Session Profile: Urve Tiidus
Fifteenth Riigikogu, Third Session, Plenary Session
2024-05-16
Political Position
The political position is heavily focused on addressing the shortage of engineers, which is treated as a critical and long-standing national problem. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of finding entirely new approaches, as existing methods have failed to yield results over the past 15 years. The focus is on results-driven policy and finding solutions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in the education and technology sectors, highlighting the specific challenges in training engineers within Estonian universities. They propose concrete, if unconventional, solutions, such as establishing a scholarship fund specifically for studying abroad (e.g., at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Furthermore, the text stresses the necessity of starting to guide young people toward technical fields as early as the first grade.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is formal, respectful, and analytical, beginning with an expression of gratitude to the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Estonia for the presentation. The tone is simultaneously critical and solution-oriented, highlighting the urgency of resolving this 15-year-long problem. Logical argumentation is employed, and alternative policy solutions are presented in the form of questions.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The pattern of activity indicates participation in a plenary session where specific questions concerning the economy and education were posed to a senior government official (the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Estonia).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is aimed primarily at political inertia and the failure to solve the engineer shortage problem over the last 15 years. The criticism is policy-driven, not personal, and underscores the need for solutions that differ from those previously implemented.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker is open to new and unconventional collaboration models, suggesting the establishment of an international scholarship fund. Simultaneously, the lack of effectiveness in existing forms of cooperation (such as university partnerships) is being criticized.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on national education policy and the Estonian economy’s need for engineers. However, a strong international dimension is also present, represented by the proposal to send students with scholarships to top foreign universities (e.g., MIT).
1 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives emphasize the necessity of investing in engineering education and technological development, viewing the shortage of skilled labor as an impediment to economic growth. Support is given to the creation of targeted funds and scholarships to address the labor shortage.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The primary social issue is education, emphasizing the necessity of guiding young people toward technological and technical fields starting from elementary school. This is directly linked to the country's economic competitiveness.
1 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is directed at reforming education policy and funding mechanisms to address the shortage of engineers. The priority is finding new, innovative solutions (e.g., a scholarship fund).
1 Speeches Analyzed