SCIENCE CLUB
EKA Science Club was established on January 27, 2020 by the order of EKA University of Applied Sciences Rector Oksana Lentjušenkova. It is an interest club, which unites EKA lecturers. As president of the club was appointed EKA Vice-rector for Science and International Cooperation, Professor Dr. Jelena Titko, but for the Vice President - EKA Lecturer, PhD. candidate Edgars Čerkovskis.
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| Dr.oec. Jelena Titko | PhD. candid. Edgars Čerkovskis |
Rector′s order on the establishment of the club
Club activities directions:
- To contribute to the development of EKA research
- To develop EKA′s priority research directions
- Increasing the popularity of scientific events organized by EKA
Photo from the founding event:
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Club members
MBA JEĻENA BUDANCEVA is a doctoral student, assistant professor at EKA University of Applied Sciences, researcher of EKA Scientific Institution and leader of several study programs, as well as an active culture manager.
Jelena Budanceva has several publications on cultural consumption, personnel management and burnout issues, as well as risk management in the field of culture. In addition to more than 10 years of experience in academic teaching, Jelena Budanceva regularly participates in professional trainings in the field of both culture and personnel management.
During the COVID-19 period, in cooperation between EKA and Latvian Writers′ Union, a training project for representatives of the cultural sector "Bread or book" was initiated and implemented, combining classical teaching methods with the production of virtual events.
Outside the academic field, Jelena Budanceva is the author of the training How to sell yourself, How not to burn out while studying, webinars on conflict management, concepts of happiness, use of internal resources.
After studying in RSU′s doctoral program in Sociology, Jelena Budanceva continues the development of her scientific interests, studying the specifics of burnout for company leaders in RISEBA′s doctoral program in Business Management. Jelena also actively participates in cultural and scientific projects. She is the producer of festival "Rakstivāls" (2024), the author of the virtual cabinet for the evaluation of cultural projects (2023), an expert in the cultural development strategy of Ropažu region (2024).
As a teacher of EKA, she is the author of such courses as Creative Industries, Sociology, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Production.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5205-476X
Mg. EDGAR CERKOVSKIS, lecturer at EKA University of Applied Sciences, research assistent of EKA Scientific Institution, is also active in the EKA alumni association.
He has created and leads more than 10 innovative study courses in several Latvian universities - digital economy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, digital tools and their applications, and many others. Edgars Čerkovskis has conducted a course for Latvian companies, up to the joint-stock company "Latvijas Dzelzceļš", the State Employment Agency, the Ministry of Finance, etc.
Edgars has also given lectures on digitalization topics in almost all Latvian municipalities. In the last two years, he has trained more than 600 school principals throughout Latvia and educated about 5,000 teachers in various issues related to digitization. He has published articles on digitization and its role in education and economy in the most popular Latvian media and regularly appears as an expert on Latvian television and radio.
He is the author of several digital tools such as the Virtual Economy Cabinet and several simulation online games for students. The digital materials and methods developed by Edgars Čerkovskis are still used in larger Latvian learning centers - the Riga program, the European Distance Learning High School, the Latvian Distance Learning Professional Center and the European Distance Learning High School.
One of the most important works is the development and approbation of the Education Quality Index in Latvian schools, as well as the introduction of Virtual Reality in three Latvian schools.
Dr NATĀLIJA CUDEČKA-PURIŅA, associate professor, researcher of EKA Scientific Institution, doctor of business management with specialization in circular economy and sustainability.
Dr Cudečka-Puriņa has almost 20 years of experience in the field of sustainability, both consulting companies, working on monitoring the construction of Latvia′s waste management infrastructure, and working in the state administration and creating the political framework for waste management and circular economy.
Dr Cudečka-Puriņa has been working in the academic environment for more than 11 years and since 2021 she has been an associate professor at the University of Banking. Dr Cudečka-Puriņa is the author of more than 30 scientific works in the fields of entrepreneurship, circular economy, industrial symbiosis and education.
As an associate professor, Dr Cudečka-Puriņa has developed several study courses in the fields of sustainable business and environmental protection and actively participates in applied and scientific projects both in Latvia and internationally (LIFE IP, Erasmus+, Horizon, COST Actions, ANM consolidation grants, etc.).
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5736-7730
Dr JEVGENIJA DEHTJARE, associate professor, leading researcher of EKA Scientific Institution, Head of the Development of EKA Scientific Institution, Certified Career Coach, member of EUMMAS (European Marketing and Management Association) and NetworkIQ community. Graduated from Riga Technical University and worked at ISMA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia) as Business Administration in Tourism program director, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and researcher. The author of more than 60 scientific papers in the field of economics, business, management, tourism, hospitality and education.
She is a member of EKA etECH Conference organising committee.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6859-2327
Dr ILONA LEJNIECE, assistant professor, member of the Constituent Assembly, member of state examination commissions at EKA University of Applied Sciences. She is author and co-author of scientific publications on reputation and credibility, corporate social responsibility, intellectual capital, consumer behavior, tax policy and governance, non-financial reporting, data protection, digital competence, sports and jurisprudence issues.
Professional experience in financial institutions and the Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, consulting in the national economy and finances, tax management, was the financial director and board member of a road construction company. Experience in state and local budget analysis and analysis of proposals, work with the database of regulatory acts and development of legislative initiatives.
She participated in the development of the "Social Charter of Banks" of the Association of Latvian Commercial Banks (2015); organised the "Latvijas budget XXXX" games, EKA (2018, 2019); founded the "Ilona Lejniece scholarship for achieving goals" EKA (2019); from 2020, a researcher at the Institute of Economics of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
Participation in the project "Development of R&D infrastructure in smart areas of specialization and strengthening of institutional capacity of scientific institutions" activity "Improvement of RTU′s resource management system" - Improvement of accounting of limited scope (2022, 2023). Participation in the project - Cup of Ideas 2022. Digitization and sustainability of energy saving in apartment buildings and other places where it is technically impossible to install microgenerators (2022).
Since 2020, expert of the Latvian Academy of Sciences in the field of social sciences.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6402-5141
Dr OKSANA LENTJUSHENKOVA is a Professor at the EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia) and researcher of EKA Scientific Institution. She also holds an administrative position of a Rector. She is an expert in the field of Economics and Entrepreneurship of the Latvian Council of Science.
Dr Lentjushenkova has more than twenty years academic experience in different educational institutions (e.g. Riga Technical University, National Defence Academy, EKA University of Applied Sciences, Alberta College etc.). During these years she worked with different groups of students with different level of knowledge and motivation for studies applying innovative teaching methods.
She has more than fifteen years experience in the management of higher education institutions. From 2006 till 2015 she was a Director of the Alberta College. In 2011 she had developed the unique e-learning system at the Alberta college by providing lectures, seminars, guest lecturers online for students and using strength methodology for teaching students. This system was awarded by the Latvian Open Technology Association as a best ICT solution for education in 2015.
Her research interests are focused in the field of intellectual capital management, quality assurance and strategic management.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6494-1534
Dr INGA ŠĪNA is a Professor at the EKA University of applied Sciences (Latvia) and researcher of EKA Scientific Institution. She also holds an administrative position as the Program Director of Master degree program Business Administration and 1st level professional higher education study program Marketing.
Expert of the Latvian Science Council in the field of economics and entrepreneurship; author of more than 30 scientific articles on economics, entrepreneurship, management , in the field of education, corporate social and environmental responsibility; co-author of two books: "Environment and Economy" and "Green Economy: Policy and Practice in Eastern Europe".
Šīna is the Head of the EU Eurydice project, which collects analytical reports on the education systems of European countries and the managing editor of the scientific journal "Economics and Business".
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6362-6383
Dr KASPARS ŠTEINBERGS, researcher of EKA Scientific Institution, has obtained the degree of Doctor of Economics (Dr. Oec.) in business management in 2017, defending the doctoral thesis "Strategic direction of the cluster and a model for promoting the development of the audiovisual industry in Latvia".
He has more than ten years of experience teaching study courses in management science at the bachelor′s and master′s level both in Latvia and abroad. Dr Šteinbergs has created a unique study program in computer game design in Latvia and has also been the director of other study programs until 2021.
His research interests are related to creative industry, university-industry cooperation and business process simulation. Dr Šteinbergs is also the Head of the scientific institution′s international projects at the EKA University of Applied Sciences.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1506-128X
Dr JELENA TITKO is a Vice-Rector for Science, Head of the Scientific Institution, Professor and Leading Researcher of EKA Scientific Institution at the EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). She is a Deputy Chair of the Association of Latvian Economists and a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Marketing and Management Association.
Dr Titko is an expert in the fields of Education, and Economics and Entrepreneurship of the Latvian Council of Science. She is an Expert of the Lithuanian Research Council. She is a coordinator of the international research groups “Sustainable Development and Circular Economy” and “Digital Economy and Digital Transformation”. Dr Titko an author of more than 70 scientific papers in the field of sustainability, business, management and education.
She is an Editor-in-Chief of the journal “Economics and Culture”.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1333-0941
Dr TATJANA TAMBOVCEVA, professor at Riga Technical University with more than 25 years of experience in academic and scientific work. Research interests are related to the circular economy; industrial symbiosis; environmentally friendly production and consumption; consumer behavior change; corporate social responsibility; sustainable construction, digitization, project management and the use of ICT in many areas.
Dr Tambovtseva has published more than 250 articles in national and international academic journals. She is the author of several specialized books and reports on management, sustainable development and project management, as well as a member and expert in several international societies, councils and foundations. She is the editor-in-chief of the scientific journal "Economics and Business" and the director of the Master′s program "Industrial Engineering and Management".
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9516-1530
Mg.iur. NATALJA VERINA, PhD student in “Economics and Entrepreneurship” of the University of Latvia, assistant professor of EKA University of Applied Sciences, director of the study program “Management Sciences”, researcher of the Scientific Institution of the EKA, coordinator of the research direction “Digital Economy and Digital Transformation”.
N. Verina, as the Head of the study program, has participated in the creation and development of the State Administration Digital Academy of the School of Public Administration. Her scientific interests are focused on human resources aspects in the process of digital transformation of the organization and digital skills of employees. Author of several studies and articles.
Outside of academic work, she was engaged in the management and development of an international online store
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2106-8314
Dr VITA ZARIŅA, assistant professor of the EKA University of Applied Sciences and researcher of EKA Scientific Institution, director of the bachelor′s study programs "Business Economics" and "Accounting and Financial Management", chairwoman of the Senate and researcher at the EKA Scientific Institution.
Expert of the Latvian Science Council in the field of economics and entrepreneurship; author of more than 30 scientific articles in economics, business, management; author of publications in the press, author and co-author of four books: "Evaluation of economic activity using financial ratios", "Financial planning" and "Financial accounting", "Collection of financial accounting tasks".
Dr Zariņa participated in several EU projects and prepared analytical reports on women′s participation in business, equal payment system and other important issues in the field of women and female entrepreneurs.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5580-6114
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Dr KRISTĪNE UŽULE, Leading researcher of EKA Scientific Institution, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, EKA University of Applied Sciences (Latvia). She is an expert of Latvian Council for Science in two areas – economics, management, and educational sciences.
Her research publications include entrepreneurship, management, digitalization and competences. She has participated in European research projects on digital and green competences. She is a member of the Center of Human Resources Management, editorial board of European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS), and etECH conference organising committees.
Club news
15.10.2024. Science Club members get acquainted with EKA′s place in the spiral dynamics model
The beginning of the science club meeting turned out to be quite unusual! Vice-Rector for Science and EKA Board Chairwoman Anna Saltikova addressed the club members and introduced them to the principles of the spiral dynamics model. It is planned that in the near future EKA University of Applied Sciences will move from the blue level "Order" to the orange level "Success". To achieve this, it is necessary to implement the mission of EKA University of Applied Sciences "to promote and support research ensuring positive impact on society" in life. As A. Saltikova noted, "in the study process, our goal is an orange organization, based on blue level processes. Green level motivation serves as support for our development".
When moving to a new level of spiral dynamics, a scientific organization must understand the difference between academic impact and social impact, which the club members talked about. The club members also discussed the importance of research with social impact and sustainable development goals in their research activity.
After the theoretical part of the meeting, the participants moved on to practical aspects and discussed participation in the Times Impact Ranking, a new research direction “Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Education” and a new project “GREENENTRE4DEAF”.
The club members met the new EKA Head of Science Administration Department Anna Strazda and honored O. Lentjušenkova and J. Dehtjare. O. Lentjušenkova was elected as a professor during the meeting of the joint RISEBA, BA and VeA professors’ council on 27.08.2024. and J. Dehtjare was elected as an associate professor during the meeting of the Turība Business School professors’ council on 4.10.2024.
The following club meeting continued in an informal atmosphere.
20.08.2024. EKA Science Club gathering to start the 2023/2024 academic year
The members of the science club were happy to gather together in the premises of the EKA University after a hot summer.
The discussion of research directions became the first item on the meeting agenda. The Vice-Rector for Science of the University J. Titko explained what is included in the duties of scientists working in these research directions. After getting acquainted with the necessary activities, the club members were informed about the EKA Scientific Achievement Statistics and existing scientific cooperation representatives, including the LAS Institute of Economics, the Latvian Social Entrepreneurship Association, the Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator NewDoor, the European Digital Learning Network (Dlearn) and the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS).
The club members were informed about the tasks of project coordinators and researchers and scientific assistants of the EKA Scientific Institution. Continuing the presentation, J. Titko also warned about publications in MDPI journals, talking about possible complications in scientific activities in the future.
Several of the EKA Science Club members are researchers and scientific assistants of the EKA Scientific Institution. That is why it was important for them to also familiarize themselves with the criteria for evaluating the personnel of the Scientific Institution.
Continuing the meeting, the club members were informed about the upcoming EKA events, among which the International Training Week (STW), which will take place on 23-27 September 2024, the Economic Forum, which will take place on 14 November and during which EKA scientists will participate in the sections “Circular Economics” and “Financial Literacy”. In the second half of the academic year The International Academic Week (IAW) will take place on April 22-25, the etECH conference will take place on April 23-24. Club members were also informed about other international events throughout the academic year.
Club members were informed about the creation of two EKA strategies: INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY STRATEGY OF EKA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES and SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL IMPACT STRATEGY OF EKA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES, as well as the establishment of a new research direction: “Inclusion and Diversity in Higher Education”.
Discussions continued on the creation of a book project published by Springer.
At the end of the meeting, a new club member was admitted – Dr. Nellija Titova. Dr. Kristīne Užule, Dr. Velga Vēvere and Dr. Jevgenija Dehtjare became the best researchers of 2023/2024.
Among the young researchers of the year, Jūlija Mironova, Nataļja Verina, Jēļena Budanceva and Oļegs Nikadimovs were specially noted. Jēļena Budanceva and Nataļja Verina were noted for their contribution to student involvement in research. Kaspars Šteinbergs, Edgars Čerkovskis, Nataļja Soopa, Jēļena Šibalova, Jānis Pildavs, Marina Tihomirova were honored for their support to EKA science.
26.03.2024. EKA Science Club members gather together to celebrate scientific achievements
The 2023/2024 academic year was fruitful for scientific achievements at the EKA University of Applied Sciences! On March 26, the members of the Science Club gathered together to celebrate the encouraging news about the inclusion of the Economics and Culture journal in the Scopus database! After announcing this solemn news, J. Titko shared the list of projects submitted for 2023/2024, the total number of which had reached 10 projects.
Then, the club members discussed the prospects of the upcoming Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities (etECH) conference (to be held on April 24-25, 2024), for which more than 170 participants have registered, 70% of whom are foreigners. The conference is planned to be held in 9 sections. The event-packed International Academic Week (IAW) week program, which will take place on 22-26.04.2024, is also planned. During the event, an NIQ seminar will also be held, as part of the EIT HEI initiative and will be led by Darya Tataj, Honorary Professor of the University of Manchester, Chair of the EIT Culture & Creativity Governing Board and Member of the EIT Manufacturing Governing Board. J. Titko also announced the planned signing of a memorandum on the establishment of the Network IQ Baltic Hub in Riga on 23 April 2024.
During the meeting, newly created research directions, which are available on the EKA website, were also discussed. J. Titko announced the opportunity for club members to join a book project published by Springer.
During the meeting, Jūlija Mironova was admitted to the club membership.
Uppon wrapping up the meeting, the best researcher at the EKA University – Kristīne Užule – was honored, as well as words of gratitude were received by Jevgenija Dehtjare (for organizing high-level EKA scientific events, excellent communication, coordination of the activities of the Scientific Institution and personal support to the EKA Vice-Rector for Science), Jeļena Budanceva (for the innovative approach to involving students in research), Karina Zalcmane, Marina Kamenecka-Usova (for national and international research achievements), Kaspars Šteinbergs and Edgars Čerkovskis (for their contribution to the internationalization of EKA research), Oksana Lentjušenkova (for popularizing the EKA brand in society).
29.08.2023 – EKA Science Club meeting at the beginning of a new 2023/2024. study year
Regular meetings of the EKA Science Club have already become a cherished tradition at EKA University of Applied Sciences. This time, the meeting took place on August 29, 2023, prior to the official commencement of the academic year. The participants — EKA academic staff and researchers from the EKA Scientific Institution — were delighted to reunite after the summer break and discuss new plans.
In the academic year 2023/2024, the Scientific Club members can anticipate an exceptionally intensive program, including the Staff Training Week, International Academic Week, etECH Conference, participation in EKA Scientific Institution′s research projects, and much more.
We were pleased to welcome a new member to our club, Dr. oec. Jevgenija Dehtjare. The evening concluded in a pleasant atmosphere and marked the beginning of promising new collaborative research endeavors.
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13.04.2023. EKA Science Club informs about organizational issues of IAW2023 and ETECH2023
On April 13, 2023, the EKA Science Club gathered to learn everything about the organizational issues of the International Academic Week (IAW2023) and the International Scientific Conference Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities (etECH2023), which will take place in just a few days. The club president, EKA Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Jeļena Titko, informed about those present who will actively participate in all activities.
At the end of the meeting, the researchers who were elected to the academic positions of EKA Associate Professors were congratulated – PhD Marina Kamenecka-Usova and Dr.psyh. Kristīne Užule, lecturers of the EKA University of Applied Sciences.
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28.02.2023. EKA Science Club members discuss future activities
On February 28, 2023, a meeting of the members of the Science Club of the EKA University of Applied Sciences was held to review what has been accomplished so far and discuss future research activities.
First, the President of the Science Club, EKA Vice-Rector for Science, Prof. Jeļena Titko, introduced the attendees to the program and activities of the upcoming International Academic Week 2023 and ETECH2023 conference. The members of the Science Club were also informed about the development of the EKA Scientific Institution and what needs to be done in connection with the international assessment of scientific institutions expected in 2025. Subsequently, the researchers were given recommendations for creating publications in internationally peer-reviewed journals.
At the end of the meeting, the newly admitted club members were congratulated – researchers Oļegs Ņikadimovs and Nataļja Cudečka-Puriņa, Dr.iur., who has received the academic position of EKA Associate Professor. Karina Zalcmane, as well as EKA′s top researchers – EKA Professor Dr. Velga Vēvere and EKA Assistant Professor Dr. Kristīne Užule.
30.08.2021. – EKA Science Club meeting at the beginning of the new 2021/2022 academic year
At the beginning of the new academic year, a meeting of the EKA Science Club members was held on 30.08.2021. The club members were happy to meet after the summer holidays and discuss the creation of international research teams in study areas, as well as priority research areas. During the meeting, the possibility of organizing a Research Hackathon as part of the Staff Training Week (STW2021) was discussed. The club members also debated the Strategy for the Development of Science and Creative Activities of the EKA University of Applied Sciences 2021-2023 (ZRDAS2023). After discussion, 3 new members were admitted to the EKA Science Club - Associate Professor Arta Snipe, PhD, Associate Professor Pāvels Patļins, Dr.oec., Researcher Viktorija Priļenska, PhD. The new members of the EKA Science Club were ceremoniously issued with EKA Science Club membership certificates.
During the meeting, EKA professors were honored - EKA professors Velga Vēvere and Inga Šīna have undergone the professor re-election procedure and have been re-elected to the position of professor. At the EKA Science Club meeting, both re-elected professors were honored by being awarded the EKA professor diploma.
EKA Vice-Rector Jeļena Titko provided an overview of EKA′s main scientific achievements in the 2020/2021 academic year, particularly highlighting the annual International Scientific Conference Emerging Trends in Economics, Culture and Humanities - etECH2021, organized in April 2021 in collaboration with Alberta College (Latvia), Walsh College (USA) and Sumy State University (Ukraine). The 2021 International Scientific and Practical Conference of Students, organized in collaboration with EKA′s strategic partner - Alberta College, was also mentioned. The conference took place on April 9, 10 and 23, 2021 in the Moodle environment, using the BigBlueButton (BBB) video conferencing system.
Thinking about the future and the need to establish and accredit a scientific institution, J. Titko and O. Lentjušenkova briefly introduced the international requirements for the accreditation of a scientific institution, for example, the need for an international social impact of a higher education institution. The international accreditation of scientific institutions will take place in 2025, but it is necessary to prepare for it now. At the end of the meeting, J. Titko informed that together with EKA lecturer Edgars Čerkovskis, they are organizing the section of the Economic Forum of the Latvian Academy of Sciences “Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship”, which will attract cooperation partners and industry employers, as well as about the main EKA events in the 2021/2022 academic year.
19.12.2020. EKA Science Club discusses priorities for future, takes in new members and presents books
An online meeting of the EKA University of Applied Sciences Science Club took place on 19.12.2020. Within the meeting priorities for research development were discussed, new members were admitted, the most outstanding members of the club were awarded for achievements in research, as well as two books by EKA university lecturers were presented.
The virtual meeting was attended by rector of the EKA university - Oksana Lentushenkova, as well as lecturers - current and potential club members.
New members were admitted to the club : EKA university associate professor Larisa Turusheva, RTU professor and EKA guest lecturer Tatiana Tambovceva, as well as EKA docents Еlena Budanceva, Ilona Leiniece and Natalya Verina.
The President of the EKA Science Club, EKA Vice-Rector for Science and International Relations Elena Titko, reminded the participants about the priorities of the Science Strategy (ZRDAS2020) and told about future plans for research development.
Two study books were presented at the meeting of the Science Club - “Introduction to Circular Economy” (authors: T. Tambovceva, E. Titko) and “Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility” (authors: V. Vevere, A. Svirina).
At the end of the meeting the best EKA researchers of the year 2019/2020 were awarded. This honorary title was awarded to:
In the field of management - EKA Professor Velga Vevere;
In the field of economics - EKA docent Aija Sannikova;
In the field of law - EKA docent Karina Zalcmane;
In the field of IT - EKA docent Marcis Pinnis;
In the field of translation - EKA associate professor Larisa Turusheva.
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Gratitude was also given to the staff of EKA university, who have made a significant contribution and support to the university′s research, as well as to the teaching staff who has provided the greatest research support to EKA students and to the development of the Erasmus + international program.
