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When international students Roman Garduno Gonzalez and Ceren Avunduk were looking for a university abroad, there were two must-haves: personal and professional growth. “I’ve always been passionate about learning and exploring new horizons and I wanted a place that combined strong academic tradition with innovation,” says Gonzalez from Mexico. Avunduk, on the other hand, had started her studies in Turkiye but soon realised that opportunities for hands-on experience and global exposure were limited.
Their search led them to Riga Technical University (RTU), the first university of technology in the Baltics. Here, they joined the Entrepreneurship and Management programme, where academic excellence meets real-world business challenges. “RTU’s student-friendly atmosphere, industry-focused education, and emphasis on modern business trends made it the perfect choice for me,” says Avunduk. “So far, the programme has exceeded my expectations, and I am excited about what’s ahead.”
With state-of-the-art workshops, labs, and research centres, RTU students gain the practical skills needed for their future careers. Source: Riga Technical University
Fuelling creativity and progress
At RTU, innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability shape the foundation for the future. Students develop their skills and leverage technology to solve real-world problems through the university’s Science and Innovation Centre. As one of the best-equipped prototyping workshops in the Baltics, the centre is home to advanced supercomputing resources and services like 3D printing, CNC milling, prototype enhancement, and scientific equipment development.
“I had the chance to visit the centre, and it felt like a playground for creative minds,” says Gonzalez. “The prototyping labs were especially inspiring. It’s a space that pushes you to test, fail, learn, and grow — which is exactly how innovation happens.”
More than just a technical hub, the centre supports intellectual property commercialisation and drives innovation through various events, business and research incubators, and industry networking opportunities. Students have competed in start-up competitions and week-long hackathons, collaborated with the Latvian defence industry to revolutionise defence technology and developed sustainable mobility solutions. Robertas Gaigalas, a computer systems student from Lithuania, for example, has won several hackathons and one of his projects has already secured customers before even hitting full production.
And thanks to Latvia being an associate member state of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), RTU students can attend exclusive lectures by world-renowned scientists in theoretical and experimental particle physics, engineering, and computer science. “Being part of such a strong research and innovation culture excited me a lot, and I truly believe that participating in such projects in the future would be a huge development opportunity for both my academic and professional growth,” says Avunduk.
Of course, university life isn’t just about academics. RTU offers plenty of support, from grants to mentorship programmes, helping international students adjust to life in Latvia. “At first, I wasn’t sure if I could do this,” says Avunduk. “However, the warm-hearted and hospitable students at RTU have made my transition much easier for me.”
Gonzalez shares a similar experience. “The fast-paced academic environment was different from what I was used to in Mexico,” he says. “But RTU’s orientation programmes, mentors, and student groups made me feel welcomed from day one.”
A mentorship programme even connected him with a local entrepreneur, who helped him understand the Latvian and European business ecosystem. “It opened my eyes to different career paths and helped me think more strategically about my own goals.”
RTU’s multicultural environment teaches students to become better communicators and team players. Source: Riga Technical University
Make your learning global
Learning at RTU isn’t limited to campus or its city borders. With regional centres outside Riga, including a campus in Liepaja, a scenic seaside city, RTU provides students with diverse learning environments.
What’s more, as a member of the Erasmus+ network, RTU is connected to over 500 partner universities worldwide. This means students can study, collaborate, and innovate on a global scale, all while receiving financial support. The university is also one of nine participating in the European University of Technology (EUT+) alliance, which aims to build the European Technological University of the future.
For students like Avunduk, these experiences are life changing. “RTU’s global connections through Erasmus+ and the EUT+ is an exciting opportunity for me,” she says. “I’m especially interested in studying in Italy. Experiencing a different education system and immersing myself in a new culture would expand my knowledge and enhance my career prospects.”
Beyond cultural exchange, RTU’s strong international partnerships provide students with a competitive edge. “It opens doors, simple as that,” says Gonzalez. “Being part of a university that’s connected to global research means we’re not just learning from books; we’re contributing to real-world solutions. It gives us access to networks, knowledge, and opportunities far outside the classroom.”
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