Uudised

The government of Estonia decided today that as of 14 December, all educational institutions, including universities, will be closed. Therefore, the university leaders decided that no classroom studies are conducted at the University of Tartu at least until the spring semester.

Large amounts of new particles can form in the valleys of the Himalayas from naturally emitted gases and can be transported to high altitudes by the mountain winds and injected into the upper atmosphere. The emitted particles may eventually affect climate by acting as nuclei for cloud condensation. These new findings about particles’ formation and sources will contribute to a better understanding of past and future climate.

The Institute of Computer Science is in mourning. An excellent colleague, a good friend, a valued lecturer, Eno Tõnisson, has left us. Eno Tõnisson acquired a bachelor's degree in 1992 and his master's degree in mathematics three years later at the University of Tartu, and defended a PhD degree in informatics at the Institute of Computer Science in 2017.

Viljo Allik, Chief Engineer of the Tartu Observatory, and researcher Tõnis Eenmäe achieved a connection to satellites Koit (Dusk) and Hämarik (Dawn) in cooperation with TalTech's software specialist. Koit had been orbiting in silence for almost a year and a half. Hämarik joined Koit in September this year.

On Tuesday, 1 December, the university members celebrate the 101st anniversary of Estonia's national university.

On November 26, 2020, President Kersti Kaljulaid visited the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology. At the roundtable meeting with the representatives of researchers, lecturers, employers, alumni and students the problems of research and education together with the possibilities of graduates to contribute to the development of Estonia were discussed.

On November 24, 2020, the Council of the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu elected Maia Kivisaar, professor of microbial genetics, as the director of the Institute for the next three years.

So far, the university has favoured preferring face-to-face learning to distance learning. However, as the coronavirus infection rate is increasing, the Rector’s Office decided at its today’s meeting that it is reasonable to rapidly reorganise studies wherever possible to safeguard the health of all university members.

View the video address of Rector Toomas Asser focusing on coronavirus prevention at the university on UTTV and read revised coronavirus guidelines at the university. This week the Government of Estonia announced new coronavirus measures and based on the government’s recommendations, members of the UT Rector’s Office have laid down the following guidelines.

Quite understandably, the university cannot remain untouched by the spread of the coronavirus. The growth in the number of the infected has put the Health Board under a lot of pressure, which is why the necessary information does not reach all potential close contacts as quickly as we would like. The least we can do to help the Health Board is inform the members of our university. Thereby we help ensure that students and employees do not unknowingly spread the virus.

On November 18th, 2020, the Council of the University of Tartu, Institute of Technology re-elected Reet Kurg as a director of the Institute for 2021 to 2023. According to Reet Kurg, within the last three years, the biggest achievements are the growth both of the staff and research projects by a third. “We have made a major contribution to the very important research on the coronavirus. Our Professor Tanel Tenson has successfully started a monitoring project from the waste water.

Even though a high body mass index is a risk factor for COVID-19, the progression of the disease does not solely depend on the fat percentage of a person. What actually matters is the wellbeing of the adipose tissue. According to an international study conducted with the participation of Estonians, this may also explain why COVID-19 is milder in women.

The use of antibiotics in Estonia needs better regulation to prevent the formation of treatment-resistant microbes. Based on their study, the University of Tartu researchers recommend paying attention to regular updating of national treatment guidelines and to doctors’ continuing education opportunities, as well as creating a surveillance and feedback system for prescribing antibacterial therapy.

Live microbial cells can be used as a tool, which gives information on chemical or physical processes. At the University of Tartu, bacterial cells are being developed, which can be used to study the effect of antibiotics on the bacteria in the body during infection.

The University of Tartu announces a design contest to find a mascot to represent the university’s visual identity. All students, staff and alumni of the university are welcome to submit their design projects until 22 November. The winner will be selected in two rounds: in the first round, a committee comprising the representatives of students, alumni and staff will choose three best projects that will be put to a public vote in the second round. The public vote among students, alumni and staff of the University of Tartu takes place in December.

On 30 October, the University of Tartu Senate decided to award the Johan Skytte Medal to the President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid. The highest award for university members, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, will be given to four long-term high-calibre researchers. 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.

In the World University Rankings by subjects, published by the reputable Times Higher Education today, the University of Tartu’s computer science has climbed to the highest position ever, reaching the 176–200 band.

The university invites all staff members, students, alumni and their families to city orienteering in Tartu from 19 October to 1 November. Do you know the buildings and sites connected with the university? Do you know what was in these places in the past? Grab a map and find out!

Researchers of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences of the University of Tartu have conducted a survey to analyse how the university as an organisation responded to the crisis, and to what extent it is possible to use the gained experience to plan future work.

Research groups of the University of Tartu led by Professor of Mathematical Statistics Krista Fischer and Professor of Bioinformatics Jaak Vilo who have supported the state with the data collection and analysis since the beginning of the corona crisis can continue their work thanks to a private donation by entrepreneur Väino Kaldoja.