The New Rector of UT is Volli Kalm
The University of Tartu Electoral College elected Volli Kalm as the new rector of UT on Thursday, 31st of May.
The initial ballot included the following candidates: UT Professor of Applied Geology and Chair of the Estonian Research Council Volli Kalm, UT Professor of Applied Geology, Mart Ustav, UT Professor of Biomedical Technology, and Toivo Maimets, Professor of Cell Biology and Director of the UT Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. 288 ballot papers were deposited in the ballot box, of which one was unmarked and none were spoiled. Prof Kalm polled 123, Prof Ustav 93 and Prof Maimets 71 votes.
The second ballot was held between Prof Volli Kalm and Prof Mart Ustav. A total of 285 ballots were cast, 6 of which were unmarked. The voting results were as follows: Prof Volli Kalm garnered 153 votes and Prof Mart Ustav received the support of 126 members of the Electoral College.
Prof Volli Kalm was the sole candidate standing in the third and final ballot and he received the votes of 210 members of the Electoral College.
In his pre-election statements, Volli Kalm emphasized that there is a need to decrease the number of study programmes, diminish administrative rigidity, and develop a budget model which would enable students to take advantage of the diversity of the universitas to realise their potential.
The Rector was elected by a 347-member electoral college consisting of all University Council and Senate members, all members of the faculty councils, all regular professors and senior researchers. In order to be elected, the winning candidate needed to gain the votes of at least 174 Electoral College members.
The inauguration ceremony of the Rector will be held on 31 August.
Former Rector Alar Karis will continue as the Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Rectors’ Conference.
A video recording of the election meeting will be available shortly on UTTV.
Additional information:
Dr Ivar-Igor Saarniit
UT Academic Secretary
phone +372 737 5605
ivar [dot] saarniit [ät] ut [dot] ee