Conference to Discuss the Future of Small Nations’ Universities
“At a time when society changes, perhaps faster than ever before, when the need for university-educated people and for technological solutions to various problems is greater than ever before, universities must adapt to radical changes in society,” said Peeter Tulviste, chairman of the conference, adding that the problems emanating from limited resources and the duties related to maintaining the national identity in a small nation state cannot justify any lowering of research standards on the part of small nations’ universities. “How to manage all this – that is, indeed, the theme of our conference.”
The speakers at the conference are people who have tackled characteristic problems faced by the university of a small nation. They will share their ideas and experience, which can be directly or indirectly used to improve the quality of university education and research. Other related topics will include problems of mass university education, mergers of universities, domestic and international cooperation and changes in the legislation governing educational provision.
“All these issues are also highly relevant in Estonia and it is in our best interest to learn from the experience of others and to put forward our ideas for discussion,” said Professor Tulviste. “For example, the conference will provide us with an opportunity to ask directly from the people involved why many universities in Finland have recently merged – and to reflect on why this has not yet happened in Estonia.”
The conference will be opened by Professor Alar Karis, Rector of the University of Tartu. The speakers of the conference will include, amongst others, Professor Keijo Virtanen, Rector of the University of Turku, Professor Jürgen Barkhoff from the Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and Dr Robert Coelen, Vice President International of Leiden University in the Netherlands.
The working language of the conference is English.
For the programme of the conference and the list of speakers, direct your browser to /679348.
Additional information: Sirje Üprus, Head of International Cooperation, UT Office of International Relations, telephone: +372 737 5615, e-mail: sirje.uprus [ät] ut.ee
On December 1, 1919, the University of Tartu changed its language of instruction to Estonian. The series of events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Estonia’s national university will culminate at the end of November and the beginning of December. Come and join us in the celebration, pool your ideas for the benefit of the national university and make merry – there will definitely be a party this year! For more detailed information on the events dedicated to the anniversary of the university, direct your browser to /665807 (in English).
Mehis Tuisk
University of Tartu
Press Officer
telephone +372 737 5683
mobile +372 581 04 946
e-mail: mehis.tuisk [ät] ut.ee