University of Tartu mentoring programme has started

On 8 October, this year’s mentoring programme began with an opening seminar. The programme is open to students of all specialisations, alumni and university staff. Interest in the programme was high, with more than 300 applicants.

In total, 150 mentoring pairs were formed this year. The largest number of participants came from the Faculty of Social Sciences. The opening seminar included a training session for mentors and students, “How to build a successful mentoring relationship?”. Everyone had the opportunity to meet their mentoring partner and other participants.

In her opening speech, Aune Valk, the University of Tartu’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, spoke about the meaning of the mentoring programme and the participants’ personal journey, and thanked all those taking part in the programme. She emphasised that in the age of artificial intelligence, human connection is becoming increasingly valuable in higher education. When knowledge is easily accessible, the skills to critically interpret and use it evolve through interpersonal communication. A one-on-one relationship with a mentor offers a unique opportunity for that. “We are grateful to all who have helped create this opportunity, especially to our alumni, who have successfully applied what they once learned and are now sharing their experience with students.”

Throughout the semester, seminars and peer group counselling will be offered to both mentors and mentees in the programme. Meetings with mentees take place either in person or online, as agreed between the mentoring pair.

For the first time, participants who complete the programme this year will receive a continuing education certificate. To get the certificate, they must reflect on and write brief summaries of their meetings and prepare a self-development analysis.

The programme will conclude with a joint final seminar on 19 February.

The mentoring programme has been run since 2017, bringing together successful alumni and active students, including international alumni and students.