The vision presented to the Senate centres on two main pillars: a robust international cooperation network and high societal impact. According to Kitsing, international cooperation helps to broaden EBS’s reach, offering new opportunities to both students and researchers, and strengthening the university’s role as a flagship for entrepreneurial, innovative, and socially engaged education.
“Our goal is to shape EBS into a flexible learning environment with a personalised approach, where students can address real-world challenges and create both economic and social value,” emphasised Meelis Kitsing in his presentation.
The key priorities of his strategic action plan are:
- increasing the impact of learning and research, growing the number of international students, and more closely integrating entrepreneurship and societal activities into academic work;
- developing EBS into a platform that supports the creation of new businesses and start-ups, thereby strengthening both the EBS ecosystem and the broader Estonian entrepreneurial landscape;
- reinforcing international partnerships and establishing long-term forms of cooperation, including regularly hosting study visits from foreign universities;
- ensuring financial sustainability, diversifying income streams, and enhancing participation in national research and development programmes;
- promoting research with societal impact, combining academic excellence with practical relevance;
- strengthening international visibility and talent management to enhance EBS’s reputation and attract new inspiring lecturers and experts.
Under Kitsing’s leadership, EBS has already expanded its international reach, deepened cooperation with both the public and private sectors, and strengthened its research and development activities. With this renewed mandate, EBS will continue its path as Estonia’s only business university committed to international cooperation, practical entrepreneurship, and societal development.
The election of the Rector was carried out in accordance with the EBS Statute for the Election of Rector: the candidate was first selected by a 15-member electoral committee, where Kitsing received unanimous support. This was followed by a vote of confidence in the Senate, in which all participating members voted in favour of his appointment.
Estonian Business School (EBS) is much more than just a university — it is a community where young and experienced thinkers come together to shape the future of the business world. Nearly 1,000 degree students, hundreds of continuing education participants, dozens of companies connected to the university, and over 70 international partners create an environment that boldly supports forward-thinking individuals, innovators, and drivers of societal change.
The EBS community congratulates Professor Meelis Kitsing on earning the trust to continue as Rector and wishes him every success and strength in implementing his new mandate!
