UT RECTOR PROFESSOR AAVIKSOO TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE UNTIL NEW RECTOR TAKES OVER

”I have decided to resign the post of Rector of the University and resume an active political career in order to help consolidate the Estonian democracy. I believe that for the next four months I will be able to maintain a clear distinction between my positions as a politician and as the Rector UT,” the Rector said.

In its sitting of today, the University Council approved detailed rules governing the election of the new Rector and appointed a 5-member Election Committee chaired by sworn advocate Jüri Raidla, Chairman of UT Advisory Board. The Committee will announce the Rector’s election and a period for the nomination of candidates, to expire before the end of 2006 in three major Estonian dailies at the latest by October 27.

Candidates to the office of the Rector must be nationals of the Republic of Estonia, they must hold or have held the position of Professor in Ordinary at a university and must be less than 60 years of age at the time of the election. Candidates may be nominated by Faculty Councils of the University, the councils of other Estonian research institutions, at least ¼ of the members of the University Council jointly, the Advisory Board of the University, 15 UT Professors in Ordinary jointly, the UT Student Body, the incumbent Rector and former Rectors.

The Rector is elected by the University’s Electoral College for a term of five years. The Electoral College consists of members of the University Council, members of the Faculty Councils and UT Professors in Ordinary. A definitive list of electors constituting the College will be approved by the University Council on 24 November 2006.

The Electoral College will convene on January 18, 2007 and declare elected the candidate named on the ballots of an absolute majority of electors. The Election Committee will recommend the elected candidate to the Republic of Estonia Cabinet of Ministers for appointment as a new Rector to take office on 29 January 2007.

In the beginning of September, UT Rector Professor Jaak Aaviksoo decided to return to politics and join the recently united political parties Res Publica and Pro Patria Union. Professor Aaviksoo has held the office of UT Rector since 1998.

Additional information: Dr. Ivar-Igor Saarniit, UT Academic Secretary, tel. +372 737 5605.

Liina Jürgen
Senior Specialist for Public Relations,
UT Public Relations and Information Unit