Experts at RSU Discuss the Development of a Unified Study Process Evaluation System.
At the end of May, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) hosted a seminar — Development of a Study Process Evaluation System — as part of the Digitalisation of the Study Process project. The event brought together study quality experts from higher education institutions to advance the development of a unified study process evaluation system in Latvia.
The project activity aims to introduce a coordinated feedback process, unified content, and an IT solution at both national and institutional level. This will enable continuous improvement of education quality and the collection of mutually comparable data across Latvian higher education institutions.
Quality Culture and Feedback
In the first part of the event, industry experts shared their experience on building a quality culture and the role of feedback in higher education. Representatives from the Centre for Shared Services in Higher Education and Science, the Higher Education Quality Agency, the Higher Education Council, KPMG, the Latvian Student Union, and RSU analysed European best practices and the current situation in Latvia.
The Student Perspective on Quality Improvement
Particular attention was paid to the role of students in improving study quality. Representatives from the Latvian Student Union and the Higher Education Quality Agency emphasised that a reliable and transparent study process evaluation system — one that is meaningful to all stakeholders — is an essential prerequisite for quality accreditation and the development of education. It creates the conditions for meaningful dialogue between students and university leadership, rather than merely aggregating statistical data.
Expert Discussion on Sector Challenges
The seminar concluded with an expert discussion involving sector decision-makers, project implementers, and student representatives. The discussion identified the most pressing issues in the field and examined the challenges likely to arise during the system development process in aligning the needs and visions of different institutions. Mārtiņš Upmacis, Head of the RSU Study Quality Division and Work Package 3 (WP3) leader for the study process evaluation system within the Digitalisation of the Study Process project, noted: “I am pleased that, thanks to the substantive presentations and active engagement from participants, we were able to achieve all three of the seminar’s objectives — fostering a shared understanding of study process evaluation and quality, identifying current priorities in the field, and pinpointing the challenges involved in implementing the WP3 activity.”
A Foundation for a Unified System
The seminar served as an important platform for building a shared understanding of study process quality evaluation. The insights gained, the sector needs identified, and the challenges highlighted together form a solid foundation for introducing a modern, data-driven study process evaluation model that delivers value to all stakeholders in Latvian higher education.
Those who were unable to attend the seminar are invited to watch the recording. Event video recording (presentations) and photos: RSU website
