How digital tools and modern technologies are changing research: discussions and conclusions from the conference
In today’s digital age, efficient and high-quality research is no longer conceivable without modern technologies – tools that dramatically improve the speed, efficiency and innovation potential of academic research.
The conference "Empowering Academic Research with Microsoft: From Strategy to Practical Tips", organised by Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), the Centre for Unified Services (VPC), and Microsoft, brought together participants from all Latvian research universities, as well as representatives from research institutes and industry professionals. The central theme of the event was the use of digital tools in research, offering practical solutions and valuable insights to help researchers optimise and modernise their work.
The main themes covered during the event were:
- Using Microsoft tools to accelerate research processes, from data processing to integration of AI solutions, to improve the efficiency and accuracy of research.
- Real-world university case studies – showcasing how modern technologies like Microsoft Azure, Power BI, and cloud solutions improve data management, research accuracy, and access to resources.
- Practical tips and tricks for optimising research workflows by integrating Microsoft technologies and gaining benefits that enable you to more efficiently process large volumes of data, build accurate data analytics models, and encourage team collaboration.
RSU IT Director Zigmunds Zitmanis stressed:
'The focus of the seminar was data analytics and management, which form the basis for the deliberate application of AI. The seminar highlighted the data processing and management tools available today and the support available to researchers.'
RSU Vice-Rector for Science, Agrita Kiopa, shared her view on the importance of research: 'RSU researchers focus on the creation of knowledge that plays a role both in Latvia and globally. Moreover, our research is centred on people—their health, well-being, and safety.
The IT infrastructure for our research is an important prerequisite for excellent and timely work.'
The conference, held both in person and online, was organised as a platform to inform the Latvian research community about modern technological solutions, available technical support and successful uses. The event provided an opportunity to exchange good practices that contribute to improving and developing the quality of academic research.
