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As part of the regular evaluation of research and development activities, external assessors familiarized themselves with the Estonian University of Life Sciences on September 20 and met with our staff and doctoral students. Three areas were evaluated at the Estonian University of Life Sciences: agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine, natural sciences, and engineering and technology.

Regular evaluation, or assessment, is mandatory for all research and development institutions. During this process, the scientific level, sustainability (including the ability to conduct doctoral studies at universities), and societal impact of the university's research and development activities are evaluated. Additionally, it provides valuable feedback to the academic community, the university’s leadership, organizations funding research and development, policymakers in science and higher education, and society. A positive evaluation result grants the university the right to apply for funding from the state budget for research and development activities and to conduct doctoral studies in the respective scientific field.

Rector Ülle Jaakma stated that regular evaluation is a natural and unavoidable part of university life, which, while somewhat tedious, is essential. “Such feedback from external experts is very useful for us right now, as we are beginning to draft a new development plan for the university,” Jaakma said.

Ülle Jaakma emphasized that university research activities are constantly being evaluated during regular assessments. “Our scientific level is continuously assessed through decisions on research project funding. If the research is of high quality, the university receives more research funding. A testament to our high level is the fact that research funding constitutes half of the university’s total budget – we are clearly a research-based university, and this also strengthens the education we provide,” said the rector.

As part of the regular evaluation process, the university first had to prepare self-assessment reports for the evaluated fields. The Department of Research and Development coordinated the evaluation process, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the preparation of the reports was led by Professor Kalle Olli for natural sciences, Senior Lecturer Margus Arak for engineering and technology, and Professor Marika Mänd for agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine in the field of plant health.

Together with Katri Ling from the Department of Research and Development, they also helped prepare for the evaluation commissions' visit on September 20. During the visit, meetings were held with the university’s leadership, staff, and doctoral students, and state-of-the-art laboratories were introduced.

Based on the self-assessment reports and the university visit, all three commissions will compile evaluation reports and provide an overall rating for the university in each evaluated field. If necessary, the university may be asked to provide additional data. Based on the evaluation report, the Minister of Education and Research will decide whether the university will be evaluated positively or negatively in the respective field.

Vice-Rector of Research Rein Drenkhan thanked all the team members who helped prepare the self-assessment reports, met with the evaluation commissions, and answered their questions. “Although the initial evaluation report will reach us only in a few months and the final results will be known later, we have a good feeling – the attitude of the external experts during the interviews was generally supportive,” said the Vice-Rector of Research.