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Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences
Vidzemes Augstskola

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

June 10, 2024

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) is an internationally recognized regional higher education and research institution, taking the role of the intellectual leader of Vidzeme Region in promoting the growth of the country and region.

In 2006, the ViA Sociotechnical Systems Engineering Institute was founded, in 2013 – the ViA Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research, in 2025 with the aim of strengthening the capacity of scientific activity and promoting research interdisciplinarity, both institutes were merged into one – the ViA Institute of Science (ViAZI).

The research achievements are transferred to students through the bachelor, master and doctoral study programs of the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Social Sciences. In 2024 ViA concluded an agreement with Vidzeme Planning Region on the establishment of Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub. The hub founded by two institutions serves as a cooperation platform for development of knowledge and innovation ecosystem of the region.

Scientific activity at ViA is mission-driven – solving challenges that are important for the growth of society by involving interdisciplinary research teams. The research strategy at ViA responds to the challenges created by the transition to the knowledge society and globalization. The long-term goal of the research activities at ViA is to create and adapt new technologies of the next generation knowledge society. The medium-term goal is to foster the national and regional development of smart specialization areas and increase productivity by carrying out research where there are actual social and technological challenges. The common research direction of ViA is digital solutions for social challenges.

Research directions and competences

Smart technologies for the economy and eco-building. The need for this research direction is determined by the regional demand, including the requirement of the specialists prepared by the study programme "The New Construction School" implemented at ViA. The topicality of the construction of wooden buildings and energy efficiency aspects is internationally increasing, and the specific research direction, although currently defined as a research sub-field of a regional significance, has a high potential for future growth.

Virtual reality technologies and visualization. The research direction focuses on the creation of new, innovative solutions and the further development of existing solutions in a range of sectors of the economy and society, including tourism, history, medicine, logistics, production, architecture, training, marketing, etc.

E-learning management and technologies. The research direction focuses on the creation of new innovative solutions and the further development of existing solutions in the field of education, and the enhancement of the availability of innovative e-learning for the promotion of a knowledge-based economy in Latvia, which includes tourism, history, medicine, logistics, production, architecture, training, marketing and other sectors of the national economy.

Sociotechnical systems modelling technologies. The research direction focuses on interdisciplinary research, which includes the assessment of engineering technology solutions in the social system and the evaluation of social research findings using simulation technology as well as company modelling methodologies.

Sustainable national economy and knowledge society. The development of the research direction is aimed at promoting the growth of the economy of Latvia (including in the regions, nature conservation areas), in the conditions of shrinking economy when development can take place by working more efficiently in one unit of time or by creating more expensive products and services for export.

Communication ecosystem and technologies. The development of the research direction is a proactive response to the challenges of society. Taking into account the topical challenges associated with the entry of digital technologies into the communication ecosystem of society, there is a need for improving the competence of society in the fields of media literacy and strategic communication. The research team has been actively involved in the implementation of the national level projects, as well as expanding an extensive cooperation at the international level.

Cybersecurity. Security has become a broad and complex concept that is addressed by the cybersecurity study direction at ViA. It includes interdisciplinary studies of media literacy, strategic communication, technologies, and cyber security for society, organizations, and states.

In 2020, together with five other regionally based universities in five European Union countries, ViA formed the European University Alliance E3UDRES2, which was joined by three more partners in 2022. The E3UDRES2 network aims to proactively promote regional development through excellent and people-centred education, applied research activities and participation in innovation, working with a wide range of stakeholders. Four research missions have been defined at E3UDRES2, expanding the opportunities for researchers to join internationalresearch groups. These missions are:

  • Health, well-being and social inclusion in the regions;
  • Digitization and deep tech;
  • Sustainable economy and innovation for regions;
  • Creative industries for the identity of regions.
Research projects and achievements

EcoMind: Development of Serious Art Games and the Ecology of Mind in the 21st Century 01.04.2025.-31.03.2028. ERDF - Latvian Council of Science postdoctoral research grants, total project budget EUR 184 140

Resilience by circularity and sharing culture at households as precondition for climate-neutral cities: ‘Circ-in-Town = Circ@Home + Circular services’ (Circ@Home) 01.03.2025.- 29.02.2028. Interreg, total project budget EUR 3 703 778

The socio-economic value of the military heritage of the Soviet occupation period in the territory of Latvia from the perspective of the parties involved: Preserve or forget? (VA#MILIT) 01.01.2025.-31.12.2027. Fundamentālo un lietišķo pētījumu projekti, total project budget EUR 293 064

Advancing Sustainability and Technology in Tourism, Hospitality, and Services Studies through Strategic Industry Partnerships (SIPAS) 01.12.2024.-30.11.2026. Erasmus+, total project budget EUR 720 918

Coastal Fishing Vessels Powered by Zero Emission Hydrogen Fuel Cell (H2-SEAS) 01.05.2024. - 31.10.2026. Horizon Europe, total project budget EUR 2 798 772.50

Climante Neutrality Decision Models in Action 07.02.2024.-06.02.2026. State Research Programme, total project budget EUR 1 162 500

Smart Textile Solutions as Biofeedback Method for Injury Prevention for Latvian Football Youth League Players 01.01.2024.- 31.12.2026. Fundamental and Applied Research Projects, total project budget EUR 299 997

Assessment of Resources and Processes for Implementing Circularity and the Green Deal in the Tourism System (CirToS) 01.01.2024.- 31.12.2026. Fundamental and Applied Research Projects, total project budget EUR 300 000

Visitor Monitoring and Management in Protected and Recreational Areas: New Challenges, Novel Solutions for the Anthropocene (VIMAS) 01.11.2023.- 31.12.2027. Horizon Europe MSCA DN, total project budget EUR 2 892 644 

Change(K)now! - Mindset Change from Single-Use to Circular or Multiple-Use of Food Delivery Systems in Cities of the BSR 01.11.2023.-31.10.2026. Interreg, total project budget EUR 4 610 000

Integrated system for interactive public garden development in Baltic Sea Region (Interactive Gardens) 01.11.2023.-30.10.2026. Interreg, total project budget EUR 2 790 120

CineGame Ukraine 01.04.2023.- 31.03.2025. Horizon Europe MSCA4Ukraine, total project budget EUR 146 659.20 

Acceleration Services in support of the institutional transformation of Higher Education Institutions - Accelerate Future HEI 01.01.2023. – 31.12.2026. Horizon Europe, total project budget EUR 3 197 063,75

Patriots and Nationalists: Cognition, Attitudes, and Their Impact on the Development of Democratic Civil Society (Patriotism) 01.01.2023.-31.12.2025. Fundamental and Applied Research Projects, total project budget EUR 299 916

Baltic Engagement Centre for Combating Information Disorders (BECID) 01.12.2022. - 31.05.2025. Digital Europe, total project budget EUR 2 830 662.53 

Twinning in Environmental Data and Dynamical Systems Modelling for Latvia (Ted4Lat) 01.10.2022.-30.09.2025. Horizon 2020, total project budget EUR 1 194 500

Digital Accelerator of Latvia (DAoL) 01.09.2022.- 31.08.2025. Digital Europe & Recovery and Resilience Facility, total project budget EUR 6 765 999.64

ImGame: An Innovative Digital Environment Based on Reseach with Elements of Immersive Aesthetics and Serious Gaming 01.09.2022.-31.08.2025. Creative Europe, total project budget EUR 206 600

Scientific School Culture for Sustainable Society (ZIKS) 03.01.2022.- 30.12.2024. Fundamental and Applied Research Projects, total project budget EUR 299 996.40

Baltic 100: Quantitative Data about Societal and Economic Transformations in the Regions of the Three Baltic States during the Last Hundred Years for the Analysis of Historical Transformations and the Overcoming of Future Challenges. 01.05.2021.- 30.04.2024. EEA Baltic Research Programme, total project budget EUR 999092.70

Optimising the Governance and Management of the Natura 2000 Protected Areas Network in Latvia (LatViaNature). 01.08.2020.-31.12.2028. LIFE, total project budget EUR 19 484 173

Infrastructure
  • Study and research base at 4 Cēsu Street, Valmiera
  • Study and research base at 10 Tērbatas Street, Valmiera
Leading researchers
  • Jānis Buholcs, Dr.sc.comm., h-3, ORCID 0000-0001-6538-5245
  • Sarma Cakula, Dr.paed., h-7, ORCID 0000-0003-4831-2057
  • Arnis Cīrulis, Dr.sc.ing., h-6, ORCID 0000-0001-9577-0646
  • Agnese Dāvidsone, PhD, h-4, ORCID 0000-0003-4276-9144
  • Oskars Java, PhD, h-3, ORCID 0000-0002-2189-3798
  • Andris Klepers, Dr.geogr., h-4, ORCID 0000-0002-7314-7957
  • Maira Leščevica, Dr.oec., h-3, ORCID 0000-0001-9172-3607
  • Agita Līviņa, Dr.oec., h-6, ORCID 0000-0003-2804-9132
  • Madara Prata (Pratt), PhD, h-4
  • Sarmīte Rozentāle, Dr.eoc., h-3, ORCID 0000-0002-0682-4196
  • Vineta Silkāne, Dr.psych., h-4, ORCID 0000-0002-1538-695X
  • Jana Simanovska, Dr.sc.ing., h-4
  • Alvis Sokolovs, Dr.sc.ing., h-6, ORCID 0000-0001-6282-6324
  • Linda Veliverronena, PhD, h-4, ORCID 0000-0003-1771-343X

More information: www.va.lv