On the higher education reform and new university governance model, Aigars Pētersons noted to President Levits that reform is generally making good headway and sector is happy to be involved in the relevant discussions. ‘Current Law on Higher Education Institutions is 25 years old. It has become obsolete in all senses, the legal and practical. It does not meet the modern requirements of Latvian higher education system,’ said the Rector.
President echoed Rector’s views on the importance of reform in pushing Latvian higher education to a new development level and praised the current progress of the reform. Egils Levits also underlined that deeper discussion on the composition of university councils is a must as these councils will have the power to determine the strategic and financial priorities of universities.
On the competitiveness of higher education, it was stressed that research universities will play a prominent role in boosting competitiveness of higher education in future. Other topics included current national medical internship financing model, operational models of university hospitals and contribution of higher education export to national economy.
President Levits praised notable research projects of Riga Stradiņš University, ambitious investments in infrastructure and modern study environment, as well as contribution to discussion on the higher education reform.
