Tallinn University of Technology awarded an honorary doctorate to the renowned Dutch scientist and public administration expert Professor Dr. Caspar van den Berg. The honorary doctorate, one of the university's highest scientific awards, was awarded to the Professor for his outstanding scientific achievements and significant contribution to the advancement of science in the field of public administration, and for his long and fruitful collaboration with TalTech.
Professor van den Berg expressed his deep gratitude and highlighted the long-term and close cooperation with TalTech: "It is a great honor to be promoted to the honorary doctorate of TalTech. It means a lot to me, both because TalTech is widely recognised as a world-class research and educational institution in my field of public administration, but also because I have had an inspiring collaboration with colleagues at the Ragnar Nurkse Department for Innovation and Governance over many years. The promotion to an honorary doctorate is also a testimony of the strong ties between Dutch and Estonian researchers in public administration, which is based on both common academic curiosity and friendship. Given the many complex issues facing our societies, the importance of such cross-border connections is now greater than ever."
Rector Tiit Land pointed out that the TalTech has gained a highly valued honorary doctorate, through whom our international reach and reputation will certainly be strengthened.
During his visit, the honorary doctor also gave a lecture on academic freedom, focusing on the context of polarisation and hybrid wars, areas to which he has paid great attention in recent years.
Professor van den Berg's influence extends far beyond the borders of his homeland, being highly recognized at the international level as well. Besides being a visiting professor at TalTech, where he has actively participated in several projects that have promoted the University's role in international academic networks, he is also the president of the Universities of he Netherlands and a full professor at the University of Groningen. Previously, he was the dean of Campus Fryslan and a member of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, where he led the delegation of the Council of Europe and actively supported Ukraine. His work in the field of public administration, European policy-making and governance reforms has left a lasting impression both in Europe and around the world. His contribution to the European Master in Public Administration Consortium (EMPA), in which TalTech also participates, has been of global importance in the development of public administration education and research.
At the 106th anniversary ceremony of TalTech, James Robin Bernhard Cockett from the University of Calgary was also promoted to honorary doctorate of the University.