Riga Technical University (RTU) is the largest technical university in Latvia. It has a more than 160-year tradition in engineering education. The university has around 16000 students & 1500 of staff. RTU is focused on becoming a third generation university that not only provides high quality education, but also conducts advanced research and ensures innovation and technology transfer, practically implementing scientific discoveries. In the nine faculties of RTU it is possible to obtain high quality education not only in engineering, but also in social sciences and humanities. Study programs implemented by RTU have been positively evaluated by international experts and are officially accredited.
The university has a modern campus & infrastructure both for education & research. RTU is constantly developing its infrastructure by constructing a campus on Ķīpsala Island. On completion, the campus will be the most advanced engineering study centre in the Baltic Region. The university participates/leads more than 50 internationally financed projects annually. The university improves both education and research very fast. its international rating has significantly grown several times during the last decade.
Internationalization is one of the top priorities of Riga Technical University (RTU), which is also highlighted in the RTU Strategy of the University. Development of the international environment covers both studies & research; this is an essential aspect of the general university strategy. Cooperating with universities all around the world and educating and training undergraduate, post-graduate and Doctoral students from more than 70 countries.
Valorisation is one of the areas of RTU activity laid out in the university strategy. It implies commercialization of the products developed at the university & promotion, patenting & launch of results of applied research.
In terms of Biomedical Engineering, is in particularly represented by the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Institute (former Biomedical Engineering & Nanotechnologies Institute (BENI https://bini.rtu.lv) of RTU which has around 30 staff & 200 students involved. The Institute delivers education in the field of biomedical engineering & medical physics, by leading approximate 200 students at BSc, MSc, PhD level.
BENI develops research in the areas of materials, nanostructured materials, their functionalization, biochips, radiation dosimetry & spectroscopy. The students’ diploma projects & PhD theses are directly connected with the Institute’s research. The Institute participates / leads around 2-5 internationally financed projects annually.
BENI of RTU which is directly linked to the biomedical engineering domain has wide experience in contactless electrical functionalization of the surface of biomaterials to make them suitable for adhering to necessary cells & biomolecules. The Institute has the expertise to fabricate composite polymeric materials having electrically functionalized nanoparticles. The Institute has a leadership position in the field. The experience & expertise of the Institute will be exploited at some point to teach & fabricate additive 3D printed composite polymers having electrically functionalized nanoparticles for local radiation- protective individualized masks used in the radiation treatment of patients.