Aaviksoo finally named TUT head
Tallinn University of Technology (TUT) Board of Governors have named Jaak Aaviksoo as the rector, after months of bitter accusations and recounts.
“After careful debate and arguments, the TUT Board of Governors have decided to affirm Jaak Aaviksoo, who was elected on May 22, into office,” Gunnar Okk, who was unanimously voted to lead the board, said.
Aaviksoo received eight votes, with three against.
“The board had no other option. The board assessed the process until today before making the decision, and most members found that voting procedures or any other law, have not been violated,” Okk said.
The saga began on May 22 when the TUT's Board of Governors elected Aaviksoo rector by 8 votes in favor, but four members, part of a 11-strong board, later said that they did not vote for the former government minister, meaning that at least one of the eight votes Aaviksoo received, could have been forged.
However, the four members who said that they had voted against, did not agree to forensic tests to determine if foul play was involved.
In mid June TUT's council discussed the matter and had the power to veto Aaviksoo, needing 28 votes from 41, but 25 voted against Aaviksoo.
Aaviksoo was due to be named rector on July 7, but four board members, including the head of the board, Sandor Liive, resigned, amid controversy surrounding the election process. A fifth member, who was one of the four to originally protest the board's vote, was recalled by the Ministry of Education.
The new-look board, with members named by the education minister, the government, the university's council and the Academy of Sciences, today voted to affirm Aaviksoo as rector.
Editor: J.M. Laats