The University of Tartu starts the 2014/2015 academic year

On Monday, 1 September at 10.00, the opening ceremony of the new academic year starts in the assembly hall of the University of Tartu where the students are traditionally welcomed by Rector Professor Volli Kalm, the Minister of Education and Research and the mayor of Tartu. In the new academic year, more than 3300 students across all study levels start their studies at the UT.

"At the beginning of this academic year, I am glad to welcome the new members of our university family, who have decided to obtain their academic education at the University of Tartu," the Rector of the University of Tartu Professor Volli Kalm greets the first-year students.

“Your choice to study in Tartu gives credit to us and the university will make all the effort every day to offer you the most inspiring lecturers and the learning environment with the best infrastructure. For this purpose, we have recently opened several world-class study and research buildings, and we continue our cooperation with international partners," says the rector, inspiring the students to use the most contemporary lecture halls, study and science labs equipped with the most up-to-date technology.

“Estonia needs today’s first-year students as future entrepreneurs, teachers, specialists and scientists. The university’s aim is to help each and every one of them to successfully obtain a degree in the field they have chosen,” the rector emphasises the responsibility of the university to support their young colleagues.

Besides Rector Professor Volli Kalm, the Minister of Education and Research Jevgeni Ossinovski and the mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas are at the opening ceremony to welcome the students. On behalf of the students, the new students will be welcomed by the Chairman of the Student Council Martin Noorkõiv and on behalf of the freshers by the first-year student of psychology Karl Jõgi. The University of Tartu chamber choir, conducted by conductor Triin Koch, will also perform.

The opening ceremonies of the Faculties of Theology, Law, Medicine, Exercise and Sport Sciences, Economics and Business Administration, Mathematics and Computer Science and Social Sciences and Education will be held in the assembly hall of the university on the same day. The opening ceremony of the Faculty of Science and Technology is held in the lecture theatre in Vanemuise 46 and the opening ceremony of the Faculty of Philosophy is held in the courtyard of Jakobi 2.

Check the times of the opening ceremonies and the information about the opening ceremonies of the colleges. Information about the info sessions of the institutes of the Faculty of Philosophy can be found on their website.

The opening ceremonies of the University of Tartu wil be broadcast by UTTV.

Additional information: Kady Sõstar, Public Relations Specialist of the University of Tartu, tel: +372 737 5685, +372 511 9188, e-mail: kady.sostar@ut.ee.