Thematic networks in the estonian e-university
Mart Laanpere and Reelyka Läheb, Tallinn Pedagogical University; Risto Aikonen, University of Joensuu

Estonian e-University is a young consortium of eight Estonian universities that is aiming to advance e-learning and educational innovations at large in Estonian higher education. In this paper we are describing the first results of a study carried out by Estonian e-University and its foreign partners within the framework of Minerva project UNIVe. The series of inter-related qualitative case studies focused on the success factors of the thematic networks in the context of developing new joint academic e-learning programmes within a certain academic domain.

Estonian e-University (EeU) was founded in 2002 as a consortium consisting of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Science, Estonian Information Technology Foundation (EITF) and six higher education institutions:

•  University of Tartu (www.ut.ee)

•  Tallinn Technical University (www.ttu.ee)

•  Tallinn Pedagogical University (www.tpu.ee)

•  Estonian Agricultural University (www.eau.ee)

•  Estonian Business School (www.ebs.ee)

•  IT College (www.itcollege.ee)

In 2004, EeU accepted two new associated members: private universities Audentes and Academy Nord. Upon the creation, the founders were engaged in numerous discussions on the form of the would-be e-University. As different models were used by different countries, there were ideas of a UKeU-like holding company as well as more non-profit ways (foundation supporting innovative R&D projects, association). Finally a decision was made that Estonian e-University will start off as a project organisation under the umbrella of the Estonian Information Technology Foundation, with a perspective to grow into an independent inter-university organisation in the future. The neutrality of the coordinating institution sets a good ground for cooperation among highly competitive Estonian universities. The steering group of the EeU consists of high-level administrators from each partner institutions, most of the universities are represented in the steering group by a vice-rector.