Page 19 - TLÜ aastaaruanne 2014

The aim of this Centre is to study materials and processes at the meso-level on the spatial scale of micro-spheres and nano-spheres, on the time scale in the diapason of fempto-seconds.
1.3 PARTICIPATION IN CENTRES OF COMPETENCE
The centres of competence, supported by Enterprise Estonia (EAS), are based on innovative cooperation with a local government, research and development institutions and other enterprises. Their main goal is to support development of regional research-based entrepreneurship with qualified specialists, various studies, training programmes and a suitable physical environment. In 2014, the uni- versity participated in the work of three centres of competence.
The Health Promotion and Rehabilitation Competence Centre
(TERE KK) (01.12.2010–31.08.2015) in which 15 partners partici- pate, is managed by TU Haapsalu College. The Centre develops new products and services in two main subject fields – human mobility and operating ability and mud treatment/medicinal mud. There are 21 people employed in the Centre. As of the end of 2014, the Centre was engaged in approximately 20 product developments and in three of these an application has been submitted for receiving a patent for the protection of intellectual property (mud bath for hands; the mix- ture of medicinal mud and the method of making it; a device for vibro-acoustic therapy).
The university also participated in the operation of the Rakvere Smart House/Intelligent Building Competence Centre (15.09.2011– 31.12.2014), which was managed by the Virumaa Competence Cen- tre and where TU was represented by Rakvere College. The universi- ty also participated in the Oil Shale Competence Centre (15.09.2011– 31.12.2014), which was managed by TUT where the Institute of Ecol- ogy was the partner representing TU.
From the beginning of 2014, TU has participated in the operation of the Competence Centre of Asian Studies (AUKK) within the framework of the “Internationalisation of Science” programme. The Centre was created as a cooperative project of TU, UT and TUT. The Centre brings together researchers of the topics of Asian economy, policy and society into one network-based structure and provides easier access to Asia-related information. The goal of the Centre is to promote research necessary for the development of Estonia and its relationship with Asia, and create contacts between the public sector and entrepreneurship. Karin Dean, a senior research fellow at the TU Estonian Institute of Humanities manages the project.
1.4 PARTICIPATION IN ESTONIAN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES ROADMAP
The Ministry of Education and Research has mapped the research infrastructure units that are of national importance and need to be developed in regard to developmental tendencies of research in Es- tonia and elsewhere. The Estonian research infrastructures roadmap is the result of input from investment decisions. Of the six Roadmap projects supported in 2012, TU is a partner in three of them.
The aim of the Estonian Environmental Observatory is to develop an infrastructure suitable for environmental research outside of the university campuses. The Department of Northeast Estonia (KEO) of the TU Institute of Ecology has already concluded environmental studies in the area of influence of the oil shale industry, which has also enabled KEO to join the network of environmental observato- ries. Within the development activity so far, suitable devices for field- work have been acquired in KEO, which allow better evaluation of the condition of environment in the area of influence of the oil shale industry. According to the agreement of the Environmental Obser- vatory consortium, all partners can use the infrastructure that will be created.
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