Uudised

In the coming years, the University of Tartu will focus on developing practical solutions for promoting equal treatment to maintain and strengthen a safe learning and working environment for the entire university community. Planned activities include preventing sexual harassment and developing a system to handle such cases. An important basis for this work is the new gender equality plan for 2026–2030.

The University of Tartu is launching university-wide awareness activities to improve understanding of the principles of equal treatment and the support options available in cases of workplace bullying, unequal treatment and harassment. This forms part of the university’s ongoing work to create a safe and respectful learning and working environment.

Researchers from the Institute of Physics and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu have shown in a recently published study that antibacterial coatings which initially appear highly effective at destroying bacteria may lose their performance over time. Therefore, long-term testing is essential for developing the best antibacterial materials.

At the ceremony marking the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the Professor Peeter Tulviste memorial fund prizes, the Ernst Jaakson memorial fund scholarship, and the Lennart Meri awards for research and for master’s thesis were presented.

Ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu announced the recipients of the contribution to society award, research award, language award and the teaching staff of the year awards for 2025.

The research award 2025 is granted to the research team led by Professor Triin Laisk for their outstanding work in clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying women’s health disorders, illustrating the potential of genetic studies for better understanding women’s health.

The committee formed by the University of Tartu Student Union chose the recipients of the teaching staff of the year 2025 awards from among 100 nominees.

The University of Tartu language award 2025 is granted to the exhibition of the University of Tartu Library, “Teaching creates knowledge. From Estonian lecture notes to academic textbooks”.

On 9 March, an international workshop entitled „Animal Ethics at the Boundaries of the Human: Moral Status and Normative Authority“ will take place at the University of Tartu (Jakobi 2–336, Tartu). The workshop will focus on current issues in animal ethics and will be conducted in English.

University of Tartu students can submit applications to study abroad under the Erasmus+ programme in the 2026/2027 academic year until 9 March 2026.

On 6 February, the Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, together with the university mascot Tiksu, welcomed Karl Jürgenstein, Kait Kaarel Puss, Arnold Rein Tatunts and Andres Käosaar in the university’s main building after their successful row across the Atlantic.

Maaja Vadi, Professor of Management at the University of Tartu, has established the Maaja Vadi Family History Scholarship at the University of Tartu Foundation to support university staff and students in researching and recording their family history, genealogy or the activities of their predecessors, and sharing the results.

UTSU invites students of the University of Tartu to a conference

This year’s lifetime achievement award was granted to Martin Zobel. The annual awards for research completed and published over the last four years went to 16 researchers from the University of Tartu.

Preliminary results of the International Student Barometer (ISB) show that international students are satisfied with their studies at the University of Tartu. They highlight strong academic quality, supportive learning conditions and the city of Tartu as an excellent living environment.

A novel technological solution for improving the quality of 3D images was introduced in an article published in the Journal of Physics: Photonics by Shivasubramanian Gopinath, a doctoral student at the Institute of Physics.

Ahead of this year’s Independence Day, President Alar Karis bestows Estonian state decorations on 203 people, 16 of whom are members of the university family.

A cross-country skiing trail with natural snow has been opened in Maarjavälja, the area between Viljandi road and the Physicum and Chemicum buildings of the University of Tartu. All skiers are welcome to use the trail for free.

22.–23. jaanuarini leidis Omicumi õppe- ja teadushoones aset Tartu Ülikooli molekulaar- ja rakubioloogia instituudi (MRI) ning genoomika instituudi (GI) aastakonverents.

On 23 January, the University of Tartu Foundation recognised the scholarship recipients of the autumn semester of 2025 and thanked the foundation’s donors in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum. Scholarships were awarded from 33 funds in a total amount exceeding €200,000.