EIT Digital boosts tech education with new partnership!

EIT Digital is delighted to welcome Riga Technical University (RTU) as a valued addition to the esteemed network of digital innovation partners. 

RTU's integration into the EIT Digital ecosystem marks a significant step forward in fostering digital innovation and digital skills development. The approval by the RTU Council underscores our shared commitment to advancing digital transformation and driving impactful change across Europe.

As RTU joins EIT Digital, the collaborative opportunities are vast. By becoming part of the EIT community, RTU gains access to a myriad of benefits, including support for the commercialisation of student and researcher ideas, access to grants, online training, and a vast network of investors and partners. This collaboration opens doors to unparalleled growth opportunities in the realm of digital innovation.

In partnership with the RTU Science and Innovation Centre (SIC) EIT Digital is poised to embark on transformative initiatives. Together, they will prepare new project applications and seek co-funding to bolster the capacity of students, faculty, and industry professionals in developing cybersecurity skills that align with the demands of the labour market.

This partnership with RTU is particularly timely in light of the recent approval of the NIS2 Directive by the European Parliament, underscoring the imperative of ensuring a high level of cybersecurity across the European Union. Through collaborative efforts, they are dedicated to addressing this challenge head-on and driving meaningful impact in cybersecurity education and innovation.

The RTU is set to launch high-level digital skills courses, including the EIT Digital Master School programme 'Fintech for Business,' in collaboration with other leading European technology universities. Additionally, with support from EIT Digital, RTU will host an international summer school called 'Cyber Security - Agile Methodology for Developing New Solutions'. This initiative will engage stakeholders from the Liepaja City Municipality, RTU Liepaja Academy, and industry players like the mobile operator and technology innovation company LMT, focusing on addressing key challenges in civil protection and 5G network innovation.

RTU [now] has the opportunity to strengthen its digital innovation capacity and expand its network of partnerships. Given the role of digitalisation in strengthening education, science, innovation and institutional excellence, membership in this community will allow us to adopt already developed solutions and tools, as well as to ensure knowledge exchange, improve digital skills of students and academic staff, and attract the interest of international professionals to Latvia. Participation in this community will also ensure a seat at the table alongside other leading European partners in various digital innovation projects.

Liene Briede, RTU's Innovation Vice-Rector

EIT Digital stands as Europe's premier digital innovation and education ecosystem, catalysing transformative change since its inception in 2010. With over 1400 members and contributions amounting to billions of euros, our activities and projects continue to drive digital innovation across the continent. The EIT Digital Partner Community comprises over 350 of Europe's foremost corporations, SMEs, start-ups, universities, and research institutes, united in our mission to make Europe a global leader in digital technologies.

The collaboration with RTU embodies our commitment to nurturing the tech leaders of the future and underscores the synergy between academic excellence and practical innovation. The T-shaped knowledge our students bring to the market is the foundation for a strong digital Europe, trustworthy tech, entrepreneurial spirit and international network. We are thrilled to see how this partnership will unfold and the innovative solutions it will catalyse!

Salvatore Moccia, EIT Digital’s Head of Education