����Ӱ��

Dear professors, students and university family, especially first-year students.

I congratulate you for making one of the biggest decisions of your life. Even though I am the Rector of this specific university, I am glad that you are acquiring higher education, whichever university that may be through. Times have changed from when I, and many others, went to university, and are still continuing to do so. The path that you are on right now might not mean it is clear. Even if you decide to study for three years, the situation in those three years both in Estonia and the world could be very different to today. This gives us many opportunities, but also limitations. 

At a time when we cannot count on the external structures to be static, we must turn toward ourselves and shape the knowledge, skills and perceptions that we have. We cannot wait any longer for decisions to be made for us since certain truths are not as generalized anymore. Increasingly, in the way that the world is going, we cannot count on the opinions of various experts, but must trust ourselves.

Here I want to say “Welcome!” to you again, because the university is the first and right place to be when you want to enter an ever-changing world. We, as professors and employees, aim to create an environment in which we can all develop. I encourage you to debate, ask questions, and draw conclusions but to also hear what the other side has to say.

Live with passion, learn with passion, and celebrate with passion. This is what student life is all about.

I look forward to seeing you again in the hallways, at events and most certainly at the university graduation!

I wish the entire university family an exciting new academic year!