Estonian University of Life Sciences New Development Plan
The development plan is one of the most important factors in shaping the university's development directions.
That is why the year 2025 is a crucial time for us – the preparation of the new development plan for the Estonian University of Life Sciences (development plan until 2035).
The university's goal is to discuss the future and gather ideas from both the members of the university community and all of its key partners during the development plan drafting process.
The development plan project will be submitted to the Senate's Research and Development Committee by November 10, 2025, at the latest.
The new development plan of the Estonian University of Life Sciences will come into effect at the beginning of 2026, when the current development plan period ends.
The development plan is for setting bold goals and dreaming big. Let's dream together!
"At a time when the region's economy is in decline, the number of potential students is decreasing, and funding for science and higher education is being cut, we must seriously consider, while drafting the new development plan, how we can meet societal expectations and ensure the university's development and success."
Ülle Jaakma
RectorDevelopment plan discussions for all interested parties
Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, and Trends
World Café
March 25
Defining the Mission. Designing Values
World Café
April 10
Development Plan Drafting Process
The following discussions are planned for drafting the development plan:
- March 4: Seminar for the working group members "Understanding the Context".
- March 25: Seminar for all interested parties "Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, and Trends" (in Estonian and English language). Registration link above.
- April 10: Seminar for all interested parties "Defining the Mission. Designing Values" (in Estonian and English language). Registration link above.
- April 24: Seminar for the working group members "Enhancing the Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, and Trends".
- April 29: Seminar for the working group and steering committee members "Designing Vision and Ambition".
- May 15: Seminar for the working group members "Defining Goals and Required Resources".
There will be additional engagement opportunities, and we will provide further information on these as it becomes available.
The entire university community was invited to seminars organized in the World Café format.
March 25: Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, and Trends
Questions for discussion:
- What are our internal strengths and weaknesses? Which of them are important for students? For researchers? For staff?
- Do our strengths help us take advantage of opportunities arising in the external environment?
- Do our strengths provide protection against external threats?
- Do our weaknesses prevent us from using opportunities in the external environment?
- Do our weaknesses make us vulnerable to external threats?
- Which strengths and weaknesses are most critical for the future strategy?
- Which strengths need further development to become a competitive advantage?
- What conclusions do we draw:
8.1) Which societal challenges will we focus on solving during the next strategic period?
8.2) What are our differentiation opportunities compared to other universities in Estonia and internationally?
April 10: Defining the Mission. Designing Values
Questions for discussion:
- What is the mission of the Estonian University of Life Sciences, i.e., why do we exist?
- What principles guide our decisions and behavior?
A steering committee and working group consisting of university members have been established to draft the development plan.
The development plan is guided by the steering committee. The committee also provides feedback and submits suggestions for amendments to the summaries and conclusions presented by the consultants based on the discussions held with the working group.
The development plan working group consists of representatives from academic staff and students. Based on the group's discussions and other materials, the draft of the development plan will be completed by June 1, 2025. The working group may form additional sub-working groups to involve various interest groups in the process of refining specific objectives of the development plan.
The creation of the new development plan is being advised by external strategic consultants Indrek Maripuu and Toomas Danneberg from Loovusaidas OÜ.
The members of the development plan steering committee are:
- Ülle Jaakma, Rector
- Kalle Olli, Vice Rector for Research
- Endla Reintam, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs
- Aret Vooremäe, Director of the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
- Toomas Tiirats, Director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
- Marek Metslaid, Director of the Institute of Forestry and Engineering
- Kaire Klaus, Financial Director
- Linnar Pärn, Development Director
- Anu Hellenurme, Representative of the Council
- Rein Drenkhan, Representative of the Professors
Working Group members:
Representatives from the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences:
- Kaire Loit, Lecturer
- Katriin Visnapuu, Teacher
- Marika Kose, Senior Lecturer
- Reelika Rätsep, Researcher
Representatives from the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences:
- Andres Sats, Lecturer
- Katrin Kaldre, Assistant Professor
- Marina Loch, Junior Researcher
- Merike Henno, Researcher
- Paul F. Mõtsküla, Senior Lecturer
Representatives from the Institute of Forestry and Engineering:
- Jürgen Aosaar, Associate Professor
- Külli Hovi, Teacher
- Margus Arak, Director of Studies
- Marku Lamp, Head of Research and Development Cooperation
Representatives from the Student Union:
- Anette Aavekukk
- Henn Kaaleb Humal
- Madli Lehes
Symposium "“Eesti maa – elamisväärne ja igikestev. Kuidas jõuda Eestimaa igasse paika?“
As the opening event for the drafting of the new development plan, a symposium "Eesti maa – elamisväärne ja igikestev. Kuidas jõuda Eestimaa igasse paika?“ ("Estonian Land – Livable and Everlasting. How to Reach Every Corner of Estonia?") was held on November 1.
Discussions were focused on the current issues and future developments in the university's six key areas: agriculture, forestry, food and health, engineering and technology, environment, and rural economy.
The opening speech at the symposium was delivered by Ülle Jaakma, Rector of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
Kalev Sepp, Chair of the Department of Environmental Protection and Landscape Planning, and Rando Värnik, Chair of the Department of Rural Economics, discussed global trends, Estonia's needs, and the university's capabilities in the focus areas of environment and rural economy.
Reimo Lutter, Head of the Department of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, and Raul Rinken, Visiting Lecturer in Wood Chemistry at the Institute of Forestry and Engineering, spoke about global trends, Estonia's needs, and the university's capabilities in the focus areas of forestry and engineering and technology.
Professor Evelin Loit-Harro of Sustainable Crop Production and Arvo Viltrop, Head of the Department of Veterinary Biomedicine and Food Hygiene, addressed global trends, Estonia's needs, and the university's capabilities in the focus areas of agriculture and food and health.
The opinions of external experts were also heard. Minister of Rural Affairs and Agriculture Piret Hartman presented on the topic "How to Reach Every Corner of Estonia?". Ahti Kalde, a member of the board of Sadala Agro OÜ, spoke on "Adaptation and Learning Capacity as the Basis for Sustainability". Garri Raagmaa, Director of the University of Tartu Pärnu College, gave a presentation titled "2050 – So Close, Yet So Far. Bioeconomy in Making All of Estonia More Livable."
The symposium concluded with a panel discussion titled "How to Reach Every Corner of Estonia?", featuring Evelin Loit-Harro, Ahti Kalde, Reimo Lutter, Garri Raagmaa, Raul Rinken, Kalev Sepp, Arvo Viltrop, and Rando Värnik, as well as Andre Veskioja, Director of the Knowledge Center for Rural Life.
The discussions were moderated by Kalle Olli, Head of the Department of Hydrobiology and Fisheries.
Watch the symposium recording on the Estonian University of Life Sciences video portallink opens in new page (in Estonian).
