News

Before the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, President Kersti Kaljulaid will award decorations to 112 people, whose commitment to their profession, work or community has made life in Estonia better. From the Faculty of Medicine three people were awarded: Helle Karro is awarded the Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 2nd class

On 6 February, the council of the Institute of Clinical Medicine of the University of Tartu re-elected Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Joel Starkopf as head of the institute. Starkopf has been in charge of the institute since it was formed in 2016.

Last December, Alireza Fazeli held his inaugural lecture as the new Professor of Clinical Genomics and Personalized Medicine at the University of Tartu. He presented his view on the burning issue of how cells communicate with each other and why we need to know about it. Read more and watch Alireza Fazeli’s inaugural lecture from the UT blog.

The opening assembly of the University of Tartu of the Republic of Estonia on 1 December 1919 marked the establishment of an Estonian-language university that was above all designed for Estonian students and to serve Estonian society. The centenary of the national university is celebrated throughout the year with a nation-wide cultural programme, an opinion festival and the largest gathering of alumni to date. The anniversary year draws to a close in December.

On 15 January, the new academic and research building of the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy of the University of Tartu and the sports complex extension were officially opened. The total cost of the works exceeded 10 million euros. According to Priit Kaasik, Head of the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy, the new building offers improved conditions for teaching physiotherapy and training coaches and physical education teachers. There are also rooms for research.

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On 30 November, the University of Tartu became a full member in the EIT Health network of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), and also participates in two new Knowledge and Innovation Communities that were announced on 5 December: EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility. EIT funding to the new innovation communities will increase over the next three years from four to 80 million euros per year.

Based on students’ feedback, UT’s 2018 lecturers of the year are Reet Alas, a French teacher at the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Kristel Ruutmets, an entry level English teacher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Joel Starkopf, a Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at the Faculty of Medicine and Edith Viirlaid, an Assistant in Colloidal and Environmental Chemistry at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Public lecture of prof. Ilpo Tapani Huhtaniemi, the honorary doctor of Tartu University 2018, is taking place on Thursday, Nov 29th, 2018 at 2 p.m. in Biomedicum hall 1006 (Ravila St.19). Lecture title: "Young mice and old men unraveling secrets of testicular function”.

On Saturday, 1 December, the University of Tartu celebrates the 99th anniversary of the Estonian national university. At the anniversary ceremony, doctorates and honorary doctorates are conferred and the award for contribution to national identity is presented. During the week, many fascinating anniversary events take place at the university – for students, alumni and all those interested.

A preclinical trial conducted in Estonia shows that herbal supplements must be consumed carefully during active cancer treatment, as they may cause harm instead of good. Scientists in Tartu and Tallinn analysed whether the chemotherapeutics used for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer could have interactions with bioactive compounds contained in plants. The studied bioactive compounds were plant pigments or flavonoids.

At the science communication conference “Science on Social Media – Between Entertainment and Noise?”, held at the Dorpat Convention Centre in Tartu on 21 November, the 2018 national science communication awards were presented.

On 13 November, the Minister of Health and Labour Riina Sikkut met the dean and vice deans of the UT Faculty of Medicine to discuss issues related to medical education and research. At the meeting, the dean and vice deans gave an overview of the topical issues and main problems of the faculty and, in particular, pointed to the fact that the Research, Development and Innovation Strategy for the Estonian Health System was prepared nearly four years ago, but its objectives still remain unimplemented.

Karina Luik, a medical student at the University of Tartu, studied Estonian pregnant women and found that anaemia during pregnancy is associated with many pregnancy complications. Her study shows that taking iron supplements helps reduce the risk of complications, but the treatment helps only the pregnant women who have anaemia. If there is no anaemia, the iron supplements do not give the expected benefits.

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In October, chief doctor Peep Talving, Professor of Surgical Diseases at the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Tartu and member of the Management Board of North Estonia Medical Centre, trained surgeons at Nanshan Hospital of Shenzhen University in the People’s Republic of China. He introduced the local doctors to ASSET’s high quality courses on the surgical concept of trauma.

On 14 October the Ministry of Education and Research acknowledged the educational staff and supporters of education at the “Eestimaa õpib ja tänab” (“Estonia studies and expresses gratitude”) gala. Awards were given out in 14 categories.

The Study Department of the University of Tartu opened the doors on the new offices of its Counselling Centre to students at all levels of study this week. The centre is now based in the university’s library. The counsellors at the centre help students think about their studies and careers and draw up a personal development plan to enhance their skills and knowledge. It is important to the centre to reach every student at the university.

On 28 September, the University of Tartu, North Estonia Medical Centre and Tartu University Hospital signed a trilateral agreement to jointly conduct clinical research and participate in international research cooperation networks, as well as develop new research-based methods for treatment and diagnostics, and specialised care.

The University of Tartu announces a design contest for the design of the rector’s chain of office, the medals (grand medal, medal, medal of the honorary doctor, medal of the honorary fellow, Skytte medal) and the badge of distinction of the university. General principles of the design of the chain of office of the rector, medals and badge of distinction: the chain of office, medals and badge of distinction correspond to the sources of identity of the University of Tartu; the design wit