New BUP National Centres

After a thorough process, which began before the summer, the BUP International Board has selected National Centres in Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, and Ukraine. In three countries we welcome a new BUP participating university as a host of the BUP National Centre.

The Baltic University Programme (BUP) has ten National Centres, each under the leadership of a Centre Director. The National Centre is a point of contact for teachers, researchers and students in the respective country as well as being in charge of the BUP Presidency and national meetings. The Centre Directors gather twice a year to discuss and coordinate their activities.

The BUP International Board has decided to appoint:

The logo of Riga Technical University

National Centre in Latvia

The BUP Latvian National Centre is located at Riga Technical University, Riga.

Riga Technical University (RTU) is the oldest technical university in the Baltic states, founded in 1862. RTU is active in a wide range of academic, research, and development fields, focusing on Engineering, IT & Computer Science, Architecture & Urban Planning, Economics & Business, Telecommunications & Electronics, as well as Energy & Environment.

The university also emphasizes interdisciplinary studies, combining technical expertise with business, design, and environmental preservation to prepare students for modern challenges. RTU shares a common sustainable development vision with the BUP, incorporating it into institutional goals, strategic initiatives, and both academic and research activities.

Compilation of photos of three persons.

The BUP National Centre team in Latvia.

The RTU faculty family has recently expanded to include the Latvian Maritime Academy, which offers students professional maritime education while promoting eco-friendly initiatives that leverage technology to enhance maritime practices. Additionally, in March 2024, Liepaja University, a BUP participating university, officially merged with Riga Technical University, becoming RTU Liepaja.

The National Centre consists of:

  • MSc. Laura Štāle, Centre Director
  • Prof. Tatjana Tambovceva, Deputy Centre Director
  • MSc. Ilze Ella Negribe, additional staff member
The logo of Klaipeda University

National Centre in Lithuania

The BUP Lithuanian National Centre is located at Klaipėda University (KU), Klaipeda. This is one of our new National Centres.

The university, established in 1991, has evolved into a multidisciplinary institution with a strong commitment to environmental research and sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region.

KU’s Marine Research Institute and Faculty of Marine Technology and Natural Sciences lead research on marine ecosystems, sustainable coastal management, and biodiversity, integrating these themes into student programs that address pressing environmental challenges. The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities plays an essential role in examining the societal impacts of sustainable practices, focusing on social innovation, cultural heritage, and public policy. Meanwhile, the Faculty of Health Sciences contributes to research on public health, adding a crucial perspective on the well-being of coastal communities affected by environmental changes.

The National Centre consists of:

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eduardas Spiriajevas, Centre Director
  • Professor Daiva Labanauskaite, Deputy Centre Director
  • MBA. Ana Timonina - Mickevičienė, additional staff member
Compilation of photos of two persons

Eduardas Spiriajevas and Ana Timonina - Mickevičienė

The colleagues at the National Centre were asked why they applied to become a BUP National Centre and what they are looking forward to with becoming the BUP National Centre in Lithuania:

"Klaipėda University is the only university in Lithuania located by the Baltic Sea. We have set the ambition that BUP's national leader will be a university with close links to the Baltic Sea, marine, and coastal research and studies. Because the main focus of the university's research is the sustainable development of coastal cities and ports.

Being the National BUP Center in Lithuania would open greater opportunities for Klaipėda University to attract high-level as well as early stage researchers from abroad, encourage the consolidation of higher education institutions in Lithuania, as well as closer cooperation between science and businesses."

The logo of the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava

National Centre in Slovakia

The BUP Slovakian National Centre is located at the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava. This is one of our new National Centres.

The university is a dynamic institution grounded in Central European values, offering education and research in six key areas: Mass Media Communication, Natural Sciences, Social and Political Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences, and Management. A vital contributor to regional development, it enriches the region's cultural, social, and intellectual life.

The National Centre team:

  • MBA Nikoleta Vanková, Centre Director
  • Dr. Lenka Labudová, Deputy Centre Director
  • Lucia Zambojová, additional staff member
Compilation of photos of three persons.

The BUP National Centre team in Slovakia.

The colleagues at the National Centre were asked why they applied to become a BUP National Centre and what they are looking forward to with becoming the BUP National Centre in Slovakia:

"Our primary motivation for applying was to foster stronger regional collaboration and to enhance sustainability initiatives across Slovak universities. We saw this role as a valuable opportunity to bridge connections with both Slovak and international partners within the BUP, supporting shared projects that align with our focus on sustainability, cultural research, and regional development.

We are especially looking forward to engaging more Slovak institutions and students in the BUP network and inspiring deeper involvement in sustainability initiatives. Becoming the BUP National Centre opens doors for new partnerships and enables us to contribute more actively to the Programme’s mission, creating meaningful educational and research opportunities for our students and faculty."

The logo of Södertörn University

National Centre in Sweden

The BUP Swedish National Centre is located at Södertörn University, Stockholm. The university was founded in 1996 and it offers education and conducts research in the humanities, social sciences, technology and natural sciences.

Since 2005, Södertörn University has hosted the multidisciplinary Centre for Baltic and East European Studies (CBEES), a hub for research that focuses on the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe; and more than 100 doctoral students have been educated within the university’s Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS). Since 2018, CBEES has hosted the BUP National Centre in Sweden.

The National Centre team:

  • Professor Per Bolin, Centre Director
  • Professor Joakim Ekman, Deputy Centre Director
  • Dr. Ramona Rat, additional staff member
  • Eleonor Juracková, additional staff member
Compilation of photos of two people.

Per Bolin and Joakim Ekman

The colleagues at the National Centre were asked why they applied to become a BUP National Centre and what they are looking forward to with becoming the BUP National Centre in Sweden:

"CBEES focuses on the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe, conducting research, supporting research training for PhD students, organising conferences, workshops and seminars, and coordinating academic networks in the region. It made a lot of sense to get involved in BUP activities as well!

The BUP network is constantly expanding, and the thematic scope of the network is expanding as well. At Södertörn University, we focus on the Baltic Sea Region not solely on issues relating to sustainability, but also from a number of different perspectives relating to the humanities and the social sciences. We are eager to share these perspectives with other universities, researchers, and students."

The logo of Lviv Polytechnic National University

National Centre in Ukraine

The BUP Ukrainian National Centre is located at Lviv Polytechnic National University. This is one of our new National Centres.

The university is one of the oldest and largest technical universities in Ukraine, with a history dating back to 1816. Located in the historic city of Lviv, the university has a strong focus on science, engineering, and technology. It offers a wide range of programs across multiple disciplines, fostering innovation and academic excellence. Lviv Polytechnic is committed to the principles of sustainable development, integrating them into its academic and research activities.

Lviv Polytechnic National University actively promotes research in renewable energy, environmental protection, and energy-efficient technologies. Additionally, it collaborates with international institutions and participates in projects aimed at fostering a sustainable future for the region.

The National Centre consists of:

  • Professor Zoriana Dvulit, Centre Director
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lidiya Oryshchyn-Buzhdyhan, Deputy Centre Director
  • Mariana Priadka, Additional staff member
Three smiling persons

The BUP National Centre team in Ukraine.

The colleagues at the National Centre were asked why they applied to become a BUP National Centre and what they are looking forward to with becoming the BUP National Centre in Ukraine:

“We aim to foster greater collaboration in education and research within the BUP network, enhancing opportunities for students and faculty in Ukraine. Additionally, we believe this role aligns with our university's vision of advancing regional and international partnerships.

We aim for our university to become a key hub for The Baltic University Programme in Ukraine, actively promoting and realizing its ideas. This will allow us to strengthen sustainable development and build a bridge of cooperation between Ukrainian and Baltic institutions for the benefit of local and global communities.”

FOLLOW UPPSALA UNIVERSITY ON

facebook
instagram
twitter
youtube
linkedin