Press trip: the story of Estonian education and digital solutions

Oleg Shvaikovsky is an experienced education innovator and technology expert actively involved in Estonia’s EdTech sector. He is the co-founder of St. John’s School in Tallinn, where he also teaches physics and serves as head of the upper secondary school. Additionally, Oleg is a board member of EdTech Estonia and invests in various educational and technology ventures. Prior to his career in education, he spent over 25 years in executive roles at major Estonian IT and telecommunications companies, including Nortal and Telia. Currently, he leads the Ministry of Education and Research’s AI working group, promoting the integration of artificial intelligence into educational innovation.

Helen is the CEO of the educational discovery center Rakett69 Science Studios, whose team does everything to make STEM topics among children, young people and adults more visible and to offer interested parties the opportunity to think with their heads and hands and find solutions. In addition, Helen is involved in communications for the TV show “Rakett69” and the girls’ technology club HK Unicorn Squad, and has previously edited the family food science show “Sweet Molecule.”

Triin Laasi-Õige is an accomplished education leader who will become the Chancellor of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research from April 2025. She previously served as the Head of the Vocational Education and Skills Policy Department at the ministry, successfully spearheading comprehensive vocational education reforms. Her leadership experience includes serving as the Director of Tallinn School of Economics and managing Haapsalu College and Haapsalu Vocational Education Centre. Triin is widely recognized for her dedication and effectiveness in advancing Estonia’s education system.

Maive Merkulova has been serving as the director of Tallinn German Gymnasium (Tallinna Saksa Gümnaasium) since September 2022. Under her leadership, the school continues to thrive academically, offering high-quality general education with instruction in Estonian and German. Maive has extensive experience in educational management and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment that encourages both academic excellence and personal growth among students. Her leadership emphasizes strong international cooperation, particularly with German educational institutions, promoting language proficiency and intercultural competence.

Kristiine-Teele Satsi is the Development Manager at Tallinna Lasteaed Pääsusilm (Tallinn Pääsusilm Kindergarten), where she plays a crucial role in advancing educational initiatives and fostering innovative learning environments. She holds a degree from Tallinn University, reflecting her strong academic foundation in education. ​Kristiine-Teele is actively involved in international educational projects, including eTwinning, where she collaborates with educators across Europe to enhance teaching practices and cultural exchange. Her participation in the creation of “Colors in the World’s Cuisine,” a collaborative eTwinning project, showcases her commitment to integrating global perspectives into early childhood education. ​Her dedication to educational development and international collaboration significantly contributes to the enrichment of early childhood education in Estonia.​

Rasmus Gross is the Co-Founder and CEO of ELIIS Education Software, a platform dedicated to enhancing early childhood education through technology. Under his leadership, ELIIS has become widely used across Europe, improving the quality of early childhood education and making daily tasks more efficient for educators. ​ Rasmus holds a degree from the Estonian Business School, reflecting his strong foundation in business and management. His commitment to integrating technology into education has significantly contributed to the advancement of early childhood learning environments.

Andres Mellik is the co-founder and CEO of SpeakTX, an innovative platform designed to support speech therapy through interactive digital exercises. Andres is also a board member of EdTech Estonia and has been involved in educational technologies for the past 25 years. His expertise covers learning management systems, instructional design, serious games and empowering solutions in the digital education and health space. Andres has also founded CoNurse.net and Cognuse.com and is an active advisor to several startups within the EU.

Karmen Kisel is the head of the Tallinn Mustamäe State Gymnasium and a German teacher. She has been actively involved in educational innovation projects, for example, she introduced the E4F 2016 programme of the School of the Future. Karmen has also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on education, highlighting the need to adapt teaching methods to technological developments.

Omari Loid is the co-founder and CEO of Praktikal, one of Estonia’s fastest-growing educational technology companies. Established in 2021, Praktikal focuses on providing hands-on STEM education solutions, including physical kits and digital tools, to enhance the teaching and learning of physics and chemistry. Under Omari’s leadership, Praktikal’s innovative approaches have been adopted by nearly half of Estonia’s primary schools within two years of its inception. In recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements, Omari was honored with the “Best Young Entrepreneur” title in Tartu County in 2023. His commitment to improving STEM education is further reflected in his active participation in discussions and initiatives aimed at inspiring future engineers and scientists. ​ Omari’s efforts extend beyond Estonia, as Praktikal aims for international success by exporting its educational solutions to countries like Germany. His leadership continues to drive the company’s mission to empower educators and engage students in practical, hands-on learning experiences. ​

Andrei Atškasov is the Head of Project Office at Tartu Vocational College (VOCO), with extensive experience in vocational education since 2010. Andrei has significantly expanded VOCO’s global cooperation network, which currently includes over 75 partner schools and organizations from 25 countries. He coordinates international mobility initiatives, including Erasmus+ programs, contributing to the college’s reputation as a leader in vocational education innovation. In October 2024, Andrei was awarded the prestigious Golden Digi Apple Award (“Kuldne digiõun”) by the Estonian Erasmus+ and Solidarity Corps Agency, recognizing his innovative contributions to designing digital solutions in international education.

Raini Jõks is an educational leader currently serving as the Director of Tartu Vocational College (VOCO). He assumed this role on August 19, 2019, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his previous positions. ​Prior to his current role, Raini served as the Director of Tartu Prison, where he held various positions since 2002 before becoming the director in 2013. Under Raini’s leadership, VOCO has continued to enhance its reputation as a leading institution in vocational education, focusing on innovative teaching methods and strong industry partnerships. His commitment to educational excellence is evident in his efforts to align the college’s programs with the evolving needs of the labor market, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for their professional careers.​

Eero Loonurm is the Head of Higher Education International Marketing at the Education and Youth Board of Estonia (Haridus- ja Noorteamet), where he leads the “Study in Estonia” initiative, promoting Estonian higher education abroad. His responsibilities include developing and executing national strategies for higher education promotion and representing Estonia in migration and employability working groups at both national and European levels. Eero has played a significant role in increasing the number of international students in Estonia, growing from approximately 900 a decade ago to over 5,000 in recent years. He also serves as an advisory board member for “Research in Estonia” and contributes as a marketing and communications expert in the European Commission’s “Study in Europe” project.

Kai Koort is the Communications Manager of the Education and Youth Board of Estonia, playing a key role in shaping the organization’s public relations and strategic communication efforts. With extensive experience in the education sector, she helps promote innovative learning solutions, digital transformation, and youth development initiatives. Through her work, she ensures effective communication between stakeholders, supports international collaborations, and highlights the impact of educational advancements in Estonia.

Katrin Aunpu is the Communications Manager of the Tallinn School of Music and Ballet (MUBA), a unique and innovative educational institution that combines high-level music, dance, and general education. With extensive experience in strategic communication and public relations, she plays a key role in shaping MUBA’s public image, fostering collaborations, and promoting the school’s vision both nationally and internationally. Katrin is dedicated to highlighting the impact of arts education and ensuring that MUBA remains a leading institution for young talents in Estonia and beyond.

Anete is an Account Manager at Lingvist, an innovative language learning platform that leverages technology to optimize the language acquisition process. In her role, Anete is responsible for expanding Lingvist’s reach by integrating its advanced language learning solutions into various companies and educational institutions. She actively engages with clients, gathers feedback, and conducts demonstration sessions to showcase the platform’s capabilities.

Kaarel Rundu is the Head of the Tallinn Education Department (Tallinna Haridusamet), a position he has held since August 1, 2022. Prior to this role, he served as the principal of Tallinn German Gymnasium (Tallinna Saksa Gümnaasium) from 2015. Kaarel holds a Master’s degree in Educational Management from Tallinn University, completed between 2010 and 2012, and a Master’s degree in Psychology from Akadeemia Nord. His extensive experience in educational leadership and management has significantly contributed to the development of Tallinn’s educational landscape.​

Liis Siiroja is a CEO of EdTech Estonia, an organization committed to advancing educational technology initiatives in Estonia. In addition to her role at EdTech Estonia, Liis is the co-founder and CEO of KideoCall, a platform designed to help expatriate families maintain their children’s native language and cultural connections through online playgroups. Prior to founding KideoCall, she worked as the communications manager for the educational program “Tagasi Kooli” (“Back to School”), where she facilitated interactions between students and the professional world. As an active member of the Estonian Montessori Association, Liis advocates for interest-based learning and self-directed education with appropriate guidance.

Peep Jahilo is a career diplomat, served in Estonian Foreign Service since the beginning of 1990s. Hes has been Ambassador of Estonia in Norway, Iceland, Greece, Albania, Cyprus, Netherlands and Permanent Representative to OPCW. He has also filled the positions of Director General of Department, Inspector General, Undersecretary etc in the MFA.

Outside of the Ministry Mr. Jahilo has served as Secretary General of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) and Chief of Staff of the President of Estonia.

Since 2024 Mr Jahilo is holding the position of Ambassador-at-Large in the structure of the MFA, being responsible for the issues of Education and for Estonian Honorary Consuls network worldwide.

Karmen Paul is an esteemed educational leader currently serving as the principal of Viimsi School in Estonia. Under her leadership, the school has gained recognition for its innovative approaches and strong student interest. In October 2023, Karmen was honored with the “Educational Institution Leader of the Year” award at the national “Eestimaa õpib ja tänab” (“Estonia Learns and Thanks”) gala. This accolade reflects her significant contributions to the educational landscape and her dedication to fostering a supportive and forward-thinking learning environment. Beyond her role at Viimsi Gymnasium, Karmen contributes to the academic community as a consultant for development programs at the School of Educational Sciences, Tallinn University. Her involvement in higher education underscores her commitment to advancing educational practices and supporting the professional growth of educators.

Joana Jõgela is a passionate chemistry teacher who makes the invisible visible. She has graduated with honors from the University of Tartu with a master’s degree in both chemistry and teacher training, having previously earned her bachelor’s degree.

Currently, Joana shares her knowledge in three places: Tartu Lutheran St. Peter’s School, Hugo Treffner Gymnasium, and the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Tartu.

Her created teaching materials have helped many discover the excitement of chemistry. Joana’s exceptional talent for simplifying complex concepts has opened the door to a field that typically intimidates students. She skillfully integrates modern technology into her lessons, using digital simulations, interactive models, and virtual experiments to bring chemical processes to life and enhance student engagement.

Märt, a Co-Founder of Futuclass, has a background as a game producer passionate about creating meaningful games. As one of Slack’s early employees, he discovered his passion for VR in 2017, recognizing it as the ultimate tool for transformative learning experiences. Since its founding in 2019, Futuclass has been adopted by educators in Europe, North America and Australia to teach Chemistry and increasingly, Physics. The platform is now available in five languages and growing, including German, where the first customers joined in 2024.

Toomas Kruusimägi is known for his long-standing contributions to the development of the country’s school system. As the principal of Tallinn English College, he has played a key role in shaping modern educational practices and fostering a high-quality learning environment. He also leads the Estonian School Leaders Association, representing and supporting school principals across the country.

An advocate for innovation in education, Toomas Kruusimägi has been actively involved in improving school management, curriculum development, and digital learning solutions. Under his leadership, Tallinn English College has maintained its reputation as one of Estonia’s top schools, emphasizing academic excellence, international-mindedness, and the development of future-ready skills. His dedication to education continues to strengthen Estonia’s position as a leader in innovative and high-quality schooling.

Martin Öövel is the Director General of the National Library since 2023. He has previously worked as the director of both Tabasalu Secondary School and Keila School. He holds a Master’s degree in IT Law from Stockholm University and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Tartu. He has also completed the Public Service Executive Development Programme.

The National Library building has been under renovation since the beginning of last year and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. The new library will feature a unique educational technology demo area in collaboration with EdTech Estonia.

Maarja Rammo ise the Content Manager of the Opiq platform, developed by Star Cloud, which is a set of technologies aimed to challenge and develop the existing learning content industry. Opiq enables to digitize core curriculum learning content, provides better access to high quality education and creates conditions for a data-based approach to learning and educational strategies.

Pirjo Mõttus is a doctoral student and junior researcher at the University of Tartu. Her research explores how teachers engage with the affordances of technology, particularly emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR). Within the framework of the postdigital classroom, she examines how these technologies shape the future classroom and transform teaching and learning practices. In addition to her research, she teaches courses such as Digital Literacy and Building Communities of Practice in the Educational Technology master’s programme.

Tiina is a Regional Team Leader with a strong focus on team accountability, market strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Leads and manages a team of export advisors across Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany, ensuring ownership of strategic relationships and market strategies. Skilled in performance evaluation, trend analysis, and opportunity identification to drive regional success. Dedicated to mapping and addressing Estonian exporters’ needs by developing and refining export services. Proven ability to expand and diversify stakeholder networks both in Estonia and internationally.

Leana Kammertöns is the Head of Export Promotion in Northern Germany at Enterprise Estonia, located in Berlin, Germany. She supports Estonian companies to expand to German market and connects them with the right busness partners in the market. Since October 2022, she has been leading the German-Estonian GovTech Innovation Partnership project and promoting the transfer of expertise of e-Government between Estonia and Germany. She is passionate about fostering successful German-Estonian partnerships in digitalization and innovation.

Naimi Saartson manages various projects at Enterprise Estonia, specializing in event organization, team coordination, and ensuring seamless execution behind the scenes. With experience in the Estonia-Asia Trade Agency, she excels at bringing people together and managing impactful initiatives.

Kristi focuses primarily on financial and corporate communications. She also advises companies in the field of marketing communications. Kristi’s favorite part of her work is crafting texts, whether they are articles, speeches, media content, or social media posts. Her strengths include positioning and preparing top executives and other organizational spokespeople for any type of public appearance, including interviews. She is also an experienced developer and implementer of strategic and tactical communication plans.