University of Tartu’s new strategic plan focuses on enhancing international competitiveness and societal impact, and creating the best learning and working environment

On 16 June, the council of the University of Tartu approved the new strategic plan, which sets the direction for the university’s activities for the next ten years. In a rapidly changing world and escalating security situation, Estonia’s national university is playing an increasingly important role in fostering well-being and ensuring continuity in Estonia.

According to Toomas Asser, Rector of the University of Tartu, the shifting power dynamics between superpowers, the technological advancements and value conflicts pose vital questions to our society and state. “In the middle of such great rapid changes, the task of the University of Tartu, as Estonia’s national university, is to keep pace with and lead the changes,” Asser said.

The new strategic plan has three areas of development: increasing international competitiveness, enhancing societal impact and creating the best learning and working environment.

Increasing international competitiveness

Toomas Asser said that the University of Tartu’s international reach has grown significantly in recent years. “The University of Tartu is a valued and reliable partner in Europe’s leading networks of research universities. One of the strategic plan’s objectives is to maintain this position and consistently strengthen it, so that we can participate in processes shaping the future of research and higher education. Our international visibility enhances the quality of research and studies and Estonia’s impact, thus contributing to stability and security in the region,” said Asser.

To increase international competitiveness, the University of Tartu will focus on enhancing scientific impact over the next decade by creating a favourable environment for high-level research groups. In addition, international work and study mobility will be increased, and digital learning possibilities will be promoted. To conduct cutting-edge research, also modern research and learning infrastructure and support services will be developed.

Enhancing societal impact

The university’s most profound societal impact is expressed through graduates who have received a high-quality higher education. Over the next decade, we must lead changes in the content and form of higher education to make sure that the knowledge and skills acquired at the university meet the needs of future society. University of Tartu researchers have an essential role in bringing new knowledge, through knowledge-intensive companies and knowledge-based policymaking, to Estonian society and people,” said Asser.

To raise the university’s societal impact, a significant objective of the new strategic plan is to offer forward-looking, technologically adaptive, and flexible lifelong learning. Additionally, the focus will be on interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary problem-solving and increasing knowledge transfer to promote Estonia’s economy. Special attention will be paid to maintaining and developing the Estonian scientific language to ensure that the knowledge created at the university reaches wider society.

Creating the best learning and working environment

According to Asser, a prerequisite for enhancing international competitiveness and societal impact is the feeling shared by every student and employee of the university that the University of Tartu is the best place to study and work. To create an environment that values all members of the university, supports development, and ensures safety, the principles of equal treatment will be developed and implemented, and an outstanding leadership culture will be promoted. Special attention will be paid to securing academic succession and a flexible career model for researchers.

According to Ruth Oltjer, Council Chair of the University of Tartu, research and higher education are significant sources of Estonia’s international impact. “Estonia’s strength lies not in our physical power or size, but in our wisdom. The national university plays a central role in shaping this wisdom, but we cannot do it alone. We need to cooperate with companies, the government and local authorities, civil society and international partners. Only by working together can we make Estonia greater,” Oltjer said.

The University of Tartu Strategic Plan for 2026–2035 will come into effect on 1 January 2026.