University of Tartu and Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences launch collaboration in intersectoral doctoral studies

The University of Tartu and Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences have strengthened cooperation in intersectoral doctoral studies to support academic succession at the professional higher education institution and enhance its research capacity. In September, the first intersectoral doctoral researcher began their studies in the collaboration between the two institutions.

Ülle Ernits, Rector of Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences, considers it extremely important for TTK’s development to increase the number of staff with doctoral degrees, as it enables the institution to advance its fields of study and research capacity. According to Martin Argus, Research Adviser at the Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences, the provision of doctoral study opportunities for staff is a strategic decision aimed at fostering the organisation’s internal growth. As an employer, the health university allows its staff to take time to do research during their doctoral studies, and has created career advancement opportunities for them after they have earned the doctoral degree.

Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences started collaborating with universities in doctoral studies soon after it was established. Currently, 15 employees are undertaking doctoral studies. “The framework agreement signed with the University of Tartu is a very important step on this journey, as it enables us to further facilitate collaboration in intersectoral doctoral studies,” said Argus.

Doctoral studies support academic development

The research topic of the first joint intersectoral doctoral researcher of the UT and Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences is from the field of academic development, exploring the relationship between artificial intelligence and academic ethics with a supervisor from the UT Centre of Ethics. During the programme, the doctoral researcher will create a model for preventing cases of academic ethics misconduct related to the use of artificial intelligence.

According to Argus, the university’s main focus is currently on developing the field of health sciences, where promising opportunities are seen for collaboration with the UT Faculty of Medicine. However, Argus believes that future cooperation will not be limited to clinical medicine. At a meeting held in Tartu, possibilities for collaboration with the UT in all research areas were discussed, including in medical technology.

Employer support motivates the doctoral researcher

Professor Mari Moora, Vice Rector for Research at the University of Tartu, said that one of the greatest strengths of intersectoral doctoral studies is the opportunity to link research with the doctoral researcher’s previous practical work. “This way, we cultivate a scientific mindset in skilled professionals, which helps in both formulating and solving new research problems. We can see that doctoral researchers who come to the university through this path are highly motivated. Employer support and clearly defined goals have a positive impact on both the quality of their research and their ability to stay on schedule,” Moora said. Ernits said that from the employer’s perspective, it is valuable to know that an employee who continues to work on the topic of their doctoral studies after defending their thesis will do so at a significantly higher qualitative level.

Several professional higher education institutions, including the Tartu Applied Health Sciences University, the Estonian Aviation Academy, and the Estonian National Defence College, have signed framework agreements with the University of Tartu to facilitate cooperation in intersectoral doctoral studies. These institutions have intersectoral doctoral researchers at the UT Faculties of Medicine, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, as well as Arts and Humanities.

Intersectoral doctoral studies is a form of cooperation between the university, the partner organisation and the doctoral researcher with the aim of enhancing the applicability and relevance of research to the needs of society and increasing the share of PhD holders in companies and institutions.