Meetings between the current rector of Tallinn University of Technology, Tiit Land, and his sole rival, academician Tarmo Soomere, with TalTech’s faculties and the university community have been peaceful and rather complementary. This is why journalist Johannes Tralla, who moderated the public debate, decided to open with a more provocative approach.

Debate Sparks Ideas

Things heated up quickly: Tarmo Soomere noted that while things at the university are good, one should only settle for excellence. He also argued that there should be significantly more than just two candidates for the position of rector at Tallinn University of Technology - an academic environment should always be characterized by debate, as this is how new ideas emerge. Moreover, a future rector cannot take into account any visions that are not brought to the table during debates.

Thirdly, although TalTech’s development curve seems excellent, the task of leading the university could also be approached differently. It is important to consider opportunities that may initially seem unlikely to materialize.

Academician Tarmo Soomere once again emphasized the importance of top-level research. It is from those at the forefront of science that students gain knowledge and inspiration, and these graduates are the ones who bring the university’s expertise into society. However, this should be done much more intensively - not just by expressing opinions, but by leading debates, raising important questions, and guiding society. “We have extremely few scientific results with the potential to change the world,” said Tarmo Soomere. “The university’s impact on society is continuously eroding. Can you name the last professor from Tallinn University of Technology who was elected to the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament)?”

Top-Level Research Produces Products 

According to academician Soomere, top-level research inevitably produces products - it is as hard to avoid as forests growing in Estonia. Clearly, the winner is the one who first develops a new technology and brings it to market.

At the same time, the university must find ways for excellent researchers and lecturers to spend some time in entrepreneurship, develop a great product there, and then quickly return. “Management decisions must increase staff motivation and improve career management,” he assessed.

The current rector, Tiit Land, sees a somewhat different solution to the question of serving society. At present, a researcher’s level is largely assessed by the number of high-level (Q1) scientific articles published, but for knowledge generated at the university to reach practice, license agreements or successful patents should also be valued alongside scientific articles. In other words, basic and applied research should not be opposed to each other. However, the results of applied research should reach Estonia’s economy and society more and faster.

The fact that TalTech researchers are not frequently seen on the sofas of Estonian TV studios does not mean, according to Land, that they are absent from important decision-making processes. The university’s science and entrepreneurship portal, Trialoog, also plays a very important role here.

Towards a Target Fund for Engineering Education

Unlike Tarmo Soomere, Tiit Land was able to rely on previous achievements when presenting his plans, such as changing the university’s management model (notably including deans in the rectorate), supporting doctoral students, and boosting lecturer motivation, including through salary increases.

Tiit Land considers the creation of the university’s own focus centers very important, with one aim being to provide a broader base for the emergence of new knowledge and serving society. As an issue to be addressed, Land highlighted the need for more substantial support for engineering education, through new professorships and research groups.

A discussion on the future of regional colleges must also be initiated.

Both candidates addressed the issue of university funding. Tiit Land highlighted the increasingly substantial idea of an engineering education target fund, inspired by Finland’s Aalto University. Discussions on tax incentives are ongoing.

Tarmo Soomere placed more emphasis on the outcomes of top-level research, such as successful patent commercialization or revenue from startups. “The purse strings are loosened when the value of the product is recognized,” he affirmed. Soomere hopes to attract private funding primarily from those who highly value the education received from the University of Technology. “But a private entrepreneur will certainly ask what exactly they are getting for their money,” Soomere noted.

Rector to Be Elected on May 9

In addition to questions stemming from journalistic interest, Johannes Tralla, who led the debate, also addressed questions submitted by TalTech students, staff, and alumni. Topics included the possibility of paid studies, the role of tenure-track professors in undergraduate education, the role of artificial intelligence at the university, and the consolidation of university support services to achieve savings.

The 11-member council of Tallinn University of Technology will elect the rector on May 9. This time, the rector’s term will last four years.

Watch the debate again here and take a look at the photos here.