TalTech’s Senate elected two new professors yesterday: Alar Kuusik, Director of the Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics at the School of Information Technologies, was elected Professor of Internet of Things, while Ivo Müürsepp, Senior Lecturer at the same department, was elected Associate Professor of Communication Systems.
“I am very grateful for this recognition,” Alar Kuusik said upon receiving the congratulations. “As a member of the Senate, I only had a fairly brief moment of anticipation outside the University Council meeting room before receiving the decision that was so important to me. I see it as a vote of confidence in my rather long career at TalTech, and I hope I still have plenty to contribute to the University and its students. So, a new title and renewed energy to keep moving forward!”
The appointment also came as a pleasant surprise to Senior Lecturer Ivo Müürsepp. Although he knew that the Senate vote was approaching, he did not know exactly when it would take place or, of course, what the outcome would be. “I first heard the news from Alar Leibak, Director of the Department of Cybernetics, shortly before the start of a lecture,” Müürsepp said, recalling his first impressions. The newly appointed Associate Professor acknowledges that his work has already involved all the responsibilities that form part of a professor’s day-to-day duties for quite some time, so the new title may not immediately bring major changes to the substance of his work.
“Of course, I will continue trying to do my work as well as possible – and even better,” Müürsepp promised. Last week, he was recognised as TalTech’s Communication Friend. In 2026 alone, Müürsepp has commented on around 20 different topics at the request of Delfi, Postimees and ERR, with his expert commentary on several occasions attracting record readership on Delfi’s Forte portal. He has already received an invitation to appear on Vikerraadio. Students have praised Müürsepp as a young and energetic lecturer whose lectures are engaging, while also noting that he sets high standards and expects students to put in the effort.
A long career at the University
Alar Kuusik has been associated with Tallinn University of Technology since 1988, when he began his studies here as a student. He received his Master’s degree in 1995 and his doctoral degree in 2001, supervised by Professor Mart Min. Although his studies and research have taken Kuusik to Japan, Germany, the United States and Macedonia, (ETIS page) and he has also spent some time working in the private sector alongside his main work, he has remained connected with the University throughout his career. In 2020, he was named TalTech’s Researcher of the Year.
Ivo Müürsepp began his studies at Tallinn University of Technology in 1998. He received his Master’s degree in 2004 and his doctoral degree in 2013, supervised by Professors Tõnu Trump and Andres Taklaja (ETIS page). Müürsepp has worked at Tallinn University of Technology since 2001, while also putting his knowledge and expertise to use for the Estonian Defence Forces for a period of time.