Rector Toomas Asser at the opening ceremony of the academic year: I wish you make yourself heard both at the university and in society

Speech by Rector of the University of Tartu Professor Toomas Asser at the opening ceremony of the academic year on 4 September 2023.

Toomas Asser:

Dear students, dear colleagues, 

I wish you all a happy new academic year! 

We are starting again – to study, teach, gain and create new knowledge. 

The University of Tartu has around 15,300 students enrolled for this academic year. Many of you are already familiar with university life, but we also have 4,806 new students among us, 2,979 of whom are beginning their studies at the first level of higher education. Welcome, dear first-year students! I hope you will settle in smoothly! 

In particular, I would like to draw attention to students who are starting teacher education studies. There are more than 800 of you this year, a third more than in previous years. Estonian schools cannot wait to have you join them. 

I also welcome our international students and colleagues who have come to Tartu from abroad. Enjoy the university life here! Estonia is known as one of the smallest countries in the world to offer higher education in their own language. We wish that you also could get a glimpse into our secret language. In the university’s language learning hub, you can find opportunities to learn Estonian and thereby make friends with Estonians.  

I would like to give students a few suggestions to think about now, at the start of the academic year. 

First, join a student organisation of your choice. Those who are active and involved in an organisation in their spare time will gain better knowledge and skills over their university years and, of course, make lifelong friends. 

Secondly, from the very start of your studies, familiarise yourself with the university’s good practice of learning and find out what academic fraud is. Advancements in technology have brought you a wealth of opportunities to make your studies easier, but remember that you have come to university to learn and develop. Honesty above all else! 

The third recommendation is related to the previous one – we have put together guidelines for students and lecturers on how to use chatbots in teaching and studies. I recommend you read it! It is also worth learning from chatbots. They might not know all the facts in the world right away and may fabricate unbelievable answers on some subjects. However, they are always willing to learn more, and eventually, they will figure things out pretty well. You advise you to maintain the same attitude – keep up the effort until you do understand things. Independent learning is the best workout for your brain and the guarantee of a healthy mind. If you are used to making an effort, you will find it easier to stay on track and develop further later in life. 

Fourth, find out about the mobility opportunities at the University of Tartu and the ways to spend a part of your studies abroad. There are plenty of possibilities, and studying abroad gives you a valuable experience for life, not to mention an international network of friends. In addition, studying at a university abroad helps you better set future goals related to your field of study. 

Fifth, be active in the lecture hall. Stand out, get noticed by your lecturers. Challenge them, ask questions, elaborate. Believe me, lecturers have a lot to learn from you, and your meaningful feedback helps make the university better. The days of remote work and learning, to which we became accustomed during the pandemic, should be over now. The real university studies take place in lecture halls, practical classes and laboratories. Discussions with fellow students and teaching staff outside the lecture hall – in the corridor or study corner – also play an important role in your personal development. 

And last, remember that you have a voice. There are lots of you, and when you make your voice heard, you are powerful. I wish you make yourself heard both at the university and in society. Last academic year, we witnessed the voice of the University of Tartu students reach Toompea, the seat of the Estonian government and parliament. Also today, the rectors of Estonia's universities are meeting the minister of education and research to discuss the economic situation of students and the future of higher education funding in general. Thank you for your voice! 

I wish an interesting new academic year to all my colleagues, especially those who will stand in front of the lecture hall again. In addition to being excellent teachers, I invite you to reflect on what kind of role models you as researchers are for our students. Allow these young people access to your expertise, and offer them inspiring discussions. You are their best chance to get inspired by research, so they would also connect their future with that. This year, 167 doctoral students will start their research careers alongside you. Take good care of them! 

As my closest team has been recently renewed, I would like to introduce to you the new members of the Rector’s Office, with whom we will try to ensure that the University of Tartu is a great place to study, teach and work: 

• Vice Rector for Research, Professor Mari Moora, 

• Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk, 

• Vice Rector for Development, Professor Tõnu Esko, 

• Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Professor Anti Selart,  

• Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Leho Ainsaar, 

• Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Margus Lember, 

• Acting Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Janno Lahe, 

• Academic Secretary Tõnis Karki, 

• Director of Administration Kstina Noormets, 

• Head of Finance Kalle Hein. 

May the new academic year bring new momentum to the whole university family!