Tiit Land said that he is running for the position of Rector of TalTech “with the desire to continue the activities and initiatives that have been started together.” “I also want to address the challenges related to ensuring a new generation of engineers and technology experts, as well as contributing to the development of high-tech industry, the defence sector, and artificial intelligence,” he said.
Tarmo Soomere stated that in a rapidly changing world, the university faces great challenges: to provide better support for the Estonian economy and to take a leadership role in defining and realising the third mission of universities, serving society. “Graduates must leave our doors equipped with an education based on the latest in world science, and with a firm conviction that they will make the world a better place to live,” Soomere said.
How to ensure the next generation of engineers?
The candidates were asked what specific steps TalTech should take to ensure a sufficient number of engineers and technical specialists in the future, given the aging population and the decline in the working-age population.
Tiit Land emphasised that TalTech is already doing a lot to cultivate young people’s interest in technical fields – collaborating with schools, offering lectures and elective courses, holding camps, and running science interest programmes aimed at young people.
“We are currently running several activities that bring young people to engineering and technology, but all these steps need to be intensified even further,” said Land. He highlighted the Engineering Academy, Enerhack, and e-calculation as good examples of practical cooperation and sparking interest from the primary school level.
“We are currently running several activities that bring young people to engineering and technology, but all these steps need to be intensified even further.”
The rector candidates were introduced by TalTech's council chairman Heiti Hääl and the chairman of the election committee Madis Margus at a press conference. Photo: Henri-Kristian Kirsip
Tarmo Soomere pointed out a systemic problem in the university landscape – the underfunding of engineering education. He noted that young people are not satisfied with just a promise of a better future: “If we offer a young person a reward in a very distant future, it is not attractive.”
“If we offer a young person a reward in a very distant future, it is not attractive.”
According to Soomere, it is essential to create an environment within the university where students feel the essence of top-level science early on. “If students are not confident that by leaving here, they will be capable of changing the world, many will doubt and choose not to come here,” he emphasised.
Public Debate
Until April 25, the candidates will introduce themselves in public speeches and meetings with staff and students. The debates will culminate in a public debate in the university auditorium on April 25 at 14:00. The Senate of the university will express its opinion on the rector candidates on April 29. On May 9, the council will elect the rector. The Senate can veto this decision until June 9.
To stand for the position of rector, a candidate must be or have been appointed as a professor at any university and hold a doctoral degree or an equivalent academic qualification. The candidate must be supported by at least one council member.
Since the restoration of Estonia’s independence in 1991, TalTech has been led by rectors Olav Aarna (1991-1999), Andres Keevallik (2000-2005 and 2010-2015), Peep Sürje (2005-2010), Jaak Aaviksoo (2015-2020), and since 2020, Tiit Land.
