«Your time has come! » said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Māris Kučinskis, greeting the graduates of Riga Technical University (RTU) in the Grand Graduation, which took place at «Arēna Rīga» on June 21. At this summer’s graduation 1392 RTU bachelor and master students, as well as 35 new doctors received their diplomas. At the graduation ceremony graduates and their guests could enjoy performances by popular Latvian musicians and an impressive light show, and the ceremony was traditionally concluded with a magnificent throwing of graduation caps.
«You are welcome at many innovative enterprises; your education is in demand in virtually all industries of the Latvian national economy – manufacturing, civil engineering, infrastructure development, ICT and many others. I am sure that nowadays technical and engineering disciplines are considered to be very prestigious in Latvia, » said M. Kučinskis, pointing to the labour market demand for engineering and high technology specialists.
Whereas, RTU Rector, Academician Leonīds Ribickis pointed out that in the pursue for the diploma, graduates have not only acquired new knowledge but they have also discovered themselves and their friends. The Rector also thanked the professors, assistant professors, assistants and laboratory assistants for the great work in educating and training the graduates and wished «a beautiful and memorable Grand Graduation!»
For the graduates and their guests to remember this graduation as a unique and memorable event, the popular Latvian group «Musiqq» was invited, whose performance encouraged the graduates to get up from their chairs and dance. RTU artist collectives – men’s choir «Gaudeamus» and soloist Ieva Parša, as well as RTU Brass Band «SPO» added solemnity to the event as well.
At the culmination of the graduation, the participants were pleased to receive a present from the main sponsor of the event Inbox.lv – performance by the group «Instrumenti». During the performance, graduates threw their graduation caps into the air. It was complemented by a gorgeous light show and confetti.
However, with the graduation, nothing is ever over – RTU Alumni Association (AA) is inviting to keep in touch with Alma Mater. To make it easier, AA offers a new digital platform «RTUconnect», the first such information system in Latvia. Graduates of this year have already registered on it, when applied for the graduation, and similarly to social networks on this platform it is possible to maintain connection with each other and RTU after studies.
RTU Grand Graduation takes place for the second year and has become a beautiful tradition. It is unique event in Latvia, because all graduates of such a big university receive their diplomas at the same time.
