On 3 July, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) hosted a EUNIS congress knowledge-transfer event, bringing together representatives of 11 Latvian higher education institutions (HEIs). During the event, colleagues from the RSU Information Technology Department and the Artificial Intelligence Development Unit shared the key insights and experience gained at the annual EUNIS (European University Information Systems) congress in Romania. EUNIS is the European higher education IT and digitalisation community, which each year brings together university academic staff, technology experts and digitalisation project implementers from across Europe.

This year, the congress placed significant emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence and its successful use in higher education. The need for a secure and purposeful introduction of AI tools was highlighted, as was the decisive role of data quality and data maturity in the successful implementation of AI projects. Participants were introduced to practical examples of how European universities are using artificial intelligence to create personalised learning experiences and to improve the services provided to students.

An important part of the EUNIS congress is the exchange of good practice and experience among European universities. This year, particular interest was sparked by a scientific publication on Norway’s experience, where, over more than 30 years of close cooperation between various HEIs, a unified student information system has been created and developed, which is currently used by all of the country’s public universities and the majority of private ones. The key takeaway: the foundation of Norway’s long-term success lay not only in technological solutions, but also in trust-based cooperation, shared governance and joint responsibility for the results to be achieved.

In closing, participants were introduced to the collaboration opportunities offered by the EUNIS community. EUNIS promotes cooperation among European HEIs, the exchange of experience and the dissemination of good practice in the field of digital transformation. Within the organisation, several thematic Special Interest Groups are active, in which experts can get involved and work together on topical issues in higher education and technology development. More information about the interest groups and how to apply can be found via the links below:

RSU has been a EUNIS member for several years and actively participates both in the annual congresses and in the activities of various interest groups.

Attendance at the EUNIS congress makes a significant contribution to the successful implementation of the Study Process Digitalisation project, as it provides an opportunity to engage IT experts with unique experience in the field of digital transformation, and helps to better understand the current market offering of IT solutions and services relevant to the various work packages of the project. The knowledge gained at the congress about the latest technology trends, the use of artificial intelligence and data governance approaches, as well as the exchange of experience with other European universities, will enable more considered and strategically grounded decisions, promoting the introduction of innovative and mutually compatible solutions in the digitalisation of Latvian higher education.

The next EUNIS congress will take place in Riga from 1 to 4 June 2027 and will be organised by Rīga Stradiņš University, bringing together experts in higher education, digitalisation and IT from across Europe.

More information about the EUNIS community is available on the organisation’s website.

Presentation, photo and video materials from the activity: on the RSU website.

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The initiative is part of the European Social Fund and state co-financed project Study Process Digitalisation (No. 4.2.2.11/1/25/I/001). Its aim is to introduce modern shared solutions that will ensure a flexible study process and enhance the competitiveness of Latvian higher education institutions. The project is implemented by the association Shared Services Centre for Information Technology in Higher Education and Science, in cooperation with the science universities: the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, RSU and the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.