The aim of the Mentor programme is to enhance the international students' experience at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) through personal interaction by assisting them throughout their first study semester.

Connect with the students before they arrive and serve as a cultural bridge and an advisor to new students in their first study semester. During the mentoring period (Autumn semester 2020) get to know foreign cultures and establish contacts and friendships with people from different countries.

On 6 June Prof. Aigars Pētersons, Rector of Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), and Ainārs Stepens, the Head of the Military Medicine Research and Study Centre, had a meeting with Artis Pabriks, the Minister of Defence, to discuss further cooperation in research.

Research company Kantar has observed a slight annual improvement in how local higher education is viewed among Latvian youth since it started conducting the study in 2017. This is significant as many young people in Latvia strongly consider studying abroad. Seeing as last year Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) experienced an 11% increase in both local and international students, this does not seriously affect RSU – the same study also found that RSU is ranked highest among Latvian universities for a third consecutive year.

Research company Kantar has observed a slight annual improvement in how local higher education is viewed among Latvian youth since it started conducting the study in 2017. This is significant as many young people in Latvia strongly consider studying abroad. Seeing as last year Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) experienced an 11% increase in both local and international students, this does not seriously affect RSU – the same study also found that RSU is ranked highest among Latvian universities for a third consecutive year.

On 13 June the RSU International Department held its first mentoring workshop for senior students in order to prepare them to welcome newly admitted international students in August 2019. The aim of the mentoring programme is to help new international students adjust to Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and to Latvia. This mentoring programme also facilitates the integration of local and international student communities.

Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) participated in National Health Week for the second time, which took place between 27 May and 2 June this year. During the week particular attention was paid to promoting an active lifestyle among children and youth. Statistical data and research shows that the number of overweight children is increasing the fastest in Latvia compared to other European countries. Only one fifth of school-aged children get enough physical activity and primarily lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Between 21 and 23 May students from Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) and the Art Academy of Latvia took part in Anatomy & Beyond, a joint interdisciplinary medical art workshop conducted by British medical artist Andrew Carnie (pictured). Carnie currently teaches Fine Arts at Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton, England.

Please note the changes in the opening hours of the university Library this summer, from 22 June till 23 August.

The national examinations for Latvian and international students at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) were held from 27 to 29 May this year. Professor Peter Erich Goretzki (pictured), an endocrine surgery professor from Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, was appointed Deputy Chair of the National Examination Board this year. He was appointed to ensure that the 6th year students’ knowledge and skills meet the international standard and fulfil the requirements of leading European clinics and medical universities.