Constitution of Riga Technical University

Preamble

Riga Technical University (hereinafter referred to as RTU) is the oldest higher technical educational establishment in the Baltic States, the direct predecessor of which – Riga Polytechnicum – started operating on 14 October 1862. In 1896, it was reorganized into Riga Polytechnic Institute. The Statutes approved on 16 May 1861 formed the legal basis for the operation of Riga Polytechnicum, and Riga Polytechnic Institute operated pursuant to the Regulations approved on 6 May 1896. On 3 August 1919, the Interim Government of Latvia closed Riga Polytechnic Institute, and the Higher School of Latvia (later – the University of Latvia) was established on its basis in September 1919. In 1958, the Council of Ministers of the Latvian SSR made a decision to re-establish Riga Polytechnic Institute separating engineering faculties from the Latvian State University. On 19 March 1990, Riga Polytechnic Institute was renamed as RTU. The first Constitution of RTU was adopted on 26 June 1991, and on 10 March 1992 it was approved by the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia. 

I. General Provisions

1. In accordance with the classification of higher education institutions adopted in the Republic of Latvia, RTU is a university of science, its strategic specialization area covers engineering and technology, including maritime sciences, natural sciences with a special focus on computer science, social sciences, humanities and arts. RTU implements interdisciplinary studies, innovation and research.

2. The mission of RTU is to build an internationally competitive, educated, innovative, creative and democratic future for the development of the national economy and society of Latvia. The goals and objectives to be achieved for the implementation of the mission are defined in the RTU Strategy.

3. RTU values are sustainable development, quality, creativity, motivation to explore and discover, as well as commitment to the following principles of good governance – participation, strife for unanimity, responsibility, transparency, responsiveness, efficiency and leadership, equality, inclusion, and rule of law.

4. The official name of RTU in Latin is Universitas technica Rigensis and in English – Riga Technical University.

5. The main symbols of RTU are the flag, the coat of arms and the seal.

6. The legal address of RTU is set with the Rector’s order.

II. Autonomy, Main Areas and Tasks of RTU Operations

7. RTU is a state-founded autonomous institution with the right for self-government. Within its autonomous scope of practice, RTU: 

7.1. elaborates and implements its development strategy and sets its operational aims, tasks and action plan; 

7.2. determines the main areas of academic and scientific research activities; 

7.3. controls curricula, education types and forms, number of student seats and internal allocation of financing, develops study programs, ensures their implementation quality, as well as sets admission requirements, matriculation procedures and the internal procedures related to the study processes;  

7.4. awards scientific, academic, and professional degrees and professional qualifications, issues diplomas and other documents attesting the obtained education, ensures recognition of the study programs and study courses acquired elsewhere, provides for recognition of the learning outcomes achieved in the course of prior education and professional experience, offers life-long learning opportunities, as well as implements other processes related to education; 

7.5. independently determines its organizational and management structure, develops and issues internal regulatory enactments;  

7.6. independently recruits personnel and sets its remuneration system, in so far as it is not regulated by external regulatory enactments; 

7.7. to achieve the objectives specified in the strategy, develops and adopts the annual budget of the University, performs economic activities and handles its property and financial resources; 

7.8. cooperates with the independently selected Latvian, foreign and international legal persons, institutions and organizations, as well as with the Latvian and foreign natural persons; 

7.9. establishes, reorganizes and dissolves agencies and commercial companies, co-participates in commercial companies and foundations.   

7.10. performs other activities not contradicting the principles and tasks of RTU operation as specified by its founding body and provisions set herein.  

8. Any person is eligible to obtain education at RTU or participate in the work of RTU in accordance with the acquired qualification, free from any direct and indirect discrimination irrespective of a person’s race, skin color, gender, age, state of health, religious, political or any other persuasion, national or social origin, material or family condition, sexual orientation or other circumstances should the ethical principles be observed.  

9. The main areas of RTU activity include: 

9.1. provision of the high-quality study process in strategic specialization and interdisciplinary areas, promoting the export capacity and international competitiveness of Latvia's higher education, educating and training specialists and scientists taking into consideration the current world development trends, the needs of the national economy and public demand; 

9.2. high-quality scientific research, which includes the provision and development of a system of research excellence;  

9.3. valorization – knowledge and technology transfer, commercialization and implementation of innovation, diverse cooperation with the industry in the fields of science determined as the areas of strategic specialization of RTU;   

9.4. provision of the life-long learning, including formal and non-formal adult education programs, as well as integration of research in vocational education at different levels;  

9.5. participation in the formation of a democratic society and development of an educational and scientific system in the country as a whole, involving institutions and legal persons established by RTU in this process and cooperating with state and local government institutions, the non-governmental sector and other partners; 

9.6. involvement in the development of secondary and vocational secondary education and promotion of the fields of science determined as the areas of strategic specialization of RTU among children and youth, as well as among the other groups of society; 

9.7. development of children and youth talents and their involvement in studies and scientific research; 

9.8. implementation of economic activity for the provision and development of RTU activities; 

9.9. international cooperation in the implementation of mobility, knowledge and experience exchange and integration thereof into different systems, consortia and projects of international higher education and research institutions; 

9.10. various cooperation activities with RTU alumni.  

10. RTU provides for the integration of educational and research activities and develops the areas of science, paying particular attention to the research areas that are most important for the development of the national economy of Latvia, technology transfer, innovations and life-long learning.  

III. RTU Personnel

11. RTU personnel consist of: 

11.1. academic personnel; 

11 .2. general personnel; 

11.3. students. 

12. RTU personnel are subject to rights and duties stipulated by the regulatory enactments of the Republic of Latvia, RTU Constitution, and internal regulatory enactments of RTU.  

13. RTU personnel may contest administrative acts issued by RTU or its actual actions at the Academic Arbitrage of RTU. A decision of the Academic Arbitrage may be appealed to a court in accordance with the procedures specified by the Administrative Procedure Law. Persons who are not part of RTU personnel may contest administrative acts issued by the University or its actual actions by submitting an application to the Rector. A decision taken by the Rector may be appealed to a court in accordance with the procedures specified by the Administrative Procedure Law. 

14. Requirements towards the qualification of academic personnel and procedures for the election thereof shall be determined by the Senate of RTU (hereinafter – the Senate). 

15. Students are enrolled in a study program in accordance with the admission procedures approved by RTU. Tuition fees for the study seats that are not financed from the state budget are covered by the students or other natural or legal persons. 

16. Students may be exmatriculated from RTU in accordance with the procedure set by the Senate. 

17. Interests of RTU students are represented by the student self-government. It operates in accordance with the regulation or another regulatory enactment that is developed by the students and approved by the Senate. Student self-government may decide on granting the self-government a specific name. Executive bodies of RTU shall be obliged to support and promote the work of the student self-government. 

18. The students are entitled to elect and be elected in the student self-government and participate in the work of RTU self-government institutions at all levels in accordance with the procedure prescribed. 

19. Representatives of student self-government have veto rights at the RTU Constitutional Assembly, the Senate, the branch and faculty councils in all issues that concern student interests. 

20. Rights and obligations of students shall be determined by the regulatory enactments approved by the Senate. 

IV. RTU Governance

21. Executive bodies of RTU include the Council, the Senate, the Constitutional Assembly, the Rector and the Academic Arbitrage. The scope of authority of the executive bodies is determined by the Law on Higher Education Institutions. 

22. The RTU Council is a collegial supreme decision-making body of RTU consisting of 11 (eleven) persons. It is responsible for the sustainable development, strategy and financial surveillance of RTU, as well as ensures RTU operation in compliance with the goals set in the RTU Development Strategy. The Council is established in accordance with the procedure specified by the Law on Higher Education Institutions.  

23. The Council shall approve the regulations governing its activities and shall also involve the Rector in the drafting of the regulations. The approval of the regulations of the activities of the Council and the amendments thereto shall require a qualified majority of at least 51 (fifty-one) percent of the votes of the members of the Council. The Council shall inform the Senate and the Rector on items in the agenda already decided or planned by the Council. The procedure of providing information shall be determined by the Senate and the Rector. 

24. The Senate is a collegial supreme decision-making body of RTU in academic issues which is responsible for RTU excellence, development and compliance of education, scientific research and creative activities with the internationally recognized quality standards. The Senate regulates academic, creative and scientific activities of RTU. The Regulation on the Senate is developed by the Senate and approved by the Constitutional Assembly. 

25. The scope of authority of the Senate is determined by the Law on Higher Education Institutions, other external regulatory enactments and RTU Constitution. In addition to the provisions of the Law on Higher Education Institutions, the authority of the Senate may be extended by other external or RTU internal regulatory enactments, including the Regulation of the Senate, insofar as the specific issues are not covered by regulatory enactments within the scope of authority of other executive bodies of RTU. 

26. The Senate consists of 35 (thirty-five) Senators: 

26.1. 27 (twenty-seven) representatives of RTU academic personnel, who are elected for 3 (three) years by the Constitutional Assembly in accordance with the Regulation of the Senate; 

26.2. 7 (seven) representatives of RTU students, who are elected by RTU student self-government and approved by the Senate; 

26.3. the Rector. 

27. The Constitutional Assembly is the representative institution of RTU academic personnel, general personnel and students, which approves the Constitution of the University and amendments thereto, elects the Rector, may initiate the removal of the Rector from office, considers the annual report on the activities of the University drawn up by the Rector, elects and withdraws the members of the Senate – representatives of the academic and general personnel and elects the Academic Arbitrage.    

28. The Constitutional Assembly consists of 120 (one hundred and twenty) representatives of the academic personnel, 40 (forty) representatives of the general personnel and 40 (forty) student representatives. The Constitutional Assembly includes all 35 (thirty-five) Senators, whereas 165 (one hundred sixty-five) members of the Constitutional Assembly are elected by academic personnel, general personnel and students for a period of 3 (three) years in accordance with the Regulation on Election Committee of the Constitutional Assembly.    

29. The elections of the Constitutional Assembly are organized by an election committee of the Constitutional Assembly comprising the academic personnel of the University, general personnel and students. The conditions, procedure, numerical composition, duties and the procedures for the formation of the election committee are specified by the Regulation on the Election Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, which is developed by the Senate and approved by the Council.  

30. The Constitutional Assembly approves the regulation on its activity, as well as elects the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson and the Secretary.  

31. A member of the Constitutional Assembly may not simultaneously be a member of the RTU Council.  

32. Rector is the highest RTU official who implements the overall administrative management of RTU and who represents RTU without any special mandate. The Rector election and employment procedure is as follows: 

32.1. the Rector is elected by the Constitutional Assembly for the period of 5 (five) years in accordance with the Regulation on the Election of the Rector, which is developed by the Senate and approved by the Council. The same person may not be elected for the Rector’s position for more than 2 (two) successive terms; 

32.2. one or more candidates for the position of the Rector are selected by the Council and proposed for election by the Constitutional Assembly based on the results of an open international competition;  

32.3. the Rector is elected when more than one half of all members of the Constitutional Assembly vote for the candidature. If none of the candidates for the Rector’s position recommended by the Council gets the majority of votes at the Constitutional Assembly, the Council may recommend another candidate selected based on the results of an open international competition. If this candidate for the Rector’s position does not get the majority of votes at the Constitutional Assembly either, the Council shall organize a new open international competition within 6 (six) months in order to select new candidates for the position of the Rector;  

32.4. if the term of office of the Rector expires but the next Rector has not yet been elected, the existing Rector shall continue working as the Acting Rector until a new Rector is elected; 

32.5. if the Rector or the Acting Rector is removed from office or for any other reason ceases to perform the duties of the Rector, the Council shall appoint another Acting Rector until the election of a new Rector, but for a period of not more than 1 (one) year; 

32.6. the Constitutional Assembly shall vote in the immediate sitting on the approval of the Acting Rector appointed by the Council. If the Constitutional Assembly with the majority of votes present rejects the candidacy of the Acting Rector appointed by the Council, the Acting Rector shall leave this position from the moment of the decision of the Constitutional Assembly, and the Council shall immediately appoint another Acting Rector and shall route the candidate for approval by the Constitutional Assembly; 

32.7. the newly elected Rector shall take office after the end of the term of office of the previous Rector; 

32.8. documents relating to employment relationship with the Rector shall be signed by the Chair of the Council. 

33. The Rector may delegate certain management functions to other RTU officials. 

34. The Academic Arbitrage is the administrative body of the University which:

34.1. considers the applications of students and academic personnel regarding the restrictions or violations of academic freedom and rights specified in the Constitution of the University, if they fall beyond the scope of authority of the RTU Ethics Committee in accordance with the internal regulatory enactments of RTU; 

34.2. considers the disputes between the University officials, as well as the executive institutions of the subordinate organizational units; 

34.3. in the cases specified by the Law on Higher Education Institutions, examines the applications on contesting an administrative act or an actual activity and takes the relevant decisions with regard thereto;   

34.4. performs other tasks stipulated by the Constitution of the University. 

35. The Academic Arbitrage consists of 5 (five) members, of which 4 (four) members are elected by open ballot by the Constitutional Assembly among the members of RTU academic personnel, whereas 1 (one) member – student representative – is elected by the student self-government. Members of the Council, the Constitutional Assembly or Senate, the Rector, Vice-Rectors and Deans shall not be allowed to be elected members of the Academic Arbitrage. 

36. The Academic Arbitrage shall act pursuant to the regulation approved by the Constitutional Assembly.  

37. Examining the cases, the Academic Arbitrage may invite experts or RTU personnel competent in specific issues.  

38. RTU may establish a consultative institution – an Advisory Board. When establishing the Advisory Board, its members are approved by a joint decision of the Council and the Senate.  

39. RTU internal regulatory enactments are issued by the Council, the Constitutional Assembly, the Senate or the Rector within the mandate thereof as specified by the Law on Higher Education Institutions. Other institutions and officials of RTU issue internal regulatory enactments according to the delegation of administrative bodies.  

40. In the event of a dispute on the right to issue internal regulatory enactments or individual decisions and on the legitimacy of regulatory enactments or decisions issued, the respective dispute is resolved by the Academic Arbitrage. Any representative of the personnel is eligible to apply to the Academic Arbitrage. 

V. RTU Structure

41. RTU structure consists of academic organizational units (faculties, scientific institutes, institutes, departments, branches, regional study and science centers, laboratories, research centers, etc.) and administrative units (departments, units, etc.). 

42. The functional structure of RTU and changes thereto are approved by the RTU Council at the proposal of the Rector.  

43. The procedures for subordination, management, tasks, functions, rights, reorganization and liquidation of organizational units of RTU are determined by the regulation of the respective organizational unit approved by the Rector. The regulation of the organizational unit may include a delegation for the approval of the regulation of their subordinate organizational unit to other officials of RTU.  

44. Upon decision of the Rector, internal workgroups, consultative boards, committees or similar organizational groups or collegial institutions may be established for solution of different issues, by attracting representatives of organizational units of RTU and external experts. 

45. Each RTU faculty is an academic organizational unit, which organizes academic activities in one or several scientific domains and in one or several study fields. The Faculty Council is the highest collegial institution of the faculty in academic issues. The Faculty Council is composed of the heads of all units within the faculty, student representatives, as well as representatives of the academic faculty personnel holding the Doctoral degree. The proportion of students in the Faculty Council shall not be less than 20 (twenty) percent. Representatives of students in the Faculty Council are delegated and revoked by the student self-government, whereas representatives of academic personnel of the faculty are included in the Faculty Council in accordance with the procedures specified in the faculty regulation. The faculty is headed by the Dean.  

46. By decision of the Council, RTU may establish, reorganize and dissolve institutions, including agencies, and commercial companies, be a shareholder in commercial companies or a founder in foundations and associations. 

47. RTU may participate in international organizations as a founder or member. 

48. RTU may establish scientific institutes as public agencies by observing the procedure stipulated by the Law on Scientific Activity.  

VI. RTU Vice-Rectors and Deans

49. Vice-Rectors and Deans are appointed for the position and removed from it by the Rector. The Rector determines their scope of authority, powers and responsibilities, including the executive functions of RTU delegated to the Vice-Rectors.  

50. The Faculty Dean is appointed for the position for a term corresponding to the term of office of the current Rector in consultation with the Faculty Council. The Dean may be appointed for not more than two successive terms, each term shall not exceed the period of 5 (five) years.   

51. The contract of employment with the Vice-Rectors and the Deans is concluded for the term of office of the Rector. The contract of employment of the Vice-Rectors and the Deans may be terminated prematurely according to provisions of the Labor Law and other external regulatory enactments.  

52. During a planned temporary absence of the Rector, Rector’s duties by the resolution of the Rector shall be performed by one of the Vice-Rectors. During an unforeseen temporary absence of the Rector, Rector’s duties shall be performed by the Vice-Rector appointed by the RTU Council.

VII. Studies

53. The study process is one of the main areas of RTU activity. The study process at the Bachelor, Master and PhD level study programs shall be implemented by RTU faculties, institutes, branches and other academic organizational units. 

54. The study process shall be regulated by internal regulatory enactments approved by the Senate. The study process shall also include extracurricular activities and lifelong learning. 

55. Development of new study programs shall be initiated by the academic organizational units in accordance with the RTU Strategy. The Senate shall decide on the launch and termination of each study program. 

56. The procedures for development of study programs, general requirements and implementation procedures, procedure for the recognition of the prior education and professional experience, as well as regulation of other education and research related issues, to the extent not specified by external regulatory enactments, are determined by the regulations approved by the Senate.  

57. The development of scientific research and valorization competences and skills shall be integrated in the study process at RTU. 

58. RTU is entitled to award scholarships from the allocated state budget financing or other funds, as well as to provide various material incentive programs and activities for students. 

VIII. Scientific Activity and Valorization

59. Scientific activity and valorization are among the main areas of RTU activity, and academic and research staff, as well as students of all education cycles including PhD students take part therein. 

60. Scientific activities at RTU are carried out by the faculties, scientific research institutes and other organizational units. 

61. Scientific activity of RTU includes scientific and academic research, innovation, valorization and cooperation with enterprises and organizations, which also envisions development of the new, interdisciplinary scientific fields. 

62. RTU research and valorization activities are aimed at developing technologies and know-how at the national and international level observing the principles of research ethics. 

63. RTU supports establishment of new innovative enterprises and commercialization of research results.  

64. RTU has been developing a system for educating and training young researchers and offers a career path for involving young researchers in the University activities.  

65. RTU is eligible to award the PhD degree for successfully defended Doctoral Theses.

IX. Property, Finances and Economic Activity

66. RTU may have movable, real and intellectual property, proprietary rights and obligations, as well as financial resources in Latvia and abroad in its use, management and possession.  

67. Financial resources of RTU are composed of: 

67.1. state budget funds; 

67.2. revenue generated by RTU while conducting the main activities determined by this Constitution; 

67.3. loans; 

67.4. donations and gifts of the legal and natural persons;  

67.5. other income stipulated by the regulatory enactments. 

68. Financial resources shall be used to ensure RTU operations and development in accordance with the external and RTU internal regulatory enactments. RTU has the right to request reports on the allocation, utilization and management of funds and to control financial flows in the agencies, commercial companies, foundations and associations established by RTU. 

69. The budget plan of RTU, its implementation and annual report shall be approved by the Council. Financial resources of the organizational units make part of RTU budget. 

70. RTU is entitled in its own name in Latvia and abroad: 

70.1. to freely dispose of its property in order to conduct its main activities and to implement its development strategy;  

70.2. to establish departments, affiliations and representation offices; 

70.3. to conclude agreements with the legal and natural persons, as well as conduct other legal actions;  

70.4. to announce tenders, buy and sell movable and real property, various assets and securities in compliance with the aims of RTU;  

70.5. to conduct economic activities, using the proceeds thereof for provision of RTU operations and development thereof, as well as to invest own funds in the agencies, business entities, foundations and societies, or other institutions. 

X. RTU Reorganization or Liquidation Procedure, Procedure for Adoption and Amendment of RTU Constitution

71. The decision on the reorganization or liquidation of RTU shall be made by the Cabinet of Ministers following the proposal of the Minister of Education and Science. The projects for the reorganization or liquidation of RTU shall be attached to the proposal, as well as the resolution of the Council of Higher Education. 

72. The drafts of the RTU Constitution or amendments thereto shall be developed by the Senate. The Council, senators, the Rector, at least 10 (ten) percent of all members of the Constitutional Assembly, faculty councils and student self-government have the right to submit proposals for amendments to the RTU Constitution. The Senate shall review the proposals, prepare a draft of the RTU Constitution or amendments thereto and if at least two thirds of all members of the Senate vote for it, submit the draft to the Council for approval.  

73. The draft Constitution of RTU or amendments thereto shall be considered approved if at least two thirds of all members of the Council vote for it. After approval by the Council, the draft Constitution of RTU or amendments thereto shall be submitted to the Constitutional Assembly for approval. The RTU Constitution or amendments thereto shall be considered approved if more than a half of all members of the Constitutional Assembly vote for them. When deciding on the approval of the RTU Constitution or amendments thereto, neither the Council nor the Constitutional Assembly is entitled to make amendments thereto. 

XI. Transitional Provisions

74. The Constitution of RTU shall enter into force on 1 June 2022. All internal regulatory enactments of RTU and orders issued during the term when the previous edition of the RTU Constitution was effective, including the regulations approved by the Senate, are valid unless they are declared void.  

75. The Rector elected to this position after the entry into force of this RTU Constitution shall enter into an employment contract of the Rector and begin to perform the duties of the Rector not later than within 3 (three) months from the decision of the Constitutional Assembly on the election of the Rector. The term of office of the Rector lasting for 5 (five) years shall start henceforth. In the period until the beginning of the term of office of the new Rector, the duties of the Rector shall continue to be performed by the current Rector. 

76. The term of office of the Vice-Rectors, which in accordance with the employment contract has started until the entry into force of this RTU Constitution, is valid for the term of office of the Rector, unless stipulated otherwise in the employment contract. The newly elected Rector, who has been elected after coming into force of this RTU Constitution, shall have the right to prolong the term of agreement with each preceding Vice-Rector on performing the duties of the acting Vice-Rector for the period of up to 6 (six) months.  

77. The term of office of the Deans, which in accordance with the employment contract has started until the entry into force of this RTU Constitution, shall continue and shall end in accordance with the term specified in the employment contract. 

78. Further, the term of office of the Deans shall be determined in employment contracts in accordance with Paragraph 49 of the RTU Constitution. 

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