Development Plan 2026–2035 of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences

The objective of VLI’s research activities is to generate new knowledge in the institute’s areas of responsibility, thereby supporting research-based higher education and providing solutions to societally important challenges. VLI’s expertise across the farm-to-fork value chain and its key role in the One Health concept enable the initiation and successful implementation of various projects addressing topics of both international relevance and applied value in industry collaboration. Such societally important fields as the veterinary aspects of public health, zoonoses, food safety and quality, healthy food, food security, and human and animal health and welfare remain key research priorities for VLI, through which the institute directly contributes to the university’s objectives in developing value-chain-based research in the bioeconomy. VLI places particular emphasis on increasing the success of its research groups in applying for research, development, and applied projects. VLI supports the academic careers and mobility of early-career researchers. It is important to expand doctoral study opportunities and support the development and sustainability of academic succession, to promote intra-institutional, national, and international cooperation, to develop knowledge transfer activities, and to strengthen the institute’s role as a thought leader and increase its visibility in the media and public sphere. The institute also aims to improve support services for the preparation and implementation of research projects, including financial, administrative, and management support.

Teaching at the institute meets societal needs and is international and open. The institute ensures a modern learning environment for its students and provides opportunities to obtain high-quality education at all three levels of higher education. The learning environment and infrastructure are being developed through the renovation of teaching facilities and the creation of modern, flexibly usable learning spaces. Digital platforms and online systems are being updated, and access to discipline-specific learning equipment, simulators, and up-to-date clinical tools is being improved. Teaching is organised flexibly – in addition to full-time studies in animal science and food technology, part-time (session-based) study options are also offered. In addition to the English-taught veterinary medicine curriculum, foreign-language modules and programmes are also being developed in food science and animal science. Support measures are being expanded to foster students’ academic and personal development. Active student engagement is encouraged to ensure the continuity and quality of teaching. 

Given the specific nature of the institute’s curricula, it is important to develop students’ practical skills and create diverse opportunities for acquiring them through university practice bases and by strengthening cooperation with companies and institutions. The effectiveness of teaching is enhanced through its efficient organisation, with particular emphasis on the use of up-to-date teaching methods, continuous improvement of the learning environment, and self-assessment in curriculum development. Regular pedagogical and andragogical training is provided (in cooperation with the university). The curricula meet the requirements set for international accreditation.

The institute is a recognised cooperation partner, providing the public with knowledge, expertise, and Estonian-language lifelong learning in its areas of responsibility. Since 2009, the institute has organised the annual conference “Healthy Animals and Healthy Food”, and the Department of Food Science and Food Technology is responsible for the professional section of the EMÜ international annual conference “Bioeconomy Technologies”. The institute conducts research needed by the state and prepares expert opinions and risk assessments. Institute staff participate in the development of strategic documents and legislation related to their fields and are involved in decision-making bodies and working groups of various institutions and professional organisations. The provision of continuing education, micro-degree programmes, and competence-based training programmes is being expanded, including for graduates from third countries. Laboratory, advisory, and consultancy services are being updated and developed to enhance the practical application of research results. Postgraduate specialist training and internship programmes are being developed in key clinical fields, and clinical infrastructure is being modernised. To increase the visibility of VLI’s curricula and services, cooperation with educational institutions is strengthened and teaching and outreach activities are organised. The institute also contributes to broad media coverage of its activities and promotes science through Estonian-language popular science articles.

The institute ensures the necessary workforce and a democratic decision-making process, based on the professionalism, motivation, and responsibility of its leaders. Heads of chairs, professors, and senior researchers are opinion leaders in their respective fields. The institute develops a transparent, employee development–supportive, and performance-oriented human resources policy, increasing staff security and motivation. The institute contributes to maintaining the continuity of existing traditions. 

To ensure academic sustainability and succession, the share of staff with doctoral degrees is increased, and generational renewal is encouraged, thereby shaping a younger academic workforce. A structured onboarding programme is being developed, regular pedagogical training is offered, as well as career related continuing education opportunities. A competitive incentive package is being designed, including remuneration, benefits, wellbeing support, and a recognition system. Internal communication is strengthened, awareness of the organisation’s achievements is increased, and colleagues’ contributions are valued. 

The institute modernises its research and teaching infrastructure in line with accreditation requirements. The institute’s laboratories are open for shared use with cooperation partners. Renovation and construction works are planned with the aim of consolidating the institute’s chairs within the Zoomeedikum and Food House on the university campus. 

The priorities for infrastructure development are: the renovation and extension of Zoomeedikum, taking into account modern biosecurity and working environment requirements; modernisation of research and teaching infrastructure used in food science and food technology, as well as aquaculture; and the consolidation of geographically dispersed chairs (the Chair of Animal Nutrition, and the Chair of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology) into Zoomeedikum. The institute ensures the sustainable development of its areas of responsibility by cooperating with other research and development institutions, preparing interdisciplinary project proposals, and developing the infrastructure required for teaching and research.