Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Inga Bakane, Atis Kapenieks, Ilmārs Slaidins, Bruno Zuga

Riga Technical university

“Development and use of E-learning and new working environment in Latvia”

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

• Overview

• Establishment of new working environment in Latvia

• E-learning development in Latvia

• Opportunities for collaboration in IST activities among Latvia and other countries

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Riga Technical university

The higher school started its work on 14th October, 1862

RTU is the main Technical university in Latvia. It offers advanced programs with the total number of about 12,000 students and 1,500 staff members.

At present RTU comprises 8 faculties:

• Architecture• Computer Sciences and Information Technologies• Civil Engineering• Electrical and Power Engineering• Electronics and Telecommunications• Engineering Economy• Materials Science and Applied Chemistry• Transport and Mechanical Engineering

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Goals of the project:

• Promotion of the FP6 IST Priority to Latvia.

• Performing technology studies and market studies.

• Manage contacts with other IST projects, EU experts, universities, Enterprises, SME`s etc.

• Creation of Information and dissemination centre.

• Organisation of Workshops, Conferences etc.

Information Society Technologies promotion for Baltic States

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Establishment of new working environment in Latvia

• In recent years, policy-makers, businesses, researchers and statisticians have become increasingly interested in the effects of ISTs on work.

• The implementation and exploitation of these new technologies has led to profound changes in the organisation of work (at a micro level) and in labour markets (at a macro level).

• EU has been active in calling for up-to-date statistics on IS-related issues such as ICT enabled new ways of working, telework, work-related IT skills, employment in IT sectors and occupations.

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

e-Work

• 3% percent of the Latvian working population is teleworking from home;

• 60% of the workforce has interest in at least one type of telework;

• 38% of the workforce has interest in permanent telework (10% very interested and 28% somewhat interested);

• 66% percent of the Latvian working population has interest in at least one type of telework;

• 40% of workforce has interest in permanent telework;

• 2.38% of the workforce can be considered as ‘mobile teleworkers’;

• 20% of employees in Latvia is using tele-cooperation (business contacts via e-mail, videoconferencing or electronic data transfer) in everyday work.

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

E-learning development in Latvia

The Distance Education Study Centre at Riga Technical University is one of the main key players in the e-Learning sector in Latvia.

• International projects, funded under EC IST 6th FP

• Regional development projects

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Network of Excellence in e-Learning “Kaleidoscope”

Kaleidoscope aims to ensure European leadership in the area of multidisciplinary research and technology development in e-Learning which is the ‘engine of the Knowledge Economy[1]’.

[1] Ruttenbur, B., et al, eLearning: The Engine of the Knowledge Economy, eLearning Industry Report, Morgan Keegan, 2000,

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Availability Increase of Innovative e-Learning for Promotion of Knowledge Based

Economy in Latvia

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

• The Livani region was among the most economically developed in Latvia from 1980 to 1990 but during the period of transfer to a free market economy and a knowledge society, 90% of the old industry collapsed, causing unemployment to rise up to 25%.

E-learning for Regional Development

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

GDP in district with e-learning HR development projects (Preilu district) other districts

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Krāslavas rajons

Ludzas rajons

Preiļu rajons

Rēzeknes rajons

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

Opportunities for collaboration in IST activities among Latvia and other countries

• e-Learning

• New working environment

• e-Inclusion

Research Networks & GRID Systems & Services for Business and eApplications workshop, Bangalore, India 30th – 31st May 2005

For any question contact us:

Inga Bakane - ibakane@cs.rtu.lvAtis Kapenieks - desc@rsf.rtu.lv

Thank you for your attention!