Urmas Varblane

Urmas Varblane
Varblane in 2025
Born (1961-07-20) July 20, 1961
Mõisaküla, Estonia
CitizenshipEstonian
AwardsEstonian national research award (social sciences, 2003); Order of the White Star (3rd Class, 2013); Edgar Kant Medal (2022); University of Tartu Grand Medal (2024)
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Tartu
Academic work
DisciplineEconomics
Sub-disciplineInternational business; foreign direct investment; innovation systems
InstitutionsUniversity of Tartu

Urmas Varblane (born 20 July 1961) is an Estonian economist and academic. He is Professor of International Business and Innovation at the University of Tartu and a member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences (elected 2009).[1] In 2023, he became chair of the supervisory board of the Bank of Estonia (Eesti Pank), appointed by the Riigikogu.[2][3][4]

Early life and education

Urmas Varblane was born in Mõisaküla in Viljandi County and studied at the University of Tartu; he received a Cand.Sc. (PhD-equivalent) in economics in 1989 and became a professor in 2001.[1] A profile by Estonia's Arenguseire Keskus (Foresight Centre) states that he graduated in economic cybernetics at the University of Tartu and defended his candidate degree at Moscow State University, and that he undertook additional training in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom (including at University College London).[5]

Academic career

Varblane is listed by the University of Tartu as academician and Professor of International Business, affiliated with the School of Economics and Business Administration and the Chair of International Business and Innovation.[6] The university profile lists his research interests as centred on foreign direct investment and the internationalisation of firms.[6]

Research

Varblane's research has been described (in the University of Tartu's announcement of its highest internal recognition) as focusing on foreign investment in economic restructuring, the development of national innovation systems and policies, globalisation, and the internationalisation of enterprises.[7] In 2003, the Estonian government decision on national research awards lists Varblane as the recipient in social sciences for a research cycle on the effects of foreign direct investment on the competitiveness of transition economies.[8]

Public service

Varblane has held roles at the interface of academia and public policy. The International Centre for Defence and Security notes that he served on the Economic Committee of the President of Estonia (2002–2006) and later held positions connected with Eesti Pank and other policy institutions.[9]

He has been involved with Estonia's Fiscal Council (Eesti eelarvenõukogu), which was established in 2014; the council's background page lists Varblane among the first composition appointed in May 2014 and confirmed again in 2019.[10] ERR has also described Varblane as a member of the Fiscal Council in its reporting on council leadership changes.[11] Varblane has written in that capacity on the council's website.[12]

In 2023, the Riigikogu appointed him chair of the supervisory board of the Bank of Estonia, with reporting in both the Riigikogu's English-language sitting review and ERR's English service.[2][3] Eesti Pank's official page lists him as chair since 13 June 2023.[4]

Honours and awards

  • 2003 – Estonian national research award (social sciences).[8]
  • 2013 – Order of the White Star, 3rd Class (reported by the University of Tartu).[13]
  • 2022 – Edgar Kant Medal in social sciences (Estonian Academy of Sciences).[14][15][16]
  • 2024 – University of Tartu Grand Medal (the university's highest award for members), with the senate citation emphasising his bridge-building role between universities and entrepreneurship and his contribution to developing the University of Tartu Asia Centre.[7][17][18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Urmas Varblane". Estonian Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Amendments to the Weapons Act passed the first reading in the Riigikogu". Riigikogu. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Urmas Varblane confirmed as Bank of Estonia's new supervisory board chair". ERR News. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b "The Supervisory Board of Eesti Pank". Eesti Pank. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Urmas Varblane, PhD". Arenguseire Keskus (in Estonian). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b "Urmas Varblane". University of Tartu. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b "This year's recipients of honorary decorations have been announced". University of Tartu. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Riigi teaduspreemiate määramine". Riigi Teataja (in Estonian). 18 February 2003. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Urmas Varblane". International Centre for Defence and Security. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Background". Fiscal Council of Estonia. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  11. ^ "Raul Eamets steps down as Fiscal Council chair". ERR News. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  12. ^ "The new look of Estonian fiscal policy". Fiscal Council of Estonia. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  13. ^ "The Order of the White Star is awarded to Prof. Urmas Varblane". University of Tartu School of Economics and Business Administration. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Memorial medals, prizes (disciplinary)". Estonian Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  15. ^ Annual Report 2022 (PDF) (Report). University of Tartu. 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  16. ^ Yearbook 2022 (PDF) (Report). Estonian Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  17. ^ "University of Tartu announces recipients of honorary awards". ERR News. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  18. ^ "University of Tartu has announced this year's recipients of honorary decorations". The Baltic Times. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
  • Media related to Urmas Varblane at Wikimedia Commons
  • University of Tartu profile
  • Estonian Academy of Sciences profile
  • Eesti Pank (Bank of Estonia) – Supervisory Board
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