Estonian education in the spotlight in Dubai

Estonian Education Week is held at the World Expo in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, from 12 to 16 December. Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna, Rector of the University of Tartu Professor Toomas Asser, researchers, representatives of enterprises and rectors of other Estonian universities will take part in the event in Dubai.

According to Birgit Lao, Estonia’s Ambassador-at-large for Education, the role of this year’s World Expo is very important as it focuses on both educational needs and the possible solutions to meet the needs. “The Dubai Expo offers an exceptional opportunity to accelerate the development of education diplomacy and educational services worldwide. This year, the focus is on digital solutions, particularly ones that allow more seamless learning in the situation caused to our schools by the corona,” Birgit Lao explained.

According to Kristi Kerge, Head of International Cooperation at the University of Tartu, the university will show at the Expo how Estonian researchers contribute to solving global challenges. “We also aim to introduce our high-level scientific achievements and find opportunities for business cooperation,” Kerge added.

The Estonian education programme at Expo has been divided into thematic days. The week begins with the international RewirED conference on 12–14 December, and the panel discussion of education ministers, in which also Liina Kersna participates, on 13 December. On 14 December, the minister opens the business forum on future solutions in education. The Education Week ends with the Day of the Universities on 15 December and the Educational Technology Day, which will be opened by President Kersti Kaljulaid, on 16 December.

Research in Estonia, the international marketing programme of the Estonian Research Council, will demonstrate how Estonia can contribute on the world level and do so even more efficiently through international cooperation. President Kersti Kaljulaid, Director-General of the Estonian Research Council Anu Noorma, and Estonian top-level scientists introduce Estonian research and look for cooperation opportunities in business and research.

On the Educational Technology Day, the solutions by educational technology companies Eliis, Clanbeat, SpeakTX, Opiq, Schoolaby, TutorID, DreamApply and Mobilab are presented in the Estonian pavilion and discussions are held on student-centred, high-quality education of the future. Grete Arro, Research Fellow at Tallinn University specialising in educational and environmental psychology, moderates a panel in which leaders of Estonian educational technology companies and students of different countries discuss how digital technology could make learning more efficient.

Besides the minister and the Rector of the University of Tartu, Rector of Tallinn University Tõnu Viik, Rector of Tallinn University of Technology Tiit Land, Rector of Estonian Academy of Art Mart Kalm, Vice-Rector for International Affairs in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Henry-David Varema, Vice Rector for Research of Estonian University of Life Sciences Ülle Jaakma and Rector of Estonian Business School Meelis Kitsing will visit the Education Week in Dubai. Also President Kersti Kaljulaid, Director-General of Estonian Research Council Anu Noorma, and Estonia’s Ambassador-at-large for Education Birgit Lao will be present.

World Expo 2020 was opened in Dubai on 1 October and will continue to the end of March 2022. The world's biggest business fair Expo aims to display the achievements of countries around the world. With pavilions of more than 190 countries, Expo expects to attract 25 million visitors.

Over the six months, the Estonian pavilion showcases our digital society with an emphasis on education, research, innovation and educational technology. During the Education Week, it is also possible to visit the smart classroom representing a modern learning environment, created by architectural design company Kuubis and furniture company Standard. Estonian education is presented at the World Expo for the first time.

More information about the Expo education programme is available on Education Estonia website, and the activities and programme of the Estonian pavilion on Expo 2020 Estonia website. The programme of the Day of the Universities at Expo can be found on Research in Estonia website. Read about the University of Tartu projects presented at Expo on the university's website.

University of Tartu Professor of Teacher Education Äli Leijen and Professor of Educational Technology Margus Pedaste talked about educational innovation in E-stonia in a podcast by Estonian Research Council, available on Soundcloud.

Further information:

Kristi Kerge, Head of International Cooperation, +372 529 7677, kristi.kerge@ut.ee
Kadi Kolk, Adviser of the Communications Department, Ministry of Education and Research, +372 735 0112, press@hm.ee