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Description
The objective of the project is to benefit from sharing two-way experience between Norway and Latvia. Riga Technical University (RTU) and University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) are the key partners the project. The goal of the project is acquiring knowledge about of the best international practices in the partner countries by participation in academic studies, by studying industry – academia relations, by learning working climate and environment for technology driven and internationally oriented startups and already established enterprises. Altogether about 39 young researchers and experienced academics, 3 representatives of administrative staff from RTU will be able to study best practice and mechanisms in promoting innovative ideas in innovative companies of the partner country during two-year period. This experience will be applied in business and service companies in Latvia. Also 6 visiting students from Norway will spend a semester at RTU. They will be able to benefit from RTU innovation ecosystem including seven different technical faculties and RTU Design Factory. 8 academics and representatives of administration will be able to get familiar with education process at RTU, including cross- disciplinary studies. During the joint visits, plans for potential cooperation will be discussed and developed. There is an opportunity that some of the participants of the exchange will create long term cooperation with enterprises in the partner country. The aim of the project is to share the best of Scandinavian and Latvian competence and practices within the innovation in industry, as well as cooperation between academia and business. As a result, internationalization goals of both institutions will be supported, research capacity will be strengthened, ability to cooperate with industry will be developed, and potential of innovation creation will be reinforced.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to benefit from sharing a two-way experience between Norway and Latvia in strengthening international networks and activities, strengthening research capacity, and strengthening academia–business relations. The goal of the project was to acquire knowledge about the best international practices in the partner countries by participating in academic studies, studying industry-academia relations, by learning the working climate and environment for technology-driven and internationally oriented startups and already established enterprises.
The project carried out several activities: one-week exchange study trips for researchers and administrators, and one semester of studies in the partner institution. The visitors were able to get familiar with best practices, new product design and development, and the implementation in the market in Norway. During the study trip to Norway, the participants visited both governmental and non-governmental institutions, like Foreign Ministry, and Nordic Innovation, as well as the major high-tech corporations in the cities of Kongsberg and Oslo.
Norwegian visitors were able to get familiar with the innovation ecosystem in Latvia. The Embassy of Norway in Latvia, the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, as well as innovative companies like Latvijas Mobilais Telefons were on the agenda of the visits.
Participants of the project got a deep insight into business approaches in partner countries. Therefore, the capacity of common interests of innovations served as a basis for further cooperation. The participants’ networks were expanded for possible future industrial and professional matchmaking. RTU and USN agreed on the continuation of the joint academic and research activities in the future.
The exchange students got awarded the grades by the host university according to the level of fulfilment of the academic requirements of the courses. The study credits have been transferred by the sending institution according to the generally accepted principles of ECTS for mobility and credit recognition.
Summary of bilateral results
All participants of mobility have expressed deep satisfaction with the results of the project. In addition to the initially originally planned, 20 Ukrainian students joined the mobility activities.