The term of office of the outgoing Rector of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), Professor Irina Pilvere, and her management team ended at the end of June, and so the university's new Rector, Professor Irina Arhipova, takes up her duties on 1 July. A new management team takes office alongside her, which I. Arhipova presented to the LBTU Council on 14 June.
As reported earlier, on 22 May the LBTU Convention elected Professor Irina Arhipova as the university's new Rector with 104 votes. She was LBTU Vice-Rector for Science and has worked in the university's management team for almost five years, having previously also served as Chair of the Convention. The Professor received her higher education in mathematics and holds a Dr.sc.ing. doctorate in engineering sciences. She began her professional career at LBTU in 1991, gradually developing both an academic and an administrative career, heading what was then the university's Science Department and serving for many years as Dean of the newly established Faculty of Information Technologies. She later gained broad professional experience heading the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Education and Science. Alongside her administrative work, the Professor has lectured students continuously throughout these years, is the author of several textbooks in higher mathematics and statistics, and has been active in scientific research. Under I. Arhipova's supervision as Vice-Rector for Science, the university's staff have significantly increased their research output in recent years and have defined strategic specialisation directions in life sciences, engineering sciences and social sciences, which are set out in the LBTU Development Strategy.
Rector Irina Arhipova's management team comprises Vice-Rector for Science Professor Gatis Vītols, Vice-Rector for Studies Professor Ilze Beitāne and Vice-Rector for Finance Professor Linards Sisenis. All the vice-rectors have many years of experience at the university; they are graduates of the university who began their careers in academia after completing their studies.
Professor and Lead Researcher Gatis Vītols was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies (IITF). He received his higher education in Jelgava, studying at the former LLU Faculty of Information Technologies on the undergraduate programme “Computer Control and Computer Science” and the advanced programme “Information Technologies”. He defended his doctoral thesis in 2012, earning a doctorate in engineering sciences in the field of information technologies. He began his professional career at the university in 2007 while studying for his master's degree and gradually developed both an academic and an administrative career at LBTU. Already during his studies he led the faculty's student self-government and served on the Study Council and the Convention as a student. He later earned the trust of the university's staff and was elected as an employee to the LBTU Senate and Convention. G. Vītols has extensive experience in managing international research projects, as well as in working with businesses and Jelgava local government to deliver research projects. His research interests relate to the introduction of digital solutions in the transport sector, urban mobility issues and the development of information systems. The results of his research are set out in more than 50 scientific publications.
Professor and Lead Researcher Ilze Beitāne has been LBTU Vice-Rector for Studies for almost a year, having joined the university's senior management under the previous Rector, Irina Pilvere. She received her higher education at all levels at LBTU, graduating at bachelor's level from the former Faculty of Food Technology and studying at master's level on the “Economics” programme, where she specialised in “Entrepreneurship and Management”. In 2008 she earned a doctorate in engineering sciences in the field of food science. She began her academic career as a member of the teaching staff while studying for her doctorate and, from 2005 onwards, gradually developed the field of study and the courses relating to nutrition and healthy eating habits. She lectures both in Latvia and internationally, and also educates representatives of various sectors on nutrition issues. Her professional expertise has earned her a place on the Ministry of Health's Nutrition Council. She is an active member of the LBTU Senate and Convention. I. Beitāne gained her administrative experience heading the LBTU Science and Project Development Centre. Moreover, in recent years, projects of key importance to the university's development have been successfully delivered under the Professor's supervision: “Improvement of LLU Governance” and “Digitalisation Initiatives for Improving Study Quality in Higher Education Institutions' Strategic Specialisation Areas”.
Professor and Lead Researcher Linards Sisenis was Dean of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (MVZF). He received his higher education at all levels at LBTU, choosing to study forest science, which culminated in 2013 with the defence of his doctoral thesis and a doctorate in forest science. He first began working at the university during his bachelor's studies, as a first-year student. At that time he was Head of the Hunting Laboratory, and he later became Deputy Dean for Economic Affairs at the former Faculty of Forestry. Alongside his studies at the university, he developed both an academic and an economic and administrative career; for 25 years the university has been the Professor's only place of work. He established the faculty's Continuing Education Centre and was its head. He earned the trust of the LBTU staff and has also served two terms as Deputy Chair of the Convention. Over the past seven years, extensive renovation work has been carried out under L. Sisenis's leadership in the main building of the Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences (MVZF) and on its grounds, and the LBTU Interdisciplinary Laboratory has been built and equipped, developing the study and research infrastructure at both faculty and university level.
The selection of the Rector is the responsibility of the LBTU Council, which announced a public competition for the post of Rector at the end of last year. Three candidates applied, but after several rounds of assessment two candidates were put forward for a vote in the Convention – Professors Irina Arhipova and Andra Zvirbule. The term of office of the new Rector and her team of vice-rectors is five years.