The objective of the Research and Technology Pact signed on February 12, is coordinating and enhancing the activities of various parties in ensuring that young people want to learn and later also work in the field of research, technology and engineering. The activities of the Pact are being implemented in cooperation between the state, local governments and industry, education and third sector.
Firstly, a comprehensive overview will be formed of the activities of all parties in generating interest and improving skills in science, technology and engineering and increasing the attractiveness of studying these specialties and working in these fields.
“The efforts being made in the education system alone are not enough to ensure that a sufficient proportion of young people decide to study in the STEM field,” said Minister of Education and Research Jevgeni Ossinovski. “The activities of all these various parties have to be made to function more effectively and in cooperation in the name of this common goal, which is why the Research and Technology Pact was initiated.”
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Urve Palo said that the biggest challenge for the Estonian economy in the future is resolving the labour shortage and re-training underqualified people. “We need more engineers, information technologists and good skilled workers,” she said. “Change doesn’t come fast, which is why students, teachers and employers must be brought together now – so we have people with the necessary skills in the years to come.”
Various parties have drawn attention to the low popularity of STEM specialties in the past and a lot has been done to improve the situation – the founding of different Science Centres, the development of teaching materials and efforts to popularise STEM specialities and science in schools and the media. Experience shows that wider range of partners need to be involved in order to make decisive changes happen.
An action plan is being developed in three main directions within the framework of the Research and Technology Pact:
– popularising the field in society, primarily among young people;
– increasing the quality of the education in the field at all levels of education;
– valuing work in the field.
Initiators call on others to join the Pact
The Pact was initiated by the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. In addition to these two ministries, the first signatories to the Pact include the Estonian Research Council, the Estonian Association of Engineers, the Collegium Eruditionis knowledge centre of Viimsi Upper Secondary School and Kadrina Upper Secondary School, which have noticeably contributed to promotion of the field.
The pact and its action plan are open to anyone who desires to join it and contribute ideas, activities and resources.The initiators invite the public and third sector to take part, including representative organisations of entrepreneurship, specialty and professional associations, local governments, companies, academic and educational institutions and volunteers.As each ministry is responsible for organising the research and development activities in its field pursuant to the Research and Development Organisation Act, all ministries are invited to join the Pact.
The implementation of the Pact will be coordinated by the Estonian Research Council.
On February 12 the Estonian Science and Technology Pact was signed digitally by:
Mr. Jevgeni Ossinovski, Minister of Education and Research
Ms. Urve Palo, Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
Mr. Andres Koppel, Head of Estonian Research Council
Mr. Arvi Hamburg, President of Estonian Association of Engineers
Mr. Peeter Sipelgas, Head of Viimsi Upper Secondary School Knowledge Centre
Mr. Raimo Maasik, Member of the Director’s Board of the Kadrina Upper Secondary School
For additional information please contact:
Ms. Signe Ambre
Head of Development
Science Communication Department
Ph +372 731 7356
e-mail: signe.ambre@etag.ee