‘Estonia is not known for an abundance of mineral resources – putting it simply, all we have is wood, food, and oil shale. The contribution of Sirje Potisepp to the development of the local food industry is hard to overstate. With her daily work as the head of the Estonian Food Industry Association, she has left a lasting and permanent impression in the valorisation of Estonian food and the improvement of Estonian life in general,’ said Robert Kitt, chairman of the TalTech Alumni Association.

‘I am proud to be awarded as Alumna of the Year of the Tallinn University of Technology – it is a recognition not only of me, but of the entire food industry. As head of the Estonian Food Industry Association, I am committed to aiding in establishing a synergy between production and research and development work,’ said Sirje Potisepp. ‘Estonia has got a strong food industry and the Tallinn University of Technology has played an important role in strengthening it. Keeping up with the times, cherishing and involving former students – these abilities make TalTech special for me,’ Potisepp said. ‘I like that I am still connected to my alma mater – it is like lifelong learning,’ she added.

In previous years, the title of Alumnus of the Year has been given to many important members of Estonian society who have also contributed to the development of the Tallinn University of Technology, such as Tiit Vähi (1996), Toomas Luman (1999), Tiina Mõis (2005), Erkki Raasuke (2008), Hardi Meybaum (2013), Marek Helm (2016), Henrik Hololei (2018), and others.

The tradition of electing Alumni of the Year began in 1996, when the management board of the Alumni Association of the Tallinn University of Technology made the decision to approve the relevant statute. The honorary title is awarded to an alumnus whose activities have significantly promoted Estonian society in the fields of education, science, engineering, economy, or culture, or who has outstanding achievements in relation to TalTech.