On 1 September, President of Latvia Egils Levits attended the official opening of the Faculty of Construction and Engineering building of Riga Technical University (RTU). To congratulate Riga Technical University on its 160th anniversary, President Levits presented a presidential plaquette to rector Leonīds Ribickis.
The President of Latvia thanked RTU researchers for always striving for excellence and their superb work in the areas of natural science and technologies, as well as the lecturers and administrative staff for their work in educating students – our next scientists and specialists. “Science is the key to our success. Latvia cannot grow without science,” President Levits stressed.
When discussing topical university and higher education issues with the representatives of RTU, the President of Latvia appreciated the foresight of RTU management to prioritise such study areas as green innovation and energy, which are currently not only of academic interest, but also a matter of national security.
While discussing the development of science and science policy in Latvia, the President of Latvia highlighted that unnecessary bureaucratisation of science is a problem. President Levits urged that RTU together with the other science-oriented universities should present a proposal with specific steps for reducing this bureaucratisation.
The President of Latvia also emphasised that it is crucial for RTU to continue collaborating with businesses to create solutions and products needed by society, and he also wished the RTU campus to become one of the greenest in Europe.
During his tour of RTU, the President of Latvia also visited the Design Factory, the Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory and the 3D Concrete Printing Laboratory; the President also planted a boxelder maple by the RTU Faculty of Architecture building and the newly opened Faculty of Construction and Engineering building.
