Inese Muzikante Appointed Dean of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia

"A new phase is beginning in the development of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia. The integration of its students and academic staff into the UL ecosystem continues to grow, the new business school's development strategy has been approved, and a rebranding process will soon commence. We believe that the BA School of Business and Finance has the potential to become a leading centre for business education not only in Latvia but also across Northern Europe. The new Dean's substantial academic and managerial experience will enable the school to advance to the next level," emphasises UL Rector G. Bērziņš.

Inese Muzikante is not only a leading researcher at the UL Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, where she previously also served as an Associate Professor, but until May of this year she also held the position of Director of Riga Business School (RBS). For more than ten years, she has worked at the business school both as a lecturer and as an instructor in leadership development  courses. Over the past two years, she has led RBS through a period of transformation, ensuring stability and maintaining focus on strategic goals.

"As I take on the role of Dean of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia, my vision is to establish it as the leading specialised business school in the Baltic region in the fields of finance and financial technologies, operating at a premium level and distinguished by a clear focus on FinTech, data, risk management, and sustainability," says I. Muzikante regarding her objectives in the new position. "These goals are founded on several strategic directions: a competitive portfolio of study programmes developed in cooperation with industry; high-level applied research; quality assurance, international accreditation, and a practice-oriented study model. My leadership approach is characterised by a clear direction for development, the involvement of academic staff, and respect for academic freedom. My task is to create an environment in which lecturers can innovate, teach, and grow professionally, thereby jointly creating a valuable educational experience for students."

The Dean of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia holds a doctoral degree in Psychology from the University of Latvia, specialising in Social Psychology. I. Muzikante has developed and taught courses in psychology, organisational psychology, leadership, the foundations of psychology and pedagogy, and other related subjects. She is the author and co-author of numerous scientific publications and has presented papers at academic conferences both in Latvia and abroad. The Dean is also a member of the Latvian Psychologists' Association and an expert of the Latvian Council of Science.

"I am genuinely pleased with what we have accomplished together over these years. I take particular satisfaction in the integration of the BA School of Business and Finance into the University of Latvia, which has opened up new opportunities for development for students, teaching staff, and researchers. I also warmly remember the involvement of the BA School of Business and Finance community in supporting Ukrainian refugees, which demonstrated our ability to remain united, compassionate, and responsible at a time when it was especially needed. I am grateful to colleagues, students, alumni, and cooperation partners for their trust, support, and our shared achievements. I look forward with confidence to the continued development of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia," says Professor Līga Peiseniece.

The BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia extends its sincere gratitude to Professor Līga Peiseniece for her professional, dedicated, and significant contribution to the institution's development while serving as Rector of the BA School of Business and Finance and as Acting Dean of the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia. Under Professor Līga Peiseniece's leadership, the institution became an integral part of the financial ecosystem, achieving outstanding results, including high graduate employment rates, competitive salaries, and strong demand for its graduates. The active involvement of industry representatives in the enhancement of study programmes and the provision of internship opportunities enabled the BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia to establish itself as a leader in financial education and created a solid foundation for its continued growth. During her tenure, substantial changes were implemented, including the successful integration of the BA School of Business and Finance into the University of Latvia. This process strengthened the institution's development opportunities and reinforced its position within Latvia's higher education landscape.

The integration of the BA School of Business and Finance into the University of Latvia was completed on 1 September 2025. The process took place in accordance with the consolidation plan approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 23 May 2023 and the Recovery and Resilience Facility project entitled "Internal and External Consolidation of the University of Latvia." 

As an institution of the University of Latvia, the BA School of Business and Finance will continue to develop as a Baltic-scale business school with a focus on financial technology study programmes, innovation, and internationally accredited education. It already stands out through its high graduate employment rate, competitive salaries among alumni, and close cooperation with industry.