THREE UNIVERSITIES WILL OFFER A UNIQUE IT STUDY PROGRAMME FOR THE FUTURE DIGITAL LEADERS
In the new academic year, Riga Technical University (RTU) will offer its students a new study programme «Computer Science and Organizational Technologies» developed jointly by Riga Technical University, University of Latvia (UL) and the State University of New York at Buffalo. This programme will educate and train high-level information technology (IT) experts — the potential business leaders. The mentioned programme is the first step in the initiative of the two largest Latvian universities, government and private entrepreneurs to annually educate 3,000 IT professionals in Latvia. On Wednesday, 24 April, all collaboration partners confirmed their commitment by signing a memorandum of cooperation.
The new academic Bachelor study programme «Computer Science and Organizational Technologies» has been created taking into consideration the potential information and communication technology (ICT) industry development in Latvia and the growing demand for high-level ICT professionals. The programme was developed jointly by Riga Technical University, UL and the State University of New York at Buffalo. It will educate and train the future IT leaders – people who are able to manage large projects and companies, creating Latvian and Baltic leadership in the IT field.
The study programme will be implemented in English, and the studies will take four years to complete, with the possibility to spend the last year at the University at Buffalo. During the first two years, students will acquire the all-round theoretical basis or the basic knowledge, whereas at the beginning of the third year they will be able to choose a specialization. In the sphere of computer science, there will be a possibility to specialize in the field of artificial intelligence and data representation, as well as algorithms and computer security, while the management field will offer two areas of specialization – finance and general management.
The two largest universities – UL and RTU – will implement an identical study programme that will be coordinated by RTU Riga Business School, which has established a long-term cooperation with the University at Buffalo. Students will be able to choose at which university – RTU or UL – they want to study the programme. Prospective students will have to pass entrance examinations.
Upon completion of the programme, students will receive Bachelor’s degree in Computerised Control and Computer Science. It is envisaged that each of the universities will issue their own diploma for the obtained Bachelor’s degree.
There are no state budget allocated places in the new study programme; however, this is the first time that a new study programme has been created not only by universities, but also thanks to the financial contribution and support from the government – the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economics – and the private sector – banking and IT industry. Their contribution is used for the elaboration of the study programme and professional development of academic staff because, since the programme is established on the basis of Computer Science programme at the University at Buffalo, the academic staff of RTU and UL will develop their knowledge by undertaking fieldwork in the USA.
Collaboration partners have joined the project recognising the labour market demand for high-level IT professionals – leaders of the digital world who are not only first-class IT professionals, but, possessing business knowledge, are able to manage large projects and run companies, and set the vision and the direction for the digital world.
