Riga Technical University

At the nine faculties of RTU, it is possible to obtain comprehensive education in the cutting-edge technologies and engineering, as well as social sciences and humanities. The study programs implemented at RTU have passed international expert examination and are officially accredited, thus attesting high quality of education provided by RTU. This has also been acknowledged by the Latvian employers, who recommend RTU to prospective students as the priority higher education institution in Latvia. RTU is purposefully improving its infrastructure at the first student campus in Latvia located at Ķīpsala, uniting engineering faculties of RTU, a modern laboratory building, Scientific Library, student dormitories and RTU Ķīpsala swimming pool.

• 13 326  Number of students (01.10.2022.)
• 2 263    International students (01.10.2021.–01.10.2022.)
• (31.12.2021.) Latvian Patents Maintained        91
• Permanent academic staff (inc. with scientific degree) (01.10.2022.)
• Academic Staff, Total: 577 (420=73%)
• Research staff (01.10.2022.) 797

Research directions and competences

Scientific research at the university is an integral part of the study process, which is implemented within all study programs. The strategic objective of the fundamental and applied research activities carried out at RTU is to analyze and provide solutions to the topical technical and social challenges. In the course of fundamental and applied scientific research, the accumulated knowledge potential is being gradually implemented in business activities.

The rapid development of technology in the industry requires complex solutions to problems that exceed the boundaries of one faculty specialization, therefore, scientists from different faculties at Riga Technical University cooperate in cross-disciplinary research in six scientific fields significant for the national economy and society.

Energy and Environment

Fields of Research

• Safety of energy supply systems and optimal operation modes to increase their performance and economic returns;
• Methods and technologies for increasing electricity and heat generation, transmission, distribution and consumption efficiency;
• Methods and technologies to promote the use of renewable energy sources in order to increase energy independence in the region and minimize environmental impacts;
• Climate technology and environmental methods for the circular economy.

Cities and Development

Fields of Research

• Sustainable living environment;
• Efficient urban infrastructure;
• Identification, protection and development of cultural heritage;
• Urban development (development of new technologies);
• Urban planning economy;
• Evaluation of urban infrastructure activities and risks to economic growth.

Information and Communication Technologies Vision

Fields of Research

• Exploration of the usability of e-learning systems and development of new e-learning technologies, methods and systems;
• Research on the Internet of Things and Big Data transfer and processing, development of methods for improvement of energy efficiency of information transfer;
• Research on the use of ICT in linguistics;
• Development of smart cities and regional technologies and creation of new e-services to improve the quality of life;
• Research and development of technologies for cyber-physical systems on the basis of innovative high-speed optic transmission system technologies;
• Research on comprehensive data processing studies in complex distributed environments;
• Comprehensive intelligence for the development and integration of smart and autonomous systems;
• High-performance signal processing and rapid transformations;
• Development of next generation radio frequency and microwave communication systems;
• Research on transport communication systems and complex processing of information.

Transport

Fields of Research

• Energy efficient and safe road and rail transport;
• Safe and financially efficient air transport;
• Efficient transport infrastructure;
• Reliable and safe methods for diagnostics of technical condition of vehicles and transport infrastructure.

Materials, Processes and Technologies

Fields of Research

• Development and functionalization of biologically degradable materials
• Biomaterials, drug delivery systems and devices for medicine
• High added value materials from local and renewable resources
• Smart materials for environmental monitoring and remediation
• Development of smart materials for energy harvesting and storage
• Electro-optical materials for construction, automotive and defense sectors - research and development
• Technologies of organic chemistry and pharmaceutical processes

Security and Defense

Fields of Research

• Strategic products for international security;
• Boarder security;
• National economic security;
• Civil defense.

RTU collaboration with CERN

Latvia’s cooperation with CERN is ensured by RTU Center of High-Energy Physics and Accelerator Technology established in 2017, which also acts as CERN’s National Contact Point in Latvia. The aim of the Centre is to build a strong high-energy particle and accelerator technology community in Latvia to foster high-level scientific and industrial research. This will allow the Latvian economy to shift towards knowledgeintensive manufacturing, ensuring rapid development of Latvia.

Research projects and achievements

RTU has established partnerships with various research institutions and organizations worldwide, including the European Union, Horizon 2020, the Nordic Council of Ministers, and the Latvian Academy of Sciences.

Riga Technical University (RTU) has actively participated in both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects, which are the European Union's flagship research and innovation programs.

Under Horizon 2020, RTU was involved in a range of research projects in various fields, including energy, materials science, and information technology. For example, RTU was a partner in the "Smart grid protection against cyber attacks" project, which aimed to improve the resilience of the European power grid against cyber threats. RTU also participated in the "Biomass-based energy intermediates boosting biofuel production" project, which focused on developing more efficient and sustainable biofuel production methods..

Moving into Horizon Europe, RTU continues to participate in a number of research projects in various fields, such as circular economy, smart mobility, and advanced materials. For instance, RTU is a partner in the "Sustainable cOmmunity dEvElopment with Nature-Based Solutions" (SCENE) project, which aims to develop sustainable urban and rural communities using nature-based solutions. RTU is also a participant in the "European Open Science Cloud - EOSC" project, which is developing a pan-European platform for open science.

Overall, RTU's active involvement in these programs demonstrates the university's commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and innovation in collaboration with partners from across Europe and beyond.

Financing attracted to science in 2021

• Projects of the State Research Program 1 029 430 EUR
• Fundamental and applied research project 3 273 344 EUR
• ERA-NET projects 592 355 EUR
• ERDF projects 7 803 996 EUR
• Horizon 2020 program projects 2 263 312 EUR
• Other international scientific projects 1 602 831 EUR
• Contracted works for companies, state and municipal institutions, other universities and institutes, scientific conferences 1 945 227 EUR
• Different projects 3 643 643 EUR

Cooperation with the industry and external partners

RTU scientists actively collaborate with Latvian and foreign companies and organizations, providing opportunities to improve the existing products and technologies and to develop new ones. The rendered services range from consultancy and materials testing to new product development. In 2021, more than 130 contracts were implemented. All RTU faculties were involved, but the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry was responsible for the largest number of contracted works – 21% of the total.

In 2021, contracts were concluded with more than 100 partners. These included enterprises (82%), state (9%) and municipal (3%) authorities, research institutes (4%), and higher education institutions (2%).

The largest cooperation partners of RTU are SJSC «Latvenergo», JSC «Komforts Group», JSC «Grindex», JSC «Sadales tīkls», JSC «Latvijas Valsts meži», Ltd «eMobility», Contracted work implemented by organizational units of RTU (%) 2021 Data as of 31 Dec 2021. Source: ITTC SJSC «Latvijas Valsts ceļi», JSC «SAF Tehnika», Ltd «Latvijas Mobilais Telefons», JSC «Olainfarm», JSC «Valmieras stikla šķiedra», Ltd «Tet», Ltd «Rīgas ūdens», Ltd «TENAX», Ministry of Education and Science, National Centre for Education, Ministry of Economics, National Armed Forces Logistics Command, Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”.

Infrastructure

Energy and environmental resource extraction and sustainable use technology research center facilities of national importance; Facilities of the Research Center of State Importance of Unstructured and Multifunctional Materials, Structures and Technologies; Equipment of the research center of national importance for information, communication and signal processing technologies; Equipment of the Baltic Biomaterials Center of Excellence; 1.1.1.4. of the measure "Development of R&D infrastructure in areas of smart specialization and facilities for strengthening the institutional capacity of scientific institutions; international link UseScience; international link UseScience registered RTU scientific equipment and RTU calculated scientific services.

Riga Technical University provides broad forms of cooperation for the promotion of innovation, such as the research-intensive start-up support program "UniLab", the research commercialization potential assessment program for doctoral students and industry "Co.Lab", the research program "Vertically integrated projects", etc. engagement activities. The Innovative Products Development Department offers services to scientists and industry in the development of high-added value products, the Innovation Development Ecosystem Department provides opportunities for involvement in the knowledge and innovation communities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology "Food", "Materials", "Urban Environment and Mobility". At the same time, serial and one-off events are organized, which promote the cooperation of different groups.

Leading researchers:

More information: www.rtu.lv