Deans have been selected through open competition for the Faculty of Economics and Social Development (ESAF), the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies (IITF), the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (MVZF) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VMF) of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), and they have been carrying out their duties since 25 June 2025.
LBTU Rector Irina Arhipova stresses: “The faculty deans at LBTU were chosen through open competition, with the emphasis on the candidates' own willingness to take on responsibility and to compete with others. The selection committee assessed the candidates' education and experience, as well as their vision for the development of the faculty and its priorities. I wish the deans every success in carrying out their professional plans and the energy to lead the work of their faculties in a way that achieves strong results in study and research, and that helps to attain LBTU's strategic goals.”
Dina Popluga, Dr. oec., Director of the Institute of Economics and Finance, professor and leading researcher, has been confirmed as Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Social Development (ESAF). She has worked at LBTU since 2011. D. Popluga's priorities as dean are developing research excellence, knowledge transfer and cross-sectoral cooperation, providing competitive, high-quality education that meets the needs of the labour market, creating a motivating working environment and staff well-being at work, as well as building sustainability, the environment, infrastructure and closer cooperation with the local community.
Ruslans Šmigins, Dr. sc. ing., until now acting dean, associate professor and leading researcher, has become Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies (IITF); he has worked at LBTU since 2006. He plans to continue developing internationally recognised fundamental and applied research in defined, undivided research areas, to build appropriate research groups and to develop the infrastructure needed for this purpose, such as cross-sectoral remote sensing laboratories. One of his aims is also to increase the impact of research by publishing high-calibre scientific work in journals with a high impact factor and citation rate, and to improve the faculty's indicators for knowledge and technology transfer, education and targeted cooperation.
Andris Paeglītis, Dr. sc. ing., LBTU assistant professor and leading researcher and Director of the Institute of Construction and Woodworking, has been chosen as acting Dean of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (MVZF); he has worked at LBTU since 2024. He has set as priorities the development of cooperation with universities, research centres and industry in Latvia and abroad, the improvement of LBTU information systems and the introduction of digital solutions. Among the directions he envisages are a data-driven approach to assessing student recruitment, improving the cost-effectiveness of study programmes and forging a closer link between research and study.
Meanwhile, Kaspars Kovaļenko, Dr. med. vet., until now acting dean, professor and leading researcher, has been chosen as Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VMF). He has worked at LBTU since 2008. The dean's priorities for his future work are to develop the faculty into the leading centre of veterinary medicine excellence in the Baltics, combining evidence-based, internationally accredited education, the integration of the latest scientific findings into studies, multidisciplinary and innovative science, and an internal environment built for the growth of staff and students.
In accordance with the rules of the competition for the posts, the deans were selected by a nomination committee set up specifically for this purpose.