Research Staff

Current position:Vice-rector for Academic and Research, Associated professor and leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of the MSc study program “Management of Information Systems”, head of the “Laboratory of Applied Modelling (SimLab)”, head of research cluster “Modelling-Based Systems Analysis and Design (MADSYS)”.

Experience: more than 18 years of academic and research experience, more than 12 years in academic and research administration positions: Dean of the faculty, head of Research and development department. Microsoft Certified professional in Microsoft SQL Server;  Certified specialist in using PTV VISION software (traffic flow simulation); Coursera certificates in Creating Dashboards and Storytelling with Tableau, Essential Design Principles for Tableau, Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau, Visual Analytics with Tableau, Enterprise Systems, Innovation Product Management, Building Conversational Experiences with Dialogflow; IBM Cognitive classes certificates in Big Data Foundations – Level 2, Applied Data Science with Python – Level 2, Deep Learning.

Membership: Member of the Latvian Simulation and Modelling Society, member of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association (LaTDEA), programme committee member of International Multi-Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (2017-2024), programme committee member of Conference on sustainable urban mobility (2016, 2018, 2020, 2024), Programme committee member, member of editorial board Transport and Telecommunication Journal.

Teaching activity: Information Systems and Technologies (6ECTS, master level), Research Seminar 2 (3ECTS, master level), Systems Analysis and Modelling (6ECTS, bachelor level), Technical Writing (3ECTS, bachelor level), Foundation of AI (6ECTS, bachelor level).

Publication activity: Author/co-author of more than 30 research publications in journals and conference proceedings (indexed in SCOPUS/WoS). Co-author of several methodological books for students, co-author of the monography “Sensor Network Technology Applications in the Water Supply and Transport Systems” .

Projects: for the last years participated in more than 20 international projects (Horizon2020, FP7, Erasmus+, IEE, COST) and more than 10 contract research projects with the industry.

Supervised theses: 32 master level and 16 bachelor thesis supervision with successful defence; supervision of PhD thesis in a topic “Assessment Framework for Hyperloop Technology”; the official reviewer of 5 PhD thesis.

Research fields/domains: simulation modelling, information systems, AI application.

Awards: Award in competition „For the best bachelor, master and PhD work related with transport issues in Riga city” (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), Khaim Kardonsky memory foundation award for research in statistics and reliability (2007), K. Irbīša award (2004).

Motto: “Do not be afraid of new things”.

Hobby: Carpentering, numismatics.

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of MSc Program “Transport and Logistics”

Previous experience: more than 10 years was Vice-rector for Research and Development, Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), founder of the Laboratory of Applied Systems and chair of Mathematical Methods and Modelling Department in TSI

Membership: From 01.2017 member of ECTRI Board and from 2019 – vice-president of ECTRI; an external scientific expert in Association of Paneuropa Coach Terminals from 2009; has been chair or member of the organizing and the programme committees of the International Conference on Applied Statistics (6 events), Transportation Research (15 events), Complex Systems (4 events), etc. and reviewer in transportation journals and conference proceedings. Member of Editorial Board of Journals: Transport (WoS, SCOPUS); Maintenance and Reliability (SCOPUS), Transport and Telecommunication (WoS, SCOPUS), etc. Guest redactor of Volumes of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems and Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure in Springer; Procedia Engineering published by Elsevier etc.

Academic experience: Author more than 170 publications, incl. 9 books and textbooks, chapters in the books “From Transit Systems to Models: Purpose of Modelling” in book: “Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems” (Springer Verlag, 2016), “3D City Models and urban information: Current issues and perspectives” (edpsciences, 2014), papers in International Journal of Transport, Transport and Telecommunication, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, etc. Guest redactor of Volumes of Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems and Lecture Notes in Intelligent Transportation and Infrastructure in Springer; Procedia Engineering published by Elsevier etc. An Expert in Transport and Logistics (2008-2021) and Civil Engineering (from 2021) at the Latvian Council for Science; member of the PhD promotion committee

Teaching at post- and graduate levels: Data Analysis (PhD in Business Management, RSEBAA-BA); Multivariate Statistical Analysis, Transport Modelling, Scientific Seminar (Dr. Ing. in Telematics and Logistics, TSI); Data Mining (MSc in Computers Science, MIS, TSI); Research Seminar; Methods of Data Analysis and Business Forecasting (MSc in Transport and Logistics, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects: as leading researcher has participated in more than 20 European and Latvian research projects and more than 14 national transportation studies, and was scientific coordinator in 8 of them. Is/was national representative and management committee member of COST Actions CA16222 (WISE-ACT), TU1306 (CYBERPARKS), TU1004, TU0903, TU0804 and TU0801. Has great experience in coordinating different kind of projects in frame of Horizon 2020, FP, INTERREG, BSR programmes, she was coordinator of Horizon 2020 project “Enhancing excellence and innovation capacity in sustainable transport interchanges” (ALLIANCE)

Research interest: Data analysis, data mining, statistical analysis, mathematical modelling and simulation with application in different fields (transportation sphere, business, economics, networks, logistics and others)

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Promoted 6 Doctoral, more than 90 Master theses and 70 Bachelor theses an official reviewer of 7 PhD theses

Awards: (2019) by Ministry of Education and Science; (2017, 2010, 2008) Latvian Education Funds; (2011, 2010, 2008) Riga Municipality

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor, Dr.sc.ing. Dr.hab.sc.ing, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of PhD Programme “Telematics and Logistics”.

Previous Experience: Founder and President of Transport and Telecommunication Institute for over 15 years, Vice-rector for Research and Development Affairs for more than 10 years

Membership: Member of the Joint OECD/ITF Transport Research Committee (OECD – Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, ITF – International Transport Forum), Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Corresponding Member of Latvian Academy of Science, President of Latvian Transport Development and Education Association, President of Latvian Operations Research Society, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal “Transport and Telecommunication”, Member of the board of the Journals “Transport”, “Technological and Economic Development”, “Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering” etc.

Academic experience: Author of more than 600 academic and research publications, author of 68 patents. Expert of the Latvian Council of Science in Civil and Transport Engineering, Chairman of promotion council for PhD degree in Civil and Transport Engineering, Chairman of Professor Council in Telematics and Logistics.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: 45 years of pedagogical experience in university; courses: Research Methodology (PhD programme); New Trends of Telematics and Logistics Development (PhD programme), Research Methodology (MSc programme), Theory of Systems and System Analysis (MSc programme), Transport Policy (MSc programme), Intelligent Transport Systems (MSc programme), Reliability Engineering (BSc programme) etc.

Participation in projects: has participated in 37 international projects (in 26 projects as national coordinator of the projects) and 26 Latvian research projects and programs (in 23 as head of the projects) within the frame of COST Activities, Horizon 2020, Framework Programs, INTERREG etc. 

Research Interests: Transport Telematics and Logistics, Smart Cities, Analysis and Modelling of Transport Systems, Intelligent Transport Systems, Reliability of Electronics Systems, Internet of Things, Cyber-Physical Systems, Information Technology Applications, Electronics and Telecommunication, Decision Support Systems, Avionics, Air Traffic Control Systems and others.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Supervisor of 9 PhD theses and more than 200 Master and Bachelor theses.

Awards: 2 Gold and 5 Silver Medals of International Research and Innovation Exhibition of Innovators (1985-1990); Honorary title “Latvian Honored Inventor”, Latvian Parliament (1989); Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology, USA (1998); Award and memorial medal for outstanding research in computer science and informatics,  Latvian Academy of Sciences (2001); Award and memorial medal for outstanding performance of research in air navigation, communication and radar technology, Latvian Academy of Sciences (2002); Certificate of Recognition as a significant contribution to the research and educational work in the transport, logistics and information technology, as well as on the international success in science, Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia (2014); Certificate of Honor of the Latvian Academy of Sciences for research in the field of transport and logistics (2019).

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty.

Previous experience: Rector and more than 10 years a Vice-rector for Education Affairs for Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), Program Director of the Bachelor of Computer Science Program, Software Engineering team lead and Quality Manager at SWH Technology (later Exigen Latvia).

Membership: LZP expert, AIC expert; Reviewer (member of the committee) in several international conferences (IADIS ML 2009-2019, ICALT 2009, ICEE/ICIT-2014 etc.); Member of the Editorial Board of the International Women’s On-line Distance Learning Journal (WOJDE, ISSN:2147-0367); TSI Representative for Europe Informatics (Informatics Latvia); TSI Member of the Senate; MIP-2006-2018 Chairman and member of the Organizing Committee (TSI, Riga, Latvia); Member of the Latvian Operations Research Society; Member of the Latvian Association of University Professors.

Academic experience:

• university lecturer with 40 years of experience (all types of teaching, including distance learning)
• expert in the development and evaluation of university programs.
• good knowledge of education and software development quality control processes (currently conducting quality audits at international level)
• scientist in the software development industry
• experienced university education process administrator
• academic internship and lecturing abroad (University of Manchester, UK -1994, Ottawa University, Canada – 1995, University of Hagen, Germany – 1999, University of Florence, Italy – 2008, University of Murcia – 2014, European Humanitarian University, Lithuania – 2018, Vilnius Tech University, Lithuania – 2021).

Author of more than 50 scientific and academic publications, 3 textbooks.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: Information and Software Systems Quality Models, Scientific Seminar (MSc in Computers Science, MIS, TSI); Object-Oriented Programming, Software Engineering, Transport Modelling, Introduction into Computer Science (Bachelor in Computers Science, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects (2013-2024):

• ERASMUS+ project “Ecosystem for European Education Mobility as a Service: Model with Portal Demo (eMEDIATOR)”, No 2021-1-LV01-KA220-HED-000027571, Project Manager, Leading Researcher (2021-2023).
• ERASMUS+ project “Strengthening digital pedagogy skills and competencies of educators” (INGENIOUS), No. 2020-1-EL01-KA226-VET-094871 (2021-2023), Manager, Researcher (2021-2023).
• ERAF Project “Strengthening the academic staff of the Transport and Telecommunication Institute in the areas of strategic specialization” Nr. 8.2.2.0/18/A/011″ Nr. 8.2.2.0/18/A/011, Supervisor (2018-2020).
• INTERREG CB 2010-2020 Project “Harmonised and Modernised Multidisciplinary Railway Education” (EDU-RAIL), Leading Researcher (2015 – 2018).
• ERASMUS+ project iSECRET “Implementation of Software Engineering Competence Remote Evaluation for Master Program Graduates”, ID – 2015-1-LV01-KA203-013439, 2015-2017, Project Manager (2015-2017).
• FP7: Enhancing transfer of Intelligent Transportation System innovations to the market (TTRANS), 2012-2015, Leading Researcher (2013).

Research Interests: Object-Oriented Programming, Software Engineering, Process Maturity, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Forensic, Quality Management Systems, Online Pedagogy and E-learning.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses (number): Promoted 1 Doctoral, more than 30 Master theses and more than 50 Bachelor theses and was official reviewers of 4 PhD theses.

Awards: Nomination for King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa UNESCO Award for the use of ICT in Education by the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia.(2017); acknowledgments by Ministry of Education and Science (2005);acknowledgments by Latvian Education Fund; TSI Goda Raksti (2019); TSI Aizinības Raksti (2019, 2021,2022); TSI Diploma for Significant Contribution to the Development of the TSI (2024); TSI Diploma for Innovation Teaching Methods(2024).

Scopus

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director MSc Program “Computer Engineering and Electronics”.

Previous experience: for more than 6 years was Dean of Computer Science and Telecommunication Faculty (Engineering Faculty), Head of Telecommunication Department in Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), founder of the Laboratory of Image Processing, Biometry & Automated Border Control Systems in TSI.

Membership: Member of ECTRI (since 2017), Latvian Operations Research Society, Latvian Higher School Professors Association; member of European Engineering Deans Council (2012-2013); has been a member of the steering and programme committee of the International Conference on Innovative Vocational Education and Training in Transport Area (IVETTA), 2005; programme committees of the International Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (RelStat), Latvia, (10 events), Dependability of Computer Systems (DepCoS-RelMex), Poland (3 events), etc., and reviewer in transportation journals and conference proceedings. Member of Editorial Board of Journals: Transport and Telecommunication (WoS, SCOPUS), Computer Modeling and New Technologies (2012), etc.

Academic experience: Author of more than 90 publications, incl. 14 books and textbooks, chapters in the book “Sensor Network Technology Applications in the Water Supply and Transport Systems”, Ribickis, L., et al. (Scientific Monograph, Riga, RTU Press, 2017, in Latvian), papers in International Journal of Transport, Transport and Telecommunication, Mathematical Modelling and Analysis. An Expert in Transport and Logistics (2008-2021) and Civil Engineering (since 2021) at the Latvian Council for Science; member of the PhD promotion committee. Member of the expert working group of the Electronic Communications Sector Council of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia (since 2010).

Teaching at post- and graduate level: System Theory (Dr.ing. in Telematics and Logistics, TSI); Computer Vision and Image Processing (MSc in Computers Science, TSI); Laboratory Research Workshop (MSc in Electronics, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects: as a leading researcher has participated in more than 15 European and Latvian research projects and 2 national transportation studies, has been a scientific coordinator in 4 of them, has participated in COST Action TU0804, Horizon 2020, FP, INTERREG, BSR programme’ s projects.

Research Interests: Mathematical modelling, numerical methods, dynamics of chaotic systems, signal and image processing in different fields (transportation sphere, biometry, networks, logistics and others). 

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Promoted 1 Doctoral, more than 50 Master theses and 60 Bachelor theses, an official reviewer of 8 PhD theses.

Awards: by Latvian Education Fund in Computer Science (2017), IT industry (X-Infotech, 2016-2017), Riga Municipality (2010).

Academic degree and current position in TSI: associated professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, the head of the Telecommunications, Electronics and Robotics Center, Director of Professional Bachelor Program “Robotics” and Director of Electronics professional programme.

Previous experience: for more than 15 years used to be an assistant professor (docent) and lecturer for Computer Science and Telecommunication Faculty in TSI.

Academic experience: Author of more than 75 publications, incl. five teaching books in Transport and Telecommunication, and Springer book: “Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication”.

Teaching at the graduate level: Embedded system based on modern microcontrollers (MESc in Electronics, TSI); Microwaves Circuits Design (MESc in Electronics, TSI).

Participation in projects: has participated in 6 European and Latvian research projects, including as leading researcher in research project ‘Research on dynamic wireless charging of electric vehicles and development of experimental model’ and researcher in LZP 1 project “Development of technologies for the creation of multi-component nanostructured protective coatings for industrial products”.

Research Interests: Signal Processing of Subsurface Radar Sounding, Radar Simulation, Decision of reverse tasks of the subsurface sounding, Embedded Electronic Devices.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses and Diploma Projects: Promoted 13 Master theses, 74 Bachelor theses, and 14 Diploma Projects.

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Vice-rector for Student Affairs, professor, of the Engineering Faculty, senior researcher, PhD thesis: “Urban Public Transport Quality Estimation” (2015).

Previous experience: Dr.sc.ing. Irina Pticina has been the chair of Department of Software Engineering of Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) for five years and the chair of Laboratory of Software and Information Systems Development Laboratory.

Membership: National representative in some COST Actions:  TU0903 „Methods and tools for supporting the use, calibration and validation of traffic simulation models (MULTITUDE)”, TU0804 “Survey harmonization with New Technologies Improvement”

Academic experience: Author of more than 15 publications cited in scientific journals. The conference “Research and technology – step into the future”, Member of the programming committee.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: Organization of Research & Pedagogical activities (Doctoral study program Telematics and Logistics, TSI); Image Processing (MSc in Computers Science, TSI); Programming, System Programming, Algorithms of Computer Graphics, Development in Net (BSc in Computer Science, TSI); etc.

Participation in projects: has participated in 6 European and Latvian research projects and 8 national transportation studies as researcher. National representative of COST Actions TU0903 „Methods and tools for supporting the use, calibration and validation of traffic simulation models (MULTITUDE)”, WG3: “Continuous National Travel Surveys”, European committee COST355; TU0804 “Survey harmonization with New Technologies Improvement”

Research Interests: Software Engineering, Programming, Computer Graphics, Transportation, Transport surveys, Modern tools and approaches in education. 

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses (number): Promoted 9 Master theses and 84 Bachelor theses, supervised the PhD student in the Doctoral program Telematic and Logistics.

Awards: Competition for the bachelor’s theses in IT in Latvia, as a supervisor (2017, 2020). Open international competition for the best doctoral, masters, students and student research work related to the Riga city traffic problems winner of the research activity “Development of an urban transport system quality indicator for passenger transport” (2010).

Current position – Emeritus Professor of the Engineering Faculty, Director of the study direction “Transport and Business Logistics”.

Experience – More than 50 years of academic and research experience; Professor at Transport and Telecommunication Institute (2004-2020); Privatdocent at Otto-von-Guericke University (Germany) (2001-2014); Project manager at Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (Germany) (2001-2020); Docent at Riga Technical University (1971-2001).

Membership – Member of the Latvian Simulation Society (since 1994); Member of the ASIM Simulation Society (Germany)(since 1989); Expert of Latvian Council for Science in Engineering Field (2017-2023); Member of Program Committee of International Winter Simulation Conference (USA) (since 2012); Member of Programme Committee of International Multi-Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (since 2015); Member of editorial board “Transport and Telecommunication” journal.

Teaching activity – Modelling of systems (2ECTS, doctor level); Business process modelling (2ECTS, doctor level); Mathematical methods and models in logistics research (2ECTS, doctor level); Supply chain risk management (4ECTS, master level); Modelling of logistics and transport processes (4ECTS, master level); Modelling of systems (6ECTS, bachelor level); Simulation modelling in logistics (4ECTS, bachelor level).

Publication activity – Author/co-author of more than 160 research publications in journals and conference proceedings; ca. 30 publications are indexed by SCOPUS/WoS.

Projects – More than 35 contract research projects with the industry by working at Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation (Germany) (2001-2020).

Supervised theses (TSI) – 10 master level and 4 doctoral thesis supervision with successful defence.

Research fields/domains – Analysis, modelling and simulation of production and logistics systems.

Awards – Honorary Order of the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (2014).

Motto – “If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself” (Albert Einstein).

Academic degree and current position in TSI: professor, leading researcher of the Engineering Faculty, Director of BSc Programmes “Aviation Transport Maintenance”, instructor of theoretical training and examination in Academic and Professional Aviation Centre (TSI/APAC Part-147). Advisor and lecturer in Association Latvian Auto (L-auto) and Scientific Training Advisory Transport and Logistics Centre (ZMKTLC).

Previous experience: was chair of Transport Department and Aviation Transport Department for more than 15 years, Transport and Logistics Faculty, Director of BSc programmes “Commercial Transport Operation”, “Aviation Transport Maintenance” in Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI).

Membership: Member of the Scientific Council of TSI, Member of the program committee of the conferences: “Research and technology – a step into the future” and “Actual problems of education”

Academic experience: Author of more than 140 publications, incl. 25 books and textbooks: Organization of vehicle maintenance processes (in Russian), 2011; Theory and optimization methods. Part 1. Linear programming (in Russian), 2011; Information technology and transport logistics (in Russian), 2015; Aircraft structure (in Russian), 2016; Aircraft structure (textbook). Part 1. Glider (in Russian), 2018; Aircraft design. Part 2. Aircraft systems and equipment (in Russian), 2018, etc.

Participation in projects: As a leading researcher has participated in 12 European and Latvian research projects.

Research Interests: Transport and Logistics, Aviation Transport.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Three doctoral students’ theses were defended and Dr.sc.ing. degree obtained by 1 person; more than 15 Master theses and more than 200 Bachelor theses supervised.

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor, Leading Researcher of the Faculty of Transport and Management, Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Transport and Management.

Previous experience: 30 years’ experience in Higher Education, 10 years’ experience of working as the Head of the Department (The Department of Linguistics and the Department of Management and Economics) at Transport and Telecommunication Institute.

Membership: Since 2016 – Programme Committee Member of the International Scientific Conference “Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication” (RelStat); since 2016 – Programme Committee Member of the International Scientific Symposium “Economics, Business and Finance”; 2012-2015 –  Programme Committee Member of the Scientific and Educational Conference “Actual Problems of Education”; since 2020 – Member of Editorial Board of the “Journal of Business, Management and Economics Engineering”/Vilnius Gedminas Technical University (WoS, Scopus); since 2019 – reviewer of the “Journal of Marketing for Higher Education”/Routledge (Scopus).

Academic experience: Author of more than 40 publications, incl. six textbooks and book chapters. An Expert in Management (since 2014-2020); Educational Sciences (since 2020); Economics and Business (since 2020) of the Latvian Council for Science; Member of the Joint* Professors’ Council in Economics and Business, incl. Management Sciences (TSI, Turiba University and BA School of Business and Finance).

Teaching activity: Academic English (Master of Social Sciences in Management); Human Resource Management and Leadership (Master of Social Sciences in Management); Organizational Behaviour and Leadership; Strategic Management (Master of Social Sciences in Management); SMART administration (Master of Social Sciences in Management); Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility (Master of Social Sciences in Management), etc.

Participation in projects: a national representative and Management Committee Member of COST Action CA19102 “Language In The Human-Machine Era”, COST Action CA18236 “Multi-disciplinary innovation for social change”, COST Action 15221 “Advancing effective institutional models towards cohesive teaching, learning, research and writing development”, COST Action CA15137 “European Network for Research Evaluation in the Social Sciences and the Humanities” – ENRESSH, leader of the ERASMUS+ KA2 “SPREAD YOUR WINGS” 2017-1-PL01-KA203-038782 Project and ERASMUS+ “LEARN IT – Learning with ICT use” (2014-1-PL01-KA200-003353) Project, participant of the ESF project 2007/0010/VPD1/ESF/PIAA/06/APK/3.2.6.3./0110/0139 – “Professional Higher Education: TSI students practice in Transport and Logistics Enterprises”.

Research Interests: Strategic Management, Educational Management, Marketing Management and Branding in Higher Education, Human Resource Management, Corporate Social Responsibility.   

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses (number): Supervision of the Master’s Theses (22: Master of Social Sciences in Management; Professional Master’s Degree in Aviation Management), an official reviewer of four PhD theses at the University of Latvia.

Awards: Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Research Excellence (2019, TSI); Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Teaching Excellence (2019, TSI); Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of the Contribution to the Interdisciplinary Approach to Research (2019, TSI).

Motto: “Motivation is a fire from within”.

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor, Leading Researcher of the Faculty of Transport and Management, Director of study program MSc in Business and Management.

Previous experience: 41 years’ experience in Higher Education teaching Accounting and Finance; managing of high educational departments, and more than 25 years’ experience in industry as a consultant and professional advance qualification trainer.  

Membership: Since 2014 – Programme Committee Member and since 2018 vice-chair of the International Scientific Conference “Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication”, RelStat (Scopus, WoS); Since 2006 – Member of the Advisory Committee of the Annual International conference, Bulgarian Association for Management Development and Entrepreneurship; Since 2015 – reviewer for the Emerald’s Emerging Markets Case Studies, EMCS, and 2018 member od editorial board (Scopus); Since 2020 – Reviewer of The Central European Business Review Journal, CEBR (Scopus, WoS); Since 2015 – International Strategic Management Conference, Peer-Review Committee (WoS); Since 2015 – The Clute Institute, Journal of Business Case Studies, member of Editorial Board (WoS); Since 2018 – the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, The University Yearbook, member of the Editorial Board; in 2012 – vice-chair of the 9th International Conference in Accounting and Finance in Transition, ICAFT-2012; 2011 – 2013 – The European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, ECSB Country Vice President for Latvia.

Academic experience:

Author more than 80 publications, incl. 2 study books, 3 monographs and book chapters.  An Expert in Economics and Business of the Latvian Council for Science; 2013–2020 – Member of the Joint Professors’ Council in Economics and Business (RISEBA, BA School of Business and Finance, Ventspils University); Member of the Joint* Professors’ Council in Economics and Business, incl. Management Sciences (TSI, Turības University and BA School of Business and Finance); Since 2016 –  Research and PhD Council at TTI; 2005-2007 – Latvian Association of Certified Auditors, LZRA – member of examination commission in Financial Accounting.

Teaching activity: Bachelor programme: Accounting, Management Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Reporting and Analysis. Master programme: Financial Management, International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS; Financial and Management Analysis; Research Seminar. Doctoral programme: Financial Management.

Professional advanced qualification: Corporate Financial Management; Management Accounting; Business Plan preparation; Financial Reporting and Analysis based on IFRS.

Participation in projects: ERASMUS+ „Spread Your Wings” Nr. 2017-1-PL01-KA203-038782 project (2018-2020). ALLIANCE – Enhancing excellence and innovation capacity in sustainable transport interchanges. Grant agreement Nr. 692426 (2016–2018). ERAF project, VIAA, State Education Development Agency project “Development of institutional capacity of TSI Scientific Institution” Project Nr. 2.DP/2.1.1.3.3./15/IPIA/VIAA/006 (2015). ESF project nr. 1DP/1.1.2.1.2./09/IPIA/VIAA/011 for the year 2009-2014 „Doctoral study support programme”. The Economics and Law Sciences Expert’ Commision of the Latvian Council of Science: The main directions of Research in Economics and Law Sciences in 2003 – 2011 by LCS (different projects)

Research Interests: Financial and Management Accounting, International Reporting, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Digital Techniques in Management and Finance.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses: Supervision of the Master’s Theses (average 5 works per study year) Master of Social Sciences in Management; an official reviewer of PhD thesis; Supervision of the Doctoral Theses.

Awards: LR Ministry of Education and Science, Certificate of honour of the Ministry of Education and Sciences, Minister Baiba Rivža (26.10.2007). Latvian Academy of Sciences, Certificate of honour of the Ministry of Sciences, LZA president Ojārs Spārītis (06.09.2019). Nomination in ‘The best tutor of the Year 2008’ from Latvia. The Institute of Certified Financial Management, ICFM (10.12.2008), London, the United Kingdom.

Motto: “Do what you love, and do it with love”.

Current position – Rector of TSI, Docent of the Faculty of Transport and Management, Head of the study direction “Mechanics and Metalworking, Thermal Power Engineering, Heat Engineering and Machinery”.

Experience – about 10 years total administrative and academic work experience at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute as well as at the University of Latvia and Riga Stradins University, including previously also as a Vice-Rector for Administrative issues, Director of International Relations Division of TSI and Director of Academic and Professional Aviation Center of TSI; 10 years’ work experience at the State Joint Stock Company ”Riga International Airport” as a Chairman and Member of the Supervisory Board and Member of the Executive Board; for two years was Director / Chairman of the Executive Board of State agency “Latvian Investment and Development Agency” (previously – “Latvian Development Agency”) and afterwards for two years Chairman of the Executive Board of State Joint Stock Company “State Information Network Agency”; from 1993 until 1998 was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Head of Mission  at the Embassy of Latvia to Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Mission to the European Union and NATO and Ambassador for Special Assignments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia; an overall work record at the public administration institutions and state owned enterprises exceeds 20 years.

Membership – in 2016 was founder and for five years was a Member of Supervisory Board of NGO “Latvian Aviation Association”; in 2018 was Member of the organizing committee of Riga Aviation Forum „How to respond to Future Demand for Aviation Professionals?”; from 2012 until 2016 was Member of the Qualification Commission of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia; in 2007 – 2008 was Member of the Technical and Operational Security Committee of Airports Council International (ACI) Europe; was Member of the Board and Vice-President of NGO “European Movement in Latvia”.  

Teaching activity – Transport policy of the EU and Republic of Latvia (master level), History of European Integration (master level).

Publication activity – author of monograph “Way of Latvia to the European Union. From general to specific”; reports at scientific conferences and articles published on the issue of Impact Assessment in Transport Policy; presentations at the conferences and round table discussions on the issue of Education and Training for Aviation Professionals.

Projects – ERDF funded project “Modernization of Transport and Telecommunications institute STEM study programmes” Nr. 8.1.1.0/17/I/009 (participant); ESF funded project “Strengthening Transport and Telecommunication Institute Academic Staff in the Areas of Strategic Specialization (STTIAS)” Nr. 8.2.2.0/18/A/011 (participant); Erasmus+ Key Action 2 project “Spread Your Wings” (project supervisor).

Supervised theses – supervised Master’s theses of few students at the University of Latvia.

Research interests – European Union integration issues, Transport policy of the EU and Latvia, Aviation transport policy, airport management.

Motto – “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”  Seneca

Dr Neil Rubens is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, visiting professor and leading project manager at Stanford University (USA) on projects, related to applications of artificial intelligence for industry analysis, was working as assistant professor at University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo (Japan), has excellent work experience in business sector as software engineer, as well as founder of own startup sectormap.net in Japan.

Academic degree and current position in TSI: assistant professor, researcher at the research cluster “Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence

Previous experience: 4 years of lecturing and research at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI)

Membership: Reviewer of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) and Transport Journal. Member of the scientific committee of the International Scientific Conference “Transbaltica 2021”. Member of a working group European Transport Research Review (ECTRI), thematic group “freight & logistics”.

Academic experience: More than 13 publications indexed by SCOPUS and WoS. Author of such courses as “Risk management in supply chains”, “Modeling Logistic and transport processes”, “Logistic systems and chains”.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: Risk management in supply chains (MSc in Transport and Logistics), Modeling Logistic and transport processes (MSc in Transport and Logistics), Logistic systems and chains (MSc in Transport and Logistics).

Participation in projects: participated as a researcher in several European projects including ALLIANCE (ID: 692426) and ePIcenter (ID: 861584).

Research Interests: Supply chain management, applied machine learning, simulation modelling, operations research and metaheuristics.

Supervised Doctoral, Master and Bachelor Theses (number): 1 master student completed master’s degree under my supervision.

Awards: Young Researcher Award was received at the 20th International Multi-Conference Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication, 2020, Riga, Latvia. Awarded paper: “Neuroevolutionary approach to metamodel-based optimization in production and logistics”

Current position – Assistant professor

Experience – more than 15 years of experience in transport planning and simulation in the Riga municipality, more than 1 year in academic and research as assistant of professor and lecture in TSI Certified specialist in using EMME software (traffic flow simulation.

Membership – Member of the Latvian Simulation and Modelling Society, Association “WOMEN IN TRANSPORT”

Teaching activity – Geography of Transport Systems (4ECTS, master level), Decision Making Methodologies (2ECTS, master level), Sustainable Transport Interchanges (6ECTS, master level)

Publication activity – Author/co-author of 11 research publications in journals and conference proceedings (indexed in SCOPUS/WoS).

Projects – for the last years participated in more than 2 international projects (Horizon2020, INTERREG): ALLIANCE project (https://alliance-project.eu/) – participant, SUMBA (https://sumba.eu/) – project coordinator

Supervised theses – 2 master level thesis supervision with successful defence

Research fields/domains – simulation modelling, sustainable transportation, mobility

Awards – ALLIANCE PROJECT. Scientific Excellence Award 2018

Motto – Don’t give up

Scopus

Academic degree and current position in TSI: Professor at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute, Dean of the Engineering Faculty,

Previous experience: Over 20 years as a Professor at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico City, serving in various leadership roles including Academic Vice-Chancellor, Executive Secretariat of COFAA-IPN, General Coordinator for Staff Development and Educational Innovation, Dean of Higher Education, and Director of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

Membership: Member of IEEE, collaborating with the Robotics and Automation Society. Since 2023, a member of the Latvian Council of Science as an expert in the field of Engineering and Technology – Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies, and a member of the Engineering and Technology Expert Commission.

Academic experience: Author of numerous publications in journals such as IEEE Access, Results in Engineering, and MDPI Sensors. Supervised over 55 undergraduate theses, 11 master’s theses, and 7 doctoral dissertations at IPN, the last 2 Doctoral dissertations supervised as TSI staff.

Teaching at post- and graduate level: Courses in Robotics, Engineering Design, and Soft-Computing at both graduate and undergraduate levels.

Participation in projects: Participated in and led various research projects focused on robotics, optimization techniques, biomechanics, and mechanical design.

Research Interests: Robotics, Trajectory Planning, Soft Computing, Mechanical Design Optimization, and Biomechanics.

Awards: Recognized for innovative leadership in academia and research, aiming to advance engineering education and tackle the challenges posed by Industry 4.0.