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Dear professors, students, members of the university. I wish us all a happy new academic year! This will be a special year for the members of Tallinn University in many ways. Today, on September 1^st, 2,494 students will start their studies here. Of them, 1,636 are freshmen and 858 will continue their journey toward a real academic education – a Master’s diploma. I am also glad to welcome 222 international students. These nice numbers show we are an attractive university. We have taken the responsibility to offer high-level studies, and study programmes that would guarantee employment to our graduates. The education you receive here and your specialty must give you a chance to succeed in life, set goals and achieve them. To continue on this level, the university must change to adapt to this rapidly changing world. The specialties the society needed yesterday might not be modern tomorrow and will definitely not be contemporary in the future. Tallinn University is in the middle of changes. Today we start with a new academic structure. I will participate at the opening ceremonies of six new units, when only yesterday we had 23 institutes. I wish to thank our academic family and everyone else who has helped us go through with these changes during the past year and a half. This was a big undertaking, with many brainstorming sessions, arguments and compromises. I am glad that we took that journey together, kept the big disputes within the academic culture, and did not take them outside the university walls. A great big thank you to you all! The new academic structure does not however mean that we have already changed completely. We still have a lot of work to do. I wish and hope that we can continue together, listen to each other and discuss our opinions freely. I wish us peace and sensibility in doing that. Last week the public was introduced the report by Gunnar Okk, in which the author analyses the situation and the future of Estonian research and higher education, and makes many suggestions. We are proud that Tallinn University is seen as one of three future research and higher education centres in Estonia. This is the opinion of prominent and trustworthy experts, who helped the author compile the report. We have to take this report seriously, as many of the changes we have made within our university have the same goals and ambitions as now expressed on a state level. The goals of Tallinn University have been reducing duplication within the university, concentrating resources and developing study areas that look into the future. For over a year, we have been using the word interdisciplinarity. This term has been used elsewhere, but I am certain many universities will start using it in the near future. I dare say that today we are a step ahead of the other Estonian universities with this. Let us keep this lead, but at the same time advise our partners. We know that change is difficult, but a common will can help us succeed. Dear students and especially freshmen! I apologise for concentrating my speech on the university rather than you. However, we all are the university and the students are the largest part of it. Of course, my main suggestion is to concentrate on your studies, but at the same time try to participate in the student life outside the halls and classes. The friends and connections you make here can support you throughout your entire life. Help us change this university; this is in the best interest of us all. Give us feedback! I promise your opinions will travel further than the lecturer’s inbox. In addition, use the possibility to spend a semester studying abroad, this will give you an unbelievable experience. Thank You once again and I wish us all an active new academic year!