Innovation Education Laboratory

The Education Innovation Laboratory (financed by The Ministry of Education and Science, and implemented by Riga Business School) is launching two programs in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specifically through The Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL). These programs will allow for high level managers in education, government agencies, and businesses to be equipped with best-practices that have been proven to be effective. Three of the main topics that these programs will focus on are strategy, innovation, and technology, with a specific highlight on how these can be implemented in Latvia. There are two separate programs – The Education Leader Program and The Education Innovation Project Support Program. Throughout these programs, there will be many opportunities for collaboration between the programs’ participants, as these individuals come from various spheres of influence, as well as for goal-oriented networking to bring these innovative ideas to life. The end goal is to see that these leaders will be well equipped, and to see different projects and initiatives become implemented in Latvia to support the higher education system as well as different areas within this society.

Leader Program

Strategic Education Innovation Project Support Program

Leaders of the education sector, state administration and companies have a vital role in the direction of innovation and have the opportunity to largely impact not only the institution that they are a part of, but society as a whole. Providing access to global practice, the leadership program introduces the structuring and management, financing, stakeholder engagement, and interaction of innovation initiatives at various levels to:

This program is designed to support the implementation of ambitious education innovation projects. The purpose of the program is to introduce Latvia’s science-based university teams to the latest trends in the strategic development of higher education, to provide support in conducting situation analysis, defining strategic goals, developing a project implementation plan, and structuring the roles and interactions of the involved parties.

  • promote the involvement of participants and their institutions in the implementation of inter-institutional innovations;
  • improve internal management processes in the implementation of innovations;
  • provide knowledge about innovation support tools;
  • increase the global competitiveness of Latvian higher education.

The leader program is split into two separate groups: Ecosystem Innovation Project Management, and Strategic Ecosystem Management. The first highlights more the specific projects that each individual leader would be interested in implementing, and the second has more of a focus on the overall ecosystem. 

The following activities are planned within the program: 

  • A visit to MIT, Boston, USA (preparation sessions are held prior to the trip to make the most effective use of consultations with specially matched MIT experts and to get the most out of face-to-face workshops)
  • Completion and certification of an EdX online course
  • Participation in international online seminars and workshops organized by MIT J-WEL 
  • Participation in internal discussions and forums of the program
  • Exchange of experience to inform the pertaining institution and the wider public about the knowledge gained in the program, as well as about some of the innovations in higher education, to discuss the challenges and solutions of current innovative solutions in the field of higher education

Within the program, the project team receives:

  • a paid and customized exchange and learning visit of two project representatives to MIT J-WEL (Boston, USA) from July 31 to August 4, 2023 (other team members may join the visit, but the costs must be borne by their organization)
  • regular one-on-one consultations by MIT experts throughout the program;
  • innovation and change implementation mentor support;
  • workshops, networking and experience exchange events for program participants;
  • support of program organizers in project planning, implementation and content development according to the prepared project plan
  •  access to MIT J-WEL events and materials: remote and face-to-face workshops and conferences, EdX and MIT Horizon platforms, and other learning resources that develop innovation management and other skills and competencies required for successful project development.

The program supports projects in the following thematic areas:

  • systematic improvements to the student experience – the student experience encompasses all interactions between the university and the student, from the admissions process to graduation. The student experience can be improved in various areas such as academics, welfare and student support, emotional and social development;
  • improvements in cooperation between universities and organizations – cooperation in student experience, infrastructure development, research or other areas.
  • initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the university’s strategic goals.

Innovation Education Laboratory

The Education Innovation Laboratory (financed by The Ministry of Education and Science, and implemented by Riga Business School) is launching two programs in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) specifically through The Abdul Latif Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL). These programs will allow for high level managers in education, government agencies, and businesses to be equipped with best-practices that have been proven to be effective. Three of the main topics that these programs will focus on are strategy, innovation, and technology, with a specific highlight on how these can be implemented in Latvia. There are two separate programs – The Education Leader Program and The Education Innovation Project Support Program. Throughout these programs, there will be many opportunities for collaboration between the programs’ participants, as these individuals come from various spheres of influence, as well as for goal-oriented networking to bring these innovative ideas to life. The end goal is to see that these leaders will be well equipped, and to see different projects and initiatives become implemented in Latvia to support the higher education system as well as different areas within this society.

Leader Program

Leaders of the education sector, state administration and companies have a vital role in the direction of innovation and have the opportunity to largely impact not only the institution that they are a part of, but society as a whole. Providing access to global practice, the leadership program introduces the structuring and management, financing, stakeholder engagement, and interaction of innovation initiatives at various levels to:

  • promote the involvement of participants and their institutions in the implementation of inter-institutional innovations;
  • improve internal management processes in the implementation of innovations;
  • provide knowledge about innovation support tools;
  • increase the global competitiveness of Latvian higher education.

The leader program is split into two separate groups: Ecosystem Innovation Project Management, and Strategic Ecosystem Management. The first highlights more the specific projects that each individual leader would be interested in implementing, and the second has more of a focus on the overall ecosystem. 

The following activities are planned within the program: 

  • A visit to MIT, Boston, USA (preparation sessions are held prior to the trip to make the most effective use of consultations with specially matched MIT experts and to get the most out of face-to-face workshops)
  • Completion and certification of an EdX online course
  • Participation in international online seminars and workshops organized by MIT J-WEL 
  • Participation in internal discussions and forums of the program
  • Exchange of experience to inform the pertaining institution and the wider public about the knowledge gained in the program, as well as about some of the innovations in higher education, to discuss the challenges and solutions of current innovative solutions in the field of higher education

Strategic Education Innovation Project Support Program

This program is designed to support the implementation of ambitious education innovation projects. The purpose of the program is to introduce Latvia’s science-based university teams to the latest trends in the strategic development of higher education, to provide support in conducting situation analysis, defining strategic goals, developing a project implementation plan, and structuring the roles and interactions of the involved parties.

Within the program, the project team receives:

  • a paid and customized exchange and learning visit of two project representatives to MIT J-WEL (Boston, USA) from July 31 to August 4, 2023 (other team members may join the visit, but the costs must be borne by their organization)
  • regular one-on-one consultations by MIT experts throughout the program;
  • innovation and change implementation mentor support;
  • workshops, networking and experience exchange events for program participants;
  • support of program organizers in project planning, implementation and content development according to the prepared project plan
  •  access to MIT J-WEL events and materials: remote and face-to-face workshops and conferences, EdX and MIT Horizon platforms, and other learning resources that develop innovation management and other skills and competencies required for successful project development.

The program supports projects in the following thematic areas:

  • systematic improvements to the student experience – the student experience encompasses all interactions between the university and the student, from the admissions process to graduation. The student experience can be improved in various areas such as academics, welfare and student support, emotional and social development;
  • improvements in cooperation between universities and organizations – cooperation in student experience, infrastructure development, research or other areas.
  • initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the university’s strategic goals.

Throughout the program we will regularly be sharing updates through Riga Business School’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. If you would like to hear more or get in touch with our team, feel free to contact the Program Director, Paule Elksne, at paula.elksne@rbs.lv or sign up for the newsletter

Read more about data protection here.

For more detailed information please go to innovationeducation.lv

The study program is implemented in accordance with the agreement concluded between the Riga Technical University and Central Finance and Contracting Agency regarding the project “Support for RTU international cooperation projects in research and innovations” (1.1.1.5/18/I/008). The Riga Business School will coordinate and carry out the programs in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science.

Find out more about