General information
Electoral district:
Seniority in days:
539
Date of birth:
11.01.1954
Family:
widower, two sons and one daughter
Education:
Miina Härma Gymnasium (former Tartu Secondary School No. 2) 1971;
University of Tartu, theoretical physics (cum laude) 1976;
Candidate of Physico-Mathematical Sciences 1981
University of Tartu, theoretical physics (cum laude) 1976;
Candidate of Physico-Mathematical Sciences 1981
Career:
Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Junior Researcher, Senior Researcher, Leading Researcher 1976–1992;
University of Tartu, Professor of Optics and Spectroscopy 1992–, Prorector 1992–1995, Institute of Experimental Physics and Technology, Head of Institute 1996–1998, Rector 1998–2007;
Minister of Culture and Education, Minister of Education 1995–1996;
Minister of Defence 2007–2011;
Minister of Education and Research 2011–2014
University of Tartu, Professor of Optics and Spectroscopy 1992–, Prorector 1992–1995, Institute of Experimental Physics and Technology, Head of Institute 1996–1998, Rector 1998–2007;
Minister of Culture and Education, Minister of Education 1995–1996;
Minister of Defence 2007–2011;
Minister of Education and Research 2011–2014
Party affiliation:
Pro Patria and Res Publica Union 2006–2015
Membership in representative bodies:
XI Riigikogu 2007, XII Riigikogu 2011, 2014–2015, XIII Riigikogu;
elected to Tartu City Council in 2013
elected to Tartu City Council in 2013
Awards:
Order of the National Coat of Arms, 4th Class 2000;
Order of the White Star, 2nd Class 2006;
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 2000;
Order of the White Rose of Finland 2006;
National Order of Merit of France 2007;
Order of the Three Stars of Latvia, 2nd Class 2009
Order of the White Star, 2nd Class 2006;
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 2000;
Order of the White Rose of Finland 2006;
National Order of Merit of France 2007;
Order of the Three Stars of Latvia, 2nd Class 2009
Cross of Merit of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3rd Class 2007
Social and other activities:
Member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences 1994–;
University of Turku, Honorary Doctor 2003;
University of Lapland, Honorary Doctor 2012. Member of Academia Europaea, Estonian Physical Society, Council of Elders of the Estonian Defence League and Rotary Club
University of Turku, Honorary Doctor 2003;
University of Lapland, Honorary Doctor 2012. Member of Academia Europaea, Estonian Physical Society, Council of Elders of the Estonian Defence League and Rotary Club
Creative activities: Published numerous research papers and articles in the press. Editor-in-Chief of vol. 3 and 4 of "Eesti teaduse biograafiline leksikon" ("Biographical Dictionary of Estonian Science")