News

Priit Väljamäe, Associate Professor of General and Microbial Biochemistry at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, was awarded a research prize of 20,000 euros. The Estonian government confirmed this year's state research award laureates. Seven researchers from the University of Tartu received the annual award for the best research completed and published in the previous four years.:

The award of outstanding lifetime achievements in research and development was presented to Professor emerita of the University of Tartu Ene-Margit Tiit and a total of 11 researchers of the University of Tartu were recognised with the annual awards for best research completed and published during the previous four years.

On January 10, an indoor walking trail was opened in the three research and study buildings of two institutes of the University of Tartu. It is the first indoor trail in the buildings of the university. The Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) and the Institute of Genomics (IG) are located in three interconnected buildings: the historical building at Riia 23, the Citrina building that was opened in 1997 at Riia 23b/1, and the most recent Omicum at Riia 23b/2. The new trail will run through all the three buildings.

An exciting exhibition takes place in February in the atrium of Omicum: an Estonian artist Piret Veski, who is well known as a ceramicist, will present her paintings from years 2018-2022.

The Digital Cleanup Week takes place at the university this week and all members of the university are invited to declutter their personal or their unit’s digital life to move in small but effective steps towards a greener university.

The Rector’s Office of the University of Tartu has decided that the university continues face-to-face teaching in spring semester 2021/22. To be able to meet in classrooms and avoid major viral outbreaks, it is still important to get vaccinated, stay home when ill and postpone large events.

The newly elected Estonian president Alar Karis was once a top developmental biologist. One could expect the sharpest minds to lead nations. Having a PhD may not be a sign of ultimate wisdom, but it’s an indicator that the person has read a few books – not a bad attribute for a president. Yet, throughout history, presidents with an academic background have been rare.

In 2022, teaching and studies continue according to the principles agreed upon at the beginning of the academic year.

The university aims to keep studies open as long as possible, which is why stronger safety measures are imposed. Safe distancing should be maintained between people during classes, in public rooms and all, including those who are vaccinated, must wear masks in the university buildings. Only protective masks, not scarves or visors, may be used to cover the nose and mouth.

In order to keep the working and learning environment as normal as possible in the new academic year, the general rule of conduct applies that staff and students who work and study in the university buildings have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or wear masks.

EMBL and the University of Tartu have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster scientific collaboration in the life sciences.

Autumn Workshop/Seminar: “An introduction to the magic world of the fruit fly development” Date: 08.10.2021 Time: 9.00 – 19.00 Place and address: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Riia 23B/1, Tartu Contact: Prof Osamu Shimmi ([email protected]) Registration is required. Go to Registration form.

At the beginning of the academic year, the University of Tartu and Tartu University Hospital are jointly organising vaccination days near the university’s study buildings to further improve the chances of starting face-to-face studies and meeting in the lecture halls. University members who have not been vaccinated yet can get the vaccine against Covid-19 without prior booking in the following places: at the university’s main building in room 140 (the first room on the right from the main entrance)

To help promote vaccination in Tartu and Tartu County, on Saturday, the vaccination bus of Tartu University Hospital moves from Raatuse 22 to the city centre, next to Tartu Kaubamaja. On the bus, it is possible to get vaccinated from 10 to 16.

Kairi Raime will defend her doctoral thesis in Gene Technology entitled "The identification of plant DNA in metagenomic samples" on August 25 at 11:15. Kairi Raime has completed the curriculum of Doctoral Studies in Gene Technology and her thesis is available in DSpace. The location of the event is Riia 23b/2 auditorium 105 and the event can also be followed online in Zoom.

Burak Yelmen will defend his doctoral thesis in Gene Technology entitled “Characterization of ancient Eurasian influences within modern human genomes” on August 24 at 10:15.

This week the vaccination team from the University of Tartu Hospital will share information about coronavirus vaccinations on Car Free Avenue. The vaccination team will be present on July 27 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., on July 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on July 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The team can answer questions. It is possible to print out a digital vaccination certificate on site for those who have been vaccinated but do not have the opportunity to print one themselves.

We'd like to start teaching and studies in the autumn as normally as possible and meet face to face in class, and therefore it is important that as many of our new and returning students and university staff as possible are vaccinated. The nearest vaccination locations can be found on the website vaktsineeri.ee.

According to the respondents, the University of Tartu diploma is highly valued in the labour market, and high-level research is done and excellent education is offered at the university.

The graduation ceremonies of the University of Tartu are held from 15 to 30 June in person. In Tartu, the ceremonies take place on the square in front of the Old Anatomical Theatre. The graduation of Viljandi Culture Academy will take place as individual ceremonies that were well-received last year. In Narva, Pärnu and Tallinn, graduation ceremonies are held indoors.