The First Face-To-Face Meeting of the EUt+ Consortium Takes Place in Cyprus

From 20th to 24th of September 2021 Cyprus University of Technology, one of the 8 members of the European University of Technology (EUt+), hosted the first face-to-face meeting of the alliance since the work on its creation began in November 2020. The Riga Technical University (RTU) delegation consisted of RTU’s Rector Prof. Leonīds Ribickis, Deputy Rector for International Academic Cooperation and Studies, Prof. Igors Tipāns and representatives of RTU International Projects Unit, Foreign Students Foundation and Short-Term Courses Unit, International Cooperation Unit and Design Factory.

Throughout the week, RTU representatives participated in meetings and workshops dedicated to different Work Packages (WPs) of the EUt+ initiative. The initiative consists of 8 WPs with more than 200 deliverables the aim of which is to bring all universities closer together and facilitate the formation of a united confederation. The Cyprus meeting focused on the following WPs: WP2 – Europe for everyone: inclusiveness and embeddedness, WP3 – Common curricula spanning Europe, WP5 – Beyond mobility: feeling at home in every campus and WP7 – A single identity for global outreach, as well as different tasks under WP1 which is dedicated to the overall management and coordination of the EUt+ initiative.

During the meeting, workshops were held to introduce the branding strategy of EUt+ to WP2, WP3 and WP5, a Memorandum of Understanding for global outreach was worked out and the most effective strategy for global outreach was developed. WP7 representatives from all partners also discussed and described the structure and process of the news flow within and beyond the EUt+ consortium. The work within WP2 focused on Civic Engagement (CE), Industry and Employer Engagement (IEE) and technology transfer, whereas WP5 representatives finalized the Staff Mobility Incentive plan, which aims to facilitate the mobility of academic and administrative staff members within the EUt+ consortium. The Cyprus meeting also marked the kick-off of a new project for the EUt+ consortium – EUt+ Inno – which aims to enhance the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of EUt+.

On the final day of Cyprus meeting, September 24th, all 8 rectors signed agreements for the establishment of a Common Erasmus Office, Common Curricula, Common Student Board and International Coordination Team (ITCO). This day will be remembered in EUt+ history as the signing of the Limassol Agreement and will shape the future of the consortium.

The next EUt+ meeting is planned to take place in October, in the capital of Bulgaria – Sofia.

RTU Vice-Rector And The Ambassador Of Thailand In Latvia Discuss Opportunities For Future Cooperation

On 24 September, the Ambassador of Thailand in Latvia H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke (resides in Stockholm, Sweden) paid a visit to Riga Technical University (RTU), in order to get acquainted with activities in studies and research implemented at RTU.

The Ambassador was welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Research, Academician Tālis Juhna, Deputy Director of International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department Mrs. Zane Purlaura and the Head of International Cooperation Unit, Mrs. Laura Štāle.

Following the presentation of RTU, the parties discussed the possibilities of establishing a bilateral cooperation between RTU and higher education institutions in Thailand in studies, research and innovations.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the representatives of the Royal Thai Embassy Mr. Donrawee Waranon and Mr. Alexander Vonsensey.

Fourth Seminar of the ‘Thinking Human First’ Seminar Series to be hosted by Cyprus University of Technology

In the context of the European Culture and Technology Laboratory (ECT Lab+) seminar series, Media Arts & Design Research Lab (MADLab – Department of Multimedia & Graphic Arts) and the Department of Fine Arts, Cyprus University of Technology, invite you to a round-table discussion on the topic “Creative machines: Thinking about creative agents and artistic values”.

The roundtable discussion will focus on critical philosophical questions revolving around computational creativity, creative software agents and their aesthetic/artistic values. In particular, the focus will be on computational processes such as artificial intelligence and machine learning and their aesthetic/artistic values. Looking at creativity through a critical lens, can we assume that a computer exhibits creativity independently of a human creator or is agency a necessary part of a creative process?

Guest Speakers:

  • Prof. Katherine Hayles (UCLA & Duke University, USA)
  • Prof. Michael Wheeler (University of Stirling, UK)

Discussants:

  • Dr Marinos Koutsomichalis (MADLab, Cyprus)
  • Dr Efi Kyprianidou (Department of Fine Arts)
  • Dr Doros Polydorou (MADLab, Cyprus)

Date and time: Thursday the 30th September, 17:00 CEST (18:00 Riga time)

Zoom link:

THE RIGHT MOVE!

Apply now for the Erasmus+ scholarship and enjoy a study or a traineeship period in Europe. Application deadlines for submitting an online application at OutgoingExchange.rtu.lv:

  • 25 September (for studies in spring semester);
  • 31 October (for traineeships).

You can apply for Erasmus+ scholarship, in case you are at least 3rd semester student at Bachelor level or 2nd semester student at Master level, your weighted average grade is at least 6.25 (in total for all semesters at RTU), you have no academic or financial debts towards RTU, you have good knowledge of English, German or another language of the EU Member States.

To get more information about Erasmus+ programme and to know tips and tricks for successful application and Erasmus mobility, check information online at rtu.lv/en/erasmusstudies and rtu.lv/en/erasmustraineeship or contact Ms Inga Riharda via inga.riharda@rtu.lv, +37167089067, +37125739079.

 

For the first time we especially invite RTU students to apply for a mobility to EUt+ partner campuses in:

Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences in Germany

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania

Technical University of Sofia in Bulgaria

Cyprus University of Technology

Technical University of Cartagena, Spain

University of Technology of Troyes in France or

Technological University Dublin in Ireland

.. and become a part of the future European University of Technology! Learn more about EUt+: https://international.rtu.lv/eut-european-university-of-technology/