News

Academic institutions still value research more highly than teaching, but this is not logical, says Mariëtte van den Höven, Professor of Medical Ethics and Philosophy at the Amsterdam University Medical Center. Instead of a rapid career trajectory, the primary focus should be on conducting high-quality research.

From the University of Tartu, 110 students and 205 staff members signed up for the step challenge that took place from 1 to 31 October.

University of Tartu Professor of Nanomedicine Tambet Teesalu has become the first Estonian researcher to receive a Synergy Grant from the European Research Council, which supports collaboration of top-level research teams in tackling highly complex and ambitious scientific challenges.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. 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 also been selected.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.

From October 1–3, 2025, the University of Tartu Ethics Centre hosted an international research integrity seminar organized by the Alliance4Life_BRIDGE project, bringing together research ethics specialists from 11 Central and Eastern European countries.

On 2 October, the UT Vice Rector for Research Mari Moora and Professor of Cell Biology Toivo Maimets met with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic Zdeněk Beránek, the Vice-Rector for Research and Doctoral Studies of Masaryk University Šárka Pospíšilová and Professor Michael Doubek.

At its board meeting on 18 September in Warsaw, the Alliance4Life network elected Professor Toivo Maimets from the University of Tartu as its new President.

The University of Tartu has a Student Union (UTSU) of nearly 140 members, which has been steadfastly standing for students’ rights and solving their concerns for years. Full of initiative, student representatives have brought numerous ideas to life within the university and drawn attention to various institutional shortcomings.

During the Peeter Tulviste memorial week held from 27 October to 2 November, a memorial conference takes place in the university assembly hall, and the exhibition “Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste” opens at the university library.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

The term 'Translon' was proposed by 127 scientists to describe the sequences used for polypeptide chain synthesis.

In June 2025, the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club conducted a survey on the physical activity habits of the university community.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.

All university staff and students are invited to nominate candidates who deserve to be awarded the university’s honorary decoration for their outstanding achievements.

All in all, there are 16,052 students at the university.

The mentoring programme that has been popular in the previous years will be held again this autumn semester.

The Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu, home of the Estonian Biobank, invites you to the 24th annual Gene Forum, co-hosted with the Estonian Genome Foundation. The event will take place on 9–10 September 2025 at the Estonian National Museum in Tartu.

What Cancer Research Reveals About Biology: Toivo Maimets’ Groundbreaking Insights.

This year, 10,808 people applied for first and second-level studies at the University of Tartu, submitting 14,863 applications.