1. The University’s Uniqueness and Research Security
Estonian University of Life Sciences is the only university in Estonia that spans the entire bioeconomy value chain – from water, soil and seed to biomaterials, energy, food, people and ecosystems. Its academic scope covers systems that are grown, managed or utilised in fields, grasslands, forests, water bodies and farms. Alongside agricultural, forestry and natural sciences, engineering and the rural economy are integral components of a comprehensive approach to the bio‑economy.
The University focuses on land resources, the cultivation and valorisation of primary biomass, and strengthening society’s capacity for self-sufficiency. In supporting the economy, we adhere to the principles of sustainable development, nature conservation, the protection of people and living environments, the preservation of biodiversity, and the One Health approach. Biosafety, animal and human health and welfare, and environmental health are treated as an interconnected whole. We bring together precision research, engineering and bio‑innovation to develop future-oriented solutions that sustain and enhance life on Earth.
The University’s research, development and teaching activities are organised across six focus areas
Self-sufficiency in food and energy underpins Estonia’s strategic security and crisis preparedness. Crop and livestock production are the cornerstones of food security and key inputs for renewable energy. Future agriculture integrates environmentally sustainable technologies with climate-smart crop and livestock farming.
Forestry is a primary-sector field that encompasses forest cultivation, protection and management, as well as the cascade use of wood, including its mechanical and chemical processing, wood-based renewable energy, and recreational uses. To adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts, the University applies the principles of climate-smart forestry and strengthens the local valorisation of wood through its research and development activities. Forestry supports the competitiveness of Estonia’s exports and economy.
Preserving habitats and biodiversity in an era of intensifying land use and climate change is one of the greatest challenges — and responsibilities — facing both the University and society at large. Maintaining ecosystems in good condition is a unifying theme across all forms of land use, including urban and rural environments, natural and managed forests, water bodies, agricultural land, grasslands and soils. We promote environmental education, support the preservation of biodiversity, and advance environmentally sustainable technologies.
The University advances veterinary medicine, animal husbandry and animal welfare, food safety and food technology. Through this work, the University contributes to both healthy food systems and public health. The University is a leading advocate of the One Health concept, which recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals, plants and the environment within a coherent and balanced framework.
The University trains a significant proportion of Estonia’s engineers. Engineering and technological development encompass the automation, robotisation and digitalisation of primary biomass production and valorisation, as well as advances in nano- and biotechnological production processes. The development of energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions, alongside the design and construction of resource-efficient buildings, strengthens energy independence and supports a high-quality living environmen. The University’s engineering innovation supports both national defence and the circular bioeconomy.
In the context of Estonia’s regional development and territorial balance, the rural economy is a key sector of society. The University’s economic research focuses on the development and long-term sustainability of rural areas, promoting entrepreneurship across Estonia’s regions.
2. Our identity
Mission – reason for existence
We create harmony between nature and humanity. We foster a mindset that values sustainability, science and creativity. Our knowledge, skills and actions help to maintain and promote life on Earth – today and in the future. Through academic freedom and global excellence, we serve Estonian society and its people, promote the health of people and the environment, and contribute to the preservation of the Estonian nation, language and culture across generations.
Vision
By 2035, the Estonian University of Life Sciences will be a leading university in the Baltic Sea region in the sustainable use and cultivation of renewable natural resources, smart valorisation, circular bioeconomy innovation and the One Health field. The University aims to become a future-proof institution where a sustainable mindset, world-class research and smart technologies evolve alongside entrepreneurship.
We help shape green trends and build the future together with people who care. We are a centre of excellence where researchers, students, entrepreneurs and communities co‑create nature‑based solutions – from idea to product. Through science and innovation, we strengthen the climate resilience of field and horticultural crops, develop climate-smart forestry, improve soil and water quality, and foster a healthy living environment. We advance animal science with full regard for animal welfare and cutting-edge veterinary medicine, develop smart engineering solutions, and design food systems that support health and life on Earth. We generate new knowledge and test, apply and make it visible and usable worldwide.
Values
Sustainability and partnership with nature
The University shapes a sustainable and environmentally responsible mindset.
Collaboration
The best ideas emerge through co‑creation. We listen, share and create together, and remain open to partnerships that support societal development.
Caring
We value every individual. We value academic continuity and the preservation of traditions. We foster and uphold equal opportunities, an atmosphere of tolerance and a spirit of synergy.
Forward‑looking thinking
Our knowledge supports life in a changing world. We contribute to the sustainable development of Estonia through high‑quality research, excellent education and dedicated service to society.
Innovativeness and the courage to experiment — and, when necessary, to fail
We experiment, learn from mistakes, create and implement solutions that meet the expectations of tomorrow. We cultivate a creative environment that supports intellectual curiosity.
Academic freedom and responsibility
We uphold the principle that members of the University community may freely present their views and research findings, without undue external constraints.
3. Global challenges and the internal environment
3.1. External environment developments: key challenges facing society
We live in a world where rapidly intensifying crises challenge both human wellbeing and the health of ecosystems. Climate change threatens human wellbeing and demands new solutions in climate-smart forestry and agriculture that preserve and restore the living environment. Geopolitical tensions and the prospect of deglobalisation are increasing the vulnerability of existing economic practices and supply chains. Persistent regional inequality and urbanisation continue to affect Estonia’s long-term vitality.
Rapid technological development – including advances in artificial intelligence, nano‑ and bioengineering, remote sensing, and big and precision data – creates significant opportunities, while also giving rise to ethical, economic, social and educational challenges. Demographic shifts are reshaping the labour market and increasing the demand for flexible and lifelong learning opportunities. Public trust in science is declining in a societal context marked by the growing spread of disinformation and polarisation. In response, the University focuses on fundamental needs essential to national resilience, including food, resource and energy security.
In the face of these challenges, the University’s responsibility — and its distinctiveness — within the circular bioeconomy are greater than ever. Scientific expertise in the cultivation and use of bioresources, the circular bioeconomy and engineering enables the University to support a sustainable way of life and to help shape the solutions society needs, grounded in knowledge, collaboration and forward-looking thinking.
3.2. Internal environment developments: key challenges
The University also faces internal challenges that are closely linked to its strategic capacity to respond effectively to developments in the external environment. Stronger collaboration between internal units, as well as with external partners, is required to fully realise this potential.
The need to adapt curricula to evolving labour-market expectations is increasing. Expanding collaboration with industry and strengthening international impact require targeted and coordinated development efforts. The University must also enhance its visibility and communicate more clearly as a credible public voice in society.
Strategic opportunities arise where the University’s strengths align with global trends.The challenges of climate change and food, energy and resource security require a research-based and systemic approach, while also creating opportunities to develop informed, dialogue-driven communication, nurture future talent, and strengthen links between research, development and society.
The University’s ambition is to act as a strategic partner to society in matters related to the use of natural resources and the sustainability of life on Earth. To achieve this, the University strengthens its culture of collaboration and acts with visibility and credibility. The University invests in capabilities that will enable it to generate even greater societal impact in the future.
4. Strategic Directions
By 2035, Estonian University of Life Sciences aimsto rank among the top ten universities in its field in Europe and between 30th and 35th globally.
To achieve these goals, the University has defined the following strategic directions to guide its activities:
• the impact of research and innovation;
• flexibility in learning and the quality of education;
• societal partnership and knowledge transfer;
• organisational development and the empowerment of people.
4.1. The impact of research and innovation
The University’s research and development ambition is to act as a leading advocate for a science-based circular bioeconomy, climate-smart forestry, sustainable agriculture and the One Health concept. The University’s impact extends beyond academic publications: its expertise informs policies, business models, and the choices and attitudes of people in Estonia.
Research and development activities are directed towards the strategic advancement of fields that are critical to society. We develop environmentally friendly bioenergy solutions, and technologies for wood and other bio‑based materials. We provide science-based solutions for CO₂ sequestration, the development of new food production and processing technologies, and the management of biological threats in line with the One Health approach. We address crisis preparedness as an integral component of national defence, resource management, strategic security and supply resilience, as well as national competitiveness and societal safety.
To enhance the impact of research and innovation:
• we strengthen the role of internationally recognised interdisciplinary research groups in the fields of the circular bioeconomy, environment, health and engineering;
• we reinforce our capacity to apply for and manage competitive research projects and international grants;
• we bring research closer to entrepreneurs by supporting collaboration between researchers and companies in testing and commercialising science-based solutions;
• we enhance the visibility and credibility of science in society by strengthening science communication and the University’s contribution to national strategy development.
4.2. Flexibility in learning and the quality of education
We educate future shapers of society — leaders who think systemically, act on shared values and pursue sustainable solutions through informed decision-making. We foster students’ engagement and sense of responsibility, recognising learners as active thinkers, investigators and co-creators whose development is supported through collaboration with a community of researchers and practitioners.
The University aims to create a learning environment in which new technologies and digital opportunities, research-based teaching methods and interdisciplinary learning models strengthen students’ knowledge, critical thinking, sense of responsibility and societal engagement. We design flexible and personalised learning pathways for learners at different stages of life.
To ensure flexibility in learning and the quality of education, we will:
• promote the professional development of teaching staff by supporting research-based, innovative and learner-centred teaching methods, strengthening digital competence, and fostering interdisciplinary learning environments;
• develop curricula that respond swiftly to emerging skills and technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, remote sensing, climate-resilient ecosystems, nature- and bio-based technologies, and renewable energy solutions;
• support mentoring and the development of entrepreneurial and leadership skills among students, enabling them to become creative drivers of change;
• create an international and multicultural learning environment that encourages the exchange of knowledge and experience, enhances the University’s visibility within European sustainable development and bioeconomy education networks, and supports the development of Estonian scientific language and culture;
• expand lifelong learning by designing flexible learning opportunities grounded in the University’s research expertise and societal needs.
4.3. Societal partnership and knowledge transfer
The University is a responsible and reliable partner whose research and knowledge transfer contribute to shaping future policies, economic development and societal values. The University acts as a catalyst for a science-based society by bringing together expertise, enterprise, policymaking and civil society to develop sustainable solutions.
The University’s societal impact rests on three pillars:
- evidence-based practice and reliability — society needs robust, science-based solutions. The University acts as a mediator by making research accessible, understandable and applicable;
- collaboration with businesses and communities — the University develops solutions grounded in real-world needs, working together with companies, government agencies, local authorities, the private and public sectors, and civil society;
- informed engagement — delivering clear, timely and research-based messages on issues where the University’s expertise can provide clarity, balance and direction, including environmental stewardship, resource security, green technologies, and the sustainable use of biological resources.
To strengthen societal partnerships and knowledge transfer, the University is developing:
- partnerships with other universities, Estonian and international companies, government agencies and local authorities to support the implementation of smart solutions;
- collaborative networks and centres of excellence where researchers, students, businesses and communities jointly develop and test new solutions;
- capacity for evidence-based policymaking, with the University’s experts actively contributing to policy discussions and knowledge exchange;
- public dialogue that supports society in navigating complex issues such as climate change, the use and protection of bioresources, technological development, and landscape design and planning.
4.4. Organisational development and the empowerment of people
Researchers, lecturers, students, and alumni shape the University’s impact and identity. To fulfil our mission — to maintain and promote life on Earth — the University cultivates an environment in which every individual can grow and contribute, and feel that they are a meaningful part of a shared purpose.
The University’s organisational culture is continuously evolving, shifting from fragmentation to collaboration, from passivity to initiative, and from rigidity to flexibility. The University encourages experimentation, learning and knowledge sharing, and recognises that making mistakes — and learning from them — is sometimes necessary.
For organisational development and the empowerment of our people, the University will:
- foster a flexible organisational culture in which interdisciplinary collaboration is embedded in everyday practice;
- support the recognition and development of emerging talent, including doctoral candidates and early-career researchers, through targeted development programmes and mentoring;
- strengthen leadership culture and training to support the professional development of leaders at all levels;
- establish clear and meaningful metrics that support effective management and the achievement of strategic goals;
- strengthen the University’s capacity to apply for and manage international projects and research grants by establishing dedicated support structures for project managers;
- embody the mindset of a green university by aiming to minimise the ecological footprint of both infrastructure development and everyday practices.
5. Implementation of the Strategic Plan
Based on the University’s Strategic Plan, implementation plans are prepared for academic structural units and university institutions, alongside sector-specific strategies. In this way, the University’s values, mission and culture are embedded across the University community, supporting sound decision-making even in situations where formal rules are not explicitly defined. Each year, an action plan aligned with the priority development directions is prepared and approved by the University Council together with the University budget.
The Rector leads the implementation of the Strategic Plan. The University Council reviews and approves the implementation of the action plan as part of the annual financial reporting process.
Flower bed at the main building of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.
Photo author: Kristina Kurm
Read more about the development of the new strategic plan.
