Professor Kurnitski, what are your main objectives as Vice-Rector?

As the university’s scientific output has not increased recently, I aim to create the conditions needed to reverse this trend. I am seeking ways to ensure greater salary stability for researchers. The university also continues to pay salaries to doctoral students in junior researcher positions, with the expectation that the number of doctoral candidates will increase. It is important to establish tenure track professorships in fields that support existing study programmes and help raise the number of engineering students.

It would be wonderful if we reached the 1,000-journal-article club, and a beautiful round number of doctoral defences would be 100.

How do you envision your field at TalTech in ten years’ time?

In fact, even in a shorter perspective than ten years, TalTech could account for 25% of Estonia’s scientific output. We need to maintain and secure scientific quality, but above all we need a university that contributes more broadly to society and the economy.

For a small country, covering all disciplines with national competence is certainly a challenge, but in engineering and IT we must do this as well as we possibly can.

Which past achievements or positions give you confidence for the next four years as Vice-Rector for Research?

I have spent enough time conducting research and implementing results both at the European and Estonian levels—for example, in the energy transition of buildings. Knowledge transfer and research and development work with practical impact are therefore very familiar to me.

I am encouraged in my new role by the growth of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture into the university’s largest institute—an achievement in which, as Director, I had a share. Now, we need a similar leap in development at the university level.

What will become of your current research in your new role?

I will continue as Professor and research group leader, including with a small load as Head of the Centre of Excellence in Energy Efficiency. On my desk are the criteria and technical solutions for zero-emission buildings—in other words, how we should be building in five years’ time. I am also working on the development of energy performance certificates for existing buildings based on consumption data, as well as a building stock model that feeds into the national renovation plan and allows for hourly consumption forecasts.

What inspires you most in your professional life? And in your free time?

Certainly, my excellent colleagues and the application of our research results. At the university, there is an extraordinary combination of the wisdom of senior researchers and the original ideas of doctoral candidates and students. I enjoy new challenges. Luckily, almost every day is different, with little routine work.

Free time is more challenging, but I still keep up with a few sporting hobbies.