News

This year’s mentoring programme ended on 19 February, with more than 150 mentoring pairs taking part. The participants included alumni, students and staff members.

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.

The Guild, including the University of Tartu among its members, is pleased to announce that it has joined the International Coalition for Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine.

In summer 2026, the University of Tartu will welcome international students and lifelong learners to the UniTartu Summer School in its fifth anniversary year. From 27 July to 7 August 2026, the summer school offers participants the chance to gain new knowledge, meet people from around the world and discover Estonian culture.

Address by Kadri Liis Laas, fourth-year medical student of the University of Tartu, at the concert and ceremony marking the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia on 20 February 2026.

The academic lecture "International law as a solid stronghold amid storms" was delivered by René Värk, University of Tartu Associate Professor in International Law at the ceremony and concert dedicated to the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia on 20 February 2026.

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.

Speech by Professor Mari Moora, Vice Rector for Research of the University of Tartu, at the ceremony and concert dedicated to the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia on 20 February 2026.

Last year, two applications submitted by University of Tartu researchers were successful in the call for postdoctoral fellowships funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

Estonia is witnessing a significant rise in the participation and success of female researchers in European Research Council (ERC) funding calls – a shift that is reshaping the country’s research landscape and expanding its talent base.

Juliet Lehtonen is a master’s student in Estonian and Finno-Ugric Languages at the University of Tartu. Outside her studies, Juliet enjoys climbing and has even run the Tartu half marathon.

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 society award 2025 is granted for establishing the Estonian Cancer Network, an important step towards the comprehensive development and collaborative management of cancer control in Estonia.

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 the last day of 2025, Professor Wilfried Schlüter, honorary doctor of the University of Tartu, passed away.

Open Doors Day 2026 will take place on 26 February from 10:00 to 16:00 at the University of Tartu Library. We welcome everybody interested in bachelor's and medical studies to join.

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.