prof. Skadiņš.

During the accreditation process, the study programmes were also evaluated by experts from the industry: representatives from the Latvian Medical Association, the Latvian Association of Professional Healthcare Organisations, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Health, who provided their opinions and valuable recommendations.

In order for the accreditation process to be successful, it was crucial for RSU and AIKA to maintain continuous cooperation. Their diligence and high standards helped ensure that the study programmes met the regulatory requirements. Thanks to this dynamic collaboration, both parties met the evaluation process deadlines despite the volume of information that needed to be prepared and the changes made to the regulatory framework.

The head of the study direction and the team at the Centre for Educational Growth express their deepest gratitude to the entire RSU staff, the directors of the study programme, and to their colleagues from the University’s different faculties, departments, and administrative units for their involvement in the extensive work. A special thank you goes to Prof. Guntis Bahs, the long-time head of the study direction, for his contribution to the study direction’s development and quality improvement, and for ensuring that the accreditation process could take place.

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