The Programme Directors of the Year 2025 at Tallinn University of Technology are:

Külli Taro, Programme Director of “Public Sector Management and Innovation”

The programme led by Külli has achieved international accreditation from the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) and attracts strong student interest and competition at admission. Innovations such as micro-credentials and hybrid learning, the purposeful use of artificial intelligence, the option of a final examination, and diverse modes of study combine top-level academic quality with practical value.
According to students, Külli is open and supportive, always making time for them and skilfully linking real-life experience with academic studies. Master’s students are often experienced practitioners and equal partners in the development of the programme. Classroom discussions and the synergy between recent graduates, learners with long-term professional experience in the field, and students working in entirely different sectors also inspire academic staff, who are highly motivated to teach such groups.
In various leadership roles, Külli has followed a simple principle: collaborate with the best experts in the field, avoid unnecessary interference or burden, and provide support and encouragement when needed. In cooperation with the Programme Council, she has introduced numerous substantive and organisational changes in recent years. Among other initiatives, in collaboration with the Director General of Statistics Estonia, who chairs the Programme Council, a completely new data-focused course was developed, with a Statistics Estonia specialist contributing as a lecturer.
Külli’s public appearances and writings support the development of well-considered public policies, the strengthening of public sector ethics, and clear discussion of critical societal issues, demonstrating her commitment to advancing democracy, good governance and public accountability.

Oliver Järvik, Programme Director of “Environmental, Energy and Chemical Engineering”

As Programme Director, Oliver has achieved outstanding results in developing the curriculum and enhancing its quality and visibility. In the current academic year, the proportion of students graduating within the nominal period of study may reach nearly 90%. Graduates successfully continue their studies at the master’s level or enter professional employment in their field.
In developing the programme, Oliver consistently relies on the University’s quality system and maintains close substantive cooperation with various stakeholder groups. He has established systematic collaboration with companies in the sector (e.g. Filter AS, Enefit Power AS, HeatConsult OÜ, Fibenol OÜ), involving them in guest lectures, project-based learning and case studies. The direct participation of companies and alumni supports the programme’s practical orientation and alignment with labour market needs.
Oliver’s leadership style is characterised by open communication and the inclusion of colleagues. The increased proportion of academic staff holding doctoral degrees, along with targeted training and the implementation of digital solutions, has enhanced the quality of teaching. A significant development has been the introduction of project-based learning and the establishment of a new computer classroom to support both teaching and thesis supervision.
In programme development, Oliver Järvik places strong emphasis on learner-centred leadership, student engagement and regular feedback. Student evaluations of the Programme Director have consistently been very positive.

Kristi Timmo, Programme Director of “Green Energy Technologies”

An innovative, reliable and inspiring Programme Director, Kristi has developed the programme consistently and purposefully, relying on the Tallinn University of Technology quality system, performance indicators and feedback. As Programme Director, she acts as a leader and integrator, aligning the expectations of students, academic staff, alumni, employers and the University into a strong and coherent curriculum. The high quality of the programme and teaching is also reflected in very high satisfaction indicators.
In developing the programme, Kristi works closely with academic staff and students, valuing open communication and learner-centred leadership. Based on feedback from students and employers, several courses have been substantively updated, while preserving the central role of contact teaching and discussion-based learning. Kristi considers fostering a strong sense of community important, and the micro-credential scheme integrated with the master’s programme enriches the learning experience through collaboration among learners with diverse backgrounds.
The involvement of alumni and employers is systematic and substantive, encompassing programme promotion and feedback, study visits and direct interaction with company representatives. In 2025, she also actively contributed to increasing the programme’s visibility. As a significant outcome, four out of eleven graduates continued their studies at doctoral level, confirming the programme’s importance in developing academic succession.

Irene Lill, Programme Director of “Building Design and Construction Management”

Irene Lill has consistently and effectively developed the programme, drawing on the University’s quality system, course feedback and analysis of learning outcomes. For years, the programme has ranked among the University’s top three in terms of admission indicators.
As a major development decision, Irene designed two new major specialisations: Digital Construction and Design of Building Envelopes, which will open for admission from 2026. This was a thorough and time-intensive development process based on the evolving needs of the construction sector and aimed at increasing graduates’ competitiveness in the labour market.
In developing the programme, Irene Lill engages in consistent and substantive cooperation with employers, academic staff, students, alumni and the Programme Council. Construction sector practitioners are actively involved both in teaching and in course development. Teaching is enriched by site visits to construction projects and companies, and her theses are closely linked to real-life projects and challenges. A strong example is a master’s thesis that received the “Digital Construction Future Talent 2025” award, confirming the programme’s strong applied and innovative orientation.
The Programme Director of the Year awards were presented at the academic ceremony dedicated to the Independence Day of the Republic of Estonia on 27 February.