Independent Experts Evaluate New RSU Business Studies Programme

Several independent experts visited Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) on 6 February as part of the licensing process of the new International Business and Start-up Entrepreneurship study programme. Mārtiņš Upmacis, Senior Expert at the Academic Information Centre, coordinated the work of the panel of experts. The panel included representatives from the Latvian Employers’ Confederation and the Student Union of Latvia.

During their visit the licensing experts met with Prof. Tatjana Koķe, RSU Vice-Rector for Studies, Prof. Andris Sprūds, Dean of the Faculty of European Studies, Inna Dovladbekova and Romāns Putāns, who are members of the programme's teaching staff, as well as student representatives, potential employers and organisations with a vested interest in the new study programme. Experts assessed the content and management of the new programme, as well as materials, technical facilities and auditoriums.

‘The new RSU study programme will be a wonderful opportunity both for new students and experienced entrepreneurs wanting to become successful business leaders to develop their knowledge, skills and competence in international business, specifically in start-up entrepreneurship. The programme provides the additional possibility to specialise in social entrepreneurship and healthcare economics,' emphasises Romāns Putāns, Head of the study programme.

The decision on licensing will be made on 25 February at a meeting of the Study Quality Committee of the Quality Agency for Higher Education at the Academic Information Centre. The results of the licensing experts’ visit and the extensive license application will be evaluated at the meeting. Licensing is the first part of the new programme’s compliance and quality review process, which will be followed by accreditation.

Students of this bachelor’s programme will be offered the possibility for full-time, or part-time studies with distance learning to be added in the future.

Studying in this programme will take place in an international environment and in close cooperation with real entrepreneurship as the study process will, among other things, include visits to international companies and organisations both in Latvia and abroad, study placements at international companies and lectures by visiting professors and representatives from international companies. 

The programme will cooperate with the RSU Business Incubator, business mentors, and investors and there will be a call for proposals for bachelor thesis topics.

The International Business and Start-Up Entrepreneurship study programme is one of six new internationally competitive study programmes that the university is developing by 2023 with financing from the European Social Fund and the state budget within the project Reducing Study Programme Fragmentation and Promoting the Internationalisation of Studies at Rīga Stradiņš University (project No. 8.2.1.0/18/A/014). This programme will be distinctly international with international students and lecturers, and travel abroad. The plan is for the first students to enrol in autumn 2020.