Rīga Stradiņš University
Rīga Stradiņš University acquired its status as a university in 2002, however its historical roots extend back to Rīga Medical Institute, founded in 1950 on the base of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia, and in 1990 was renamed as the Medical Academy of Latvia. The vast majority of medical professionals working in various fields in Latvia have acquired their education at Rīga Stradiņš University.
Today Rīga Stradiņš University trains not only doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses, but also specialists in rehabilitation, public healthcare, social sciences and law.
RSU’s teaching staff are professionals in their areas of expertise and are opinion leaders in society. Our diplomas open the way to interesting professions in both Latvia and in the wider world. Former students of the University’s medicine and healthcare programs treat patients in Latvia’s largest hospitals and outpatient clinics.
RSU has a considerable number of international students. At the Faculty of Medicine, the number of international students stands at 53 %. The majority of international students studying at RSU are from Germany, Sweden, and Norway , however there are also number of students from many other countries of the world (Non-EU)
RSU has started expanding cooperation with European HEIs since 1999 after the obtaining of the Erasmus University Charter, and the university is striving for providing students with more opportunities.
Within the past few years RSU has achieved the highest number of incoming exchange students since 1999. However, the university is highly motivated to host even more exchange students, therefore, RSU strives for the improvement of teaching standards and expansion of the number of courses with English as a language of instruction.
Currently RSU has more than 150 bilateral agreements (Erasmus+ program) with partner countries in Europe and beyond. In 2014, RSU hosted and coordinated Intensive program in the field of Rehabilitation “BNF Riga Summer School for Rehabilitation Medicine” in consortium with 10 partner institutions from Europe.
The Faculty of Nursing was merged with the Faculty of Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare is established, which includes the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. This study programme has been designed according to the lifelong learning concept, which provides the opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge to become an academically educated nurse or midwife. The programme is focused on preparing health care specialists with advanced knowledge and skills to train prospective nurses or midwives and ensure that they get highlevel placements at healthcare facilities and are able to raise public awareness about various health issues. Currently the study programme offers students the possibility to develop their professional competence, learn organisation and management skills for working at healthcare facilities, as well as analytical and research skills, and teaching and communication skills.
Rīga Stradiņš University team members
Agita Melbarde-Kelmere, Assistant professor in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. RN, with expierence in nursing more than 20 years, actively performed duties and providing recommendations of infection control, as well as ensuring staff education processes, evaluating and planning patient care process. During work as infection control nurse previously and now deputy as head nurse in Pauls Stradins Hospital, I’m introduces the latest methods and findings for staff education, promoting infection control and quality of nursing work, developed methodological and educational work. In Riga Stradins university responsible courses are- infection control, clinical research and leadership in nursing, guide and supervise bachelor’s and master thesis.
Experience in projects:
- MOSAR (2008-2011)- European Hospital Antimicrobin Resistance Monitoring Project: reducing the colonisation of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in parts of intensive therapy;
- Infection control nurse
- BARN (2011-2013)- Baltic Antimicrobin Resistance Network, Roku Hygiene Group; coordinator in Latvia
- PROHIBIT (2011-2013) Monitoring of Hospital Infections by intervention and training methods; infection control nurse
- SimE (2017-2019) Simulation pedagogy in learning ethics in practice in health care; expert
Kristaps Circenis, Assistant professor and Head of Department in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. Teacher, RN with expierence in nursing education more than 20 years. In Riga Stradins university responsible courses are – Patient and personal safety, Educational methods in Nursing, guide and supervise bachelor’s and master thesis. I am responsible for international collaboration coordination in Nursing, taking part in several mobility projects using Nordplus networks. Working also as Head of development in Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital.
Experience in projects:
Researcher in NURED project – Nurse Education Development (NURED), project/agreement No.CB399, (01.09.2016. – 28.02.2020.). The project’s activities are aimed at finding out the assessment of the nursing education programme, significance and satisfaction with nursing education for persons working in the field, and improving the nursing education programme, developing a more coordinated nursing training programme in the countries of the Central Baltic region.
Head of programme in OnBoardMed project – Coordination of on Board Medical Treatment, Occupational Safety and Emergency Skills in Baltic Sea Shipping (OnBoard-Med)
Project/agreement No.CB406, (01.09.2016. – 30.06.2019.). Coordinate and develop training courses for the improvement of medical, emergency help and occupational safety skills in Baltic Sea shipping. Develop cross-border cooperation between medical and maritime transport institutions. Project beneficiaries are educational institutions implementing study programmes for seafarers and medical staff (registered nurse, emergency care nurse and public health nurse)