Internationalization as Growth Vector of Higher Education in Latvia: Experience of Rīga Stradiņš University Toms Baumanis Vice-Rector for Development May 19, 2016 1
I. Change management 2
University Development Strategy 2009 RSU Strategy focused on 3 organizational pillars: Human resources development to create new labor places Process change: diminishing ISSO framework with EFQM etc Technology: infrastructure, automatization and information systems What has happened in operational terms: Workflow management system (DIV) stimulated academic staff for action (max benefit up 30% annual salary increase) Less administrative time waste and cost reduction (project and study program overhead has been reduced from 45% to 10-25%) Information systems and automatization improved quality and allowed to reduce administrative and support staff costs by 5-10% 3
Drivers of change International students Priority Nr.1 English language Proficiency at all levels Information Systems and Technology Strategic goal - to create environment what new generation students search for in global higher education market! 4
II. International Students 5
International Students: Past & Present 25 years of educating international students 1990: International Student Department established First graduation: 1995 (Dentistry), 1996 (Medicine) 1990-2000: Students from Asia and the Middle East 2004-present: Students mostly from EU/EEA countries (95%) Currently RSU international students represent 52 countries 21% of the total number of RSU students are international The number of full time international students increased on average by 13.8% per year (between 2011 and 2016). 6
International Students by Country Total number of international students 1775 7
Admitted Students (1996-2015) 600 565 500 400 360 382 417 300 276 200 150 100 0 14 75 62 31 42 23 18 35 52 36 19 53 59 51 86 8
Competition for Study Places (Study Programmes in English) 1200 1119 1000 951 907 800 741 600 400 200 0 2009 150 88 235 2010 148 530 2011 275 2012 360 2013 381 2014 409 2015 565 Studenti Admitted students Pieteikumi Applications KOPĀ TOTAL 9
II. Factors of Successful Internationalization 10
Excellent Learning Environment Investments into study infrastructure One of the most modern pre-clinical training center in Northern Europe Modernized anatomical theatre Teacher student ratio is 1:13 Small study groups (8-12 students) Individualized study approach Mixed study groups for all students, Mentor Program, Global Connector newsletter Leader in medicine and healthcare 11
Continuous Improvement 2002 - Quality Management System 2004 - RSU joins the Magna Charta Universitatum 2013 - RSU Medical Education Technology Centre 2013 - RSU Dentistry Pre-clinical Learning Centre 2015 - RSU Science Centre «Kleisti» 2016 - Digital 3D anatomy teaching technology 2016 - RSU Nuclear Medicine Centre with introduction of nuclear medicine study subject 2011-2016 - Complete renovation of main study buildings 2016 - onwards RSU campus development 12
Research & Innovation 12 scientific units (institutes and labs) Leading academic research institution in medical sciences in Latvia oeea/norway grants o7th Framework Programs ohorizon 2020 oera-net oother EU programs ojoint projects with other universities Winner of Export and Innovation Award 2015 - Leading Exporter by Investment and Development Agency of Latvia 13
Diverse Student Life Student Council International Student Association 15 international student organisations (German, Swedish, Asian, Dutch, Norwegian, Finnish, British, Kurdish, etc.) Student associations by discipline Student Scientific Society 17 RSU student interest groups Variety of sports Dance group «Ačkups» Mixed Choir «Riga» 14
International Cooperation Participant of Nordplus in the fields of nursing, midwifery, rehabilitation, dentistry, etc. RSU is a member of:» EUA European University Association» AMEE International Association for Medical Education» MEDINE Medical Education in Europe» EAEC European Association of ERASMUS Coordinators RSU staff are members of more than 100 international associations, societies, federations and other organisations 15
>150 Erasmus + partner universities >200 Bilateral agreements 16
Thank you! www.rsu.lv/eng Toms Baumanis Vice-Rector for Development E-mail: toms.baumanis@rsu.lv 17