On 11 February 2026, starting at 10:30, a seminar organised by the School of Engineering will take place in the TalTech Aula under the title “Engineering + PhD = Stronger Economic Impact.” The seminar will focus on how a more knowledge-intensive and competitive economy is created and what role a doctoral degree plays in companies, the public sector, and industry.
A doctoral degree is not merely an academic milestone—it is a strategic resource for Estonian companies, the public sector, and society as a whole.
Seminar Focus
The seminar will seek answers to the following questions:
What value does a doctoral degree create?
How do people with doctoral degrees generate economic impact?
Why does Estonia need more industrial PhD candidates, and where do they actually end up in the labour market?
Who Is the Seminar For?
Doctoral candidates considering their career choices
Entrepreneurs and company representatives who require deep expertise and innovation
Research and development advisers and policymakers
Programme Highlights
Valuing doctoral degrees as a prerequisite for economic growth
Overview of industrial doctoral studies and their importance
Best practices: career stories from companies and the public sector—how doctoral degrees are applied in real work
Panel discussion: “How Can Estonia Become a More Knowledge-Intensive and Wealthier Society?”
Important Information
The event will be held in Estonian, with simultaneous interpretation into English
The number of participants is limited
Participation is free of charge, but pre-registration is required
Registration is open until 03.02.2026 (inclusive)
Each year, the Estonian state funds 350 doctoral degrees. The question is no longer whether they are needed, but how and where their knowledge can be applied most effectively.
If you are interested in how knowledge is transformed into real economic value, this seminar is for you.
See you in the TalTech!
Seminar Agenda
10:30–11:00 Registration and coffee
11:00–11:05
Opening remarks by the moderator
Krister Kalda, PhD, Head of Industry Cooperation, TalTech Industry Cooperation Centre
11:05–11:20
Seminar opening
Jarek Kurnitski, PhD, Vice-Rector for Research, Tallinn University of Technology
“A Doctoral Degree as a Prerequisite for Economic Growth”
11:20–11:35
Fjodor Sergejev, PhD, Dean of the School of Engineering, Tallinn University of Technology
“Doctoral Studies and Industrial Doctoral Programmes”
Sharing Best Practices: Career Stories
11:35–11:55
Nadezda Dementjeva, PhD, CEO, Stoneridge Electronics Estonia
11:55–12:15
Marko Paavel, PhD, Engineering Manager, Tech Group AS
12:15–12:35
Allan Hani, PhD, Board Member / Specialist, R8 Technologies
12:35–12:55
Collins Burton Mwakwata, PhD, Project Manager and Engineer, Ericsson
12:55–13:15
Erkki Seinre, PhD, Energy Efficiency Project Manager, Riigi Kinnisvara AS
Panel Discussion
13:15–14:05
Moderator: Kirke Maar, Head of Centre, AIRE
“How Can Estonia Become a More Knowledge-Intensive and Wealthier Society?”
Panel participants: To be announced soon
14:05–14:15 Seminar summary
14:15 Lunch and networking
* Project "Cooperation between universities to promote doctoral studies" (2021-2027.4.04.24-0003) is co-funded by the European Union
* The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme and schedule.
* Tallinn University of Technology will document the seminar; the organisers have the right to use photos and videos publicly.