TalTech’s IT Diversity Programme has received the national Education Achievement of the Year Award presented by the Ministry of Education and Research. The programme’s leaders, Sirja Sulakatko, Director of TalTech’s IT College, and Birgy Lorenz, Vice-Dean for Bachelor’s Studies at the School of Information Technologies, accepted the award at the Teacher of the Year Gala held at the Vanemuine Concert Hall in Tartu on 10 October.
The programme aims to make technology education and IT careers accessible to people with diverse backgrounds, interests and experiences. More than 700 people have completed retraining through the programme, with over 500 moving into the IT sector. Its activities have also reached hundreds of teachers and thousands of school students across Estonia.
“Estonia needs people with diverse experiences and the ability to recognise society’s needs to advance technology. Under the leadership of Sirja Sulakatko and Birgy Lorenz, the programme has helped open up opportunities in IT to people who may not previously have seen themselves working in the field. This national recognition honours both their work and the contribution of the entire network of partners,” said Gert Jervan, Dean of TalTech’s School of Information Technologies.
The programme places particular emphasis on engaging girls, women and other groups underrepresented in IT. Practical workshops, educational games, mentoring and inspiring role models help challenge stereotypes and support informed educational and career choices. Young people can develop their digital competencies, problem-solving skills, creativity and entrepreneurial mindset while exploring different applications of technology.
Supporting teachers is an important part of the programme. Computing teachers are offered up-to-date teaching materials, training, a summer school and opportunities to share experiences through professional networks. Cooperation between general education schools, vocational schools, the university and businesses helps create smoother pathways into IT studies and employment.
“We want access to IT education to be unrestricted by a person’s gender, place of residence, previous experience or special needs. To achieve this, we need to offer opportunities to try out technology, support teachers and demonstrate how a wide range of interests can be connected with IT. The programme’s results show that sustained cooperation helps people find new educational and career opportunities,” Jervan added.
The programme’s activities are delivered by researchers, lecturers and partners at TalTech’s School of Information Technologies in cooperation with the IT Academy, Telia Estonia, the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL), Smartwork Academy and other organisations. School students, university students, career changers and teachers are welcome to participate.
The programme’s long-term aim is to reduce gender and social inequalities in the digital sector, increase participation among women and learners from different regions, and establish TalTech as a role model in Northern Europe for advancing diverse and inclusive IT education.