Mart Noorma is the new Vice Rector for Academic Affairs
In July, the position of Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of Tartu will be taken up by Mart Noorma, current Vice Dean for Academic Affairs in the Faculty of Science and Technology and Associate Professor of Optical Metrology.
In addition to his research and studies work, Noorma has been involved with the development of the university’s broad curricula as the head of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, member of the Academic Affairs Committee and in other roles. He has led the creation of collegial feedback practice communities and the project to guarantee the quality of curricula in the Faculty of Science and Technology. Noorma initiated the programme of good teaching grants and he led the successful student satellite programme.
As the Vice Rector for Academic Affars, Noorma will in the next two years focus on the successful implementation of the governance and structural reform and strengthening doctoral studies. The quality and internationalisation of curricula, teaching skills and teacher training are also important topics.
The current Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Martin Hallik, will take a year off for professional self–education and then continue work as the director of the University of Tartu Library where his employment contract was temporarily suspended during his time as the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs.
Rector Volli Kalm assured that a new Vice Rector of Academic Affairs will not shift the focus of the Rector’s Office. “I approved of Martin Hallik’s wish to return to his job as director of the University of Tartu Library. On this post he has put achieving goals on hold for several years,” explained Volli Kalm. Kalm also stressed that the position of the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs is one of the most demanding jobs at the university. “Mart Noorma has all the necessary prerequisites to help guarantee the university’s high academic level as a leader in the academic affairs sphere,” said Kalm.