LBTU internal consolidation promotes excellence in education and research
Through the implementation of the European Union-supported project "Strengthening LBTU Institutional Capacity for Excellence in Education and Research" and the goals of the university's internal consolidation plan, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) has not only optimized its educational processes but also focused its research efforts on achieving excellence.
LBTU has positioned itself as a significant regional force in knowledge creation, transfer, and transformation, largely facilitated by the consolidation of its internal structures. In the new structure, LBTU transitioned from eight faculties to five, with the internal focus being the creation of larger institutes. One of the most important conditions for establishing the new structure was concentrating educational and scientific processes, evaluating the justification and costs of each study program. This has enabled the streamlining and improvement of the educational process. The consolidation has also brought together faculty members from related fields, allowing for more efficient coordination of resources in scientific directions, thus covering broader research areas.
As emphasized by LBTU rector Irina Arhipova, LBTU is a unique university in Latvia, specializing in fields such as agriculture, veterinary medicine, and forestry. "These fields form the basis of our identity and also our responsibility. No other universities in Latvia specialize in these areas, so we must demonstrate excellence by concentrating all our capacity and resources on the development of these fields. Our goal is to be leaders not only at the national level but also internationally, proving that we can create innovations and offer sustainable solutions to global problems. This is both our duty and challenge."
To foster excellence and improve the quality and resource efficiency of higher education and research, as well as enhance international competitiveness, the Strengthening LBTU Institutional Capacity for Excellence in Education and Research project, supported by the European Recovery Fund, was launched in the summer of 2024. It is expected that by May 31, 2026, the restructuring of LBTU will be completed, consolidating faculties and ensuring the successful establishment of an academic career platform through at least 12 academic grants. Additionally, the project aims to strengthen research excellence by allocating at least four research and development grants, as well as significantly enhancing digitalization and technology development, improving resource management systems, upgrading scientific laboratories, and research infrastructures, and preparing descriptions for two new study programs at Malnava College.
In the autumn of 2024, within the framework of the project, LBTU PhD students and researchers began implementing 22 research grants. The submitted works were evaluated by an expert committee created by LBTU, as well as foreign experts. The research results will be published in high-level journals and conference proceedings indexed in the Scopus or Web of Science databases. Grant recipients will participate in scientific conferences both in Latvia and abroad to share their experiences and discuss the current challenges in their fields of specialization. The launch of the grants is scheduled for January 1, 2025.