News

On 23 January, the University of Tartu Foundation recognised the scholarship recipients of the autumn semester of 2025 and thanked the foundation’s donors in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum. Scholarships were awarded from 33 funds in a total amount exceeding €200,000.

During the Faculty of Social Sciences Winter Days, the recipients of the Outstanding Societal Contribution Award and the Act of the Year were announced.

On 2 February, IT Office will delete Teams and SharePoint groups without an owner. Before this, automatically selected group members will receive a notification email with instructions on how to proceed.

Tartu Ülikooli Pärnu kolledž alustas sel sügisel õppekoostööd jätkusuutlike pesuvedelike brändiga Effelis Bio, et toetada ettevõtte esimesi samme välisturgudele jõudmisel.

Adult learners are welcome to participate in micro-degree programmes starting in the spring semester to acquire an additional specialisation or competence in a narrow field. Applications can be submitted until 25 January.

On 1 December, the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university, 142 doctoral degrees were conferred.

On 21 November, Rector Toomas Asser handed over the university’s this year’s 123 honorary decorations. This marked the beginning of the traditional events of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university.

The University of Tartu Pärnu College building has undergone a major renovation. The refurbished building, offering a contemporary, energy-efficient and learning-friendly environment, will soon be opened.

At the Estonian Best Enterprises Awards Gala on 1 November, the innovation centre Kobar – established by the Pärnumaa Development Centre and the University of Tartu Pärnu College – was presented with the Entrepreneurship Promotion Award.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. The recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have also been selected.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.

Presentation of misleading environmental claims has become one of the major communication problems.

From 29 September to 3 October, the international intensive programme Coastal Tourism in the Anthropocene: Building Resilience from Past Lessons to Future Solutions took place at the University of Coimbra’s Figueira da Foz campus in Portugal.

Tourism lecturers and doctoral students Marit Piirman and Margrit Kärp from the University of Tartu Pärnu College took part in the 33rd Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research, held on the island of Bornholm, Denmark. In addition to networking, both presented papers based on their doctoral research.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

In June 2025, the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club conducted a survey on the physical activity habits of the university community.

The Faculty of Social Sciences gave out awards to outstanding support staff at the opening ceremony for the academic year.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.

All in all, there are 16,052 students at the university.

In July, the University of Tartu Pärnu College hosted an interdisciplinary seminar that brought together marine biology and tourism researchers from New Zealand and Estonia. While these fields may seem very different at first glance, they share a strong and increasingly important link – both directly influence the health and sustainable use of seas and coastal areas.