OREANDA-NEWS. April 17, 2015. Each of the four candidates introduced the goal they will implement at first in the position of the Rector of Tallinn University of Technology.

Next month, one of the most prestigious universities in Estonia, Tallinn University of Technology (TUT), will have a new Rector.

Today, the four Rector Candidates held their last public debate where they all emphasized  that the improvement of teaching quality, increasing the number of international students and more efficient cooperation with entrepreneurs were the main priorities in Tallinn University of Technology, mediated the news programme “Aktuaalne Kaamera”.

All Rector Candidates, Jaak Aaviksoo, Jakob K?barsepp, Andrus Salupere and Mart Ustav, identified one specific goal they intend to start working towards as a Rector.

“First and foremost, our focus should be on increasing  the reputation of TUT, improving the quality of teaching, and, of course, catching up with the University of Tartu in terms of research work,” Rector Candidate Aaviksoo said.

“Research, undoubtedly. Teaching and, naturally, implementation of research results in business,” Rector Candidate Mart Ustav declared.

“Science, and research and development activities are extremely important for the university.However, development of the human potential that will further advance the Estonian society and economy, is a number one priority,” Rector Candidate Jakob K?barsepp said.

“Career model development and implementation are important for people to have a clear perspective on what can happen to them when working at the university,” Rector Candidate Andrus Salupere stressed.

Besides increasing the sense of security of the academic staff, Salupere supports the development of classic engineering disciplines.

“In Estonia, we need mechanical engineers, civil engineers, mining engineers, power engineers, chemical engineers, and IT specialists,” Salupere listed.

All candidates agree that the number of Bachelor curricula should be decreased, and the proportion  of Master's and Doctoral studies should be increased in the university. According to Aaviksoo, the number of curricula should be decreased altogether in order to enable the University of Technology to prepare the specialists Estonia really needs.

“By being successful at something, we can be sure that we will do well in life, do well as a nation.  Good education provides us with abilities to cope as an individual. It is much more difficult, if we know a little about everything and do not excel at anything," Jaak Aaviksoo noted.

Today, the percentage of international students in TUT is 10%. While in Aaviksoo’s opinion further internationalisation of TUT should not be a goal in itself, other candidates believe that the proportion of international students should definitely be increased to 20%.

“I think that the potential for development lies not so much in the number of international students as in international academic persons," K?barsepp stated.

To this day, the collaboration between entrepreneurs and the university has been inefficient. Unlike other Rector candidates, Ustav is of the opinion that, in this matter, the initiative must come from the university.

“Scientists must turn to entrepreneurs, be a part of the process and understand how they can contribute most efficiently to the business activity of enterprises,” Mart Ustav explained.

The new Rector will assume office in September.