Jaak Aaviksoo
Encyclopedia
Jaak Aaviksoo, born 11 January 1954 in Tartu
, Estonia
is an Estonian politician and current Estonian Minister of Education and Research
. He is a member of liberal conservative Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
.
department in the chemistry-physics faculty and graduated cum laude in the field of theoretical physics
in 1976. From 1976 to 1992 he was first junior, then senior and then leading scientist at the Physics Institute of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
(named Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR until 1988). There he also become a Ph.D. in Physics (Thesis: "On Resonant Secondary Emission in Sodium Nitrite and Anthracene") in 1981. Aaviksoo was the first president of the Estonian Physical Society
, founded in 1989. In 1992 he returned to Tartu University, this time as a professor
of optics
and spectroscopy
. In 1995 he was the acting director of the Tartu University institute of experimental physics
and technology
and from 1992 to 1995 also the first pro-rector of Tartu University. He became a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
and thus an academician
in 1994. From 1981 to 1994 Aaviksoo worked in many foreign institutes as a guest professor, namely the Novosibirsk Institute of Thermal Physics, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research
in Stuttgart, Osaka University
and University of Paris VII: Denis Diderot
.
. During this period he was also a member of the conservative liberal
Reform Party
, from which he resigned before becoming the rector
of Tartu University in 1998. He won a second and final five-year term in 2003, but resigned in 2006 to once again pursue a political career.
in the 2007 elections
, this time not as a member of the Reform Party, but as a member of liberal conservative Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
. Before joining the party and leaving his post as rector, Aaviksoo was considered as a candidate for the presidential elections in 2006, which were won by Toomas Hendrik Ilves
. After already having joined Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica, Aaviksoo sought to become the party's leader for the 2007 parliamentary elections
and so candidate for Prime Minister of Estonia
, but lost a closely contested duel within the party to internationally renowned two-time former Prime Minister Mart Laar
.
In the elections he gained 4241 votes in his district and was elected to Riigikogu
. Aaviksoo's party was left third in the elections with 19 seats after the Reform Party with 31 and the Centre Party
with 29 seats. After Andrus Ansip
, leader of the Reform Party, invited Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica to form a coalition government, Aaviksoo was tipped for several high positions, i.e. the Speaker of Riigikogu and Minister of Economics. Surprisingly, he took the post of Defense Minister instead.
, a Soviet war monument, which' soon-to-be-carried-out moving has caused much controversy and ethnic tension between a large proportion Estonians and local Russians. He also sees the Estonian youth's weak will of defending their country as a serious problem.
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Tartu
Tartu is the second largest city of Estonia. In contrast to Estonia's political and financial capital Tallinn, Tartu is often considered the intellectual and cultural hub, especially since it is home to Estonia's oldest and most renowned university. Situated 186 km southeast of Tallinn, the...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
is an Estonian politician and current Estonian Minister of Education and Research
Estonian Minister of Education and Research
The Minister of Education and Research is the senior minister at the Ministry of Education and Research in the Estonian Government...
. He is a member of liberal conservative Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica is an Estonian Liberal Conservative political party. It was founded on 4 June 2006 when two conservative parties, Pro Patria Union and Res Publica merged. Up to the 2007 parliamentary elections, the party held 32 seats out of 101 in the Riigikogu and one of...
.
Education and career in science
After finishing Tartu Secondary School No. 2 (present-day Miina Härma Gymnasium) in 1971, Aaviksoo entered the Tartu State University physicsPhysics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
department in the chemistry-physics faculty and graduated cum laude in the field of theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
in 1976. From 1976 to 1992 he was first junior, then senior and then leading scientist at the Physics Institute of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
Estonian Academy of Sciences
Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences is Estonia's national academy of science. As with other national academies, it is an independent group of well-known scientists whose stated aim is to promote research and development, encourage international scientific cooperation, and...
(named Academy of Sciences of the Estonian SSR until 1988). There he also become a Ph.D. in Physics (Thesis: "On Resonant Secondary Emission in Sodium Nitrite and Anthracene") in 1981. Aaviksoo was the first president of the Estonian Physical Society
Estonian Physical Society
The Estonian Physical Society is a voluntary not-for-profit research society bringing together all those active in physics in Estonia...
, founded in 1989. In 1992 he returned to Tartu University, this time as a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of optics
Optics
Optics is the branch of physics which involves the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behavior of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light...
and spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
. In 1995 he was the acting director of the Tartu University institute of experimental physics
Experimental physics
Within the field of physics, experimental physics is the category of disciplines and sub-disciplines concerned with the observation of physical phenomena in order to gather data about the universe...
and technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
and from 1992 to 1995 also the first pro-rector of Tartu University. He became a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
Estonian Academy of Sciences
Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences is Estonia's national academy of science. As with other national academies, it is an independent group of well-known scientists whose stated aim is to promote research and development, encourage international scientific cooperation, and...
and thus an academician
Academician
The title Academician denotes a Full Member of an art, literary, or scientific academy.In many countries, it is an honorary title. There also exists a lower-rank title, variously translated Corresponding Member or Associate Member, .-Eastern Europe and China:"Academician" may also be a functional...
in 1994. From 1981 to 1994 Aaviksoo worked in many foreign institutes as a guest professor, namely the Novosibirsk Institute of Thermal Physics, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research
Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research
The Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research is part of the Max Planck Society which operates 80 research facilities in Germany. It is a research institute located in Büsnau which is part of Stuttgart, Germany....
in Stuttgart, Osaka University
Osaka University
, or , is a major national university located in Osaka, Japan. It is the sixth oldest university in Japan as the Osaka Prefectural Medical College, and formerly one of the Imperial Universities of Japan...
and University of Paris VII: Denis Diderot
University of Paris VII: Denis Diderot
Paris Diderot University, also known as Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7, is a French leading University located in Paris, France. It is one of the heirs of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Paris , which was one of the earliest established in Europe, founded in the mid 12th century...
.
First spell as a politician and rectorate of Tartu University
From November 1995 to January 1996 he was Estonian Minister of Culture and Education and from then to November 1997 he was the Estonian Minister of Education in the governments of Tiit VähiTiit Vähi
Tiit Vähi is an Estonian politician, Prime Minister of Estonia from 1995 to 1997, and acting Prime Minister for several months during 1992 under the transitional government....
. During this period he was also a member of the conservative liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Reform Party
Estonian Reform Party
The Estonian Reform Party is a centre-right, free market liberal party in Estonia. It is led by Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, and has 33 members in the 101-member Riigikogu, making it the largest party in the legislature...
, from which he resigned before becoming the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Tartu University in 1998. He won a second and final five-year term in 2003, but resigned in 2006 to once again pursue a political career.
Elections in 2007
In 2006 Jaak Aaviksoo announced that he would be leaving the post of rector of Tartu University to run for a seat in the Estonian parliament or RiigikoguRiigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
in the 2007 elections
Estonian parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections took place in Estonia on Sunday, March 4, 2007 to elect members of the Riigikogu. The electoral system was a two-tier semi-open list proportional representation system with a 5% election threshold...
, this time not as a member of the Reform Party, but as a member of liberal conservative Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica is an Estonian Liberal Conservative political party. It was founded on 4 June 2006 when two conservative parties, Pro Patria Union and Res Publica merged. Up to the 2007 parliamentary elections, the party held 32 seats out of 101 in the Riigikogu and one of...
. Before joining the party and leaving his post as rector, Aaviksoo was considered as a candidate for the presidential elections in 2006, which were won by Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Toomas Hendrik Ilves
Toomas Hendrik Ilves is the fourth and current President of Estonia. He is a former diplomat and journalist, was the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the 1990s and later a member of the European Parliament...
. After already having joined Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica, Aaviksoo sought to become the party's leader for the 2007 parliamentary elections
Estonian parliamentary election, 2007
Parliamentary elections took place in Estonia on Sunday, March 4, 2007 to elect members of the Riigikogu. The electoral system was a two-tier semi-open list proportional representation system with a 5% election threshold...
and so candidate for Prime Minister of Estonia
Prime Minister of Estonia
The Prime Minister of Estonia is the head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The prime minister is nominated by the President after appropriate consultations with the parliamentary factions and confirmed by the Parliament. In case of disagreement, the Parliament can reject the President's...
, but lost a closely contested duel within the party to internationally renowned two-time former Prime Minister Mart Laar
Mart Laar
Mart Laar is an Estonian statesman, historian and a founding member of the Foundation for the Investigation of Communist Crimes. He was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002, and is the leader of the conservative party Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica...
.
In the elections he gained 4241 votes in his district and was elected to Riigikogu
Riigikogu
The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. All important state-related questions pass through the Riigikogu...
. Aaviksoo's party was left third in the elections with 19 seats after the Reform Party with 31 and the Centre Party
Estonian Centre Party
The Estonian Centre Party is a centrist, social liberal party in Estonia. Keskerakond is a member of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party. It has the largest membership of an Estonian party, with over 12 000 members....
with 29 seats. After Andrus Ansip
Andrus Ansip
Andrus Ansip is the current Prime Minister of Estonia, and chairman of the market liberal Estonian Reform Party .-Early life and career:...
, leader of the Reform Party, invited Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica to form a coalition government, Aaviksoo was tipped for several high positions, i.e. the Speaker of Riigikogu and Minister of Economics. Surprisingly, he took the post of Defense Minister instead.
As Minister of Defense
Having assumed office on 5 April 2007, his first primary goals as Defense Minister are restructuring the power management of the Estonian Defense Forces and dealing with the situation of the Bronze Soldier of TallinnBronze Soldier of Tallinn
The Bronze Soldier is the informal name of a controversial Soviet World War II war memorial in Tallinn, Estonia, built at the site of several war graves, which were relocated to the nearby Tallinn Military Cemetery in 2007...
, a Soviet war monument, which' soon-to-be-carried-out moving has caused much controversy and ethnic tension between a large proportion Estonians and local Russians. He also sees the Estonian youth's weak will of defending their country as a serious problem.
Personal life
Jaak Aaviksoo is married and a father of three. He speaks fluent English, German, Russian and French on an average level.Works
Aaviksoo has publicized over 100 scientific articles and over 80 publicistic articles from 1976 to 2002. His more important publifications from the past decade are:- J. Aaviksoo, C. Gourdon, R. Grousson, P. Lavallard, "Photoluminescence quantum yield in GaAs/AlAs superlattices", Solid State Electronics (vol. 40, no 1-8, p. 687, 1996)
- J. Aaviksoo, C. Gourdon, P. Lavallard, "Power nonlinearities in the luminescence spectrum of GaAs/AlAs superlattices", Solid State Communications (vol. 99, no 6, p. 387, 1996)
- S. O. Kognovitskii, V. V. Travnikov, J. Aaviksoo, I. Reimand, "Light Scattering by electrons in the absorption region of GaAs" - Phys. Solid State (vol. 39, no. 6, p. 907, 1997)
- I. Reimand, J. Aaviksoo, "Exciton interaction with hot electrons in GaAs", Technical digest of X International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena in Spectroscopy, (Tartu, 1997, p. 82)
- J. Aaviksoo, "Estonian physicist: Active and productive", Science (vol. 275, no 5299, p. 463)
- J. Aaviksoo. Priorities for Higher Education in Central and Eastern European Countries. - Higher Education Management (vol. 9, no. 2, p. 19, 1997).
- I. Reimand, J. Aaviksoo, "Exciton interaction with hot electrons in GaAs", Phys. Rev. B 61, 2000, no 24, p 16653-16658
Honors
- Member of the Academy of Sciences of Estonia (1994)
- Order of the National Coat of ArmsOrder of the National Coat of ArmsThe Order of the National Coat of Arms was instituted by Konstantin Päts on 7 October 1936 to commemorate 24 February 1918, the day on which Estonian independence was declared...
, class IV, of the Republic of Estonia (2000) - Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2000)
- Order of Merit of FranceOrdre National du MériteThe Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
(2001) - Order of the White Rose of Finland (2001)
- The Medal of the City of Tartu (2002)
- Honorary doctoral degree of Tartu University (2003)
- Member of Academia EuropaeaAcademia EuropaeaAcademia Europæa is a European non-governmental scientific academy founded in 1988. Its members are scientists and scholars who collectively aim to promote learning, education and research. It publishes European Review through Cambridge Journals....
(2004) - Order of the White StarOrder of the White StarThe Order of the White Star was instituted on 1936. The Order of the White Star is bestowed on Estonian citizens and foreigners to give recognition for services rendered to the Estonian state.- Classes :The Order of the White Star comprises five classes:...
, class II, of the Republic of Estonia (2006)
External links
- Jaak Aaviksoo's blog
- Jaak Aaviksoo CV at valitsus.ee
- Personal website at the University of Tartu
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