[01.06.2026] MERIT International Industry Engagement Workshop on Artificial Intelligence. Join us!
01 June 2026 | 15:00 – 17:00 CET | On-line Event (Hosted by RTU (Riga Technical University), Latvia)
On 1 June 2026, 15:00 – 17:00 CET, the MERIT project will organise the International Industry Engagement Workshop on Artificial Intelligence, held in an online format.
The workshop will bring together representatives from academia, industry and the MERIT student community to discuss the relevance of artificial intelligence competencies in engineering education and their application in professional environments.
The event will take the form of an interactive round-table discussion, providing a platform for dialogue between higher education institutions and industry stakeholders. The discussion will focus on how academic programmes can better respond to technological developments and labour market needs in the field of artificial intelligence.
The workshop will be online, hosted by Riga Technical University.
A Dialogue Between Academia representatives, Industry representatives, and Students
The discussion will bring together key contributors involved in the development of the RTU MERIT study programme “Management of Smart, Resilient, and Interconnected systems) Agris Nikitenko, professor, Dean of Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology, and Energy, RTU and Janis Grevins, PhD, Digitalization and AI-oriented Policy Expert, Research Development Lead, Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), who will moderate the session. The round-table will include MERIT students as industry representatives, currently employed in companies, creating an opportunity to examine the practical relevance of the programme’s AI-related content.
The MERIT study programme was designed with the objective of bridging the gap between technical expertise and managerial competencies, responding to the evolving needs of industry. Through this exchange, participants will reflect on how the programme’s objectives translate into practice, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies.
Students will be invited to share their experiences on how the AI-related knowledge and skills acquired through the programme are applied within their workplaces and how these competencies support their professional development.
Key Discussion Topics
The workshop will explore several themes relevant to both academia and industry, including:
- the role of artificial intelligence in engineering and technology-driven organisations
- the integration of AI-related competencies within the MERIT study programme
- the relevance of these competencies for industry and professional practice
- experiences from students applying AI knowledge in their workplaces
- opportunities to strengthen collaboration between universities and industry partners
The discussion will also contribute to assessing how effectively the MERIT programme supports its mission of preparing professionals capable of operating at the intersection of engineering, innovation, and strategic decision-making.
Agenda
The workshop will be organised as an interactive session combining short introductory remarks with a structured round-table discussion.
15:00 – 15:10 (CET) || Welcome and Introduction
Agris Nikitenko
15:10 – 15:25 (CET) || From idea to launch: the beginnings of the MERIT project
Keynote Speaker: Jānis Grēviņš, PhD | Digitalization and AI-innovation Policy Expert | Research Development Lead | Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT)
15:25 – 15:40 (CET) || Introduction to the MERIT Study Programme and its AI Components
Agris Ņikitenko, professor | Dean of Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology, and Energy (RTU)
15:40 – 16:40 (CET) || Round-Table Discussion: AI Competencies and Industry Needs
Moderators: Agris Ņikitenko, Jānis Grēviņš
Students and industry representatives of RTU MERIT study program:
Mārīte Grūbe | Scrum Master, Business analyst, Senior Analyst, Accenture
Nora Austriņa | IT Delivery Professional, Scrum Master, ERGO
Madara Klotiņa | Service Digitalization Leader, LIAA
Andrejs Juscenko | Product and Business Development, LMT
Juris Šeps | Sales Executive, Proks
Andris Zabelis | Chairman of Board, Lauma A
Maksims Bogdanovs | IT project manager, Dativa
MERIT project industry representatives:
Egidijus Pilypas | Director of Product and Marketing | Co-founder, Exacaster
Interactive discussion involving students (also as industry representatives) of MERIT Master study program – Management of Smart, Resilient, and Interconnected systems (RTU) focusing on:
- AI skills required by industry:
Are they still relevant? What are the emerging trends? - Alignment between education and practice:
How well does the MERIT study programme reflect real-world applications? - Expectations for future graduates:
What competencies are still missing? - Student experience:
How are acquired knowledge and skills applied in practice? Do they create value?
16:40 – 16:55 (CET) || Open Discussion with Participants
16:55 – 17:00 (CET) || Conclusions and Closing Remarks
Registration and Participation
The workshop will be online. Participation is free of charge, but registration will be required. Further details regarding the final agenda and registration process will be announced soon.
Register HERE.
About the MERIT Project
The MERIT project focuses on strengthening advanced digital skills in key deep-tech domains, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Through collaboration between universities, research centres, and industry partners across Europe, MERIT supports the development of innovative educational programmes and engagement activities designed to better align academic training with the evolving needs of the digital economy.
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