Within the framework of the visit of the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, on Saturday, January 13, his spouse Akie Abe visited the student campus of Riga Technical University in Ķīpsala and got acquainted with the opportunities offered by RTU Design Factory, as well as took part in the demonstration of RTU robot constructor Sumo Boy.
The spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan met with RTU Vice-Rector for Research, Academician Tālis Juhna and Deputy Rector for International Academic Cooperation and Studies, Professor Igors Tipāns. They talked about RTU and the Design Factory – a prototype centre where science meets business and, as a result, prototypes of new products are created.
Professor of RTU Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology Agris Ņikitenko presented to Mrs. Abe a training tool for children created by RTU scientists — the robot constructor Sumo Boy, which was demonstrated by the students of RTU Engineering High School — Robotics Club members.
Closer cooperation of RTU with Japan began fifteen years ago. At present, RTU has general cooperation agreements with three universities in Japan – Shizuoka University, Kobe University and Kindai University. Enhanced cooperation has been maintained with Shizuoka University to date: the cooperation agreement foresees a joint degree programme, student and academic staff mobility, as well as cooperation in research and organisation of scientific conferences. In terms of research activities, researchers from RTU and Shizuoka University have collaborated more closely in the field of material sciences.
At the beginning of this year, RTU discussed opportunities to collaborate with Kumamoto University in the area of student mobility and establish short-term courses at RTU for Japanese students. RTU also hosted Japanese delegations and lecturers who delivered guest lectures to RTU students and academic staff. Several students from Japan also study at RTU. It is envisaged that RTU Rector, Academician Leonīds Ribickis will soon visit Japan.
