The Rīga Technical University (RTU) has announced the appointment of Sandis Šrāders, a prominent foreign policy researcher and defense technology expert, as the new director of the RTU Liepāja Academy. Stepping into the role on June 1, Šrāders is expected to oversee a strategic pivot that aligns the academy’s academic output with the evolving security and industrial needs of the Baltic region.
Šrāders, who currently serves as the director of the RTU Defense Technology Center, secured the position following a competitive selection process. His mandate involves not only the preservation of the academy’s established academic traditions but also the aggressive development of new programs focused on “dual-use” applications—technologies and systems that serve both civilian and national security sectors.
Strategic Focus on Dual-Use Innovation
The appointment signals a shift toward integrating higher education with regional strategic development. Šrāders has identified the modernization of Liepāja’s port infrastructure as a primary area for academic synergy. By focusing on engineering and technological programs, the academy aims to support the adaptation of the port to meet the mobility, logistics, and security requirements of NATO and other international allies.
This approach is designed to transform Liepāja into a significant hub for innovation and logistics within the Baltic Sea region. The goal is to enhance the economic and industrial capacity of the Kurzeme area while ensuring that the local workforce is equipped to handle the complexities of modern international security infrastructure.
A Career Defined by Security and Foreign Policy
Šrāders brings a robust portfolio of international experience to the role. His background spans both the public and private sectors, with a heavy emphasis on defense policy, strategic communication, and cross-border innovation. He has previously served as the director of the “Military Leadership and Security” Master’s program at the National Defence Academy of Latvia and remains a senior researcher at the Latvian Institute of International Affairs.
His influence extends into the international policy sphere as a member of the prestigious Alphen Group and the Secretary General of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation (LATO). His academic credentials include teaching and research tenures at the Baltic Defence College, the University of Tartu, and Old Dominion University in Virginia. Most recently, in 2024, he served as a visiting researcher at George Washington University, where he focused on the impact of digital transformation on global security.
Institutional Consolidation and Regional Growth
The leadership change comes at a pivotal moment for the institution. Two years ago, as part of a national effort to consolidate higher education in Latvia, the Liepāja Academy was integrated into the Rīga Technical University family. This merger was intended to foster interdisciplinary cooperation and drive scientific innovation, ultimately strengthening the economic profile of the Kurzeme region.
By appointing a director with deep ties to the international defense community, RTU is positioning the Liepāja Academy as a bridge between academic research and the practical demands of regional stability. For a city like Liepāja, which serves as a critical maritime gateway on NATO’s eastern flank, the alignment of its primary educational institution with security and logistics expertise represents a significant step in its long-term development strategy.
Source: Liepājas valstspilsētas pašvaldība
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