Strengthening the link between the academic environment and the maritime industry, Riga Technical University (RTU) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the crewing company "LSC" regarding long-term collaboration in education, professional development, and the promotion of sustainability within the maritime sector. The memorandum was signed by RTU Rector Talis Juhna and "LSC" Procurator Girts Apsitis.
"RTU Latvian Maritime Academy graduates – both ship officers and mechanical engineers – are very well prepared for seafaring work, and shipping companies need highly qualified employees; however, we need to further strengthen contacts with the maritime industry to constantly improve training and study programmes in accordance with market needs," emphasises the RTU Rector.
For almost four years, RTU has also managed the maritime education direction, and during the higher education consolidation process, all state-founded maritime education institutions – the RTU Latvian Maritime Academy (RTU LJA) and Maritime School, and the RTU Liepaja Maritime College – have joined the university. As RTU's strategic foundation is cooperation with industry, RTU actively collaborates with the maritime sector to jointly develop the maritime industry in Latvia.
The cooperation memorandum between RTU and "LSC" provides for the exchange of information on maritime industry development trends, technological solutions, and professional competences in demand in the labour market, cooperation in organising student internships, holding joint educational events, as well as bringing academic and practical experience closer together, promoting the understanding of students and academic staff regarding professional requirements, the work environment, and industry specifics.
"The memorandum is one of the most visible fruits of cooperation, but the collaboration we have had so far is very important to us,» says RTU LJA Director Edijs Stals. RTU LJA and "LSC" have already collaborated successfully – the company co-financed the purchase of an LJA simulator and helped provide teaching materials and work clothing for students. «I want this to serve as an example to the industry of how we can cooperate," says E. Stals.
"LSC", as a crewing company that recruits qualified ship crews, is one of the largest companies in the sector, providing the most internship placements for LJA students and jobs for graduates. "LSC" specialises in the management of oil and petroleum product tankers, as well as chemical tankers.
