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President Ilves: establishment of research facilities is clear defiance against the world of dreams and fairy tales

Tehnikaülikooli uute hoonete avamine
Opening of the new buildings of Tallinn University of Technology
© DelfiPressifoto, Ilmar Saabas

01.09.2009

“The New Building of Tallinn University of Technology, opened today, definitely represents an appropriate investment, as each kroon that is channelled into promoting education and research in Estonia is used for the for the right purpose,” President said. Speaking at the opening of the Economic and Social Studies Building of Tallinn University of Technology, President Toomas Hendrik Ilves recalled the words of the first President of the Academy of Sciences, 71 years ago, when he said, “No nation or country today should build their households on fairytales, as the reality has become a complicated system; not just individuals, but nations and countries may be devastated as a result of mistakes.”

The words of the academician are also highly relevant today or more specifically – today and in Estonia, President Ilves said.

“This does not mean that we should give up dreaming. If dreams can be fulfilled and we work in unison for that purpose, it is possible to make dreams a reality. We can see this in the Tallinn University of Technology, where a university campus is about to be completed,” said the Head of State. “Successful countries are states in which people contribute to research and technologies and the implementation thereof. People contribute to spheres that are relevant for the economy of a country and the needs of a country.”

According to President Ilves, this is a truth to be repeated and one must learn from mistakes – from those made by others, if we are lucky, and from our own, if not.

“Fairy tales and unrealistic dreams have contributed to lives of grandeur, as lead by many people in Estonia, and which have now become one of the sources of our problems. With the many new buildings that have been erected in Estonia over the last couple of years, we cannot put a hand on our heart and say with confidence that these kroons have been well spent,” said the Head of State.

“However, the Economic and Social Studies Building of Tallinn University of Technology, which is being opened today, definitely represents an appropriate investment, as each kroon that is channelled into promoting education and research in Estonia is used for the right purpose. And I deliberately avoided using the word “spent”, as such an investment does not represent spending, but rather promotion,” President Ilves said. “The erection of research buildings clearly represents defiance against the world of fairy tales and dreams.”


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