On Wednesday, 15 October, Professor Martti Kiisa was formally inaugurated as Rector of TTK University of Applied Sciences. The chain of office was presented by Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas and TTK’s former rector, Professor Enno Lend.

In his inaugural address, Professor Kiisa described TTK as a practical, forward-looking institution committed to serving society. “Our mission is to bring knowledge into action — to turn theory into practice and ideas into solutions,” he said. “Our strength rests on three pillars: degree studies, research and development, and lifelong learning. Together, they form the foundation of our academic and societal role.”

Speeches were also delivered by Minister Kristina Kallas, former rector Professor Enno Lend, Chair of the Council of Rectors of Universities of Applied Sciences and Rector of Pallas University of Applied Sciences Piret Viirpalu, Chair of the TTK Advisory Board Professor Arvi Hamburg, and Chair of the TTK Student Union Karl-Erik Tiit.

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a limestone “book” engraved with the names of all three TTK rectors – professor Arvi Altmäe (rector during 1992-2010), professor Enno Lend (rector during 2010-2025) and rector professor Martti Kiisa. The stone book was conceived by long-time lecturer and associate professor Jaan Kollist and crafted by masters Arne Joonsaar and Külli Aus.

Professor Kiisa was elected rector on 19 June this year, and his five-year term began on 1 August. He has served at TTK University of Applied Sciences since 2003 in various roles, including the last five years as Vice-Rector for Studies. He studied civil engineering at Tallinn University of Technology, where he also earned his doctorate in construction and environmental engineering.

See the inauguration ceremony (in Estonian) here: https://bit.ly/TTKinauguratsioon2025.

View the inauguration photo gallery here (photographer: Andres Mets).