News

On 30 October, the University of Tartu senate decided to award the Johan Skytte medal to President Alar Karis. The highest award for university members, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, is given to Ruth Oltjer, Liina Lindström and Maris Laan. Also, the recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have been selected.

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In October, the European Cyber Security Month, we encourage members of the University of Tartu to develop secure digital habits and increase their awareness of cyber threats.

In October, a step challenge takes place at the University of Tartu. We invite members of the university community to be more active, log their steps using the StepUp app, and take part in a friendly competition. The six most active participants will receive prize packages, and additional prizes will be drawn among everyone who records at least 200,000 steps during the month.

On 14 October, the mental health promoter Peaasi.ee awarded the University of Tartu the third-level label in its recognition scheme of mental health-friendly organisations.

At its meeting on 21 October, the council of the Institute of Education re-elected Professor Margus Pedaste as head of the institute.

Registration is now open for the University of Tartu’s three-minute thesis competition for doctoral researchers, which will take place on 21 October at the University of Tartu Library. The deadline for registration is 12 October.

On 17 November at 18:00, the University of Tartu assembly hall will host the pianists’ gala “Romantic piano music” as part of the “Harmonia Universitatis” concert series.

On 23 October, the 394th anniversary of Academia Gustaviana was celebrated. The occasion was marked by a commemorative ceremony honouring the university’s founders, a lecture by Jüri Luik, and a free concert “Passion and madness” at the university’s assembly hall.

The University of Tartu invites staff and students to apply for the 2027 Active UT role model programme. Up to six people will be selected for the programme to prepare for the Tartu Maraton events, share their experiences, and inspire other university members to be more physically active. Applications are open from 5 to 25 October.

On 14 October, the University of Tartu Asia Centre will celebrate ten years of activity with a symposium.

At the protest, participants highlighted that obtaining a higher education is increasingly becoming a privilege.

On 24 and 25 September, a delegation from the universities and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine visited the University of Tartu. The meetings focused on university governance, strategic planning and funding, and opportunities for higher education cooperation between Estonia and Ukraine.

According to the figures, the university’s total greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than 2.7 times. Considering the number of staff and students, emissions per person have decreased by as much as 3.4 times.

From 5 to 23 October, the University of Tartu will take part in the ATEENA 2026 crisis exercise organised by the Tartu City Government. The exercise aims to practise crisis management in a tabletop exercise format and to strengthen cooperation between the institutions represented on the City of Tartu crisis committee.

The University of Tartu is looking for two students to represent the university and Estonia at ConSIMium 2027, a simulation of the EU decision-making process.

From 17 September to 30 September, University of Tartu alumni are invited to take part in a survey aimed at understanding alumni expectations, needs and their sense of connection to the university.

On 2 October, as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu invites everyone interested to the public international conference “Ethics in a Changing World: New Directions in Ethics, Education and the Age of Artificial Intelligence”.

A working group at the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics, has completed an independent analysis, commissioned by the AI Leap Foundation, of the risks associated with the AI Leap educational programme and its AI-based learning application. The analysis describes the risks involved in using AI in education and assesses how AI Leap, the state, schools, research institutions and technology providers can mitigate them.