July 28, 2020
The information was prepared by Edgars Špengelis, public relations specialist of the RTU Alumni Association.
July 28, 2020 – Š. g. On July 24, the Big Car Graduation of Riga Technical University (RTU) took place. This year, the event, in compliance with the conditions for distance set due to the coronavirus, took place in an unusual place for the release – Spilve Airport, gathering half a thousand cars in one place.
“I see here new innovators, creators and implementers of new ideas, who together with us, all Latvians, all Europeans, will create a modern Europe, a modern Latvia,” said President Egils Levits, noting that the idea of a car release is also innovative. The President also especially congratulated the foreign students of RTU, wishing them to remember their study time in Latvia with good memories of Riga, RTU and their fellow students and not to lose this link in the future.
RTU Rector Leonīds Ribickis admitted in his speech that although this year we celebrate the holiday differently, the excitement remains. He expressed satisfaction that RTU has been able to adapt to the new conditions and “we have managed to meet, celebrate and see how much and how powerful we are this year as well.” The Rector thanked the families and relatives for the support of the graduates on their way to the diploma, as well as the teaching staff and other RTU employees who helped to prepare the new specialists.
“The President wished our graduates to fly safely and far at the event. He can only join him, because seeing so many knowledgeable, creative and purposeful young people together really gives confidence that the name of RTU and Latvia will sound far and wide,” says RTU Alumni after the event. Executive Director of the Association Ieva Ķuze.
At the graduation evening of Spilve airfield, on July 24, this year RTU bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral diplomas were awarded to almost 700 graduates. They were also greeted by the Minister of Education and Science Ilga Šuplinska and the head of the RTU Alumni Association Enno Ence, while the musical greetings were provided by the group “Dagamba” and the special musical surprise – Intars Busuli and the Subscription Orchestra was provided by Inbox.lv.
Also, in order to better ensure the implementation of the event, the company “Fiqsy” had supplied electric scooters to RTU Big Car Release volunteers at Spilve Airport. But for RTU graduates who do not have their own car, the company offered to use their electric car free of charge to attend the event and go home from it. “Participation in the RTU Big Graduation” Fiqsy “was also a happy event, because we are on the same wave with RTU students – innovators and creators of new ideas! We want not to be afraid to make safe and environmentally friendly choices in the later stages of life!” says Maris Avotiņš, head of Fiqsy.
The release was also supported by Latvenergo, Skonto Group, Industry Service Partner and Tet.
RTU chose the drive-in format so that after several months in the virtual environment, university graduates could feel a sense of community, at least during graduation, even in the car.
The event was organized by the RTU Alumni Association, and this was the fourth Grand Graduation, when all RTU graduates received diplomas at the same time.
Additional information:
Edgar Spengel,
RTU Alumni Association
Public Relations Specialist
Tel. 67089893, 29216794
E-pasts: [email protected]
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