Brief Review
EDUCATION IS FREEDOM!
On 1 May 2004, Estonia became a member of the European Union (EU) and within the next few years, Estonian educational system shall undergo urgent changes. In addition to the more intensive co-operation with the member and neighbouring states of the EU in the framework of co-operation programmes of the EU and in the EU Council of Ministers, a significant part of the resources of the structural funds are aimed at supporting the adaptation of education and people to the needs of labour market.
In light of that EABA is planning to invite teachers and researchers from foreign states, improve the study conditions. A competition with other European educational and research institutions makes us strive more and improve the opportunities for our students.
For EABA students the opportunity to study a term or a year at an educational institution in Europe to acquire experience, extend horizon and find new acquaintances is becoming very common. This means the application of one of the main principles of the EU, the free movement of residents, in everyday life. The youth who have travelled in the world tend to show higher competitiveness as to the labour market and ability to establish goals in life. In addition, it can be stated that the mobility of learners within the EU context contributes to the heightening of tolerance in the society and interest in the more distant cultures and indirectly improves the mutual understanding between the states.
The Estonian-American Business Academy is one of the oldest private colleges in Estonia. It was founded in 1989 with the support of Duquesne University (USA, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh). It is because of the connections with two American universities: Schiller International University and Pacific Coast University, that America plays an important part in our College name.
We celebrated the new millennium by opening a new campus in 2000, which offers one of the best academic facilities in the country.
The EABA Business Administration programme met the requirements of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research as well as new standards for 1999 by receiving its accreditation. EABA graduates receive diplomas that are accepted by the state. The EAB 's American University partners, Schiller International University and Pacific Coast University offer programs where our graduates can continue studying for their Master degree.
Study programmes offered by EABA for international students:
- Business Administration (Management)
- International Tourism Administration
The oldest private institution of higher education shares in the lives of its young students. EABA actively participates in the public life of our country. EABA is among the participants in our republic’s public events.We conduct a series of «EABA Public Lectures», where well known Estonian and foreign scientists and public figures conduct speeches. Among the lecturers we can name the academician, Mihhail Bronstein, the political scientist and member of Parliament, Toomas Alatalu, the entrerpreneur Raivo Vare, and Alexander Belkin, holder of a Master‘s degree from the University of Chicago.
At the end of April 2004, a scientific-practical conference entitled «Typical Problems in the Development of Economic and Business Education in the Republic of Estonia», was conducted at EABA to commemorate our 15th anniversary. More than 150 guests took part in the conference and more than 25 people made presentations. Under discussion were such important problems as «Economic Strategy», «Business Economics and the Market», «Education and Culture», «Politics and Justice» under the new circumstances that took effect when Estonia became a full-fledged member of theEuropean Union. The conference materials have been published as articles and as collection of presentations and theses.
The conference marked a significant phase in the development of the Academy. Fifteen years – this is a relatively short time if we only consider the development of education. But such a time period seems fairly meaningful, if we recall that the Republic of Estonia exists as a re-independent sovereign country for an even shorter period. We therefore have reason to speak about our Academy not only as one of the first in Estonia, but also as one of the oldest privateinstitutions of higher education in our republic. The recent history of Estonia is reflected as a mirror image in the development the Estonian-American Business Academy. During these years, EABA, which was founded with the support of the Duquesne University (Pennsylvania, USA), has become an independent Academy that trains specialists in the business field. In such fields as business management, international economic relations, international tourism management and information technologies of management, specialists with diplomas of EABA have been able to successfully establish themselves in the workplace. It’s understandable that all of this has not been simple, even today the Academy is confronted with many challenges. These are presented before us by rapidly passing time, and a dynamically changing world. To be prepared to answer the challenges of the time, to comply with new requirements and standards – these are the assignments that are solved at EABA. Casting a glance at the travelled road, we recall with thanks all our colleagues who have made a contribution to the creation and development of EABA. Today, almost a thousand students study in the day, evening and correspondence departments, where lectures in Estonian, English and Russian, as well as seminars and workshops are conducted by the recognized professors, holders of doctorates and Master’s degrees, and competent specialists- practitioners. Therefore, the EABA name has become an authoritative brand among practical workers and students, who are only selecting which field to make their life’s work. Keeping this in mind, EABA successfully meets the challenges of the enlarged Europe.
