Session Profile: Liina Kersna
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
2025-02-26
Political Position
The political focus is on the reform of funding for science and higher education (TAIKS). The speaker moderately supports better integration of funding sources, while simultaneously strongly emphasizing the importance of universities' financial autonomy as a value that must be defended. The positions taken are primarily policy-based, focusing on improving the system's coherence and efficiency.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates profound expertise in the field of funding for research and development (R&D) and higher education. The technical term TAIKS is utilized, and reference is made to specific data concerning the contribution of businesses to R&D, which surpasses the state's contribution. Furthermore, a specific proposal by Tõnu Viik, the Rector of Tallinn University, regarding the linkage of funding is cited.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The style is formal, analytical, and interrogative, addressed directly to the minister and the director. The speaker first offers a fact-based correction to a colleague, and subsequently poses clarifying questions regarding the content and implementation of the bill. The tone is logical and detail-oriented, rather than emotional.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The data indicates active participation in the plenary session addressing the draft law on the funding of science and higher education. The speaker poses repeated questions to the minister to receive confirmation regarding the details of the bill.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The speaker takes a factual stand against colleague Jaak Valge, correcting his views regarding the contribution of companies to research and development. The criticism is policy-based and factual, not personal.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is constructive, and we welcome the ministry’s analysis regarding the integration of science and higher education funding. At the same time, the necessity of finding the optimal solution from the perspective of the state or the system is emphasized, taking into account the potentially varying positions of the universities.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national higher education and research policy, referencing the proposal put forth by the Rector of Tallinn University. There is no emphasis placed on specific regional or local issues.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the crucial role of the private sector in innovation, highlighting the record-breaking and increasing contribution of businesses to research and development (R&D). Support is given to financial autonomy at the institutional level (specifically, the financial autonomy of universities).
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is the organization of higher education and research, focusing on protecting the financial autonomy of universities and improving the coherence of the funding system. The aim is to ensure the system's efficiency and quality.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The main legislative focus is on the TAIKS bill, where the speaker is acting as a supportive but detail-oriented questioner. Specifically, confirmation is sought as to whether the evaluation of science and higher education will be merged by law into a single assessment, citing the uncertainty present in the feedback.
2 Speeches Analyzed