RSU Rector's Greeting on University's Anniversary

Riga Medical Institute (RMI) was founded on 5 July 1950, exactly 70 years ago: this was the starting point of the success of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). Over time, our university has grown from a specialised medical institute and academy into an internationally renowned university – the social sciences have now been an important second pillar at the university for 22 years.

Quality, research and simulation-based studies, placing the student at the centre, interdisciplinarity and internationalism are the values that our university has nurtured for all seven decades. These are the values on which we also base the future development of Rīga Stradiņš University.

At the beginning of the Riga Medical Institute there were only three faculties – Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy – whereas today RSU has nine faculties. During these 70 years, approximately 38,000 students have graduated from RSU, including nearly 6,000 from the social sciences programmes. 

In 70 years, the number of students at our university has increased eightfold: in 1950 there were 1,200 students at RMI and today there are 9,300 students at RSU. We are leading in the Baltic States in terms of the number of international students admitted and about 20% of our professors and researchers come from abroad. RSU has grown from a small university into a strong TOP3 University in Latvia, and we continue to develop successfully.

Today, Rīga Stradiņš University is an open, prestigious university known in Europe and the world, where the main value is the person and that provides research-based, high-quality and exportable higher education. Our university’s vision is fulfilled by the diligent work of several generations of students, graduates, professors, lecturers, administration and support staff.

Dear colleagues! Thank you very much for your hard work over the last 70 years. Let’s always keep the flag of our Alma Mater flying high.

Happy birthday Rīga Stradiņš University!

Sincerely,
RSU Rector, Profesor Aigars Pētersons