Uudised

The University of Tartu Pärnu College building has undergone a major renovation. The refurbished building, offering a contemporary, energy-efficient and learning-friendly environment, will soon be opened.

At the Estonian Best Enterprises Awards Gala on 1 November, the innovation centre Kobar – established by the Pärnumaa Development Centre and the University of Tartu Pärnu College – was presented with the Entrepreneurship Promotion Award.

We asked four recipients of honorary decorations to share what makes the University of Tartu special to them.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. 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 also been selected.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.

Presentation of misleading environmental claims has become one of the major communication problems.

On 7 October, members of the Committee on Education of the Swedish parliament (Riksdag), accompanied by the Swedish Ambassador Charlotte Wrangberg and the Swedish Honorary Consul Madis Kanarbik, visited the University of Tartu.

On 2 October, the UT Vice Rector for Research Mari Moora and Professor of Cell Biology Toivo Maimets met with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic Zdeněk Beránek, the Vice-Rector for Research and Doctoral Studies of Masaryk University Šárka Pospíšilová and Professor Michael Doubek.

The University of Tartu and Tallinn Health University of Applied Sciences have strengthened cooperation in intersectoral doctoral studies to support academic succession at the professional higher education institution and enhance its research capacity. In September, the first intersectoral doctoral researcher began their studies in the collaboration between the two institutions.

The Estonian Maritime Museum and the University of Tartu Foundation have created a scholarship fund to popularise the research of Estonian maritime history and maritime heritage. Each year, one person will get a 7,500-euro scholarship.

The University of Tartu has a Student Union (UTSU) of nearly 140 members, which has been steadfastly standing for students’ rights and solving their concerns for years. Full of initiative, student representatives have brought numerous ideas to life within the university and drawn attention to various institutional shortcomings.

During the Peeter Tulviste memorial week held from 27 October to 2 November, a memorial conference takes place in the university assembly hall, and the exhibition “Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste” opens at the university library.

Last year, Elmo decided to challenge himself by joining the University of Tartu mentoring programme. His mentee was Grete Sakteos, a bachelor’s student in astrophysics.

University of Tartu semioticians Andreas Ventsel and Mari-Liis Madisson, along with Junior Research Fellow in Information Resilience Diana Poudel, have developed tools for enhancing critical digital literacy in cooperation with international partners. The practical materials are designed for use in higher education, schools, companies and organisations to support navigating the digital landscape and countering the spread of disinformation.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

Annabel Agasild, a bachelor’s student in psychology at the University of Tartu, took part in the university's mentoring programme and shares her experience.

In June 2025, the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club conducted a survey on the physical activity habits of the university community.

Aivo Renser, alumnus of the University of Tartu School of Economics and Business Administration, participated as a mentor in the mentoring programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.

The Faculty of Social Sciences gave out awards to outstanding support staff at the opening ceremony for the academic year.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.