The University of Tartu looks back on the beginning of English language studies and into the future

On Friday, 11 October at 10:00, a seminar "Twenty Years of English-Language Studies at the University of Tartu: What's Next?" will be held in the assembly hall of the University of Tartu. The seminar looks back on the development of English language studies at the university through two decades and invites to discuss over the current state and future trends of internationalisation.

"Our aim is to give an overview of the developments in the English language studies at the University of Tartu over the past 20 years and to initiate a discussion about the future choices of studies in English language at the university," said the organiser of the seminar, Strategic Adviser on Internationalization at the University of Tartu Virve-Anneli Vihman.

"We are currently preparing the university's development plan for 2014–2020. We also set new targets and aims in the field of internationalization. Seminar discussions give us an opportunity to gather opinions about the development and future of internationalization of the university and to look for a common part that would serve as the basis for formulating internationalization aims for the new development period," said Volli Kalm, Rector Professor of the University of Tartu.

The seminar will be opened by the Minister of Education and Research Jaak Aaviksoo, who will make a speech on topic "International University 2020". The presentations and discussions of the seminar are divided into three:

Session 1: "20 years ago. Where it all began: Opening up to the world“ looks back on the time 20 years ago. Among others, presentations will be held by faculty members and one of the foreign students, who participated in the conduction of the first semester module held in English in the University of Tartu, which laid the foundation for current international studies in Estonia.

Session 2: a panel discussion about the current state of international studies will be held. The participants of the panel discussion include the programme managers of current curricula in English and the representative of current foreign students; the discussion will be led by Martin Hallik, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Tartu.

Session 3 "What’s Next? The University of Tartu on the international arena“ discusses the future perspectives and scenarios of internationalization. Among others, a guest performer from the Netherlands, Dr Robert Coelen, an acknowledged theoretician of internationalization, will speak at the session, reasoning about wider contexts of internationalization in his speech.

The seminar will be concluded by a discussion led by Rector Volli Kalm, which concentrates ideas for the development plan of the university.

More information about the seminar on 11 October can be found from the seminar programme. All those interested are welcome to participate and contribute into the discussion about internationalization of the University of Tartu!

Additional information: Virve-Anneli Vihman, Strategic Adviser on Internationalization at the University of Tartu, tel: +372 737 6191, + 372 5349 6820, e-mail: virve.vihman@ut.ee.