News

At its meeting on 9 June, the council of the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy unanimously re-elected Professor of Human Movement and Exercise Biology Jarek Mäestu as the head of the institute for a second term.

This autumn, doctoral researchers of the University of Tartu will again have the opportunity to participate in the three-minute thesis competition. The competition will be held on 21 October in the conference hall of the University of Tartu Library.

This spring, at the Student Union's intitative, information about the principles of equal treatment was shared at the university. Now, the Marketing and Communication Office would like to know whether and how these messages reached the university community and what impression they made.

At the end of 2026, the first stage of construction of the academic and research building to be erected on the University of Tartu’s Maarjavälja property will begin. This phase will include the installation of utilities, streets, cycling and pedestrian paths, a 300-space multi-storey car park, and a robotics and drone hall.

University of Tartu graduation ceremonies take place from 12 to 20 June. Live streaming, recordings and photos of the ceremonies are available on UTTV.

On 13 May, the reputable Baltic Awards 2026 ceremony took place in Riga to recognise outstanding representatives of science, culture, the arts and public life from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The award for significant contribution to science was presented to Vice Dean for Research at the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine, academician and Professor of Human Genetics Maris Laan.

On 13 May, the Ministry of Education and Research and the University of Tartu concluded an administrative contract for 2026–2028. It sets out the objectives of increasing student admissions in fields with higher labour demand, expanding the volume of doctoral research related to artificial intelligence, and supporting internationalisation and talent policy.

How does international research cooperation begin? How do new research methods emerge, and how are connections forged that last a lifetime? Sometimes, it all starts with a scholarship. This year’s recipients of the University of Tartu Seventh Pillar Fund scholarship, history master’s student Marie Anna Blehner and pharmacy student Janeli Lember, will use the grant to go abroad to study and represent Estonia, and later bring the knowledge and experience back home.

European Doctoral Day is held on 13 May to inspire students to pursue doctoral education, increase employers’ awareness of the value of doctoral degrees, and showcase the diverse career opportunities.

Academic freedom refers to the ability of students, teaching staff, and researchers to express their views freely and ensures the independence of universities. In Estonia, academic freedom remains high, but according to a recent report, it is declining worldwide.

Diversity Day is celebrated in Estonia and across Europe on 13 May, the second Wednesday in May, and the whole month is marked as Diversity Month. The aim is to value the uniqueness of every individual and emphasise the importance of an inclusive, respectful and fair working environment.

On 15 May, from 10:15 to 11:45, he gives a public lecture “Applying for ERC grants. The future of European research” in the building of the Institute of Cultural Research (Ülikooli 16–216).

On 29 April, Denim Day will be marked in Estonia for the first time to express support for survivors of sexual violence and to emphasise that no choice of clothing ever constitutes consent. Everyone is invited to wear jeans on this day as a sign of solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

From 20 April, all University of Tartu staff and students will receive an email invitation to participate in a study that aims to provide an overview of attitudes, knowledge and experiences related to sexual harassment, workplace bullying and discrimination at the university.

The University of Tartu museums, with their rich collections, offer discovery and excitement for visitors of all ages. During the spring holidays, you are welcome to visit the university’s museum, art museum, botanical garden, natural history museum and the library. Read and find out which exciting exhibitions and events are taking place in Tartu during the holiday week.

The call for applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships is open until 9 September 2026. In April and May, the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) will host info sessions to help prospective applicants prepare their applications.

From 24 April, Eveliis Padar will start work at the university as an equality officer to support university members in cases of unequal treatment and to help handle them in a fair and professional manner.

Together with international colleagues, Laura Lõo, Junior Research Fellow of Public Health at the University of Tartu, has developed new models that help identify disease risk even before symptoms appear.

The University of Tartu has launched a new continuing education course entitled “Foreign nationals in Estonian health system”. The course is based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global competency standards for refugee and migrant health and is the first of its kind in the world.

The university is launching a physical activity and wellbeing programme to support the mental and physical wellbeing of the university community and shape a learning and working environment that fosters physical activity.