The new Vice-Rector for Research of the Estonian University of Life Sciences is Kalle Olli

Rector Ülle Jaakma is deeply grateful to Professor Rein Drenkhan for two exciting and collegial years of collaboration in the rectorate. "Rein has always stood firmly in support of science as the foundation of the university and has consistently sought solutions in challenging circumstances. I hope that, alongside his dedication to research, Rein will continue to find ways to contribute to the university's leadership in one way or another. I am delighted that Professor Kalle Olli is taking over the role, as he has an excellent understanding of how the research system operates, experience both as a top-level scientist and as a leader, and a broad worldview that will help integrate the university’s diverse fields even more effectively," said Estonian University of Life Sciences Rector Ülle Jaakma.

Professor Kalle Olli stated that he joined the rectorate with the desire and conviction to work as a unified team for the university. "I do not have a specific election agenda to implement. I consider research to be a crucial part of universities, as does the rectorate as a whole. Research should form the submerged part of the iceberg on which education, as the visible part, rests," said Kalle Olli.

Commenting on his role transition, Professor Olli added: "I am naturally a dreamer and an idealist—I know that as Vice-Rector for Research, I will inevitably have to deal more with paperwork, but bureaucracy can also be streamlined, meaningful, and efficient. Unnecessary tasks should be avoided, and learned helplessness should not be encouraged. I intend to continue and develop my teaching as if nothing has changed," he stated.

Professor Rein Drenkhan emphasized that his laboratory is setting new international collaboration goals. "A significant amount of my attention is already required for leading a Horizon project and supervising PhD students," he noted.

He added that the university’s future remains very important to him, and he will continue to be involved in the development of the new strategic plan until its completion.