A first-year student Andri Türkson: I wish us all the courage to do great things

At the University of Tartu’s opening ceremony of the 2025/2026 academic year, Andri Türkson, a first-year computer engineering student of the Faculty of Science and Technology, welcomed the participants on behalf of the students.

Honourable rector, minister of education and research, and mayor! Dear university members and all others present!

A new academic year is beginning – for many of us here, the first at a new school.

It feels as if it was only yesterday I was in front of my secondary school with my friends, in a familiar place, with familiar faces around. Today, I am standing here before all of you, most of whom I do not know yet.

I believe many of you feel the same way, dear first-year students. Even so, there is no need to worry because over the next few years that we spend together, we will become one united university family. I am sure of that.

It is said that the greatest value is not the knowledge you gain from the university but the people you meet here. Take a good look around you and pay attention – these people will become your future colleagues, business partners, life companions and friends. I would specifically like to emphasise the latter, because in today’s results-driven society, the other values this network offers are often overlooked in favour of business connections. At the university, we find friends who stay with us for life, support us through every stage and help us cope when it feels like everything is spiralling out of control. And in my view, that friendship is far more important than any potential business contact.

Besides new acquaintances, the university time is full of new knowledge, opportunities and ideas. I want us all to make the most of our time here, so I’d like to share three principles I live by.

Firstly, don’t be afraid of the first. Don’t fear doing something for the first time, because without a first, there can be no second, third or any that follow. Believe it or not, I have never shared a stage with the minister of education and research or the mayor of Tartu before. This is my first time. But had I turned down the offer, I doubt such an opportunity would ever have come again. Besides, what is the worst that could happen? The wind blowing my speech out of the folder... I thought it would be pretty funny if that happened, so I printed two copies of the speech just in case. Anyway, the point is: take the chance when it comes, because you never know what doors it might open in the future.

Secondly, don’t be afraid to be the first; don’t be afraid to fail. There is always a need for someone to lead the way so that others could follow. Yes, there are plenty of reasons to be afraid. On an unfamiliar path, there’s a risk of falling, failing, and after the tenth setback, you may begin to doubt whether what you’re doing is right. Thomas Edison put it well, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This mindset ensures that you will eventually reach the right solution, and success will follow.

Thirdly, we are the ones who will change the world. As Steve Jobs said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” So, if you have a wild idea, take a friend along and go for it! The university is the place to experiment and make mistakes, to create and learn. Just look at Solaride – it started right here with two students, and now they are second in the world with the solar car they built and a team of around 60 people.

So, I wish us all the courage to do great things. Have a wonderful new academic year – let’s make the most of it!

Thank you!