Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) or Vidzemes Augstskola in Latvian, enrolled its first students in the autumn of 1996. Its aim was to support economic, political and social development of Vidzeme region. In 2001, ViA acquired the status of a state university. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences is establishing itself as a research and knowledge transfer point of the Vidzeme Region and its dynamic centre – the city Valmiera.

Research is one of the main priorities at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. Its strategic aim is to conduct applied research with an interdisciplinary approach in order to strengthen the quality of education in the university and integrate the results into development of Vidzeme region. The academic staff has participated in several significant regional, national and international research and development projects in the fields of governance, economics, information and communication technologies, public relations, business administration and tourism. Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Society and Science, Sociotechnical Systems Engineering Institute and Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research are the main academic and scientific departments. Main research areas of Faculty of Engineering are:

• ICTE solutions in system design and management;
• Socio-technical aspects of E and M-studies;
• Hybrid simulation modelling systems, logistics information systems;
• Application of virtual reality technologies to improvement of the study process;
• HMI development trends in Latvia;
• IT programme work organisation and management;
• Selection of social systems’ simulation modelling means for tourism application analysis;
• Introduction of information systems into education;
• Development of ecosystem "Further Education IT”;
• Development of system for personal knowledge management;
• Development of electric and electronic waste management in Latvia;
• Solutions for information safety in RFID applications.

ViA is open for world-wide co-operation in field of scientific research and education to provide sustainable development of knowledge based society.