Students’ qualifications and market-needed competencies: gap analysis conducted by STREAM project consortium coordinated by RTU

Riga Technical University, as the coordinator of STREAM project (University Student Capacity Building: Towards Readiness for Sustainable Development-Oriented Regional Job Market), co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, together with:

  • Institutions from programme countries: University of Applied Sciences Dresden, Polytechnic University of Cartagena
  • Institutions from partner countries: Nile University, Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology, South Valley University, Wuzzuf, Al Alfi Foundation, University of Mostaghanem Central, University of Tlemcen, Princess Sumaya University for Technology and Irbid National University

is pleased to share the very first outcomes of the project activities.

The Gap Analysis was the first milestone in achieving the ultimate objective of the STREAM project, which is to develop a generation of globally-exposed university graduates, equipped with essential character, social and cognitive skills blended with and into academic and subject-matter competencies, with a higher degree of readiness for the fast-evolving community and job market, and who are capable to integrate effectively in a multi-cultural, diverse ecosystem. 

Concluding Work Package 1 (Preparation) of the STREAM project, the analysis – necessary to identify the fine-tuned implementation steps of the entire project – will help to increase the awareness of the current employability & market-needs compatibility situation and pave the road for guided development of the project activities towards its goal.

With the actions taken to deliver this analysis the STREAM consortium has:

1) identified the current state of the graduates’ academic-complimentary qualifications and competencies at the participating countries and the MENA region in general, as well as in the EU;
2) inspected current and future market trends and needs in terms of skills and competencies of the graduates in the participating MENA partner countries and the EU;
3) spotted competence gaps between (1) and (2) in the participating MENA partner countries;
4) defined best practices and made a recommendation to bridge competency gaps in five academic-complimentary skill categories (personal, social, analytical, cognitive intellectual).

The infographic presents the main findings for EU countries participating in the surveys. Please, refer to the attachments (Survey Reports and Gap Analysis) to access detailed information regarding the methodology and findings.

Gap Analysis

Survey 1.1 Final Report

Survey 1.2 Final Report

Survey 1.3 Final Report

General Final Report

 

                                             

 

The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.”.[1]

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/guidelines-studies-publications-by-external-organisations_en.pdf

 

Italian Ambassador gets acquainted with RTU Study and Research Activities

On 23 April, His Excellency Ambassador of the Italian Republic Mr Stefano Taliani de Marchio paid a working visit to Riga Technical University’s (RTU) Ķīpsala Campus to acquire a deeper insight into the development of its infrastructure, technical supply, as well as to meet with students from Italy and university representatives who are actively implementing study and research activities in cooperation with higher education institutions in Italy.

Among the issues under consideration, significant importance was given to the development of the international summer school “Nonlinear Life”, established by RTU International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department (ICFSD) and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanotechnologies in 2017, to be held in Italy for the second consecutive time. In 2019, the Summer School was held in Trieste in collaboration with the University of Trieste, and this upcoming summer from 26 to 29 July it will take place online in cooperation with the University of Bergamo. In the summer of 2022, it will be held in the city of Bergamo.

The Ambassador met with the representatives of the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of the Faculty of Electrical and Environmental Engineering (IESE FEEE) at RTU – Italian citizens, Professor Francesco Romagnoli and Professor Claudio Rochas. They informed the Ambassador about the institute’s activities, with particular emphasis on its active cooperation with partner institutions in Italy in the implementation of international projects, the provision of student placements and the development of joint theses.

Prof. Romagnoli gladly acknowledged that the successful cooperation between IESE and ICFSD fosters the attraction of next generation’s researchers from Italy, which will contribute to the development of Latvian science in the long run. For instance, a graduate of RTU’s partner university – University of Insubria – plans to arrive in Riga in May 2021 (has implemented Erasmus+ mobility twice at RTU during Master’s studies, including development of a joint Master’s thesis and scientific publication in cooperation with Prof. Romagnoli) to be involved in international scientific projects, as well as to start the application process for doctoral studies at RTU. IESE also implements joint activities with other higher education institutions in Italy, such as Marche Polytechnic University, University of Milano-Bicocca, University of Brescia, University of Perugia, Politecnico di Torino and Sapienza University of Rome.

Mr Stefano Taliani de Marchio visited FEEE and the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications, meeting with the deans of both faculties, Professor Oskars Krievs and Professor Jurģis Poriņš, as well as the Laboratory House and the Anthropometry Laboratory introduced by the head of FEEE Ergonomic Electrical Technology Research Laboratory, Ms Inga Dāboliņa.

During the working visit, Mr Stefano Taliani de Marchio, Deputy Rector for International Academic Cooperation and Studies, Mr Igors Tipāns and Project Manager of ICFSD, Mr Ēriks Badamšins, discussed the possible establishment of Italian language courses at RTU.

In March 2021, ICFSD prepared and submitted an application to receive financial contribution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy to establish Italian language courses at RTU. The purpose of establishing these courses is to provide RTU students and staff the opportunity to learn Italian language and elements of culture associated with it. The desirable outcome of implementing this initiative is to increase interest in Italy as an Erasmus+ destination for exchange studies and staff visits, as well as to amplify the brand of Italy as a reliable ally from the standpoint of implementing joint scientific projects and organizing cultural events.

At the end of the working visit, the Ambassador, Mr I. Tipāns, Prof. Romagnoli, Prof. Rochas and Mr Ē. Badamšins headed to RTU Ķīpsala colonnade where the meeting with Italian students, who are currently implementing Erasmus+ mobility or are enrolled in full-time study programs taught in English, took place.

This Ambassador’s working visit to RTU Ķīpsala Campus was a continuation of an introductory visit to RTU hosted by RTU’s Rector, Academician Leonīds Ribickis, in February 2020, and the discussion between Mr Stefano Taliani de Marchio, Mr I. Tipāns and Mr Ē. Badamšins in March 2021.

RTU has signed 25 agreements with higher education institutions in Italy and the active cooperation has resulted in an increased number of students – 51 students from Italy enrolled at RTU during the 2019/2020 academic year.

During the working visit of the Ambassador, the Latvian government restrictions related to Covid-19 were observed.

GALLERY

 

“The Best Young Translator 2021”

On 9 April, 2021 “The Best Young Translator 2021” was successfully held online. RTU Faculty of E-Learning Technologies and Humanities proudly greets RTU Bachelor study programme “Technical Translation” students: the 1st place winner of the competition Heinrihs Cielavs, the 3rd place winner Maija Pokule and finalist Wang Mingyizhuo.

For the first time in the history of the annual “The Best Young Translator” event organized by one of the largest international translation agencies operating in the Baltics – Skrivanek Baltic, an international student got to the final round in a stiff competition with the local students.

A student of RTU Bachelor study programme “Technical Translation” Wang Mingyizhuo has demonstrated outstanding performance in the competition for young translators, who translate from English into Latvian as their native language. Wang Mingyizhuo became one of 18 finalists of the national competition. The Jury was impressed with the linguistic and intercultural competence demonstrated by Wang Mingyizhuo in the Latvian language.

RTU Faculty of E-Learning Technologies and Humanities is proud with performance of all the students and wishes them much success in the forthcoming competitions!

 

European Culture and Technology Lab+ Kicks-Off the ‘Thinking Human First’ Seminar Series

The roundtable discussion of the first seminar will focus on the question of ‘Thinking’ in the statement ‘Think Human First’. The question of what does it mean to think (human first) has become urgent with the growth of AI and social networking platforms and the immanent nature of climate change. There is an inherent tension within the statement to “think human first”, which on the one hand implies recentring technological development on human(ity), such as ethical and societal implications of technology, on the other it implies that a privileging the human (anthropocentrism) has led to the climate disaster (Anthropocene). The panel will set out to pose the question of ‘thinking’ in the 21st Century.

Date and time: Thursday the 29th of April, 17:00 CET – 18:30 CET

Webex link ECT Lab+ Seminar: https://utt.webex.com/utt-en/j.php?MTID=m8dc3917832f17bce91c3bf626dfc3111

TIC Cruz del Sur Capacity Building Project with Latin American Universities Comes to an End

On March 23 and 24 representatives of the International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department (ICFSD) of Riga Technical University participated in the final meeting of the Erasmus+ KA2 Capacity Building project TIC Cruz del Sur – “Use of ICT for integral management of internationalization in Latin America” (Uso de las TIC para la gestión integral de la internacionalización en América Latina). Taking all Covid-19 restrictions into account the meeting was organized online by the project coordinator University of Murcia (Spain) and attended by all 10 member institutions of the consortium representing 6 countries – Honduras, Panama, Argentina, Spain, Latvia and Portugal.

The implementation of the TIC Cruz del Sur project began in October 2017 and the project consortium was formed on the basis of an Erasmus Mundus Action 2 project CRUZ DEL SUR which aimed to promote mobility on all levels among the participating Latin American and European higher education institutions (HEIs). RTU hosted numerous students and staff members from Brazil, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras and other Latin American countries within the framework of the CRUZ DEL SUR project and positive feedback from the mobility participants was one of the main reasons why RTU was invited to be a part of TIC Cruz del Sur too. TIC Cruz del Sur was developed as a continuation of CRUZ DEL SUR and aimed to enhance capacity for international cooperation between universities in Latin America’s least developed regions and HEIs in EU countries, by facilitating transfer of knowledge and best practice by creating IT’s tools for the management of mobility programmes as a part of a future internationalization strategy that may positively contribute to their development.

During the first day of the final meeting, the management of all HEIs reflected on the challenges the global pandemic has created and how internationalization activities of the universities have been affected by it, as well as summarized the outcomes of the project and expressed their ideas for future cooperation. RTU was represented by Deputy Rector for International Academic Cooperation and Studies Professor Igors Tipans who expressed RTU’s interest in continuing to work with TIC Cruz del Sur partner institutions and expand the cooperation activities to scientific research. The second day of the meeting was dedicated to administrative issues, overview of the results achieved within different Work Packages as well as quality monitoring implemented by RTU. Latin American partners presented their experience and impact of the project to their institutions.

Similarly to developing TIC Cruz del Sur on the basis of a previous project, the consortium plans to continue cooperation and use the current structure and results as a basis for the next joint project. Both CRUZ DEL SUR and TIC Cruz del Sur have helped RTU strengthen cooperation and expand the partnership network in Latin America significantly and there is no doubt that cooperation with these institutions will continue in the future.