Tallinn University of Technology

History

Chronology of history

  • 1940, 28 September – the Faculty of Economics of Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) is established by a decree of the Presidium of the Provisional Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR. In essence, it involves the liquidation of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Tartu (1938) and its transfer to TUT.
  • 1941, 1 February – studies are started at the Faculty of Economics.
  • 1941, 24 March – the TUT Council approves five departments (kateeder- in Estonian) within the structure of the Faculty:
  • political economy (the head: Prof. Arnold Raud)
  • financial and credit economy (the head: Prof. Juhan Vaabel)
  • statistics and accounting (the head: Prof. Juhan Vaabel)
  • industry (the head: Prof. Eduard Poom)
  • trade (the head: Prof. Reinhold Mark)
  • Prof. Paul Vihalem serves as the first Dean of the Faculty, in June 1941, Prof. Juhan Vaabel takes office.
  • 1941 autumn – The Faculty of Economics is moved back to the University of Tartu.
  • 1944 autumn – the Faculty of Economics is moved back to Tallinn into the composition of Tallinn Polytechnic Institute (TPI - the Soviet period name of TUT). The following departments(kateeder) are formed:
  • political economy (1944–1953; the heads: Prof. Hans Vardjas, Prof. August Sipsakas)
  • Soviet law (1944–1951; the heads: Prof. Paul Vihalem, Docent Bentsian Levin)
  • statistics and accounting (1944–1952; the heads: Docent Leo Tiik, Prof. Albert Borkvell, Prof. Juhan Vaabel)
  • industry (1944–1946; the head: Docent Voldemar Erit)
  • trade economics (1944–1954; the heads: Prof. Reinhold Mark, Docent Karl-Feliks Sauks)
  • finance and credit (1944–1951; the heads: Prof. Juhan Vaabel, Docent Aurelius Mandel)
  • 1946 – first graduates of the Faculty of Economics in the fields of industrial economics, trade economics, and finance and credit.
  • 1946–1958 – Department of Industrial Economics (the head: Docent Arkadi Rannes).
  • 1947–1990 – Students’ Scientific Association of the Faculty (ÜTÜ).
  • 1947–1954 – Department of the History of National Economy and Economic geography (the head: Docent Bernhard Veimer).
  • 1951–1957 – Department of Business Organization, Planning and Safety Engineering (the head: Docent Edgar Vilbert).
  • 1953 – the Faculty of Economics is liquidated and its teaching and learning activities are subordinated to the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanics.
  • 1954–1957 – Faculty of Engineering and Economics.
  • 1958–1984 – Department of Production Economics and Organization (the heads: Docent Arkadi Rannes, Docent Juhan Toomaspoeg, Docent Raimond Kala, Docent Jevgeni Fominõh).
  • 1958–1974 – Department of Statistics and Accounting (the heads: Prof. Juhan Vaabel, Docent/Prof. Uno Mereste).
  • 1960–1964 – Faculty of Engineering and Economics.
  • 1960–1964 – Department of Political Economy (the head: Docent Eduard Inti).
  • 1964 – the Faculty of Engineering and Economics was renamed as the Faculty of Economics. Docent Juhan Toomaspoeg becomes the Dean.
  • 1964–1966 – Department of Computing (the head: Docent Karl Allik).
  • 1965–1969 – Department of National Economic Planning (the head: Docent Bernhard Veimer).
  • 1966–1973 – Department of Applied Mathematics (the head: Docent Leo Võhandu).
  • 1967–1992 – Department of Construction Economics and Organization (the heads: Docent Sergei Dokelin, Docent Harri Korrovits, Docent Maano Koppel, Docent Ülo Rooma, Docent Roode Liias).
  • 1968–1992 – Laboratory of Scientific Organization of Work and Management (1985-1992 Work Organization) (the heads: Tiit Randla, Hurmi Oja).
  • 1969–1992 – Department of Industrial Management and Planning (1985 - Management and Planning) (the heads Prof. Raoul Üksvärav, Docent Kostel Gerndorf).
  • 1970–1992 – Department of Service Economics (the heads: Docent Juhani Väljataga, Docent Sulev Mäeltsemees, Docent Ardo Kamaratov, Docent Rein Lumiste).
  • 1970–1987 – Department of Occupational Safety (1988–1990 Soviet Law and Occupational Safety, 1991–1992 Department of Safety and Law) (the heads: Docent Gunnar Kiivet, Docent Henno Pavelson, Docent Ants Kukrus). Today’s Laboratory of Ergonomics was developed at that department.
  • 1973–1992 – Department of Mathematical Economics (the heads: Docent Karl Allik, Docent Jüri Lamp, Docent Toomas Täht).
  • 1973–1992 – Department of Information Processing (the heads: Docent Rein Jürgenson, Docent Jüri Vilipõld, Docent Teodor Luczkowski (Lutškovski), Docent Jaak Henno).
  • 1975–1992 – Department of Statistics (the head: Prof. Uno Mereste).
  • 1975–1992 – Department of Accounting (the heads: Docent Kaido Kallas, Docent Vello Volt, Docent Peeter Riit, Docent Roland Toome).
  • 1977–1986 – A research group for economics of higher education institutions (1987–1992 Laboratory of Economics of Higher Education Institutions) (the heads: Senior Researcher/Prof. Väino Rajangu, Engineer Aare Olander).
  • 1985–1992 – Department of Industrial Economics (the heads: Docent Jevgeni Fominõh, Docent Priit Kolbre, Docent Ene Kolbre).
  • 1990–1992 – Department of Economic Theory (the head: Docent Rein Otsepp).
  • 1992, 9 June – the first master's thesis was defended at the Faculty of Economics (lecturer: Anton Kutser, supervisor: Docent Eedo Kalle).
  • 1992 – the transition to a new academic structure, with departments (now instituut in Estonian) and chairs, instead of former departments (former kateeder). 5 departments with 17 chairs were established in the Faculty of Economics;
  • Department of Business Administration (1992–2000; the Directors: Ene Kolbre, Maksim Saat, Toomas Piliste);
  • Department of Management and Marketing (1992–1994; the Director: Ülo Tartu);
  • Department of Accounting (1992–2017; the Directors: Evi Kitvel, Aita Tammeraid, Paul Tammert, Eva Garmider-Laur, Kaido Kallas, Jaan Alver);
  • Department of Theoretical Economics and Methodology (1992– 2000; the Directors: Vello Vensel, Kaie Kerem);
  • Department of Territorial Economy (1992–2002; the Director: Ants Kukrus);
  • 1994 – approval of the first Statutes of the Faculty.
  • 1994 August – the first student studying for a tuition fee at TUT - a Finnish citizen started studying economics (tuition fee 10,000 Estonian kroons per semester).
  • 1995 – preparation of the first development plan of the Faculty.
  • 1996 – a collection of research articles from the Faculty of Economics began to appear: Working Papers in Economics, which since the year 2009 has been an international research journal Research in Economics and Business: Central and Eastern Europe. The international research journal stopped publishing in 2019.
  • 1996 – first international accreditation of the study programmes of the Faculty.
  • 1998 – the Faculty website is launched.
  • 1999 – the Faculty started participating in the international programme “Industrial Engineering and Management” (MARM), which was completed in cooperation with the Faculty of Mechanics.
  • 2000 – Department of Business Administration is renamed in the Estonian language (2000–...; The Acting Director: Toomas Piliste).
  • 2000 – the Department of Theoretical Economics and Methodology is called the Department of National Economy (2000–2012; the head: Prof. Kaie Kerem).
  • 2000 – the first international evaluation of the research activities of the Faculty of Economics.
  • 2001, 1 June – the first doctoral thesis is defended in the Faculty of Economic (a German citizen Gerhard Meffert, supervisor: Prof. Maksim Saat).
  • 2002 – the Department of Territorial Economy is renamed as the Department of Public Economy (2002–2013; the head Prof. Kaarel Kilvits).
  • 2003 – launch of international study programmes (in the English language).
  • 2005 – the Faculty is renamed (in English) as Tallinn School of Economics and Business Administration (TSEBA), today’s School of Business and Governance.
  • 2005 – the Student Council of TSEBA is initiated.
  • 2005-2013 – Centre for Economic Research.
  • 2005 – establishment of a centre for economic trainings (in 2008 renamed as a training centre).
  • 2008 – the School joins the international network of European universities.
  • 2008, 14 February – the founding meeting of the Alumni Council of the School.
  • 2008, 23 April – the cornerstone is laid for the new building of the School of Economics and Business Administration and Faculty Social Sciences at 3 Akadeemia tee).
  • 2008 summer – International University Audentes is merged with Tallinn University of Technology. The Department of International Relations with 3 chairs is formed in 2009 as a result of the integration (Acting Director Prof. Peeter Müürsepp).
  • 2009 – the Chair of Environmental Economics is established within the Department of Public Economy (the head: Prof. Üllas Ehrlich).
  • 2009, 31 August – a grand opening of the new building of the School of Economics and Business Administration and the Faculty of Social Sciences with the participation of the President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and the Rector of TUT Peep Sürje.
  • 2010 – the number of graduates of TSEBA reaches almost 15,000.
  • 2010 September – celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Faculty of Economics/TSEBA (anniversary ceremony, history book, articles, exhibitions, souvenirs, etc.).
  • 2011 – a Centre for Business Research and Development and a Business Centre is established at the Department of Business Administration.
  • 2012 – the Department of National Economy is renamed as the Department of Finance and Economic Theory (2012-2017; the Director: Prof. Kaie Kerem).
  • 2015 – more than 16,000 students, including the evening, distance, master’s, and doctoral studies, have graduated from TSEBA.  There are 50 doctoral theses defended at the School.
  • 2017 – Due to the structural reform carried out in Tallinn University of Technology, the School of Social Sciences and TUT Tallinn College are incorporated into the School of Economics and Business Administration, and the renewed unit is renamed the School of Business and Governance (the Dean: Prof. Enn Listra), which comprises:
    • Department of Economics and Finance (former Department of Finance and Economic Theory) (the Director: Prof. Kadri Männasoo, from 3.05.2021 Docent Karin Jõeveer);
    • Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance (incorporated from the liquidated Faculty of Social Sciences) (the Director: Senior Researcher Erkki Karo);
    • Department of Law (incorporated from the liquidated Faculty of Social Sciences) (the Director: Prof. Tanel Kerikmäe) Some of the teaching staff of the liquidated TUT College and the School of Social Sciences are transferred to the School of Business and Governance. All chairs as structural units are reformed into research groups;
    • Department of Business Administration (which is joined with the Department of Accounting) (the Director: PhD Mari Avarmaa);
    • Centre for Language and Communication (the head: Senior Lecturer Kärt Rummel).
    • The Department of International Relations is liquidated (some of its faculty members are transferred to the Department of Law). Some of the faculty members of the liquidated TUT College and the department of Industrial Psychology, some of the faculty members of the Faculty of Social Sciences are transferred to the School of Business and Governance. All chairs are liquidated.
  • 2019 – the School reaches the World University rankings.
  • 2020 – Estonia's first Service Design Laboratory is established at the School (the head Jana Kukk).
  • 2020 – Launch of the Alumni Portal.
  • 2020 – Prof. Enn Listra is elected as the Dean of the School.
  • 2021 – Anniversary of the School of Business and Governance. Business daily Äripäev publishes (11.02.2021) its special edition “80 years of economic education. Faculty of Economics 80 “.
  • 2021 – International Business Administration bachelor's programme is awarded international accreditation (EFMD accredited) and becomes one of the 170 world's top business and management programmes.
  • 2023 – Mari Aramaa is elected as the Dean of the School.
  • 2023 –  Merli Reidolf is elected as the Director of the Department of Business Administration.
DEANS OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND GOVERNANCE THROUGH THE YEARS:
Paul Vihalem 1940-1941
Juhan Vaabel 1941; 1944-1945
August Sipsakas 1945-1953
Eduard Inti 1960-1964
Juhan Toomaspoeg 1964-1985
Jaak Tamberg 1985-1994
Ene Kolbre 1994-1996
Alari Purju 1996-2004
Enn Listra 2004-2009
Üllas Ehrlich

2009-2010 (kt); 2010-2016
Enn Listra 2017-2023
Mari Avarmaa 2023-...
LOCATIONS (by the location of the dean's office):
Kohtu 4 1940-1941; 1944-1950; 1960-1968
Kopli (Kalinini) 101 1950-1953; 1968-2009
Akadeemia tee 3 2009-...

The chronology of the history of the Faculty of Economics/The School of Economics and Business Administration/the School of Business and Governance was compiled by the Docent Emeritus Eedo Kalle.