Tiit Land

Three key priorities form the foundation for defining the development of Tallinn University of Technology:

1. A high-technology industry that will elevate the Estonian economy to the next level of development;
2. The defence industry, the rapid development of which underscores Estonia’s will to defend itself and its capacity to launch and expand major new projects;
3. The integration of artificial intelligence in education and research.

It is essential to underline that Tallinn University of Technology is the only university in Estonia offering engineering education.

The objectives set for Tallinn university of Technology by law

The university’s objectives are outlined in the Tallinn University of Technology Act, which establishes its overarching mission: to contribute to the sustainable development of society and enhance the nation’s welfare through high-level international  research, education and development, along with the innovative services driven by it.

According to the Act, to fulfil its mission, the university shall:

1. provide the possibilities for the acquisition of higher education based on the development of science and technology on all the levels of higher education in engineering, natural and social sciences;
2. as a university of engineering education and research, ensure the training of future engineers and engineering scientists in Estonia.

The mission, vision, goals outlined in the university’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and their implementation 

According to the Strategic Plan 2021- 2025, the mission of Tallinn University of Technology is to be a leading provider of engineering and economic education, a leader in engineering sciences and smart technologies. As Estonia’s only university of technology, we are at the leading edge of innovation and enterprise. The vision of Tallinn University of Technology is to stand out, be noticed and to measure up to the best technology universities in Europe with our smart solutions that help to shape a digital and climate-neutral future.

Over the past five years, the university has successfully achieved the goals set in its Strategic Plan and has advanced toward becoming one of Europe’s top universities of technology.

This is evidenced by the following:

• Joining and participation in the EuroTeQ Engineering University, a collaboration network of European universities. The collaboration has provided the basis for preparing a unified course catalogue and a more extensive use of project- and problem-based learning. In collaboration with industry partners, we have identified 21 key skills for future engineers. Many TalTech students have also had the opportunity to improve their knowledge at partner universities or study alongside international students. We will expand our collaboration with prominent international partners in the network, in particular with Technical University of Denmark, Eindhoven University of Technology and Technical University of Munich. This collaboration encompasses not only teaching but also management, research and development, knowledge transfer, and other areas.
• The university has made remarkable progress in enhancing its research capabilities, with an increasing number of university research results being published in high-level scientific publications. Doctoral students are now recognized as early-stage researchers, we have increased their remuneration, thereby reducing the dropout rate from doctoral studies. We have put a stronger focus on teaching by significantly raising the salaries of programme directors and academic staff actively involved in teaching.
• We have strengthened collaboration between research groups by establishing multidisciplinary centres of excellence that encourage the generation of new development ideas, enhance the university’s visibility, and improve our success in securing external funding.
• Our graduates are increasingly proficient in solving real-world challenges. Our student formula team, TalTech FS Team Tallinn, was ranked first in the world among 889 teams. The Solaride solar car, developed in collaboration with other universities and companies, secured 3rd place at the World Championship in Australia. Projects such as a student satellite and student investment fund are currently under development. There are similar success stories in all Schools. To acknowledge students’ efforts, companies are providing growing support through the Development Fund scholarships. 
• We are implementing a pragmatic green strategy that avoids greenwashing, setting an example for universities and organizations by shaping a digital and climate-neutral future through innovative solutions. The strategy encompasses developing a sustainable campus, equipping students with future-ready skills, and directing research and development efforts to tackle both local and global challenges. The researchers of Tallinn University of Technology, in collaboration with the support staff, have prepared the University’s Roadmap to Climate Neutrality 2035. Based on the outlined scenarios, science- and knowledge-based decisions can be made to reduce the university’s carbon footprint by applying the university’s innovative research results.
• We have established  project proposal writing teams in the Schools and provide enhanced support to researchers in applying for research funding.
• We place greater emphasis on the creation and protection of intellectual property, leading to an increase in the inventive activity of university researchers. Inspired by leading international universities, we have prioritized the establishment of spin-off companies, where the university is a shareholder, as the primary method of knowledge transfer and contribution to Estonia’s economic growth.
• We have fostered a more collegial governance model at the university by incorporating deans as full members of the Rectorate and transforming the university Senate to predominantly include academic staff and students.

In my view, the mission and vision outlined in the university’s current Strategic Plan are both strong and ambitious, and the university should continue to follow these in the next planning period. In the upcoming period, the university requires even stronger collaboration between the Schools, with a focus on setting common goals at the university and identifying strategies to achieve them. The primary objective remains, as outlined in the Tallinn University of Technology Act, to ensure the development of the next generation of Estonian engineers and engineering scientists. The university must align with the pace of leading European technical universities, aiming to become the top entrepreneurial and innovative institution in Estonia, driven by high-level science, rather than focusing solely on being the second-best research university. This does not imply that science, business collaboration, and entrepreneurship are mutually exclusive. On the contrary, entrepreneurship can be built on world-class science, but it is essential to rapidly translate the knowledge generated into the development of companies and economy.

Tallinn University of Technology in 5-10 years

In my opinion, the central goal of Tallinn University of Technology is to achieve the standard of the top Nordic technical universities within 5-10 years.

Above all, we must remain committed to teaching the next generation of Estonian engineers and engineering scientists at every level, from bachelor's to doctoral studies. As regards teaching, we must further enhance cross-School collaboration and support our lecturers in acquiring pedagogical expertise, ensuring that our students receive the most up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge and skills in engineering, natural  and social sciences. We need to reduce student dropout rates. To achieve this, we must ensure that our study programmes are coherent, encompass essential transversal competencies, and incorporate project- and problem-based learning. It is important to retain our teaching staff by offering them motivating salary.
We must promote inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration across the university, with a strong focus on supporting and conducting applied research, and actively translating the results into business through patenting, business partnerships, licensing, and the establishment of new companies. A breakthrough in these areas, coupled with the development of highly skilled labour force, will strengthen our position as a key driver of the Estonian economy, akin to the world’s leading technical universities. This will also foster our international competitiveness and improve our position in global university rankings.

Tallinn University of Technology must play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Estonian Research, Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RDIE) Strategy for 2021-2035, contributing to the preparation of the measures and funding mechanisms in collaboration with the Research and Development Council of Estonia and state authorities. The key indicators of the RDIE Strategy include increasing private sector R&D expenditure to 2% of GDP by 2035 (currently around 1% of GDP) and increasing the number of private sector scientists and engineers to 4.53 per 1,000 inhabitants (currently the number is about 2 times lower). Achieving these goals is crucial for developing a high-tech, high value-added industry. The University of Technology is responsible for both conducting applied research and providing high-quality education, delivered by expert academic staff, with the goal of preparing the required workforce for high-tech companies.

How to achieve this?

I will break down the university’s future development into six key areas, each of which plays a vital role.

People and values

• It is our people who uphold the university’s values and enhance its performance. The University of Technology values and recognizes its people. In addition to a competitive salary, recognition from both the university and colleagues, along with a collaborative and respectful work environment, are key motivators.
• The university’s core values include professionalism, reliability, entrepreneurship, innovation, openness, and collaboration. The university and its members take responsibility for their actions and omissions in achieving the university’s goals and ensuring its well-being.
• The university will continue to implement and refine the tenure-based academic career model, while also developing and executing a plan to nurture the next generation of Estonian-speaking academic staff.
• The university is committed to fostering a modern, open, and mutually respectful organizational culture. The university enhances both internal and external communication, regularly conducts employee satisfaction surveys, and fosters an open, inclusive approach to continuously improve its results.
• The university prioritizes the mental health of both staff and students, actively recognizing issues and offering professional support when needed.

Management, reputation, the role as an opinion leader and a social influencer

• The university’s strength and success are built upon its School-level units, along with the Departments and Colleges that constitute the Schools. The university’s academic units are supported and empowered by a highly professional and efficient administrative and support structure. The university follows a collegial governance model, with deans serving as full members of the Rectorate, ensuring their opinions are taken into account in all decision-making processes.
• The University Board has the leading role in analysing the research, education, and business framework and shaping the strategic directions, and serving as the university’s spokesperson and advocate in communication with both the university community and society, particularly the decision-makers and entrepreneurs.
• Following the amendments to the Statutes, the Senate, now featuring a broader range of academic potential, will ensure high quality in teaching, research, and development.
• The university’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets. The university’s reputation is shaped by its members, including employees, students, management, professors emeriti, as well as alumni, partners, and employers. Our reputation is shaped by high-quality teaching, research and innovation, as well as strong international cooperation. The university’s internal work environment must be supportive, respectful, and exemplary, taking into account the interests of both employees and students.
• The university actively contributes to the development of society, primarily by offering expertise in sector-specific perspectives, debates, and policymaking. The university’s academic staff actively engage in the media landscape, sharing their research findings and contributing as professional or educational experts. The Trialoog portal, designed to facilitate trialogue between researchers, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs, is well-known, accessible, and recognized in the Estonian media.

Teaching

• The most important aspect of teaching is ensuring quality, which is upheld through adherence to the established Quality Concept. At the university, teaching is delivered by top experts in their fields, who use modern teaching methods. The university is preparing professionally for the institutional accreditation scheduled for 2027, aiming to pass it without any recommendations for improvement.
• Study programme development is focused on teaching professional and transversal competencies, so that the graduates would be able to adapt to the changing needs of the labour market and society. Research groups will be established in underrepresented technical and engineering fields, with the goal of establishing professorships within five years and securing their sustainable funding.
• The university will reduce student dropout rates while increasing enrolment, particularly in the fields of engineering, IT, and technology. The university will train the next generation of industry leaders.
• The university will actively seek financial resources to advance engineering and technical disciplines, with the goal of securing a substantial increase in private capital alongside public funding. To this end, the Estonian Engineering Education Foundation will be established, with the goal of supporting educational and R&D initiatives in the fields of engineering and technology that are vital to the growth of Estonia's economy and industry.
• The university will be the trailblazer in developing artificial intelligence applications that benefit society, education and research.
• The university will refine its internationalization strategies, with a focus on increasing the number of international students. The university will continue to contribute to the EuroTeQ network and will boost student mobility. The university will involve the students in its processes at different levels and support student organizations and their initiatives. The active dialogue between the management team and students will continue and remain a key component of the organizational culture of Tallinn University of Technology.

Research and entrepreneurship

• The university will remain committed to ensuring the high quality of research and improving the effectiveness of doctoral studies.
• The university will encourage and support innovation, maximize the potential of its intellectual property, and aims to significantly increase the number of patents, patent applications, and spin-off companies. To this end, the university will actively advocate at the national level for the importance of a strong university of technology in Estonia and will boost support for applied sciences by increasing the volume of development grants.
• The university will actively foster interdisciplinary projects and initiatives, with a strong focus on promoting the development of the established centres of excellence.
• The university aims to expand business cooperation and actively contribute to the development of the defence industry by establishing a new cross-disciplinary centre of excellence.

Infrastructure: buildings, IT systems, and equipment

• The university will develop and implement a real estate development plan incorporating the recommendations for action in the building and energy sectors outlined in the Tallinn University of Technology’s Roadmap to Climate Neutrality 2035. Buildings in poor condition and with high energy consumption will be either renovated or replaced.
• The university will emphasize the need to finalize detailed planning and, as one of its top development priorities for the near future, intends to build a new facility integrating engineering, IT, and innovation. At the same time, the university does not seek to expand its academic space but instead will focus on developing a sustainable campus, drawing inspiration from leading partner institutions like Aalto University.
• The university will take steps, in collaboration with the state and industry partners, to establish a development centre for student-led practical initiatives (such as the student formula team and solar car) and student organizations, drawing inspiration from the success stories of Aalto University, Technical University of Denmark, Eindhoven University of Technology and others.
• The university will modernize and maintain its teaching and research infrastructure in working order by maximizing external funding opportunities and establishing an infrastructure fund for that purpose.
• The university will continue to invest in the modernization and upgrading of its IT systems.

Regional colleges, alumni and service to society

• The university will define the role of its regional colleges more clearly and prepare their sustainable development strategy. The establishment of a special structure for regional colleges is under consideration.
• The university’s alumni are a resource great. We will continue to support the alumni association and its initiatives, encouraging the involvement of its members in university activities.
• The university values and supports its cultural groups and sports teams.

Tiit Land
In Tallinn, 12 March 2025