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Participants in the programme studied modern teaching methods and leadership skills from top Estonian education specialists—skills that have helped Estonia's students achieve top results in the PISA rankings. In January, the learners took part in two Zoom meetings, where the goals of the microdegree programme, participant expectations, and the timeline were agreed upon. During their two-week stay in Estonia, participants received valuable input for launching their development projects and gained a solid theoretical framework for leading change.

In June, three follow-up Zoom sessions will take place, where participants will present the progress of their individual development projects.

Meeting with Leading Experts in Estonian Education

During the two-week intensive period, the participants met not only with the main trainers Eve Eisenschmidt and Peeter Mehisto, but also with several highly regarded Estonian education experts. Among the guest trainers were Mati Heidmets, Mikk Kasesalk, Tiina Tiit, Reet Sillavee, Mari-Liis Sults, and Kadi Georg.

While in Tallinn, the participants also visited Pelgulinna Gymnasium, Mahtra School, and Kuristiku School to observe how teaching and learning are conducted in practice in Estonian schools.

A Warm Welcome and Cultural Exchange Evening

On March 30, before the official programme began, a joyful welcome dinner was held with the Head of the Centre for Educational Innovation, Sigrid Aruväli, training coordinator Viktoria Bubukin, and lead lecturers Eve Eisenschmidt and Peeter Mehisto.

On the evening of April 2, an intercultural event took place at Tallinn University’s ELU area, where representatives from each country presented their culture, music, dances, and traditional foods. Estonia's presentation was supported by the Soveldaja folk dancers, who were rehearsing in the Mare building atrium at just the right time and kindly agreed to perform the traditional tuljak dance for the guests.

Participants also joined campus tours led by Marika Kutškova, the partnership coordinator at the Centre for Educational Innovation.

Programme Funding and Coordination

On April 8, the training group was visited by ESTDEV representatives Annika Leek and Triin Kangur, who introduced ESTDEV’s fields of activity and target countries. They also encouraged participants of the microdegree programme to get involved in larger development projects in those countries.

With the support of the project “Scholarships for Learners from Developing Countries to Participate in Tallinn University's Microdegree Programme in Educational Innovation and Leadership”, a total of 21 participants from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Kenya, and Uganda are taking part in the programme. The remaining participants are self-funded.

The project and the international microdegree programme are coordinated by Viktoria Bubukin, training coordinator at the Centre for Educational Innovation.

The project is supported by ESTDEV – the Estonian Centre for International Development.