RTU, University of Bergamo, Embassy of Italy and Embassy of Latvia in Italy Sign The Patronage Agreement For The Summer School «Nonlinear Life»
On April 7–8, delegation of Riga Technical University (RTU) led by its Rector Academician Leonīds Ribickis paid a working visit to the University of Bergamo (UniBg) in Italy, in order to strengthen relations with its management and other structural units, discussing cooperation in studies, science, valorisation and the role of the Latvian and Italian ambassadors in the further development of the joint summer school «Nonlinear Life».
RTU delegation together with the Ambassador of Latvia to Italy H.E. Mrs Solvita Āboltiņa met with Rector of University of UniBg Professor Sergio Cavalieri, Vice-Rector for Research Professor Silvio Vismara, Vice-Rector for International Relations Professor Flaminia Nicora, Delegate for Strategic Partnerships and International Networks Professor Dorothee Heller, Head of the International Office Elena Gotti and Delegate for internationalisation of Engineering Department Professor Maria Sole Brioschi.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the achievements in the field of studies, science and culture, as well as outlined the strategic importance of the Latvian Embassy in Italy and the Italian Embassy in Latvia in the further development of co-operation. S. Cavalieri and L. Ribickis signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirming the strategic importance of six years of active bilateral cooperation and expressing their commitment to develop it on matters such as the exchange of knowledge, students and researchers and the organization of joint activities.
During talks, special attention was paid to the summer school «Nonlinear Life» established by RTU in 2017, which is organized by both universities for the second consecutive year – remotely in 2021, and in 2022 – both remotely and in person in Riga and Bergamo. Before departure towards Bergamo, the Patronage Agreement for the summer school was signed by the Ambassador of Italy to Latvia H.E. Mr Alessandro Monti, while RTU Rector, UniBg Rector and the Latvian Ambassador to Italy signed it during the meeting in Bergamo. More information about the activity and application can be found on the summer school website.
RTU representatives also visited the UniBg Engineering Campus in Dalmine, the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures, the Department of Economics and an innovation district «Kilometro Rosso».
At the end of the visit, RTU representatives went to the city of Clusone, where they met with former Rector of UniBg Professor Remo Morzenti Pellegrini, Mayor of Clusone Massimo Morstabilini and President of the choir «Idica» Simona Visinoni, to discuss further cooperation in the knowledge exchange and implementation of joint cultural activities.
The RTU delegation consisted of the Rector, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Professor Gatis Bažbauers, Deputy Director of Study Department Uģis Citskovskis, Director of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Center Laila Eliņa, Rector’s Assistant Betija Blaževica and Project Manager of the International Cooperation Unit Ēriks Badamšins.
This was already the third institutional visit within the framework of the bilateral cooperation. In March and September 2019, visits took place in Bergamo and Riga led by the rectors of both universities. It should be noted that in September 2019, a joint concert performed by RTU Women’s Choir “Delta” and Italian Men’s Choir “Idica” took place in Riga, initiated by former Rector of UniBg Professor Remo Morzenti Pellegrini.
