Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

The Latvian University of Life Sceinces and Technologies (LBTU) is an internationally recognized science university located in Jelgava, whose beginnings can be considered the establishment of the higher education department of agriculture on the territory of Latvia in 1863. Initially, the university's identity was built around one sector of the national economy, specifically agriculture-related sectors. Now, its mission focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources across various sectors. The university offers interdisciplinary higher education, developing the knowledge necessary for the sustainable development of the environment and society. Bringing together the contributions of the biosciences, engineering and social sciences, the university's faculty and scientists ensure that people live better, healthier and longer lives. The interests of LBTU scientists include sustainable and climate-smart resource research and management, technologies and innovations for sustainable and climate-neutral resource management, as well as research and administration of sustainable bioeconomy and smart territorial development.

To ensure excellence in the research and study process, LBTU has created a science university ecosystem - a unified framework of commercial companies, scientific institutions, educational institutions and other organisations as a set of institutions working purposefully under the university management and supervision, including LBTU DPP "Institute of Horticulture" and DPP "Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics".

Research directions and competences

According to the development strategy of the university for 2023-2027, LBTU is the leading science university in the creation of innovations in the bioeconomy and related industries and in the sustainable use of natural resources in the Baltic Sea region, promoting the introduction of innovations in the national economy to promote the balanced development of Latvian regions and society for increasing the quality of life.

The goal of LBTU’s scientific activity is to achieve internationally recognised excellence in the Baltic Sea region and to ensure that research meets the needs and requirements of society, to strengthen LBTU’s innovation capacity and to ensure the transfer of knowledge.

As a scientific university, LBTU creates an ecosystem in the university's strategic specialisation areas and priority research directions:

1. life sciences (agricultural, forestry and veterinary sciences),
2. engineering and technologies,
3. social sciences.

Research directions are chosen in accordance with current trends in the world and in Latvia, including the European Green Deal.

LBTU's research in biosciences is concentrated in four directions - implementation of the "one health" concept, including studying the interaction of different species (animals, plants, microorganisms); research and conservation of biological diversity in agro- and forest biocenoses; research and use of soil and water resources, as well as the development and adaptation of modern technologies (digitalization, smart technologies, etc.) for the extraction of high-value agricultural and forest products, as well as in veterinary medicine. Fundamental and applied research is carried out in all LBTU faculties and institutes, as well as with external cooperation partners.

LBTU research in the engineering block is carried out in the fields of food and beverage technology, environmental engineering and energy, construction and transport engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, information and communication technology, material science, mechanical engineering and mechanical science and related sub-sectors. Based on the principles of circular economy and sustainable development, the interdisciplinary research carried out by LBTU is content related to the integration of natural and man-made resource management in agriculture, forestry, food production, construction, energy and transport. LBTU scientists create new and innovative materials, products and technologies that meet current environmental, climate neutrality, production and recycling requirements.

Multidisciplinarity plays an essential role in social science research at LBTU, which includes the balancing and interaction of several current dimensions: aspects of the environment and climate change, identification of driving forces for the transition to a climate-neutral economy, ensuring green and digital EU industry transformation processes, prevention of climate-related risks, at the same time, ensuring the competitiveness of environmentally responsible business, a socially sustainable and socially inclusive process.

All scientific directions are realized by working in close synergy with other LBTU research directions, and integrated, cooperating with scientists from other LBTU research directions, Latvian and international scientific institutions, policy makers, entrepreneurs and non-governmental organisations. LBTU Social Sciences research groups are permanent creators of the European scientific space, participate in international projects and expert working groups, ensuring the transfer of knowledge to sectors of the national economy.

According to the University’s areas of strategic specialisation, LBTU is included in such international ecosystem institutions as the Association for European Life Science Universities, the Baltic Forestry, Veterinary and Agricultural University Network (BOVA) and the Nordic Forestry, Veterinary and Agricultural University Network (NOVA).

LBTU is the leading research partner (centre) of the bioeconomy and related industries in Latvia, which ensures cooperation with public and private sector partners. LBTU provides support in the development of research-based policy in LBTU’s areas of strategic specialisation, as well as offers innovative research methods for learning current issues to positively influence their resolution in the long term. LBTU promotes an interdisciplinary approach to conducting research and more active cooperation of various LBTU structural units, especially in areas of strategic specialisation, ensuring the practical use of results. To promote research excellence, LBTU initiates interdisciplinary research in biosciences, engineering and social sciences to ensure synergy and an innovative research approach.

LBTU implements higher education at three levels, implementing a student-centred study process, developing the capacity of academic staff, promoting cooperation and strengthening LBTU’s academic competitiveness both in Latvia and at the international level.

LBTU offers students an internationally competitive study environment that provides ample opportunities for improvement and the acquisition of new knowledge. LBTU is open to every student, with different social, economic and cultural backgrounds, regardless of the student’s age, gender, orientation, ethnicity, religion, special needs or immigration status.

LBTU provides an inclusive study environment for students of different generations, motivating them to use higher education opportunities and acquire new knowledge throughout their lives.

Research projects and achievements

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU) implements around 200 research projects each year, one-third of which are international. Alongside, the university implements national-level projects and conducts contract research in collaboration with government institutions, as well as state-owned and municipal enterprises.

Some of the international research projects:

1. Thematic Network that implements a multi-actor approach to modernise the EU beekeeping sector. – B-THENET (2022 – 2026)
2. Accelerating and mainstreaming transformative NATure-bAsed solutions to enhance resiLIEence to climate change for diverse bio-geographical European regions – NATALIE (2023 – 2028)
3. New governance models to enhance nutrient pollution handling and nutrients recycling – NENUPHAR (2023 – 2027)
4. Trustable and Sustainable Open Platform for Smart Honey Value Chains –  TOP4HoneyChains (2023 – 2026)
5. BOOSTing the bioeconomy transformation FOR (4) the BIOEAST region - BOOST4BIOEAST (2024 – 2026)
6. Improving resilience to the spread of plant diseases via a regional Pest Common Data Space – PestSpace (2024 – 2028)
7. Multi-level policies and theories on how to leverage -  Work Integration Social Enterprises for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic transition– WISESHIFT (2025 – 2029)

More information about LBTU project updates is available here: https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/projekti

Collaboration and Knowledge Transfer

LBTU actively supports entrepreneurs and industry partners in accessing cutting-edge research and innovations developed by its researchers and students.

LBTU Technology and Knowledge Transfer Centre (TEPEK) serves as a dedicated partner in identifying promising technologies, facilitating access to IP rights, and fostering collaborative innovation. Whether through research partnerships, contract research, or licensing agreements, TEPEK provides tailored support to ensure seamless cooperation, efficient IP management, and successful commercialisation.

More information about the services provided by TEPEK and the implemented cooperation projects is available here: https://www.lbtu.lv/en/lbtu-technology-and-knowledge-transfer-office

Infrastructure

LBTU has an extensive research infrastructure, which includes scientific institutes, modern laboratories, pilot production facilities, digital testing platforms, and research farming facilities.

The LBTU Biotechnology Laboratory, as a joint unit of research activity, conducts physical and physical-chemical tests of crops and animal feed as well as conducts tests, provides results and carries out research in molecular biology, microbiology and genetics. Laboratory maintains and stores the genetic resources bank of agriculture animals of Latvia.

Various specialized laboratories operate within LBTU units – ranging from plant pathology and variety assessment to research in food technology, forest and water resources, landscape architecture, and engineering sciences. They are equipped with modern instruments (e.g., GHG emission measurement systems, 3D design tools, an acoustic camera, a biogas analyser, and a gastrointestinal simulator), providing extensive opportunities for research and innovation.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine includes a fully functioning Teaching and Research Veterinary Clinic with surgery rooms, a visual diagnostics department offering radiography and computed tomography, endoscopy, arthroscopy, and ultrasound.

One of the newest research infrastructure facilities - Fish Processing Biotechnology Study and Research Centre offers opportunities for research and pilot trials in the fields of fish processing, preservation, and storage, using modern equipment and pilot-scale technologies. Equipped as a small-scale production facility, the centre includes around 60 fish processing machines, more than 30 laboratory devices, and a dedicated tasting room.

More information about LBTU research ecosystem is available here: https://www.lbtu.lv/en/ecosystem

The overall list of LBTU scientific equipment is available here: https://www.llu.lv/lv/zinatniska-inventara-datubaze

Leading Researchers:

More information: www.lbtu.lv/en