The Academy’s Story and Leadership
The story of the Academy
The Republic of Estonia belongs to the Estonian people: it is our common country, created from our inner will. Just as every person's sense of security and understanding of good and evil begins with themselves, so is the source of the country's security and well-being its internal order, which has been built brick by brick from the grassroots level. Estonia's security begins with the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. It is a breeding ground for future and current rescuers and dispatchers, police officers and border guards, prison officers, tax and customs officials, as well as researchers and experts in the field of internal security.
Estonian Academy of Security Sciences (EASS) is unique in the world in terms of both its values and its academic structure. EASS brings together all of the country's internal security and security-related education, research, and development activities. On the one hand, the Academy is youthful, innovative, open, humane, and bold. On the other hand, it is a bearer of conservative and traditional values: dignified, academic, patriotic, strong, and confident. The synthesis of these characteristics also makes it unique.
The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences is a partner in advancing smart security
We lead developments within the field of security by taking initiative, driving discussions and guiding progress. Our role is to anticipate the future and work with enthusiasm to shape it. This requires continuous improvement in research and development.
We serve as partners to a range of stakeholders – including students, alumni, institutions, policymakers and other universities – focusing on providing knowledge and applying technologies to collaboratively discover new, smart solutions in security.
We are leaders in security education and research
We steer progress in internal security. To this end, we ensure high-quality education and evolve into a centre for internal security training and research that engages the entire society. The Academy is home to top experts capable of initiating essential developments in the field. The Estonian Academy of Security Sciences aspires to be the primary research-based centre for internal security in Estonia.
We are bold, knowledgeable, and caring
Boldness means being open to innovation, experimentation and learning from mistakes. We have the courage to speak up and take responsibility.
Being knowledgeable means commitment to lifelong learning, deep understanding, self-improvement, and sharing our skills, knowledge and experiences.
Caring begins with self-care, enabling us to extend care to colleagues, students and partners. We observe, step in and offer help where needed.
A functioning research and development ecosystem means that we are an educational and research institution with a significant role in providing new knowledge and solutions in the field of security in society. Therefore, research and development must be approached holistically and a functioning system must be created for this purpose.
A meaningful learning experience means taking into account the changing expectations and needs of learners over time, while paying attention to learning as a skill and habit: people must be able to continuously acquire new knowledge, skills, etc. even after graduating from school. This is what meaningful learning is all about.
In order to keep up with social changes, we must update our curricula, ensure a good learning environment, expand digital learning opportunities, involve research and development in learning, and offer learning opportunities that are not dependent on time, place, or lifestyle.
Committed people The Academy must create an environment where every employee understands their role and the culture supports everyone's development. This helps to retain the best experts in the field. It is necessary to foster a sense of unity, which requires achieving goals not through chains of command, but through cooperation.
History
On April 15, 1992, the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences was established to ensure the training of specialists in the fields of internal security and safety for the newly independent state of Estonia. The aim was to establish an institution that brings together the education and research necessary to ensure the security and resilience of the state – the training of police officers, border guards, rescue service officials, prison service specialists, tax and customs officials, and defence force personnel. The idea of bringing together such a unique combination of specialties in one school was introduced by Professor of Law Eduard Raska, who became the Academy's first rector.
In the beginning, the Academy took over the territory of a Soviet Army military school and its old buildings in Maarjamäe, where the school is still located today. The Academy was renamed the Estonian National Defence Academy in 1993 and has been known as the Academy of Security Sciences since 1998.
Over the years, the Academy has grown into a modern and versatile university of applied sciences. Since 2010, the Academy has had four colleges: Financial College, Prison Service College, Rescue College, and Police and Border Guard College. Master's programs have been offered since 2010 by the Institute of Internal Security, which has also been the Estonian contact point for the European Migration Network since 2020.
1992-1998 Eduard Raska
1998-2003 Heiki Loot
2003-2005 Peeter Järvelaid
2005-2010 Priit Männik
2010-2015 Lauri Tabur
2015-2019 Katri Raik
2019-2022 Marek Link
2023-… Kuno Tammearu
The symbol of the EASS was created under the guidance of a heraldic artist Priit Herodes in 1992. In the same year, it was approved by the State Symbols Department of the Government Office.
The symbol is a black cross with three golden rays on each arm. The black colour symbolises knowledge, and the three golden rays symbolise light, education, and erudition. The small coat of arms of Estonia is depicted in the centre of the cross. Behind the cross are two crossed silver swords, symbolising the protection of both the state and the ideals depicted on the cross.
The Academy's motto, "Verbis aut Re" (in word or deed), was proposed by the Academy's founder and first rector, Professor Eduard Raska. The motto expresses the preservation and protection of the Estonian state in word and deed.
The magazine of the Academy of Security Sciences is published twice a year, in April and November, and it covers the most important activities and topics of the Academy. Verbis Aut Re is published in print and electronically on Digiriiul. The ISSN, or international publication number, of the Academy's magazine is 2585-4534 for the print version and 2585-4542 for the PDF version.
Editorial contact: sioon@sise
An idea competition for the design of the Academy's cap was announced in 2010, and the design by a master's student Christman Roos was selected as the best. This resulted in the first cap with a black velvet base, two silver bands, lettering, and an emblem, which is now worn with pride by the Academy's current students, alumni, and staff.
In 2011, a mascot competition was held to foster a sense of unity at the Academy, and the winner was the design "Kadett Kotkas" (Cadet Eagle) by then-students Argo Kruusmaa and Ranno Rentiku. The mascot is still active today, symbolising courage, freedom, sharp wit, strength, and endurance among the Academy's students.
Structure of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences
According to the statutes, the Academy is divided into academic departments, support service departments, and the Internal Security Career Centre.
Management
According to the statutes, the Academy and its council are managed by a rector, elected for a term of five years. The rector is responsible for matters concerning the general management of the Academy.
Since 5 June 2023, Kuno Tammearu has been the rector of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences.
Kuno Tammearu was the Director General of the Estonian Rescue Services Agency since 2013, and his second term ended in 2023. Previously, he worked as Deputy Director General of the Rescue Services Agency and Head of Rescue Services. The Rector is also a graduate of the Academy of Security Sciences, having obtained a Master's degree in Public Administration from Tallinn University of Technology and a Master's degree in Strategic Management from the University of Tartu. Kuno Tammearu is a recipient of the Estonian Red Cross Fourth Class Order of Merit and the Estonian Red Cross Second Class Order of Merit, and has been awarded the Grand Gold Cross of the Rescue Service.
Council
The highest collegial decision-making body of the Academy of Security Sciences is the Council, which has decision-making powers on important issues concerning the activities and development of the Academy. The Council decides upon important issues concerning teaching, research and development, adopts the Academy's development plan, approves curricula, selects regular teaching staff, establishes various regulatory documents, etc.
The Council consists of the rector, vice-rectors, college directors, the head of the institute, representatives of academic staff, representatives of the student body, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, and other persons appointed by the rector.
Members of the Council
- Rector Kuno Tammearu, head of the council
- Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Ingrid Vetka
- Vice-Rector for Research Riin Tamm
- Vice-Rector for Support Services Andreas Anvelt
- Director of the Police and Border Guard College Kristian Jaani
- Director of the Recue College Jaanis Otsla
- Director of the Prison Service College Laura Kikas
- Director of the Financial College Kerly Randlane
- Head of the Internal Security Institute Erkki Koort
- Head of the Financial Department Ain Sari
- Head of the Administrative Department Rene Berting
- Head of the Centre for Continuing Education Aire Luts-Vähejaus
- Head of the General Department, HR manager Monika Viidul
- Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior Krista Aas
- Representative of the academic staff of the Police and Border Guard College Chris Eljas
- Representative of the academic staff of the Rescue College Madis Klaassen
- Representative of the academic staff of the Prison Service College Ruth Annus
- Representative of the academic staff of the Financial College Indrek Saar
- Representative of the academic staff of the Internal Security Institute Jüri Saar
- Representative of the academic staff of the Language Centre Marju Taukar
- Representative of the students of the Police and Border Guard College Anu Paluoja
- Representative of the students of the Rescue College Merike Truuman
- Representative of the students of the Prison Service College Kristjan Sarv
- Representative of the students of the Financial College Markus Oksa
- Representative of the students of the Internal Security Institute Sten-Patrick Kreek
The Advisory Board is an advisory body that connects the Academy, government institutions responsible for the field, and society. It makes proposals to the Council, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister of Education and Research, and provides assessments on issues related to the Academy, including the development of curricula.
Members of the Advisory Board:
- Deputy Secretary General for Research and Development and Higher and Vocational Education Policy, Ministry of Education and Research
- Secretary General, Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs
- Deputy Secretary General for Prisons, Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs
- Deputy Secretary General for Finance and Tax Policy at the Ministry of Finance
- Deputy Secretary General for Rescue and Crisis Preparedness at the Ministry of the Interior
- Deputy Secretary General for Internal Security at the Ministry of the Interior
- Director General of the Emergency Response Centre
- Director General of the Estonian Internal Security Service
- Director General of the Tax and Customs Board
- Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board
- Director General of the Estonian Rescue Services Agency
The Rectorate is an advisory body to the Rector, consisting of the Vice-Rectors and other persons appointed by the Rector. The work of the Rectorate is led by the Rector.
Members of the Rectorate:
- Rector Kuno Tammearu
- Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Ingrid Vetka
- Vice-Rector for Research Riin Tamm
- Vice-Rector for Support Services Andreas Anvelt
- Head of the Internal Security Institute Erkki Koort
- Director of the Financial College Kerly Randlane
- Director of the Prison Service College Laura Kikas
- Director of the Police and Border Guard College Kristian Jaani
- Director of the Rescue College Jaanis Otsla
- Head of the Administrative Department Rene Berting
- Head of the Communication Department Kaire Paavo
- Head of the Financial Department Ain Sari
- Head of the General Department, HR manager Monika Viidul
- Head of the Narva Study Centre Anne Kivimäe
- Head of the Strategy Department Maia Eskla
- Head of the Department of Academic Affairs Kerli Kaldoja
Key Figures
1,200 students
7,000+ participants in continuing education per year
1,100 high school students participating in internal security training
277 employees in total, including
97 teaching staff
13 researchers
350 guest lecturers
12,000 alumni