Agenda Profile: Mart Helme
First reading of the Draft Act on Amendments to the Higher Education Act (291 SE)
2024-02-07
15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary sitting.
Political Position
The political position is strongly value-driven, focusing on the preservation and development of the Estonian language as a language of science and national studies within the national university. The speaker firmly supports the draft bill (291 SE), viewing it as a necessary pressure mechanism to reorganize the higher education landscape, which has become diluted due to excessive internationalization and mercantilist thinking. This stance is strongly tied to Estonia's constitutional status as a nation-state.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in higher education policy and the academic environment, discussing the influence of internationalization on university rankings and the status of the Estonian language as a language of science. They employ specific terminology, such as "fragmented higher education landscape," and highlight assessment parameters that impact the operations of the national university. Furthermore, they mention the effect of artificial intelligence on learning processes and research work.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speaker's style is analytical and serious, utilizing strong value-based terminology (e.g., "nation-state," "mercantilistic thinking"). He thanks the previous speaker for a substantive presentation but sharply criticizes the uncoordinated activity within the higher education landscape and the dissolution of the national university. His appeals are a mixture of logical consequences (the failure of economic outcomes) and the urgent necessity of protecting the Estonian language as a language of science.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker actively participates in the first reading of the bill, asking questions regarding the status of national sciences and giving an extended presentation to clarify the draft bill's objectives. He/She references the presentation given by the previous speaker (Margit Sutrop) and discusses the influence of artificial intelligence on learning processes. There are no other activity patterns.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism targets the fragmentation, uncoordinated activity, and mercantilist mindset prevalent in the higher education landscape, which has resulted in the dilution of the national university. Furthermore, there is criticism regarding the excessive influx of low-standard foreign students into Estonia, which has negatively impacted learning outcomes and the intellectual atmosphere. This criticism is rooted in policy and ideology, not personal animosity.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is open to cooperation and dialogue, stressing the necessity of involving university representatives in order to find a viable middle ground in higher education policy. He/She thanks the previous speaker for their meaningful contribution and hopes that the deliberation process regarding the draft bill will yield beneficial outcomes.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is clearly national, concentrating on the role of the University of Tartu as the national university and the status of the Estonian language as a language of science. Regional or local topics are not addressed; instead, the impact of internationalization on national goals is emphasized.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker criticizes the mercantilist mindset in higher education, arguing that its actual outcome, in terms of economic results, has "pretty much failed." Cultural and national value is prioritized over purely statistical objectives and international ranking goals.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The main social issue is education and the protection of the national language and national sciences as languages of culture and academia. It is stressed that the status of the Estonian language must remain unshakeable, regardless of ideological or practical considerations. Furthermore, concern is raised regarding the negative impact of foreign students with low academic standards.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus is the processing of the draft Act amending the Higher Education Act (Bill 291 SE). The speaker is a strong proponent of the bill, utilizing it as a pressure statement that includes specific figures and percentages, in order to streamline the higher education landscape on a national level.
3 Speeches Analyzed