Chronology of Key Events of Riga Technical University

September 1
The RTU Calling Festival is held in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala.

September 9
For the first time in the history of Latvian triathlon, the Latvian Aquathlon Championship (combining two disciplines – swimming and running) is held for students, in which Artūrs Liepa, a 2nd-year student of RTU Riga Business School (RBS), wins the champion title, while RTU swimming team athlete Maksis Maksimilians Veģeris takes 3rd place.

September 9–10
RTU chess players win the championship title in the Latvian Team Chess Championship.

September 13

• Management and students of Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) are visiting RTU to promote cooperation and discuss possible areas of cooperation.
• The Student Poetry Days 2023 «No klasikas līdz modernismam» (From Classics to Modernism) organized by the RTU Culture Centre are taking place at the Faculty of Architecture.

September 14

• RTU Rector Tālis Juhna and Jānis Ciems, Chairman of the Board of JSC «Latvijas Finieris», sign a cooperation agreement, agreeing to strengthen cooperation and promote science-intensive solutions in order to achieve effective knowledge transfer in modern education and working environment and targeted interaction between science and business.
• Meaghan Doherty Myers, the responsible representative of the US Embassy in Latvia in the field of politics and economy, is visiting RTU to familiarize herself with the Latvian Quantum Initiative. 

September 15
Marc Lemaitre, Director General for Research and Innovation Directorate of the European Commission, visits RTU, to get acquainted with the university’s contribution to research and innovation development.

September 17
RTU volleyball players win 2nd place in the Enthusiast Volleyball League.

September 18
Jānis Džeriņš begins to perform the duties of the Director of RTU Liepāja Maritime College.

September 19
The forum «Ūdeņradis mobilitātei un enerģijai» (Hydrogen for Mobility and Energy) is being held, where national and international energy industry experts gather and a demonstration of various types of hydrogen-powered transport takes place.

September 20

• RTU ranks 262nd in the prestigious international ranking «QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024», ranking among the top 300 universities in Europe. This is the highest position in this ranking among Latvian universities.
• Laura Fjodorova starts her work as the Director of RTU Engineering High School (EHS). 

September 28
The RTU International School of Science and Technology (ISST) is opening in the EHS premises of RTU at 1 Kronvalda Boulevard, which, starting from September 2024, will offer Cambridge-level secondary education in the fields of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in English.

September 28–29
A delegation of the Korea Development Institute (KDI School of Public Policy and Management) is visiting RTU to get acquainted with RTU’s infrastructure, discuss cooperation opportunities and sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

September 29

• For the second year, the inspiration and networking event «Matchmaking Breakfast» is being held at the RTU Science and Innovation Centre (SIC).
• The first Latvian Innovation Ecosystem Summit «Innovate360°» is taking place.
• For the first time in Europe, the «Lielākā prāta vētra pasaulē» (World’s Largest Brainstorm) event is taking place at the Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre, surpassing the current Guinness record for generating ideas. The event is organized by RTU in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
• Scientists’ Night events are held in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala and in the Curiosity Centre «Futurimo Riga».
• State President Edgars Rinkēvičs presents the Big Owl to RTU EHS in the Riga Palace, confirming the excellent performance of the pupils in the national and international Olympiads.

In September

• The European Society of Protective Clothing appoints Professor Inga Dāboliņa, Head of the RTU Personal Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory, to the Board of the organization.
• RTU, together with the University of Latvia (LU), ranks first in Latvia in the prestigious international ranking «The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024» (THE WUR), sharing a common position with the same number of points – 1001st–1200th place. 

October 3

• Professor Ainārs Paeglītis, Director of the FCE Institute of Transport Infrastructure, and Leonīds Jākobsons, Chairman of the RTU Advisory Board, Chairman of the Board of the Building Material Suppliers Association, receives the construction industry’s major award «Pamatakmens» for lifetime contribution to the construction industry. The title «Gada students, bakalaurs 2023» (Student of the Year, Bachelor 2023) is awarded to FCE graduate Tomass Kozlovskis, «Gada students, maģistrs 2023» (Student of the Year, Master 2023) to Dāvis Jansons, a graduate of the FA. FCE graduates Elvijs Bojārs, Ieva Korna and Tomass Kozlovskis receive the special award «Gada students 2023» (Student of the Year 2023) of the construction industry’s big award partner «KAAMOS».
• The RTU Council approves the reorganization of faculties, which on 25.09.3023 was supported at the meeting by the RTU Senate (Minutes No. 675) and the RTU Advisory Board. 

October 4
In order to strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness in the fields of education, science and business, as well as to improve the country’s assessment of innovation and competitiveness indicators, the State President Edgars Rinkēvičs has established the State Competitiveness Commission, which will also include RTU Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede, FMSAC Professor Andris Šutka, Research Director of RTU Riga Business School Arkādijs Zvaigzne and mentor of RTU students, President of the Latvian Space Industry Association Pauls Irbins.

October 10

• The seventh RTU History Day is taking place.
• An exhibition dedicated to the development of 3D technologies is opening in the exhibition space of innovations and scientific achievements «RTU un Origo nākotnes pietura» (Future Stop of RTU and Origo).

October 13

• Celebrating RTU’s 161st birthday, the plenary session of RTU 64th International Scientific Conference is held in the auditorium centre «Domus auditorialis», where RTU Honorary Doctor diploma is presented to Sergio Cavalieri, Rector of the University of Bergamo, Fabio Pollice, Rector of the University of Salento, Ashok Vaseashta, Professor of the International Clean Water Institute in Manassas. The most outstanding scientists and faculty of RTU are also traditionally awarded at the meeting. The «RTU Scientist of the Year 2023» award is received by FCE Professor Diāna Bajāre; «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2023» – FET Leading Researcher Toms Salgals; «RTU Young Female Scientist of the Year 2023» – FEE Leading Researcher and Associate Professor Ieva Pakere. «RTU Annual Academic Excellence Award 2023» goes to FCE Leading Researcher and Professor Līga Gaile; «RTU New Lecturer the Yea 2023» award goes to FCSIT Lecturer Māra Pudāne. This year, for the first time, the award for promoting the excellence of the academic environment is presented, and FEEE Professor Jūlija Gušča receives this award.
• Expanding cooperation with Italy, RTU has opened the Latvian-Italian Cooperation Centre of RTU.

October 13–15
The International Furniture, Interior, Lighting and Design Exhibition «Furniture & Design Isle 2023» is being held in the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala, during which the Latvian Designers Society traditionally organizes the competition «Design Arena», in which students and graduates of the Institute of Design Technologies (IDT) of FMSAC also participate. In the category «Design Research» of the «Design Arena 2023» competition, two 1st places were awarded: to Reinholds Švarcs (RTU «Futurimo Riga» Curiosity Centre Exhibit «Pixel»; supervisor: Lecturer Mg. sc. ing. Baiba Lukaševiča, consultant: Assistant Professor Dr. sc. ing. Ilze Gudro), to Eduards Helmuts Šmits (RTU «Futurimo Riga» Curiosity Centre Exhibit «Future Materials»; supervisor: Lecturer Mg. sc. ing. Artūrs Ķīsis, consultants: Assistant Professor Dr. sc. ing. Ilze Gudro, Lecturer Mg. sc. ing. Baiba Lukaševiča). 2nd place is won by three students: Agnese Sauska (RTU «Futurimo Riga» Curiosity Centre Exhibit «Sound booth»; supervisor: Assistant Professor Dr. sc. ing. Ilze Gudro, consultant: Lecturer Mg. sc. ing. Baiba Lukaševiča); ​Kitija Berga (Zero Waste Garment Making; collection managers: Lecturer Mg. art. Agnese Oleksāne, Assistant Professor (practical) Mg. art. Daina Škiņke, supervisor:  Assistant Professor (practical) Mg. sc. ing. Agrita Krieviņa-Siliņa) and Inese Līga Kaminska (Deposit Bottle Storage Bag; supervisor: Assistant Mg. art. Juta Ķimenīte). The 3rd place goes to Unigunda Meijere (RTU «Futurimo Riga» Curiosity Centre Exhibit «Climate-Friendly Diet»; supervisor: Lecturer Mg. sc. ing. Baiba Lukaševiča, consultant: Assistant Professor Dr. sc. ing. Ilze Gudro). In this category, IDT graduate Kristīne Pavloviča is awarded for her master’s thesis «Electrospun Fibrous Membranes for Wound Care» (supervisor: Leading Researcher Dr. sc. ing. Zane Zelča).

October 18

• Professor Egons Lavendelis (1934–2023), the former Rector of Riga Polytechnic Institute / Riga Technical University (1985–1999), passed away at the age of 88.
• VIP coordinators from the USA, Sweden, Ireland and Great Britain visit RTU’ss Science and Innovation Centre to share their experience in implementing the program «Vertikāli integrētu projekts» (Vertically Integrated Project; VIP) and get acquainted with RT’'s success in implementing this program.

October 19
Liene Briede, RTU Vice-Rector for Innovations, and Sławomir Pietrzyk, General Director of the Polish company «IS-Wireless», sign a memorandum of cooperation, which provides that the RTU will be supplied with specialized software to create a private 5G network from the company, where laboratory conditions for various scientific researches will be provided.

October 20–23
The RTU mixed choir «Vivere»  (Artistic Director Gints Ceplenieks) wins the honourable 2nd place and a cash prize in the international choral music competition «12th Choral Festival Songs to Mary», which takes place in Koziegłowy (Poland). 

October 21

• RTU Chess Team – Tomass Kristiāns Šterns (FCSIT, 1st course), Kristaps Reinis Strods (External and Part-Time Studies, 3rd course), Alekss Daniels Šipicins (FCSIT, 1st course), Jānis Niklāvs Iļjenko (FEEE, 2nd course) and a student from Ukraine Vladyslav Nikulchenko (International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department, 2nd course) – wins the champion title of Latvian XXXIV Universiade. Individually, the 2nd place in the men’s competition was won by Aleksandrs Jazdanovs (FEEM, 2nd course), 3rd place – Pjotrs Koļasa (FEEM, 4th course). In the women’s competition, the 2nd place was won by Vita Petrova (FEEE, 4th course), the 3rd place – Valērija Ļepjohina (FCE, 4th course).
• FMETA 2nd course student, Latvian National Team and «ZZK» Team mountain biker Evelīna Ermane-Marčenko becomes Latvian champion in CX cyclo-cross elite group.

October 26
Representatives of the US Department of Defence visit RTU.

October 25–27
Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, RTU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, has been elected to the Advisory Committee of the International Association of Top International Managers in Engineering (T.I.M.E.) for a six-year term, having received the highest number of votes among all the candidates. Elections are held at the annual association assembly at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland).

October 27

• The second TEDxRigaTechnicalUniversity is taking place in the auditorium centre of RTU «Domus Auditorialis» and online, in which 12 inspiring personalities from Latvia and abroad discuss how people interact and influence each other’s future, actions and choices, as well as current issues in society and the economy, emphasizing the role of humans.
• At the end of the RTU Rector’s Cup competition, the most athletic faculties are awarded. RTU Rector’s Cup is won by FCE for the third time, leaving FEEM in 2nd place, FMETA team in 3rd place. 

November 1
The Director of RTU Latvian Maritime Academy (LMA) – RTU LMA Associate Professor Dmitrijs Goreļikovs– started the work.

November 3
In the auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis» the conference «Kā vadīt Latvijas cilvēkresursu attīstību?» (How to Manage Human Resources Development of Latvia?) is being held, the purpose of which is to evaluate human resources development strategies and discuss their implementation possibilities, as well as compliance with the real needs of the national economy. The conference is organized by the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economics and RTU.

November 5–10
The annual open data hackathon and idea generator of the Latvian Open Technologies Association (LATA) is taking place. In the hackathon, the RTU EHS team «RTU īpašums 2.0» wins the laurels with the idea «Aplikācija ģimenes ārsta atrašanai» (Application for Finding a GP). In the idea generator, the RTU EHS team «Iģortusiņš» won with the idea «Taročeks». Both teams win valuable cash prizes for realizing their ideas.

November 6
Ivars Miezis, the new Director of RTU Department of Information Technologies, begins his work.

November 8
The conference «Look at the Future of Mobility: Innovations, Education and Collaboration» is being held in the auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis», where industry leaders and policy makers discuss future transport, mobility and sustainable transport policy guidelines. The conference is opened by RTU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Professor Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens and Swedish Ambassador to Latvia Karin Höglund. 

November 10

• The new director of RTU Latvian Maritime Academy (LMA), Associate Professor Dmitrijs Goreļikovs, receives the flag of RTU LMA in a solemn ceremony, officially starting to fulfil his new duties.
• The new RTU Culture Centre office and cultural area is being opened in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala, 12/1 Āzenes Street. 

November 13
To strengthen cooperation and promote innovation and technology skills of those employed in education and science, University at Buffalo Vice Provost for International Education Nojin Kwak and Associate Vice Provost John J. Wood and MIT J-WEL Education Laboratory founder Vijay Kumar and Assistant Director Julia Reynolds Cuellar are visiting RTU.

November 16
In the RTU Curiosity Centre of «Futurimo Riga» is opened the exhibition «Latviešu karavīra ceļš pagājušajā gadsimtā» (The Path of a Latvian Soldier in the Last Century), allowing one to look into the everyday life of soldiers from the march of the rifleman until the 90s of the last century, when the Latvian National Armed Forces were restored and the National Guard was established.

November 17

• The solemn meeting of the RTU Senate is taking place in honour of the 105th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, where RTU’s highest award – the RTU Badge of Honour – is presented for the first time. The award goes to RTU Rector (2011–2023), Rector Emeritus (2023) Academician Leonīds Ribickis and RTU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (2007–2023) Professor Uldis Sukovskis. At the ceremonial meeting, the diploma of «RTU Honorary Alumnus 2022» is received by the Leading Researcher of the National Contact Point of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Professor Toms Torims of the RTU Institute of Particle Physics and Accelerator Technology, the RTU Honorary Doctor diploma is presented to CERN professor Maurizio Vretenar. 
• Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša presents the Letter of Recognition of the Cabinet of Ministers to RTU SIC Design Factory Manager Elīna Miķelsone for her significant contribution to the development of ideas and innovation management.

November 18

• RTU Rector Academician Tālis Juhna receives the Riga City Council award «Gada rīdzinieks 2023» (Citizen of Riga 2023). 
• At the concert dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the proclamation of the State of Latvia, Iļja Polis, a 10th-grade pupil of RTU EHS, reads his proposal for the President’s address at the National Theatre, whose speech was recognized as one of the best in the competition for the President’s holiday address to the nation announced by the Chancellery of the State President. 358 pupils’ works were received in the competition this year.

November 21
At a monthly meeting with the RTU family, RTU management introduces the new faculty deans who will lead the new faculties created in the consolidation process from 1 January 2024. The current Dean of FMSAC, Professor Māris Turks, will become the Dean of the future Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology (FNST), current FCSIT Professor Agris Ņikitenko was chosen as the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy (FCSITE). The competition for the position of Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (FCME) has ended without results, and for the post of Acting Dean appointed FCE Professor Līga Gaile. So far, the FEEM Dean has not been found, and the faculty will continue to be managed by the current dean, Assistant Professor Aldis Čevers. Dmitrijs Goreļikovs has been chosen as the new Director of RTU Latvian Maritime Academy (RTU LMA).

November 22

• Riga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis and the delegation of the Riga City Council (RCC) are visiting RTU. RTU and RCC agree on closer cooperation in the development of innovation and STEM education.
• Arnis Riekstiņš, co-owner of Lts. «Mikrotīkls», gets to know RTU’s latest scientific equipment, the purchase of which was possible this year thanks to the company’s support.
• Jānis Buks, President of the Latvian Olympic Committee, is visiting RTU Science and Innovation Centre to discuss possible ways of cooperation, providing scientific and innovation-based support to Latvian athletes, together with RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede and RTU SIC Sports Technology Direction Manager Mārtiņas Rubenis.

November 23
Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis visits RTU, meeting with the university’s management and scientists.

November 24
The topping-out celebration of the new building of the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence (BBCE) in Ķīpsala, at 3 Paula Valdena Street is taking place.

November 25
Remembering and honouring the long-time Artistic Director of our university dance collective «Vektors», choreographer and dance pedagogue Uldis Šteins (1935–2023), the concert «Sveiks, māksliniek!» (Hello, Artist!) is being held at VEF Culture Palace.

November 27
Latvian State President Edgars Rinkēvičs is visiting RTU, getting acquainted with the study and research environment and meeting with RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, university management, scientists and students to discuss the importance of engineering education in the growth of the national economy, the development and challenges of science and innovation.

In November

• For the seventh year in a row, in the prestigious «Eduniversal» ranking of the world’s best business schools, FEEM and RTU Riga Business School is included in the Four Palm League, receiving the highest rating in Latvia, which confirms a high academic level, excellent quality and a strong international influence in business and management education. 

September 1

• In the presence of the President of Latvia Egils Levits, the reconstructed building of the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) is solemnly opened in the Student Campus in Ķīpsala. In honour of RTU’s 160th anniversary, State President E. Levits plants one of the 160 planned trees in Ķīpsala. 
• The Minister of Education and Science, Anita Muižniece, is visiting RTU Engineering High School (EHS) on the Knowledge Day of the new academic year. 

September 2
The traditional meeting of RTU Rector Academician Leonīds Ribickis with RTU faculty and staff, at the beginning of the new academic year, takes place for the first time in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala, in the Domus auditorialis hall, at 8  Zunda Embankment.

September 5 
At the beginning of the new academic year, the RTU Calling Festival is held in the Ķīpsala colonnade.

September 5–9
In the presence of Latvian Ambassador to Italy Solvita Āboltiņa, Italian Ambassador Deputy to Latvia Luigi Giovinazzi, RTU Vice-Rector for Research Tālis Juhna and management representatives, the practical part of the International Summer School «Nonlinear Life. Edition 5» organized jointly by RTU and the University of Bergamo (UniBg) in Italy which takes place in the laboratories of the Student Campus in Ķīpsala is opened. 

September 7

• RTU, together with other organizations involved in the start-up ecosystem of Latvia, signs a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, agreeing on closer cooperation and approving the strategy for the development of the start-up ecosystem in 2022–2025.
• The only 3D Concrete Printing Scientific Laboratory in the Baltics (FCE Institute of Materials and Structures) receives a gift from Ltd. «Reaktīvs» – a new equipment for the work of scientists and students – a mortar mixer/pump «M-Tec Duo Mix», which is used for concrete preparation and for printing. 

September 12
In accordance with the new version of the Higher Education Law, RTU announces an open international competition for the position of rector. Applicants are invited to submit applications by 10 October.

September 13–18
RTU EHS 12th grade pupil Lukass Roberts Kellijs wins the special prize «Naturalis Bioversity Center» at the European Young Scientists Competition (EUCYS 2022), which takes place in Leiden, the Netherlands, and where 132 participants from 23 countries defend their scientific research works. 

September 15
Italian Ambassador to Latvia Alessandro Monti visits RTU to discuss the cooperation between RTU and the Italian Embassy in Latvia so far, outline the directions for further development and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the provision and promotion of the Italian language course at RTU. In honour of RTU’s 160th anniversary, the ambassador plants a tree in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala. 

September 16
Confirming RTU’s commitment to academic principles, RTU Rector Academician Leonīds Ribickis signs the renewed version of the Great University Charter (Magna Charta Universitatum) in Bologna. 

September 21
In the «Origo» shopping centre, at 4 Stacijas laukums, on the 2nd floor of the new building, an interactive changing exhibition «RTU un «Origo» nākotnes pietura» (RTU and «Origo» Future Stop) opens, where one can get acquainted with the latest technological solutions and achievements of RTU students, engineers and scientists.

September 22

• Representatives of the science advisors of the European Union’s foreign ministries and science diplomacy network are visiting Ķīpsala, visiting RTU laboratories and getting acquainted with the work of RTU scientists. 
• RTU in Ķīpsala, 16 Zunda Embankment, opens the Aeronautics House – the scientific research and teaching building of the Institute of Aeronautics of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transport and Aeronautics (FMETA); where scientists and students will develop aeronautical technologies.

23. septembrī
With the participation of the Minister of Education and Science, Anita Muižniece, in Ķīpsala, in the auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis», a seminar «On the road to excellence» is held, in which RTU receives an award from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) – a four-star rating «Recognized by EFQM» awarded by international experts, ranking the quality management system implemented by RTU among the most highly rated and better managed systems that comply with the EFQM model.

September 25–29
RTU's mixed choir «Vivere» wins a Gold Diploma in two categories: «Laikmetīgā mūzika» (Contemporary Music) and «Garīgā mūzika» (Sacred Music), as well as 2nd place in the X International Choir Competition «Isola del Sole», which takes place in Grado, Italy. 

September 26

• The RTU Senate decides (Minutes No. 665) to award the title of RTU Honorary Doctor (Dr. Honoris Causa) to the Dean of Aalto University (Finland) Professor D. sc. (tech.) Gary Marquis and to the former Rector of the University of Bergamo (Italy) Professor Remo Morcenti Pellegrini.
• At the meeting of the Senate, Mārtiņš Kalniņš, the Leading Researcher of the Institute of Polymer Materials of the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry (FMSAC), is presented with the diploma of RTU Honorary Professor. 

September 28
RTU is organizing a seminar for Latvian physics teachers online, on the Zoom platform, «Sharing our experience», which offers materials for physics practical work, experiments and problem solving, helping teachers to prepare for physics lessons. 

October 1–2
RTU men’s and women’s duets successfully compete in Latvian XXXIII Universiade in beach volleyball: Sandis Bērziņš (Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT, 1st year) and Rūdolfs Stankevičs (Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications (FET, 3rd year) won 1st place; Stefānija Krista Jaunzeme (Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (FEEM, 2nd year) and Gerda Eleonora Šnore (FEEM, 1st year) – 3rd place.

October 7
In honour of the prominent scientist, chemist and science historian, RTU Honorary Member (2000), Academician Jānis Stradiņš (1933–2019), VAS «Latvijas Pasts» issues a stamp and an envelope dedicated to him.

October 8
The artistic Director and Conductor of the RTU men’s choir «Gaudeamus» Ivars Cinkuss is presented with the Teodors Reiters Music Grand Prize for his significant contribution to the development of choral art in Latvia and promoting its recognition in the world. 

October 10
On the sixth RTU History Day, the session of the RTU 63rd International Scientific Conference section «History of Engineering Sciences and Institutions of Higher Education» was being held; the scientific monograph prepared by the RTU Research Centre for Engineering History «Olympians of Riga Technical University in 110 years. 1912–2022» was opened and the opening ceremony of our university’s Olympians Gallery was opened. 

October 11

• Celebrating RTU’s 160th anniversary, RTU’s management, students and employees traditionally visited the resting places of RTU’s founders and former university rectors in the Riga cemeteries. 
• The premiere of the documentary film «Paātrinājums» (Acceleration) dedicated to RTU’s 160th anniversary is taking place in the auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis».  

October 12
The RTU Faculty of Architecture (FA), at 6 Ķīpsalas Street, opens the exhibition «Dialogs ar telpu» (Dialogue With sSpace), dedicated to the long-time RTU faculty member and architect Professor Ivars Strautmanis (1932–2017) on his 90th anniversary. 

October 14

• Celebrating RTU’s 160th anniversary, the plenary session of the 63rd RTU International Scientific Conference is taking place, with the participation of Minister of Economy Ilze Indriksone; thanking RTU academic staff, scientists and employees, the Minister presents RTU with a Letter of Recognition for the contribution to education and the national economy. 
  • In the plenary session, the most outstanding RTU scientists are traditionally honoured: the «RTU Scientist of the Year 2022» award goes to Oskars Ozoliņš, Associate Professor of the FET; «RTU Young Female Scientist of the Year 2022» award goes to Brigita Dejus, Leading Researcher of the FCE; «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2022» award goes to Jurģis Zemītis, Associate Professor of the FCE; «RTU Annual Award for Valorization 2022»  award goes to Remo Merijs-Meri, Professor of the FMSAC; «RTU Annual Student of for Valorization 2022» goes to Ilze Vamža Researcher of the Faculty of  Electrical and Environmental Engineering (FEEE).  
  • At the solemn meeting of the RTU Senate, RTU Honorary Doctor (Dr. Honoris Causa) diplomas are presented; they are received by Professor Gary Marquis, Dean of Aalto University (Finland) and Professor Remo Morcenti Pellegrini, former Rector of University of Bergamo (Italy). 
  • The most outstanding RTU faculty members are also honoured at the solemn meeting of the RTU Senate: «RTU Annual Academic Excellence Award 2022» is awarded to Academician  Māris Turks, Dean of the FMSAC, «RTU New Lecturer of the Year 2022» is awarded to Ieva Parkere Associate Professor of FEEE. 
  • FMETA presents its special award – the Badge of Honour «Zelta zobrats» (Golden Gear) for the support to the faculty to the Dean of the FEEM), the Chairperson of the RTU Senate, Professor Elīna Gaile-Sarkane.

October 15
The RTU interfaculty erudition competition «Spice 2022» is taking place.

October 17
Professor Ion Tiginyanu, President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, and Tudor Braniste, Head of the International Relations Department, are visiting RTU on a working visit, getting acquainted with RTU’s achievements in studies, science, technology transfer, innovation, infrastructure modernization and internationalization of the study environment.

October 18

• Tomáš Boček, Vice President of The Council of Europe Development Bank (EPAB), visits the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala and meets with RTU management. During the meeting, T. Boček presents the Medal of Recognition and expresses gratitude to RTU and the Rector for the successfully implemented infrastructure construction and renovation project. 
• The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia awards a Certificate of Recognition to FMSAC Professor Sergejs Gaidukovs for his significant contribution to the research of biomass polymers and the promotion of a sustainable environment. 
• In honour of the long-time Professor of our university Jānis Rudzītis (1938–2018), a Memorial Plaque dedicated to him is unveiled on the birthday of the Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics of the FMETA, at 6B Ķīpsalas Street, on the 4th floor.

October 20
The first TEDx Riga Technical University is taking place in RTU’s auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis», at 8 Zunda Embankment, and online on RTU’s Youtube and Facebook channels, gathering representatives of business, innovation, technology, science, medicine, maritime and other fields. This is the first time in Latvia that an educational institution has obtained a license to organize TEDx – the event is organized by the FEEM Institute of Business Engineering and Management.

October 21
RTU EHS Open Doors Day is taking place, where interested parties get to know EHS in person and the possibilities of enrolling in this secondary school, the environment and curriculum of which are specially designed for in-depth study of engineering. 

October 22
The anniversary concert of the RTU men’s choir «Gaudeamus» is being held in Riga St. Peter’s Church.

October 25
The official opening of the multifunctional exercise bench «sol(i)s augšup» (bench (step) up), which was installed in Ķīpsala, near the colonnade, by the information technology company «Accenture», to promote the physical health of RTU students and workers and to take care of the welfare of society as a whole, is taking place. 

October 26

• Representatives of the Technical Regulation Agency of Uzbekistan, the Institute of Standardization and the Institute of Metrology visit FMETA scientific laboratories to familiarize themselves with RTU’s laboratory equipment, research by scientists, experience in training young specialists and cooperation with industry.

• Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece presents Letters of Recognition to the organizing committee and program makers of the 19th Baltic States Student Song and Dance Festival «Gaudeamus», including RTU employees: long-time Head of the Culture Centre Asja Visocka, Head of the mixed choir «Vivere» Gints Ceplenieks, Head of TDA «Vektors» Dagmāra Bārbala, the Head of the women's choir «Delta» Elīza Dūma and the Head of the student brass band «SPO» Māris Martinsons. 

October 27
During her working visit to RTU, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is coming to Latvia. She is meeting with 100 young Latvians in the RTU auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis» and online discuss the future of Europe.

October 28

• In the presence of Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Raimonds Lapiņš, RTU management, representatives of companies and research organizations, FCE, at 6A Ķīpsalas Street on the 2nd floor, the Science and Innovation Centre was opened, where students, entrepreneurs and scientists will be able to create innovative products and develop science-intensive ideas.
• Representatives of the Association of Physics Teachers visit the FET laboratories in order to get new information, which could later be used in the teaching process, by meeting with faculty members and scientists.

October 29
The RTU Self-defence Team won several prize-winning places in the open Duo-system competitions organized by the Latvian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, gaining the right to represent Latvia in international competitions: the gold medal was won by RTU Varsity Team athlete Laura Leja; bronze medal – Mārtiņš Ciekurs (4th course at RTU Riga Business School) Aleksandrs Burdžibaljans (3rd course at FCE) and Veronika Jonina (3rd course at FA). 

October 31

• In the conference hall of the RTU Dormitory «Integrālis» and online, an informative event on the development perspective of maritime education is taking place, with the addition of the Latvian Maritime Academy to RTU from 1 November. 
• At the meeting of the RTU Senate, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science, Director of the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dmitrijs Stepanovs, presents the Letters of Recognition and Gratitude to the RTU management and employees who have made a significant contribution to the development in higher education, science and valorization of RTU. Ministry of Education and Science Awards are received by: Rector Leonīds Ribickis; Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Uldis Sukovskis; Vice-Rector for Research Tālis Juhna; Vice-Rector for Finance Ingars Eriņš; Vice-Rector for Strategic Development Artūrs Zeps; Chair of the Senate Elīna Gaile-Sarkane; Deputy Rector for Digital Transformation Jans Šlihte; Deputy Rector for International Academic Cooperation and Studies Igors Tipāns; Director of Administration Juris lljins; Director of the Scientific Library Aija Janbicka-Vība; Director of Department of Public Affairs Laine Kučinska; Director of Department of Financial Planning and Management Edgars Bunka; Director of Legal Department Dāvis Mednis; Long-term Director of Culture Centre Asja Visocka. Ministry of Education and Science Gratitude is received by: Dean of FA Uģis Bratuškins; Dean of FCE Mārtiņš Vilnītis; Dean of FCSIT Agris Ņikitenko; Dean of FETH Marina Platonova; Acting Dean of FET Vjačeslavs Bobrovs; Dean of FEEE Oskars Krievs; Dean of FMETA Ēriks Geriņš; Dean of FMSAC Māris Turks; Director of Riga Business School Jānis Grēviņš; Member of the Board of RTU EHS Solveiga Medne; Director of Student Accommodation Department Iveta Sveržicka; Director of Study Department Uģis Citskovskis; Director of the Infrastructure Department Sandis Kārkliņš; Director of Innovation technology Transfer Centre Laila Eliņa; Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Gatis Bažbauers; Director of RTU Cēsis Centre for Studies and Research Armands Sīlītis; Director of RTU Daugavpils Centre for Studies and Research Ivans Griņevičs; Director of RTU Liepāja Centre for Studies and Research Mārcis Priedītis;  Director of RTU Ventpils Centre for Studies and Research Vineta Gobiņa; RTU Student Parliament President Aneta Tarasova. 
• The RTU Senate (Minutes No. 666) decides: 
  • to approve the regulations of the RTU Advisory Board in a new version;
  • make changes to the regulations of the RTU Science Council and the regulations of the RTU Constitutional Assembly election commission and election process;
  • taking into account the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of 25 October 2022 «Amendment to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers of 16 April 2013 No. 202 «Procedure in which documents certifying higher education recognized by the state are issued» and Cabinet of Ministers regulations of 27 September 2022 No. 595 «Regulations on Latvian science branch groups, science branches and sub-branches», to make changes in the scientific degrees to be awarded in academic doctoral study programs. 

In October 

• Evaluating RTU’s influence in ensuring sustainability, in the international ranking «QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2023» RTU was recognized as the best not only in Latvia, but also in the Baltics, ranking the university 451st–500th place in the overall ranking in the world.
• Until 29 October, RTU will hold elections for new members of faculties, study and science centres, as well as international student self-government. 

November 1
By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers (CM) of  5 July 2022 (session protocol No. 35, § 57; Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of 6 July 2022 No. 492) Latvian Maritime Academy (LMA) as an autonomous structural unit, continuing all existing LMA study programs, providing maritime education in accordance with international conventions and taking over the obligations of LMA, as well as preserving the name, identity and traditions of the academy, added to RTU.

November 4–5 

• The Āgenskalns Amateur Art Festival organized by the RTU Culture Centre is taking place.
• RTU swimmers successfully compete in the X International Sprint Festival «Rīgas Sprints 2022», which is the largest and best-known swimming competition in the Baltics: RTU graduate Olympian Daniils Bobrovs wins the 200 m and 100 m breaststroke and a silver medal in the 50 m distance; Rihards Kahanovičs (2nd course at FCE) wins the 50 m freestyle, the silver medal in the 100 m breaststroke and the bronze medal in the 100 m swimming stroke; RTU graduate Ģirts Feldbergs wins in 100 m and 200 m backstroke; Dainis Kudrjavcevs (1st course at FCSIT) wins the silver medal in 200 m backstroke; Toms Veinbergs (1st course at FEEM) wins two silver medals – 100 m freestyle and 50 m backstroke. In the freestyle relay (4 x 50 m) Ģ. Feldbergs, T. Veinbergs, as well as Andrejs Dūda and Kārlis Ādmsons achieve a new Latvian record.

November 5
An Open Door Day is held at the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala.

November 4–6
In the «Design Arena 2022» competition organized by the Latvian Designers’ Society, which takes place during the International Furniture, Interior, Lighting and Design exhibition «Furniture & Design Isle 2022», several awards are received by the students of the Institute of Design Technologies (IDT) of RTU FMSAC and the design products created by them. In the Product Design category: 1st place – Sindija Medne, supervisor – IDT Scientific Assistant Inga Zotova, S. Medne was also chosen as the student of the year in design; 2nd place – Sintija Grīnberga, supervisor – IDT Scientific Assistant Kristaps Zvirgzds; 3rd place – Ance Kalniņa, supervisor – IDT Lecturer Artūrs Ķīsis. In the Design Research category: 2nd place – Sindija Medne, supervisor – IDT Scientific Assistant Inga Zotova; 3rd place – Liene Brice, supervisor – IDT Assistant Professor Ilze Gudro. IDT also wins a prize from Ltd. «Stikla Serviss».

November 10 

• The event «RTU zinātnes attīstība» (RTU Science Development) is taking place, where one can familiarize himself with the new laboratory equipment and its importance in the improvement of science, implementing eight projects, which are realized with the donation made by Ltd. «Mikrotīkls». 
• The traditional student competition «Papīra tilti 9» (Paper Bridges 9) is taking place, in which FCE students build the strongest paper bridge, which can withstand 120.3 kg.  

November 11
Celebrating Latvian Freedom Fighters’ Remembrance Day (Lāčplēsis Day), in an event organized by the RTU Student Parliament, students, faculty and staff light up the Ķīpsala colonnade, creating the outline of Latvia and Latvian symbols with candles.

November 12
FCSIT 2nd year student Deniss Vasiļjevs wins prize-winning places in the Latvian junior championships in table tennis, winning 1st place in singles and doubles (paired with Artūrs Spalis), as well as 2nd place in mixed doubles (paired with Rēzija Meļke).

November 14–17
By creating an innovative fire extinguishing complex, 3rd-course students of the Aviation Transport study program of FMETA Institute of Aeronautics Gļebs Panfilovs, Jurijs Lukanovs and Emīls Aliks won the 1st place in the international competition «TRA VISIONS 2022 Young Researcher Competition».

November 15–18
At the international conference of additive manufacturing – the exhibition «Formnext 2022», which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, a prototype of a particle accelerator component printed in 3D technology, which was made for the first time in history using additive manufacturing technology, from pure copper in one piece and which was created in the project I. FAST by RTU, was exhibited. It was designed by Guntis Pikurs, a researcher at the Centre of High Energy Physics and Accelerator Technologies, in collaboration with several international partners.

November 24
New full members (academics), corresponding members, foreign members and one Honorary member were elected at the plenary meeting of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS), among them two RTU scientists were elected as corresponding members of the LAS: FET Professor Sandis Spolītis and FMSAC Associate Professor Raivis Žalubovskis. 

November 29
RTU, University of Latvia, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Economics, Electronic Communications Office of Latvia, Ltd. «Tet», Ltd. «Mikrotik», Employers’ Confederation of Latvia, Liepāja Special Economic Zone Administration and Ltd. «LMT» sign a memorandum of understanding on the next generation technological development – for the development of Latvia’s capabilities for the production of microchips necessary for electronics.

November 30
While visiting Riga and participating in the «5G Techritory» forum, Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), visited RTU to meet with the university management and learn about study opportunities and research in our university.

In November

• Appreciating FEEM’s continuous efforts to raise the quality of higher education, build the business ecosystem and strengthen it in the region and beyond, the Baltic Management Development Association awards the faculty an award for significant influence in the Baltic Sea region. 
• The Latvian student team, which included RTU, University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University students (team manager – RTU Vice-Rector for Research Academician Tālis Juhna), won a bronze medal in the world’s largest biotechnology innovation competition «International Genetically Engineered Machine» (iGEM).
• For the sixth year in a row, FEEM and RTU Riga Business School (RBS) have been included in the prestigious «Eduniversal» ranking of the world’s best business schools in the four-palm league. 

December 1
In order to discuss potential cooperation and highlight the benefits provided by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to RTU students and scientists, Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of ITU, and Jaroslaw Ponder, Head of the Office for Europe, are visiting RTU.

December 3
RTU athletes win medals at the Riga Table Tennis Championship: Eduards Spāģis (FCSIT graduate) won the gold medal in men’s doubles, playing in a pair with Māris Freibergs; silver medal in mixed doubles – Viktorija Majorova (2nd course at FEEM), playing in a pair with Aleksandra Maskaļonoka.

December 4
RTU luger Anda Upīte (FEEM, 3rd year) wins the bronze medal in the first stage of the World Cup, competing with Sanija Ozoliņa.

December 7
The new RTU Advisory Board convenes for its first meeting (the personnel composition of the Advisory Board was approved at the 21 November meeting of the RTU Senate (Minutes No. 667) and at the 28 November meeting of the RTU Council). Leonīds Jākobsons, a Board Member of the Latvian Construction Engineers Union, was elected as the Chairman of the RTU Advisory Board, and Aigars Ločmelis, a Board Member of the «Industry Service Partner», was elected as his deputy.

December 10
In the competition stage of the European Cup in bobsleigh, the Latvian crew of four, in which the pusher is FCE 4th year student Lauris Kaufmanis, wins the third place.

December 10–11
RTU chess players won the title of Champion and Vice-champion in the Latvian Team Championship in rapid chess and in a similar tournament in rapid chess.

December 15

• RTU scientists receive JSC «Latvenergo» and LAS annual awards in energy: for a significant contribution to energy, the Annual Award goes to FEEE Institute of Industrial Electronics and Electrical Engineering (IIEEE) Researcher and Laboratory Manager Ansis Avotiņš and FEEE Institute of Energy Systems and Environment (IESE) Professor Andra Blumberga; IIEEE Leading Researcher Kristaps Vītols and IESE Researcher Vivita Priedniece, as well as Energy Engineer Dmitrijs Boreiko of JSC «Rīgas piena kombināts» and Director of the Energy Department of the Public Services Regulatory Commission Līga Kurevska – both defended their doctoral theses at RTU this year.
• The clothing collection of Aļisa Ļeksunova, a student at RTU’s Bachelor study programme «Materials Technology and Design», «Stress Expression» was recognized as one of the best in the fashion designer competition «Modes manifestācija 2022» (Fashion Manifestation 2022) in the «Bachelor’s Studies» category.

December 19

• Member of the European Court of Auditors, RTU graduate Mihails Kozlovs is visiting FEEM to discuss cooperation with RTU. During the visit, M. Kozlovs meets with FEEM Dean Professor Elīna Gaile-Sarkane and gives a lecture to the students of the faculty about the work and tasks of the European Court of Auditors.
• Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia Ilze Indriksone is visiting FEEM. During the visit, the minister meets with faculty scientists and familiarizes herself with the latest scientific research.
• While waiting for Christmas, RTU students and employees decorated a festive tree in Ķīpsala colonnade with the decorations of FMSAC Institute of Design Technologies, RTU «Latvenergo» creative laboratory, Science Innovation Centre (SIC) and their own decorations, creating a festive feeling in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala.

In December

• RTU EHS 11th-grade pupil Rūdis Freipičs receives the Letter of Recognition from the Cabinet of Ministers for his achievements in the International Geography Olympiad, where he won 2nd place.
• In the green policy and sustainability ranking «GreenMetric World University Rankings 2022», RTU is ranked 55th and is the only Baltic higher education institution rated so high in the ranking – none of the Baltic universities has ranked among the 400 greenest universities.
• Emīls Abrickis, a graduate of the professional study program «Siltumenerģētika un siltumtehnika» (Heat Power and Thermal Engineering) of the Department of Thermal Power Systems of FMETA, receives the «Latvenergo» Award for the best final thesis – the diploma project «Termoelektrostaciju iekārtu defektu klasifikācijas sistēmas izstrāde un tās pielietošana defektu cēloņu novērtēšanai» (Development of power plants’ equipment defect classification system and it’s application in assessment of the defects’ causes).

January 7
At the fourth stage of the Luge World Cup, which takes place in Sigulda (Latvia), Anda Upīte (3rd course at FEEM) won the 1st place in women’s doubles in a pair with Sanija Ozoliņa, achieving a new record of the Sigulda bobsled and luge track.

January 12
The meeting of the RTU Constitutional Assembly is taking place, in which the RTU Council nominates two candidates for the rector’s election: RTU Vice-Rector for Research Tālis Juhna and RTU Riga Business School Director Jānis Grēviņš. RTU's Constitutional Assembly elects the Rector’s Election Commission in the following composition: Aneta Tarasova, President of the RTU Student Parliament («for» – 150 votes out of 160 present members of the Constituent Assembly); Professor Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Chairwoman of RTU Senate, Dean of FEEM (135); Professor Juris Blūms, |Drector of the Institute of Technical Physics of FMSAC; Professor Sandis Spolītis of FET (111); Head of the Procurement Unit of the Legal Department Mārtiņš Briedis (98).

January 13
For active participation in the «Asins draudzība 2022» (Blood Friendship 2022) campaign of the State Blood Donor Centre, thanks to 1463 RTU donors who donated blood last year, RTU wins the traveling «Asins draugu kausu» (Blood Friends Cup) in the group of large universities.

January 14
In the fifth stage of the World Cup in luge sports, which takes place in Sigulda (Latvia) and is also the European Championship, Anda Upīte (3rd course at FEEM) won the 2nd place in women’s doubles paired with Sanija Ozoliņa. 

January 15
In the cultural centre «Ziemeļblāzma» the first graduation of RTU Latvian Maritime Academy (LMA) is held after the consolidation process of the two universities, when LMA joined RTU as an autonomous structural unit. 66 graduates are graduating from RTU LMA this year. 

January 17
LAS awards name awards and young scientists awards to several RTU scientists and graduates: Award named by Emīlija Gudriniece in chemistry – to FMSAC Researcher Linards Lapčinskis; Award named by Vitauts Tamužs in the mechanics – FMETA graduate Ph. D. Ivo Vaicis; Award named by Edvīns Vedējs for outstanding achievements in organic chemistry – to FMSAC graduate Ph. D. Lūkass Tomas Lukašēvics; Young Scientists Award – to FMSAC master student Artūrs Spergs. For persistent work in attracting young people to science, the Award named by Artura Barklavs in the promotion of science is given to RTU EHS physics teacher, Researcher at the Institute of Solid State Physics of the UL, Dr. phys. Virgīnija Vītola.

January 18
In the presence of the Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša, the Minister of Health Līga Meņģelsone and the Minister of the Interior Māris Kučinskis, the Personal Protective Equipment Testing Laboratory with unique world-class equipment is opening in the Laboratory House of RT at 1 P. Valdena Street. 

January 26
On the International Customs Day, which is traditionally celebrated on 26 January, Normunds Rudzītis, a Practical Assistant Professor of the FEEM International Business and Customs Institute, receives a Certificate of Honour from the World Customs Organization for his significant contribution to the development and strengthening of customs education in Latvia, as well as his active participation in the implementation of various international projects.

January 27–29
Luger, Anda Upīte (3rd course at FEEM), paired with Sanija Ozoliņa, wins the bronze medal in women’s doubles at the U-23 FIL World Championships in Oberhof, Germany. 

January 30
The RTU Senate decides (Minutes No. 669) decides: 

• to approve the procedure for awarding RTU Honorary title Rector Emeritus, determining that this Honorary title can be awarded for life to RTU rector who has reached the retirement age officially established in the country and whose term of office as rector has expired; 
• based on the decision of the FET Council (Minutes No. 447), award the title of RTU Professor Emeritus to FET Institute of Radioelectronics Professor Arnis Gulbis.

In January

• Evaluating the most significant achievements in science in 2022, LAS names 12 winners of the competition, among them, in the applied sciences category, the cooperation project of the Institute of Materials and Surface Engineering of RTU FMSAC (leading researchers Andris Šutka, Mārtiņš Vanags), the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Latvia (UL) and the Institute of Solid State Physics of the UL, which developed innovative amphoteric  decoupled electrolysis – a simple concept to split water and produce H2 with high efficiency and in a safe way. 

February 1
For the third year in a row, the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre awards RTU the «eParaksta čempions» (eSignature Champion) award and a Certificate of Recognition for the 3rd place. In the first place – the State Treasury, in the second place – the State Revenue Service. 

February 2
In order to promote cooperation in the theoretical and practical preparation and research of engineering specialists, the introducer of «Rail Baltica» in Latvia «Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas», the builder «Rail Baltica» Riga Central Junction «BERERIX» and RTU sign a cooperation agreement. 

February 4–5
RTU Badminton Varsity Team player Reinis Krauklis paired with citizen of Sigulda Artūrs Akmens wins 1st place in men’s doubles at the 2023 Latvian Badminton Championship.

February 7
The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Carla Barbosa, is visiting the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala, meeting with the university management, visiting the laboratories and getting to know the technical support used in the field of studies, science and innovation. 

February 9
Representatives of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway visit the RTU Rudolfs Cimdins Riga Biomaterials Innovations and Development Centre to familiarize themselves with the project that RTU is implementing together with the University of Oslo (Norway), the University of Reykjavík (Iceland) and the Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) and in which a new technology for processing eggshells into biomaterials for bone tissue regeneration is designed and developed. 

February 10
Ambassador of Denmark to Latvia Flemming Stender is visiting RTU. During the visit, he is meeting with management and representatives of structural units and discussing opportunities for cooperation with Danish universities, potential opportunities to attract more Danish students to study and research at RTU, as well as opportunities to cooperate in science in the field of environment and green technologies. 

February 12
Luger Anda Upīte (3rd course at FEEM), together with Sanija Ozoliņa, won the seventh stage of the «Eberspacher» World Cup, which takes place in Winterberg, Germany, and bronze medals in the overall standings of the «BMW Sprint» World Cup. 

February 17
The charity concert «Caur gaismu Ukrainā» (Through the Light in Ukraine) organized by the RTU Culture Centre and the Society «Tavi draugi» is taking place in the Ziedonis Hall of the Latvian National Library. Proceeds from the concert tickets will be used to purchase generators to be delivered by volunteers to war-torn Ukraine. 

February 18–19
Several RTU students won bronze medals at the Latvian Indoor Athletics Championship: Daniela Lasmane (1st course at FCE) – 60 m hurdles; Maksims Pjazings (2nd course at FEEM) – 60 m race; Kārlis Degins (RTU Sports Club) – 200 m race; Ralfs Roga (1st course at FEEM) – 800 m race.

February 22
At the meeting of the RTU Constitutional Assembly, the new Rector of RTU is elected – Academician Tālis Juhna, the former Vice-Rector for Research. In total, 192 members of the Constituent Assembly participated in the meeting, 190 valid ballots were registered. Distribution of votes: T. Juhna – «for» 137 votes, «against» – 53; J. Grēviņš – «for» 43 votes, «against» – 147. The newly elected Rector T. Juhna will start his work at the end of March, the exact date will be agreed with the RTU Council. 

February 24

• A year has passed since Russia started the war in Ukraine, RTU students and employees, in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy to Latvia Alessandro Monti, gather at the RTU International Information Centre at 1 Kronvalda Boulevard, for the screening of the documentary film «Kordon» by the Italian Director Alice Tomassini. The event is organized by the Italian Embassy in Latvia in cooperation with RTU. 
• In order to get to know RTU and identify even wider opportunities for cooperation, RTU is visited by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Latvia Lee Tong-q and Embassy Counsellor Kim Sohee. 

In February  

• Brigita Dejus, the Leading Researcher at RTU Water Research and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, who works on the Board of the mission dedicated to oceans and waters created by the European Commission, becomes the Ambassador of clean water in Europe.
• FA graduate Roberta Fišere receives the Latvian Regional Architecture Scholarship of Professor Ivars Strautmanis (1932–2017) for her master’s thesis «Ūdensmalu atjaunošana ostas pilsētās: pasažieru termināls Eksportostā, Rīgā» (Waterfront Restoration in Port Cities: Passenger Terminal in Eksportosta, Riga).

March 3

• RTU EHS 10th grade pupil Mareks Brucis wins a gold medal at the 36th National Olympiad in Informatics (programming) in 8th–10th class group. 
• Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš presents Diplomas of the Cabinet of Ministers (CM) to Latvia’s most outstanding pupils and their teachers for their achievements in international subject Olympiads. CM Diplomas are also received by RTU EHS pupils Rūdis Freipičs, Daniils Soško, Lukass Roberts Kellijs, and Alfrēds Saročinskis; and also EHS teachers Brigita Mežgale-Turlaja (Geography), Jolanta Rimša (Chemistry), Elza Līna Liniņa (Physics), Artjoms Ubaidullajevs (counselling in Chemistry and Mathematics), and Inguna Granta (Math; EHS Director). Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša, Director of the State Education Development Agency Dita Traidās and representatives of the National Centre for Education (NCE) of the Republic of Latvia are participating in the award ceremony.

March 3–5
The traditional exhibition «Skola 2023» (School 2023) is taking place.

March 4–5
In the repertoire test shows, which are traditionally held in preparation for the General Latvian Song and Dance Festival, the A, D, E compositions of the RTU Folk Dance Ensemble «Vektors» obtain the highest degree diplomas.

March 4–12
FEEM graduate (2021) Polina Rožkova, paired with Agris Lasmans, wins gold medals at the 2023 World Championship in wheelchair curling, which takes place in Richmond (Canada).

March 6

• Neils Kalniņš, a Member of the RTU Council, is resigning from his post of his own accord. 
• Associate Professors Erik Lankut and Eivind Arne of the University of South-Eastern Norway are visiting RTU FEEM, sharing their international experience in promoting innovation.

March 9
The Italian Design Day is taking place, organized by the Embassy of Italy in Latvia and RTU.

March 12
The RTU Men’s Volleyball Team wins the bronze medal in the National League of the «Optibet» Latvian Championship.

March 13–17
The traditional event «Seko studentam» (Follow the Student) is taking place. 

March 14
In order to promote the creation, implementation and transfer of innovations, as well as the improvement of the educational process and its connection with the working environment, RTU Rector Leonīds Ribickis and Ltd. «Rīgas meži» Board Chairwoman Anita Skudra sign a memorandum of cooperation.

March 17
The traditional RTU Career Day takes place in the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala, with the participation of more than 100 companies from various industries.

March 18

• Towards the end of his term of office, the Rector of RTU (2011–2013), Academician Leonīds Ribickis, is holding a celebratory thanksgiving dinner for cooperation partners and employees in the auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis».
• RTU Women’s Table Tennis Team – Viktorija Majorova (2nd course at FEEM), Liāna Zeltiņa (1st course at FCSIT), Sanita Sveile (Coach and Deputy Director of RTU Sports Centre) – wins bronze in the top league of the Latvian Team Championship.

March 20
Ieva Ose becomes the Head of the RTU Culture Centre. 

March 24–25
The XXIV Latvian Student Theatre Days organized by RTU Culture Centre are taking place.

March 27

• The RTU Senate decides (Minutes No. 671) decides: 
  • to award the Honorary Title of Rector Emeritus to the former Rector of RTU (2011–2023), Academician Leonīds Ribickis; 
  • award the Title of RTU Honorary Professor to FMSAC IDT Professor Dr. habil. sc. ing. Silvija Kukle. 
• Juris Blūms, Professor of the Institute of Technical Physics of FMSAC, is elected as the Chairman of the RTU Senate. 
• Highlighting future plans and upcoming work, the newly elected RTU Rector Academician Tālis Juhna begins his duties with an address to RTU students and employees, introducing also the new RTU management team: Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede, acting Vice-Rector for Research Gatis Bažbauers, as well as Vice-Rector for Strategic Development Artūrs Zeps and Director of Administration Juris Iljins who continue to work in their previous positions. 

March 29
RTU and Liepāja Maritime College (LMC) sign the Memorandum of Intent on cooperation in the LMC reorganization process. LMC will join RTU as an agency on 1 April, henceforth it will be called RTU LMC.

March 31
The 47th National Scientific Research Conference of Latvian Secondary School Pupils is taking place at RTU. 

In March

• Improving its position in the prestigious international ranking «QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023», RTU ranks 301st–350th among the best universities in the world in energy and electronics. Overall, RTU ranks 401st–450th place in engineering and technology and is the only university in Latvia in this position.
• Award named by Vitauts Tamužs for the best annual publication in the journal «Mechanics of Composite Materials» is awarded to three researchers of the FCE Institute of Materials and Structures – Rims Janeliukštis, Deniss Mironovs and Aleksejs Safonovs.

April 1
At the general meeting of the RTU Student Parliament (SP), a new SP Board is elected, the post of SP President will be continued by Aneta Tarasova (FEEM).

April 4
According to the decision of the President and the Chapter of Orders, 104 representatives of the society have been awarded the highest Latvian state awards, among them the Order of the Three Stars (OTS) has been awarded for special merits for the benefit of the Latvian state, and Academician Aigars Jirgensons, RTU Professor, Deputy Director of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, has been appointed as the Commander of the OTS; FA Assistant Professor Ilmārs Dirveiks was awarded OTS and appointed as OTS Officer; FA technical specialist architect Velta Holtcmane was awarded the OTS and was appointed as a Knight of the OTS. The presentation ceremony will take place on the 33rd anniversary of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, on 4 May, in Riga Palace. 

April 5

• The Shadow Day is held, in which RTU has also participated for several years, offering students to get acquainted with the work of RTU pedagogues and scientists.
• Giving gratitude for excellent starts in the regional subject Olympiads, RTU EHS pupils are greeted by EHS founders and council members, RTU Council members and RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, also paying tribute to EHS teachers who have prepared pupils for starts in Olympiads.
• The RTU Team wins the championship title in the 2023 Latvian Team Championship in bridge sports, getting the opportunity to represent Latvia in the Baltic Cup.

April 5–25
The exhibition «Zinātne Latvijai» (Science for Latvia) can be viewed in the auditorium centre of RTU «Domus Auditorialis».

April 12

• The Head of the Shipping Management and Navigation Centre, Imants Aleksandrovs, starts working as the Director of the RTU Latvian Maritime Academy.
• RTU Vice-Rector for Strategic Development (2017–2023) Artūrs Zeps has been appointed RTU Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance. 
• Yael Duthilleul, representative of The Council of Europe Development Bank (EPAB), visited RTU to get acquainted with the work done in the second round of the Student Campus in Ķīpsala development project and to assess how the improvement of the infrastructure affects the overall growth of the university. 

April 14–16
RTU EHS pupils Lukass Roberts Kellijs (12th grade) and Ilya Reutin  (11th grade) win bronze awards at the Nordic-Baltic Physics Olympiad (NBPhO), which takes place in Estonia and where Latvia is represented by 18 pupils. 

April 17

• During the Latvia-Ghana business forum, a tripartite cooperation agreement was signed between RTU, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (until 2022 – Latvian Agricultural University) and Ghana University of Energy and Natural Resources, which will promote cooperation and student exchange.
• In Ķīpsala, in the event hall of the Science and Innovation Centre «The Moon», RTU Young Employees’ Day is taking place. 

April 19

• Rector Tālis Juhna and Director of the Science and Innovation Centre Liene Briede, who will soon take up the position of Vice-Rector for Innovations, meet with the President of the Republic of Latvia Egils Levits to present their vision for the future development of RTU and how it is planned to promote RTU’s international competitiveness.
• The RTU Men’s Volleyball Team «RTU Robežsardze / Jūrmala» wins the silver medal at the «Optibet» Latvian Championship.

April 19–21

• Daniils Soško, a 12th-grade pupil of RTU EHS, wins 2nd place in the 29th Chemistry Olympiad of the Baltic States, which is taking place this year in Dobele, Latvia. 
• The RTU Cheerleading Team «RTU Cheer» is participating in the world championships for the first time in the history of Latvia, winning the high 12th place. 

April 20

• RTU science curiosity centre «Futurimo Rīga» was officially opened.
• The management of RTU – Rector Tālis Juhna and the Director of the Science and Innovation Centre Liene Briede, who will start the position of Vice-Rector for Innovation in May – participate in the discussion diskusijā «Inovāciju pārnese: no idejas uz ekonomikas transformāciju» (Innovation transfer: from idea to economic transformation) organized by the State President Egils Levits.

April 24

• Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Chairwoman of the RTU Senate (2012–2023) and FEEM Dean (2017–2023), has been appointed RTU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. 
• Assistant Professor Aldis Čevers, Head of the Department of Customs and Taxes, begins his work as the Dean of FEEM. 
• Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation of the Swiss Federal Department of Economics, Education and Research, is visiting RTU to get acquainted with engineering higher education and science in Latvia.
• The RTU Senate decides (Minutes No. 672) decides:
  • Jānis Kaminskis is elected as the Deputy Chairman of RTU Senate; 
  • adopt amendments to the Regulations of RTU Awards and Diplomas, creating two new awards – «RTU Badge of Honour», which is the highest award of RTU and awarded to RTU employees for special merits for RTU, and « Diploma of RTU Tenure Professor»;
  • conceptually support and coordinate the following structural changes in RTU: 
  • to change the internal audit system of RTU by moving the Internal Audit Department under the functional authority of the RTU Council and the administrative authority of the Rector; 
  • the Office of Vice-Rector for Finance (including the Accounting Department, the Department of Financial Planning and Management and their units) will be added to the Office of Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, creating the Office of Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance; 
  •  to include the Information Technology Department and its units in the Office of Director of Administration; 
  • change the name of the User Support Centre to «IT Service Centre», change the name of the Communications Infrastructure Department to «IT Infrastructure and Cyber Security Department»; 
  • add the Digitalization Development Department to the Department of Information Systems, changing its name to «Digitalization and Information Systems Development Department»; 
  • liquidate the Digital Innovation Centre, transferring human and material resources to the Information Technology Department. 

The effective date of changes to the RTU structure is determined by the RTU Council.

April 25
The RTU Council approves the decision of Senate on structural changes of RTU conceptually supported at the meeting on 24 April 2023. (Minutes No. 672). 

April 27
While improving the sports infrastructure of RTU, the new lighting system of the RTU Stadium (Daugavgrīvas Street) is solemnly opened, in the improvement of which both RTU and the Latvian Football Federation have made equal investments.

April 28–May 2
RTU EHS 11th grade pupil Adriāns Piliksers wins a silver medal at the Baltic Informatics Olympiad, which takes place in Denmark.

April 29– May 5
RTU EHS 10th grade pupil Edvards Meržvinskis and his team win a silver medal at the European Olympiad of Experimental Sciences, which is being held in Latvia this year and is attended by 230 students and their mentors from 23 countries.

May 2

• Liene Briede, the former Head of the RTU Science and Innovation Centre, is starting her work as RTU Vice-Rector for Innovations.
• The Letter of Recognition of the Cabinet of Ministers (CM Order No. 254, Minutes No. 24 §32) for the contribution to the improvement of the higher education system was awarded to RTU Vice-Rector of Academic Research (2007–2023) Professor Dr. sc. ing. Uldis Sukovskis; for the creation and management of the personal protective equipment testing laboratory and contribution to public health safety – to the Leading Researcher Dr. sc. ing. Inga Dāboliņa.

May 10
Simona Ozoliņa-Ugore starts working as the Executive Director of the RTU Alumni Association.

May 10–12
Bringing together scientists and experts from 25 countries, the international scientific conference «Conect 2023» is held in the RTU auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis», which is organized annually by FEEE Institute of Energy Systems and Environment. The conference was opened by the Minister of Climate and Energy Raimonds Čudars, the Italian Ambassador to Latvia Alessandro Monti and the RTU Rector Tālis Juhna.

May 11
RTU receives the Letter of Recognition of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvian for its significant contribution to the improvement of professional education and the organization of training and internships based on the work environment.

May 13
RTU Electronics Day 2023 and Robotics Championship are taking place. In the contest «Jaunais elektroniķis 2023» (Young Electronics 2023), in the age group from 15 years old, the pupils of RTU EHS Kirils Koļesņikovs (11th grade) and Nikita Travins (12th grade) won the 2nd place.

May 22
RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, the Italian Ambassador to Latvia Alessandro Monti and Latvian Ambassador to Italy Solvita Āboltiņa sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of RTU Latvian-Italian Cooperation Centre (Latvijas-Itālijas sadarbības centrs – LISC) in Bergamo. Ēriks Badamšins, Head of International Cooperation Unit of RTU International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department, has been appointed as the Executive Director of LISC.

May 26
With the decision of the FMSAC Council (Minutes No. 151), the Memorial Medals of the outstanding chemist Paul Walden were awarded to RTU history researcher Professor Alīda Zigmunde, RTU Honorary Doctor, University of Houston Professor chemist Olafs Daugulis and FMSAC Leading Researcher, Member of RTU Council material scientist Jānis Ločs.

May 30 

• The premiere of the short fashion film «Entropija» by the students of the FMSAC Institute of Design Technologies is taking place in the RTU SIC Event Hall «The Moon». The exhibition «Dizaina kods 2023» (Design Code 2023) opens at 6 Ķīpsalas Street.
• The RTU Senate decides (Minutes No. 673):
  • award the title of RTU Honorary Doctor to the long-time CERN Professor Dr. phys. Maurizio Vretenar; 
  • to award RTU highest award – the RTU Badge of Honour – to Academician Leonīds Ribickis. 

June 2

• For outstanding achievements and contribution to the promotion of the Latvian sports industry and the country in the world, the Ministry of Economics presents a Letter of Recognition to Mārtiņš Rubenis, a mechanic and Coach of the Latvian Luge Team, bronze medal winner of the XX and XXII Winter Olympic Games (2006; 2014), employee at the Design Factory of RTU Science and Innovation Centre.
• FEEM Professor Dr. oec. Inga Lapiņa starts work as a freelance adviser to the Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša, the professor’s task is to provide consultations and proposals on higher education issues.

June 6
RTU signs a cooperation agreement with the company «LVR Flote» on cooperation in studies and innovation development. The contract is signed by RTU Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede and a Member of the Board of «LVR Flote» Kaspars Ozoliņš.

June 3–4
FMETA 1st course student Lauris Pēteris Vējš as part of the Latvian Junior Shotgun Shooting Team wins a bronze medal in the team competition at the World Junior Cup competition, which takes place in Suhl, Germany.

June 9

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis are visiting RTU to get acquainted with Latvia’s initiatives in creating innovations, as well as RTU’s research.

June 9–10
RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede, as well as students, researchers and SIC employees participate in the traditional conversation festival «Lampa», which takes place in Cēsis Palace Park.

June 12–16
RTU EHS11th grade pupils Aleksis Ķeviņš and Rinards Melnis win silver medals at the International «Genius» Olympiad, which takes place in Rochester, USA.

June 14

• Priscila Misihairabwi-Mushonga, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Latvia, is visiting RTU to discuss potential cooperation in the development of education and innovation. Together with the ambassador, Tils Indāns, the third secretary of the Department of Middle East and African countries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is visiting RTU.
• In order to strengthen the cooperation between RTU and JSC «Latvijas Finieris» and to learn about the performance of RTU scientists and their offer for the development of the industry, Chairman of the Council of JSC «Latvijas Finieris» Uldis Biķis and the management of the company are visiting RTU.

June 15–16
A delegation from the University of Salento (US; Italy) is visiting RTU to discuss opportunities for closer cooperation. US Rector Fabio Pollice and RTU Rector Tālis Juhna sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities.

June 16–18
RTU swimmers win several prize-winning places in the Latvian Championship in the 25 m pool, which takes place in the Valmiera Olympic Centre: FVE 2nd year student Rihards Kahanovičs ranks 2nd in 50 m and 3rd in 100 m breaststroke; FEEM 2nd year student Marija Goberga gets two 3rd places – 100 m and 200 m breaststroke; FCSIT 1st year student Dainis Kudrjavcevs – 3rd place in 400 m complex swimming.

June 16–20
At the European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO), which takes place in Hannover, Germany, RTU EHS 11th grade pupils receive awards: Ilya Reutin – silver medal, Sandijs Raksiņš – appreciation.

June 17
RTU Folk Dance Ensemble «Vektors» (led by Dagmāra Bārbale) wins the XXVII General Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival Grand Prize in the A (young) group, «Vektors» ranks 1st in the D (middle age) group. The final of the dance competition takes place in the Hall of the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala, 16 groups participate in group A, and nine groups in group D. 

June 19
In order to strengthen science and education, children’s health care, as well as solve environmental problems, Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens and Swiss Government representative for trade issues Dominique Paravacini sign the Swiss-Latvian cooperation program framework agreement, which provides for 42.4 million euros in Swiss support funding. The signing of the contract takes place in FA building. Before signing the contract, the Swiss delegation familiarizes itself with RTU laboratories and the work of scientists.

June 21
RTU management – Chairman of the Council Andris Vanags, Rector Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance Artūrs Zeps, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Gatis Bažbauers and Director of Administration Juris Iljins – visit the Rēzekne Academy of Technology, starting with negotiations on the consolidation process. 

June 21–30
Open HPC Week is taking place for the third year in a row. The events take place in SIC Event Hall «The Moon».

June 26
Claudio Andres Rivera starts his work as Director of RTU Riga Business School (RBS), replacing the long-time RBS Director Jānis Grēviņš. 

June 26–30
The 11th-grade pupil of RTU EHS Rūdis Freipičs wins a gold medal at the Baltic Geography Olympiad, which takes place in Valka (Latvia) and Tartu (Estonia).

June 27
The RTU Council approves the RTU Strategy 2023–2027 (Minutes No. 29), which for the next planning period foresees a proactive connection of the university’s activities with the needs of the national economy and an orientation towards high quality and efficiency.

June 27–29
The fifth World Congress of Latvian Scientists is taking place in Riga, in which RTU scientists and students also participate.

June 28
The seventh RTU Grand Graduation is taking place, which is organized for the first time in the Student Campus in Ķīpsala, and where approximately 1000 RTU graduates receive their diplomas.

June 30–July 9
On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Festival, the XXVII General Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival is held, in which RTU’s amateur art groups also participate: men’s choir «Gaudeamus», women’s choir «Delta», mixed choir «Vivere», EHS mixed choir «Izvēle» student brass band «SPO», as well as students theatre «Spēle».

In June

• Evaluating RTU performance in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 17 cooperation program, RTU was ranked 301st–400th in «The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023» among the universities of the world.
• RTU is the only university in Latvia included in the highest or platinum category of the «Sustainability Index».
• RTU ranks 751st–760th in the international ranking «QS World University Rankings 2024», maintaining the leading position in Latvia.
• Jurģis Grasmanis, a 3rd-year student at FMETA professional bachelor’s program «Industriālais dizains» (Industrial Design), wins the Grand Prix at the International Furniture Design Competition «Kengo Kuma & Higashikawa», which is organized by the Japanese city of Higashikawa in cooperation with the world-famous architect Kengo Kuma, and which is held for the third time this year.

July 1
The RTU Project Support Department begins its work, which was created as a result of the reorganization of Project and Development Department; the newly formed department has three units: Project Preparation and Development Unit, Project Implementation and Coordination Unit, Business Development Unit.

July 2
The RTU management team: Rector Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance Artūrs Zeps, Chairman of the Senate Juris Blūms, Director of Administration Juris Iljins and Head of the Culture Centre Ieva Ose go in the procession of the participants of the XXVII General Latvian Song and XVII Dance Festival «Novadu dižošanās» together with RTU’s amateur art collectives.

July 6
Design master classes are held in the Innovations and Science Exhibition Hall Future «RTU un «Origo» nākotnes pietura» (RTU and «Origo» Future Stop), led by teaching staff and students of the Institute of Design Technology of FMSAC.

July 7
RTU and the Valdis Valters Basketball School start a new initiative «Izglītots sportists» (Educated Athlete), the Memorandum of Cooperation is signed by RTU Rector Tālis Juhna and the Head of the Basketball School, Latvian basketball legend, graduate (1988) of the Faculty of Engineering and Economics of Riga Polytechnic Institute Valdis Valters.

July 12
The sixth graduation of the RTU EHS is taking place in the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala, in the premises of FA. 

July 16–25
RTU EHS 12th grade pupils Daniils Soško and Viesturs Strelčs win bronze medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad, which is held in Zurich, Switzerland.

July 21
In order to get acquainted with RTU’s activities in studies, science and innovation, as well as to evaluate the development of RTU’s infrastructure and technical support, the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves-Robles, together with the first lady of Costa Rica, Latvian Signe Zeikate, are visiting RTU. 

In July

• In a survey organized by the Confederation of Latvian Employers and portal prakse.lv, RTU has become the most recommended university in Latvia by employers for the 12th year.
• FMETA Professor, Latvia’s representative at the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN), freelance advisor to the President on science issues Toms Torims, is awarded the Medal of the Baltic Assembly for outstanding promotion of scientific cooperation between the Baltic States and CERN. 

August 1

• RTU Rector Tālis Juhna, Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede and the representative of the Design Factory of the Science and Innovation Centre, luger Mārtiņš Rubenis meet with the Minister of Education and Science Anda Čakša to discuss the unique solutions offered by RTU scientists for technical sports and the development plans of the Sports Technology Centre, ensuring higher achievements in both sports and science.
• Minister of Economics Ilze Indriksone and representatives of the Ministry of Economics are visiting RTU Curiosity Centre «Futurimo Riga» to familiarize themselves with the centre’s exhibits and, meeting with RTU management, to discuss the public issue of how to promote students’ and young people’s interest in exact and natural sciences.

August 6–18
The 11th-grade pupil of RTU EHS Rūdis Freipičs wins a silver medal at the International Geography Olympiad, which takes place in Bandung, Indonesia.

August 7–12
The largest and one of the most prestigious international chess festivals «RTU Open 2023» is taking place for the 12th time in Northern Europe, where more than 500 participants from 29 countries compete in 11 tournaments of different levels – from haha grandmasters to children and young people. International master Elham Abdrlauf (Norway) became the winner in the main or A tournament of 201 participants.

August 8
The Cabinet of Ministers supports the reorganization of Liepaja University (LiepU) (MK Order No. 482), by adding Liepaja University RTU as a separate structural unit from 1 March 2024.

August 9
In RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala, 3 Paula Valdena Street, the foundation stone and time capsule of the new building of the Baltic Biomaterials Centre of Excellence (BBCE) are being laid.

August 10–20
RTU EHS 12th grade pupil Viesturs Streļčs wins a bronze medal at the 16th International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad, which is held in Chorzow, Poland.

August 11
RTU Rector Tālis Juhna and the management team are meeting with the future Latvian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dana Goldfinča, to discuss cooperation opportunities with the UAE and other Persian Gulf countries.

August 15
Marija Hramcova, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Financial Affairs of Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance A. Zeps, starts work at RTU, under whose leadership the Department of Financial Planning and Management and the Accounting Department of the Office of the Vice-Rector for Strategic Development will continue to work.

August 17–18
RTU is holding an educational inspiration conference «Iedvesmas kods 2023» (Inspiration Code 2023), which is dedicated to modern education solutions for excellence and which gathers around 170 teachers, school directors and representatives of educational institutions from all over Latvia.

August 28
Assistant Professor Ivo Vaicis becomes Acting Dean of FMETA, Assistant Professor Marina Čerpinska becomes Acting Vice-Dean of Studies of FMETA. 

August 29
The opening event of the fourth season of the RTU Talent program is taking place, in which the patron of the program, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, is taking part. 

August 30

• FCE celebrates its 160th anniversary in a festive event with the participation of foreign guests, industry and cooperation partners. 
• There is an event for freshmen «Startēšu RTU», where you can get useful information about the study process, scientific, practical and extracurricular activities at the university.

August 28–September 4
Andriāns Piliksers, a pupil of the 11th grade of RTU EHS, wins a bronze medal at the International Informatics Olympiad, which takes place in Szeged, Hungary, in which 351 pupils from 87 countries competed. 

August 29
Dean (2005–2023) of RTU FMETA Professor Ēriks Geriņš and Vice-Dean of Studies (2005–2023) Professor Aldis Balodis receive the RTU Honorary Diploma for their lifetime contribution to the development of RTU and FMETA. 

August 31
The traditional meeting of Rector Tālis Juhna with faculty, staff and students is taking place at the beginning of the new academic year. The Chairman of RTU Council Andris Vanags, his deputy Anita Straujuma, Vice- Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Elīna Gaile-Sarkane, Vice-Rector of Innovations Liene Briede, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance Artūrs Zeps, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Gatis Bažbauers and Director of Administration Juris Iljins inform about current events and planned works. RTU management presents plans for the near future: strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation in studies and science, from 1 January 2024, it is planned to merge FCSIT, FEEE (except for Institute of Energy Systems and Environment – IESE), FET and FETH, creating the Faculty of Digital Technologies and Engineering; FCE (with the exception of the Institute of Water Systems and Biotechnology – IWSB) and FMETA are planned to be transformed into the Faculty of Construction and Mechanics; FMSAC is planned to join IESE and IWSB, creating the Faculty of Nature, Environment and Material Sciences; FEEM will maintain its current status, its name is planned to be changed to the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences; it is planned to add the Institute of Design Technology to FA, creating a School of Architecture.

In August

• RTU EHS becomes the best small school in Latvia for the eighth year in a row.
• RTU Institute of Particle Physics and Accelerator Technologies Leading Researcher and Associate Professor Kārlis Dreimanis was awarded with the Letter of Recognition of the Ministry of Education and Science for his contribution to the development of high energy physics in Latvia and Latvia’s very successful participation in the CMS Experiment at CERN. 

September 1

• The traditional RTU management meeting with freshmen is taking place in Ķīpsala colonnade.
• This year’s graduate of RTU Engineering High School (EHS) Džonatans Miks Melgalvis receives a scholarship from the Mayor of Riga. 

September 3 
The opening of the new building and auditorium centre «Domus Auditorialis» of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT) at 10 Zunda kanāls in Ķīpsala is taking place. Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, Minister of Education and Science Anita Muižniece, RTU management, students and industry professionals participate in the solemn event. 

September 8 
RTU EHS has been recognized as the best school in the Friendly Call Fund’s Best School Ranking in 2020 by the City Secondary Schools Group, as well as receives awards in several nominations. The solemn awarding ceremony takes place at the National Library of Latvia. 

September 16 

• RTU signs a memorandum of cooperation with one of the leading universities of technology in the world – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA.
• In Riga, in the square near the shopping centre «Origo», there is an open-air large-scale exhibition «Science Inspires!», which tells about 25 men scientists and 25 women scientists – creative and inspiring personalities in modern Latvian science. Among them – 11 RTU scientists.
• RTU Scientists’ Night takes place online. 

September 20–24
The very first official European University of Technology – EUt+ (the result of the alliance of eight European partners) meeting is taking place in Cyprus. Rector of RTU Academician Leonīds Ribickis and Rector of Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) Professor Beatriz Miguel Hernández has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between RTU, UPCT and  the University of Latvia whose Rector Academician Indriķis Muižnieks has signed the Memorandum last week in Riga. In the context of the EUt+, the agreement provides the promotion of the development of new study programs within the EUt+ consortium i.e. master program in Environmental Biotechnology.

September 21 
Rolf Wenzel, President of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), visits RTU with representatives of the steering group to get acquainted with RTU infrastructure projects implemented with CEB funding. 

September 24 
RTU Vice-Rector for Research Academician Tālis Juhna pays an introductory visit to the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of Latvia Kanchana Patarachoke to inform about RTU’s activities in the field of studies, science, and innovation and discuss possible directions of cooperation with higher education institutions in Thailand. 

September 27 
By the decision of the RTU Senate (Minutes No. 653): 

• Elīna Gaile-Sarkane was re-elected as the Chairman of the RTU Senate, Jānis Kaminskis as the Deputy Chairman; 
• the Department of Aeronautical Systems and Aircraft Exploitation was established by merging the Department of Transport Systems and Logistics and Department of Aeronautic Technologies of the Institute of Aeronautics (IA) of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Transport and Aeronautics (FMETA); 
• by merging the Department of Aircraft Theory and Construction and the Department of Avionics of FMETA IA, the Department of Aircraft Maintenance and Design has been established. 
   

September 29 
A modern complex of surface and nano-object spectroscopy is discovered at Laboratory House (1 P. Valdena Street) in Ķīpsala. 

In September  

• For the second year in a row, RTU has been recognized as one of the 25 leading universities in the world in terms of the proportion of open access publications in the «U-Multirank» international university ranking.
• RTU in the «QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2021» created by prestigious rating agency «QS World University Rankings», ranks 201st–250th place, achieving the best results in the indicator of employer-student cooperation.

October 1
Evaluating the 69 submitted applications, the Council of the State Scientists Emeritus grants the status of State Emeritus Scientist to 32 scientists, among them – six RTU researchers: Jurijs Dehtjars, Jānis Grundspeņķis, Valdis Kokars, Andrejs Koliškins, Gaļina Merkurjeva and Andris Ozols.

October 8 
The fifth RTU History Day is taking place.

October 9 
RTU inter-faculty erudition competition «Spice 2021» is taking place. 

October 11 
By the decision of the RTU Senate (Minutes No. 654): 

• RTU Honorary Doctorate awarded to Paul E. Tesluk, Professor at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York; 
• a Science and Innovation Centre has been established within the RTU Office of Vice-Rector for Research including the reorganized RTU Design Factory; 
• regulations for nominating RTU Council candidates have been approved. 

October 12
Today, remembering and honouring the founders and the first rectors of our university, the team of RTU Research Centre for Engineering History visited their resting places in Riga cemeteries. RTU management was represented by Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Professor Uldis Sukovskis; students – by the Head of Study Department of RTU Student Parliament Airita Olehnoviča. Photo gallery.

October 14 
Celebrating the 159th anniversary of RTU, the 62nd Plenary Session of the RTU International Scientific Conference and the Solemn Sitting of the RTU Senate take place, in which the most outstanding RTU scientists and lecturers are traditionally praised: the Award «RTU Scientist of the Year 2021» is awarded to Andris Šutka, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry (FMSAC); «RTU Young Female Scientist of the Year 2021» – FMSAC Researcher Jana Vecstaudža; «RTU Young Scientist of the Year 2021» – FMSAC Researcher Kristaps Rubenis; the Award «RTU Annual Award for Valorisation»  is awarded to Professor Agris Ņikitenko, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT); «RTU Annual Student Award for Valorisation» – FMSAC doctoral student Kristīne Irtiševa. «RTU Annual Academic Excellence Award» is awarded to FCSIT Professor Jānis Grabis; «RTU New Lecturer of the Year 2021» – Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Electronics and Telecommunications (FET) Ingrīda Lavrinoviča.  

October 16 
RTU chess players win 1st place both individually and in the overall rating in the Latvian Student’s Chess Championship, which takes place during the XXXII Latvian Universiade.

October 19 
Latvia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology on closer co-operation in promoting innovation. The Ministry of Education and Science entrusts the implementation of the memorandum in Latvia to RTU.

October 20 
The Ambassador of Mongolia to Latvia Barkhas Dorj pays a working visit to the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala to get acquainted with the development of RTU infrastructure, technical support and to discuss the current cooperation between RTU and higher education institutions in Mongolia and future opportunities.

October 22 
The Paul Walden Memorial Medal is awarded: to Māra Jure, Professor of the Institute of Technology of Organic Chemistry of FMSAC; to Māris Knite, Professor of the Institute of Technical Physics (ITP) of FMSAC; and to Pāvels Arsenjans, Head of the Pharmacomodulators Synthesis Group of the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS).

October  

• RTU ranks 251–300th place in «THE Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022» ranking of universities in emerging economies by «Times Higher Education» (THE), one of the world’s most prestigious rating agencies. RTU’s performance was rated the highest in two areas of activity – income from industry (knowledge transfer) and international cooperation (staff, students, research).

November 2 
RTU men’s choir «Gaudeamus» founder (1959) and Honorary Conductor, Chief Honorary Conductor of the General Latvian Song and Dance Festival, composer Professor Edgars Račevskis is awarded the Cabinet of Ministers Prize for lifelong contribution to strengthening and developing the Latvian choir art and General Latvian Song and Dance Festival tradition.

November 2–6 
The third face-to-face meeting of the European University of Technology Consortium (EUt +) is taking place at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences in Germany; during which the rectors of the eight universities involved in the project, including Rector of RTU Academician Leonīds Ribickis, sign a letter of intent on the establishment of research institutes for the development of science. 

November 10 
The President of Latvia Egils Levits and the Chapter of Orders decide: to award the Order of the Three Stars to the Professor of the FMETA Toms Torims for special merits in favour of Latvia by appointing the Professor as an Officer of the Order of the Three Stars; to award the Cross of Recognition to Aija Janbicka-Vība, Director of the RTU Scientific Library, by appointing her an Officer of the Cross of Recognition. 

November 15 
RTU Senate (Minutes No. 656), based on the Regulations «Par RTU padomes kandidātu izvirzīšanas un ievēlēšanas nolikuma apstiprināšanu» (On Approval of the Regulations on Nomination and Election of RTU Council Candidates) approved on 11 October 2021, elects five members of the RTU Council by secret ballot: Jānis Braunfelds, Jānis Grabis, Jānis Ločs, Jurģis Poriņš and Anita Straujuma. Such elections are taking place for the first time not only in the history of RTU but also in the history of Latvia. 
The RTU Council will consist of 11 members. Five persons, elected by the RTU Senate, will be joined by another outstanding non-academic representative nominated by the President, and five members of the public will be appointed by the Ministry of Education and Science in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers.

November 23 

• RTU Science and Innovation Centre Acting Director Liene Briede has been confirmed as the first representative of Latvia on the Board of the European Innovation Council. 
• RTU Rector Academician Leonīds Ribickis pays a reconnaissance visit to H. E. Ms. Eimear Friel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ireland to the Republic of Latvia. Igors Tipāns, Deputy Rector for International Cooperation and Foreign Students Depaertment, Kārlis Valtiņš, Head of the International Projects Unit and Coordinator of the EUt + Initiative, and Laura Štāle, Head of the International Cooperation Unit, are also participating in the conversation with the Ambassador of Ireland. 

November 25

• 22 new members were elected at the general meeting of the Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS), including five RTU scientists. The following have become full members of the LAS (academicians): Dagnija Loča and Andris Šutka (both FMSAC); correspondent members: Andra Blumberga (Faculty of Electrical and Environmental Engineering; FEEE); Remo Merijs Meri and Kristīne Šalma-Ancāne (both FMSAC).
• In this general meeting, FMSAC graduate Dr. chem. Marija Skvorcova, receives the Award named by Edvīns Vedējs for young doctors of science for outstanding achievements in organic chemistry, established this year by the LAS and the Riga Technical University Development Fund.  

December 2–3 
Representatives of RTU faculties and the International Cooperation and Foreign Students Department in Ķīpsala meet with Philippe Bolon, Dean of the Polytech Annecy-Chambéry, University of Savoie Mont Blanc, France. 

December 3 

• Seong-Jin Han, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, and Sang Gum Li, Adviser on International Cooperation at Busan National University, are visiting RTU. 
• At the XXXII Latvian Universiade, RTU students (women) win 1st place in the women’s competition, while the students (men) – the 2nd place. 

December 11 
At the XXXII Latvian Universiade in badminton, RTU students win 1st place in the men’s competition, the women’s team ranks 2nd. 

December 11–12 
RTU Team wins gold and bronze medals in Latvian Quick Chess and Rapid Chess Championships. 

December 13 
At the solemn event, removing a granite plaque with the name of RTU from the facade of the building at 1 Kaļķu Street, RTU leaves the historic building. From now on, the university administration will be located on the RTU Student Campus in Ķīpsala.

December 20
RTU scientists receive JSC «Latvenergo» and the Latvian Academy of Sciences Annual Awards for excellence in energy research: Gatis Bažbauers, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research at RTU, Professor of the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment (IESE), receives the Award named by A. Vītols for outstanding contribution to Latvian Energy in 2021; Annual Award for Significant Contribution to Energy receive Laila Zemīte, Associate Professor of the Institute of Power Engineering of FEEE and Dmitrijs Rusovs, Associate Professor at the Department of Thermal Power Systems of  FMETA; Annual Award for Success in Energy for Young Scientists receives IESE researcher Edīte Biseniece; the Promotion Award for doctoral dissertation is won by two young scientists – IESE researcher Armands Grāvelsiņš and Toms Mols, who developed the dissertation at IESE. 

December 30 
The Latvian Olympic Team (LOT) approves the composition of sportsmen in summer sports in 2022, including 131 athletes in the LOT Gold, Silver, and Bronze squads. Among them are three RTU students: 3rd-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (FEEM) beach volleyball player Artūrs Rinkevičs is included in the Silver squad, 2nd-year student of FEEE judoka Aleksejs Zarudņevs and FEEM 2nd-year master student-athlete Patriks Gailums are is included in the Bronze squad. 

In December  

• Professor Dagnija Blumberga, Director of the Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of RTU FEEE, receives the first Baltic Sustainability and Innovation Award «Rimi Baltic Sustainability Awards» in the category «Messenger of Change» for educating the public and actively advocating for climate neutrality in the field of energy. 
• RTU retains 57th place in the international rating «QS Emerging Europe and Central Asia (ECCA) 2022» compared to last year, in several criteria, such as the reputation of employers, experiencing growth.  
• RTU raises its position in «The GreenMetric World University Rankings» and becomes the 50th greenest university in the world, achieving the highest results in the categories of transport infrastructure, environmental education, and science, water efficiency, and waste management. 

• The LAS names the most significant achievements in science in 2021, including several studies of RTU scientists in applied science: Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) and FMSAC jointly developed solution for modification of bitumen and asphalt concrete composition with used car tire granules (developers – Viktors Haritonovs, Jānis Zicāns, Remo Merijs-Meri in cooperation with colleagues of the Latvian Tire Management Association, Ltd. «Eco Baltia vide», Ltd. «Ceļu būvniecības sabiedrība «IGATE»» and VSIA «Latvijas Valsts ceļi»); research of FMSAC scientists on the transformation of biomass waste into sustainable bioplastic products (developers – Sergejs Gaidukovs, Oskars Platnieks, Anda Barkāne, Sergejs Beļuns, Gerda Gaidukova in cooperation with colleagues from the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) and the UL). 
  For significant achievements in science Letters of Recommendation by LAS receives: on interdisciplinary research  «Drošu tehnoloģiju integrācijas aizsardzībai pret Covid-19 veselības aprūpes un augsta riska zonās» (Safe technology integration for protection against Covid-19 in healthcare and high risk areas) – RTU, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, UL, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga Stradins University, Rezekne Academy of Technology, LSIWC and Scientists from the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science: Tālis Juhna, Linda Mežule, Ivars Kalviņš, Juris Purāns, Andris Šutka, Inga Dāboliņa, Inese Fiļipova, Ilze Irbe, Ivars Vanadziņš, Atis Elsts, Andreta Slavinska, Anna Zajakina, Andris Martinovs, Atis Skudra, Gita Rēvalde, Agris Ņikitenko, Kārlis Pajuste, Aleksandrs Ļevinskis; on an interdisciplinary study on how to transform traditional e-learning technology into a digital learning ecosystem – Researchers of  Distance Education Study Centre of the Faculty of E–Learning Technologies and Humanities (FETH): Atis Kapenieks, Aleksandrs Gorbunovs, Mērija Jirgensons, Jānis Kapenieks, sen., Iveta Daugule, Žanis Timšāns, Jānis Kapenieks, jun., Viktors Zagorskis, Bruno Žuga, Ieva Vītoliņa, Ieva Grada, Guna Jākobsone-Šņepste, Loreta Juškaite, Evija Mirķe. 
  The LAS Letter of Recognition also praised the monograph «Latvijas tautsaimniecība pandēmijas ēnā un pēckrīzes izrāviena iespējas = Latvian Economy in the Shadow of Pandemic and Opportunities of the Post-Crisis Recovery»; the authors are FEEM scientists Nataļja Lāce, Jūlija Bistrova and Ludmila Kasperoviča.

January 10
The cycle of events of the 160th anniversary of RTU Scientific Library is opened with a virtual exhibition.

January 18 
The LAS Senate awards name prizes to two young FMSAC scientists: the Award named by Mārtiņš Straumanis and Alfrēds Ieviņš in Chemistry to Dr. chem. Krista Gulbe; the Award named by Emīlija Gudriniece in Chemistry and Chemical Technology to Mg. chem. Andris Jeminejs. 

January 19 
FEEM graduate Liene Bondare, a skier, wins the opportunity to start at the XXIV Winter Olympic Games, which will take place from 4 to 20 February in Beijing, China.

January 23 
The four-man piloted bobsleigh by FEEM student Dāvis Kaufmanis wins the World Bobsleigh Championship, which takes place on the Igls track in Austria. RTU FCE student Lauris Kaufmanis is also one of the pushers. 

January 27 
RTU Rector Leonīds Ribickis meets with Rector of the Chernihiv National University of Technology (CNUT) in Ukraine Oleh Novomlynets to present RTU’s achievements in studies, science, valorisation and infrastructure development, as well as to discuss the current cooperation, outline its further development directions and sign the Memorandum of Understanding. 

January 28
RTU Open Day is taking place online.

January 31 

• In accordance with the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which stipulates that one representative of the Council of State Higher Education Institutions shall be nominated by the President, E. Levits has nominated Andris Ambainis, a Professor at the University of Latvia, to serve on the RTU Council. 
• By the decision of the RTU Senate (Minutes No. 659): Andris Vanags, the Chairman of the Council of JSC «SAKRET Holdings», was awarded the title «RTU Honorary Alumni 2021».

In January  

• The FMETA Metrology Scientific Laboratory receives new equipment from the company «Mititoyo Polska Sp.o.o», which allows to expand the range of measurements performed in the laboratory and which can be used for student training and research.
• FMETA Professor Viktors Mironovs receives the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Medal for outstanding and innovative research in the fields of powder metallurgy, material pulse processing technology, composite materials and more.