Statutes of Riga Technical University
Riga Business School
1. General terms:
1.1. RTU Institute “Rīgas Biznesa skola” (hereinafter – RBS) is an independent structural unit of Riga Technical University (hereinafter – RTU), reporting to the RTU Rector;
1.2. The address of RBS -11 Skolas Str., Riga, LV-1010, Latvia;
1.3. The activity of RBS is governed by and its legal base are the laws of the Republic of Latvia, the decisions and regulations of RTU governing bodies, these Statutes and other internal legal acts;
1.4. RBS Statutes, their further additions and amendments are approved by RTU Rector;
1.5. RBS carries out educational, methodological, research, and commercial activities, and implements study programs;
1.6. The management of RBS is provided by the RBS Advisory Board, RBS Council and RBS Director in accordance with these Statutes;
1.7. RBS has its own seal and visual identity;
1.8. The name of RBS in English – RTU Riga Business School.
2. The goal of RBS is to provide high quality internationally recognized study process by implementing study programs and courses, to carry out research and consulting activities in the field of management.
3. The main objectives and activities of RBS:
3.1. In consultations with industry partners, to develop, recommend for approval according to RTU processes, and implement study programs for bachelor’s, master’s degrees, and/or professional qualifications or professional development;
3.2. To conduct training and professional development of companies’ managers and specialists through life-long learning courses;
3.3. In collaboration with companies and organizations, to develop scientific potential in order to carry out research and consulting activities;
3.4. To attract financial resources by conducting local and international scientific, research, and consulting projects;
3.5. To facilitate professional development of academic and general personnel that also reflects generational change;
3.6. To conduct RBS collaboration with other RTU structural units, Latvian and foreign universities and scientific research organizations;
3.7. To maintain recordkeeping for study programs carried out by RBS;
3.8. To inform the society of RBS activities and achieved results;
3.9. To perform other activities necessary to achieve the goal.
4. RBS Advisory Board evaluates and suggests recommendations for RBS strategic plan and makes recommendation throughout the implementation process.
4.1. The RBS Advisory Board comprises 11 (eleven) members, including one representative each from the State University of New York at Buffalo (USA), the University of Ottawa (Canada) and the public organization “RBS Alumni Association”. These entities nominate and withdraw their representatives at their own discretion, informing the chairperson of the RBS Advisory Board and RTU Rector. Correspondingly, at least one representative of Riga Technical University is nominated to the RBS Advisory Board at the Rector’s discretion;
4.2. The RTU Rector approves the authority and composition of the RBS Advisory Board for 3 (three) years. Candidates to the Advisory Board are recommended to RTU Rector by the chairperson of the previous Advisory Board in consultation with the organizations mentioned in point 4.1;
4.3. The RBS Director and the Chairperson of the RBS Council participate in the work of the RBS Advisory Board without voting rights. The RBS Advisory Board may invite other representatives of RTU and RBS administration, as well as external consultants, to solve specific issues;
4.4. The RBS Advisory Board is headed by its Chairperson, who is elected by the Board among its members. The RTU Advisory Board may elect a Co-Chairperson(-s) and define their responsibilities. The Chairperson and Co-Chairperson is elected for 3 (three) years with the possibility of being re-elected;
4.5. The meetings of the RBS Advisory Board are organized by the Chairperson at least 2 (two) times a year. The Chairperson represents RBS Advisory Board between the meetings of the RBS Advisory Board;
4.6. The meeting of RBS Advisory Board has the quorum if 2/3 (two thirds) of its members are present;
4.7. Decisions are made collegially with a simple majority of votes at the meetings of the RBS Advisory Board;
4.8. The RBS Advisory Board can create special committees to solve specific issues;
4.9. Functions of the RBS Advisory Board:
4.9.1. examines and agrees the RBS strategic plan, taking into account the overall RTU operational strategy;
4.9.2. establishes a Nomination Committee for selecting candidates and provides a recommendation for the RBS Director candidate to RTU Rector;
4.9.3. examines and submits proposals to RTU rector and/or RBS director changes necessary in RBS internal procedures to ensure RBS’s strategic development, and proposes changes in these Statutes;
4.9.4. reviews and makes recommendations for RBS’s budget and long-term investments and commitments; RBS budget and long-term investments and commitments are approved through the general procedure of RTU;
4.9.5. regularly evaluates the work of the RBS administration implementing the strategic plan and submits suggestions to RBS director and, if necessary, RTU Rector. If the recommendations are not taken into account, the RBS Advisory Board may recommend the RTU Rector to terminate the employment of the RBS Director;
4.9.6. performs other activities that contribute to the achievement of RBS’s strategic goals.
5. RBS Academic work is managed by the RBS Council:
5.1. The RBS Council includes the RBS Director, directors of study programs, representatives of academic staff and students (not fewer than 20% of the total number of RBS Council members);
5.2. The representatives of the academic staff of RBS Council are elected by majority vote at the meeting of RBS faculty. The qualification of representatives of the RBS Council’s academic staff must not be lower than that required of a docent and they must perform scientific and pedagogical activities at RBS;
5.3. The composition of the RBS Council is approved by the RTU Rector’s order;
5.4. RBS Council elects the Chairperson for 3 (three) years;
5.5. The RBS Council is authorized to make decisions if 2/3 (two thirds) of its members participate in a meeting. RBS Council meetings are recorded. RBS Council makes decisions by open or closed voting with a simple majority vote; in the event of an equal distribution of votes, the vote of the chairperson of the RBS Council is decisive.
5.6. Functions of the RBS Council:
5.6.1. Examines and approves the basic directions of RBS academic activities, that are reflected in the strategic plan;
5.6.2. Evaluates results of study programs and work;
5.6.3. Evaluates scientific activity of RBS;
5.6.4. Elects academic personnel according to RTU approved process;
5.6.5. Evaluates and approves the regulatory documents for implementation of the study process, as well as resolves other important issues related to RBS academic work;
5.6.6. Examines students’ submissions related to implementation of the study process;
5.6.7. Reviews and approves RBS academic integrity assurance procedures, as well as approves RBS academic integrity committee.
6. The operational management of RBS is provided by the RBS Director, implementing RTU strategic goals and objectives and RBS strategic plan in compliance with RTU internal regulatory acts, recommendations of the RBS Advisory Board and decisions of the RBS Council:
6.1. Selection, appointment, and dismissal of RBS Director:
6.1.1. The search, appointment and approval of the RBS Director is carried out in accordance with the principles of good governance;
6.1.2. RTU announces an open international competition for the position of RBS Director. The acting RBS Director has the right to submit their application for the competition without any restrictions;
6.1.3. For the selection of RBS Director candidates, the RBS Advisory Board establishes a Nomination Committee, in consultation with the RBS Council and the RTU Rector. The composition of the committee is approved by the RTU Rector’s order;
6.1.4. The nomination committee includes representatives of the RBS Advisory Board, RTU administration, RBS academic and general staff, representatives of students and graduates;
6.1.5. The finalists are interviewed by the RBS Advisory Board, RBS Council, faculty and staff of RBS;
6.1.6. Applicants for the position of RBS Director submit the RBS development concept to the Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee examines the qualifications of the candidates and the submitted development concepts, conducts interviews and recommends one or more applicants to the RBS Advisory Board;
6.1.6. The RBS Advisory Board evaluates the recommendations of the Nominations Committee and submits a recommendation to RTU Rector on the most appropriate candidate / candidates for the position of RBS Director;
6.1.7. The RTU Rector appoints the RBS Director or initiates a new selection process; in case of appointment, the RTU Rector signs a 5 (five) year employment contract with the selected candidate for the RBS Director’s position;
6.1.8. The RBS Director can be dismissed before the end of the contract in accordance with RTU’s internal regulatory acts, which can be suggested by the RTU Rector, RBS Advisory Board or RBS Council. The decision on the dismissal of the RBS Director is taken by the RTU Rector.
6.2. Rights and responsibilities of the of RBS Director:
6.2.1. To ensure the implementation of the decisions of RTU Advisory Board, RTU Senate, RTU Rector and administration, RBS Advisory Board, and RBS Council;
6.2.2. To inform RTU Rector about RBS operational activities and achievements in fulfilling strategic goals;
6.2.3. In accordance with RTU’s operational strategy, coordinate the development and regular improvement of RBS’s strategic plan, as well as coordination and approval of that in accordance with RTU regulations and the procedures set out in these Statutes.
6.2.4. To independently decide on the issues pertaining to RBS operation, to sign contracts with individuals and legal entities for the implementation of the goals and objectives stated in the RBS statutes within his/her competence, delegation and subject to authorization by the RTU Rector;
6.2.5. To develop organizational structure of RBS, approving it in accordance with RTU regulations. To manage, coordinate, and/or monitor the activities of RBS structural units for the performance of their assigned tasks;
6.2.6. To search, hire and fire RBS academic and general staff in accordance with RTU regulations;
6.2.7. To issue orders and give instructions, as well as coordinate the development of regulatory documents for the implementation of RBS operations;
6.2.8. To coordinate RBS academic work;
6.2.9. To represent RBS in the RTU Senate and RTU administrative institutions;
6.2.10. At least once every six months provide a report on the results of RBS’s work to the RBS Advisory Board and the RBS Council;
6.2.11. To carry out other activities in order to facilitate achieving of RBS strategic goals. Professional responsibilities and/or commitments outside RBS are to be agreed with the RTU Rector and RBS Advisory Board.
7. RBS financial and commercial issues:
7.1. RBS’s income consists of:
7.1.1. RBS student tuition fees;
7.1.2. Income from RBS economic activity, incl. room rental and rental fees, organized seminars, etc. in accordance with RTU regulations;
7.1.3. Ministry of Education and Science budget and other funds to ensure the activity of RBS in accordance with RTU regulations;
7.1.4. Studies and other services fees are calculated by RBS. The price list of study fees and other services is approved in accordance with valid RTU internal and external regulations.
7.2. Economic issues (maintenance of premises, fees for heat, electricity, etc.) RBS resolves according to the procedure adopted by RTU.
8. RBS is reorganized and liquidated by order of the RTU Rector in accordance with the decision of the RTU Council.
[1] Although the English translation is as precise as possible, only the text in Latvian is legally binding.