Meelis Kitsing was confirmed as Rector by the EBS Senate on 8 July and commenced his second term on 1 August 2025. In his inaugural address, Kitsing emphasised two key priorities: an international network of cooperation and societal impact.
“Impactful organisations are born through collaboration, not through the deeds of solitary heroes,” Kitsing said. “EBS is not limited to teaching and research – our role is to build bridges between Estonia and the wider world. My goal as Rector is to strengthen EBS’s international reach and societal impact, ensuring that the next generation of leaders educated here will take the Estonian economy to a new level.”
The core of his strategic agenda is to enhance the impact of learning and research and to increase the number of international students. Kitsing aims to develop EBS into a platform for the creation of new enterprises and start-ups, to strengthen international partnerships and establish sustainable forms of cooperation. He also underlined the importance of improving the university’s financial sustainability and expanding its participation in research and development programmes. Another central focus is to promote socially impactful research and to strengthen EBS’s international visibility and talent management.
The opening ceremony also featured a speech by Estonia’s Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, who began on a humorous note by questioning what economic calculations Professor Kitsing might have made in deciding to continue as Rector. She emphasised that the role involves great responsibility, significant time and commitment, but that as an economics professor Kitsing had no doubt weighed this step as a considered and balanced decision.
The Minister stressed that the role of Rector is not merely a title, but also a profound responsibility and trust, together with a vision and belief in its implementation. She described Kitsing as someone who values education, whose strength lies in practical experience, and who is recognised as a strategist and visionary – a leader unafraid to think big and set ambitious goals.
Kallas also addressed the challenges of the present era, which demand clear objectives from the leaders of higher education and research institutions. She affirmed that EBS has always advanced steadily towards its goals and occupies a distinctive place in Estonia’s higher education landscape – a school of quality, perseverance, value creation and international orientation. She highlighted the unique combination of academic excellence and practical learning at EBS, which fosters new ideas and educates the leaders of Estonia’s future.
EBS Chancellor Mart Habakuk also spoke at the inauguration ceremony:
“Today marks a special moment, as we confirm not only the beginning of a new academic year, but also the direction in which EBS will continue to move with its community and partners. The Rector’s second term provides us with confidence and clarity that the vision endorsed by the EBS Senate and Council will be implemented consistently and in collaboration. One important initiative is ‘Eedu 100’ – to launch 100 new high-impact companies or public sector solutions over the next decade. Our focus is on innovative, research-intensive and globally scalable digital services and solutions that the world has yet to see. The home for this vision will be the Eedu Campus, to be completed in 2027, which will bring together under one roof academia, start-ups, investors and support services. It will foster collaboration that unites knowledge, entrepreneurship and the courage to do things others have not yet attempted. The EBS Council, Senate and entire community are ready to pursue this path together – to make EBS a platform where science creates breakthroughs and entrepreneurship global success stories.”
From September, EBS’s strategic development will be guided by a new Council, comprising leading figures from Estonian and international business and academia. Members include Dr Markus Wartiovaara, Professor at Hanken School of Economics (Finland) and one of the country’s first internet entrepreneurs; Madis Müller, Governor of the Bank of Estonia and Member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank; Dr Jordi Diaz, Dean of EADA Business School Barcelona and expert in international business management; and Dr Mart Noorma, innovation and technology leader and former Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. The Council’s role is to endorse the university’s strategic direction and empower the leadership to implement a vision that integrates international reach, entrepreneurship and societal impact.
Background
Estonian Business School (EBS), established in 1988, is Estonia’s oldest private university and a pioneer in management and entrepreneurship education. Around 1,000 degree students, hundreds of executive education learners, dozens of associated enterprises and over 70 international partners form the EBS community, where ideas, initiatives and societal change are born.
Professor Meelis Kitsing has more than 30 years of experience in public service, the private sector and academia. He has served as Rector of Estonian Business School since 2020 and as Professor since 2018.
His research has been published by internationally recognised publishers, including Routledge, ACM, IEEE, Leuven University Press, MIT Press and Springer. Kitsing has previously worked as Head of Research at the Foresight Centre, Adviser at the Strategy Unit of the Government Office of Estonia, and Head of Economic Analysis at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
He holds a PhD from the University of Massachusetts, completed a Master’s degree at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University as a Fulbright Scholar, and obtained a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics as a Peacock Scholar.
Contact
Kadi Truuleht
Head of Marketing and Communications
Estonian Business School
kadi.truuleht@ebs.ee
+372 520 6600
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