News

On 11 December, the University of Tartu and OÜ Vanalinna Ehitus signed the contract for the reconstruction, extension and furnishing of the Tallinn building of the University of Tartu.

Hanna Hõrak, Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Physiology at the University of Tartu Institute of Technology, has received a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant to study how cell patterns form in plant leaves. The knowledge gained will support the breeding of plants suited to future climates.

In the recent call for the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grants, University of Tartu researchers received funding for three projects: to study the climate impact of air pollution particles, the formation of cell patterns in plant leaves, and women’s hormonal sensitivity. Each grant amounts to nearly two million euros, and the projects last for five years.

The European Research Council (ERC) decided to fund Associate Professor Triin Laisk’s research project, which aims to get a better understanding of the factors affecting women’s health and improve women’s well-being throughout their lives.

University of Tartu Associate Professor in Climate Physics Velle Toll received the Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to quantify the extent to which air pollution particles cool the Earth’s climate. The results of Toll’s work would help fill a gap in our detailed understanding of human-induced climate change and improve the accuracy of climate projections.

The Estonian Young Academy of Sciences (EYAS) accepted nine new members, including Research Fellow of Microbial Communities Kertu Liis Krigul and Associate Professor in Climate Physics Velle Toll from the University of Tartu.

On 4 December, Lithuania’s Ambassador to Estonia, Gitana Skripkaitė, met Rector Toomas Asser.

At the meeting on 8 December, the council of the University of Tartu Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences re-elected Professor in Molecular Ecology Maarja Öpik as director of the institute.

A new MOOC co-developed by Skytte institute’s staff members and their partners is now available to learners worldwide on the FutureLearn platform. The course, titled “Growing Apart: What is polarisation and what can we do about it?”, explores the dynamics of political and social polarisation and offers practical tools for understanding and addressing it. The management of the FutureLearn course is led by partners from the University of Groningen, who, together with the University of Tartu, are part of the European University Alliance consortium, ENLIGHT.

The general assembly of the Estonian Academy of Sciences elected seven new members of the academy, including six from the University of Tartu.

In the 14th survey on Estonia’s most attractive employers by CV Keskus, the University of Tartu was chosen as the most desirable employer in the field of education.

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.

At the General Assembly of the Estonian Academy of Sciences on 3 December, Prime Minister Kristen Michal awarded the Karl Schlossmann Medal to Rector Toomas Asser.

At its meeting on 2 December, the council of the University of Tartu Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics elected Associate Professor of General Linguistics Ann Veismann as the new head of the institute.

On 3 December, the fraternity Revelia celebrates its 105th anniversary. On this occasion, the university’s main building is lit in green in the evening.

With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.

On 1 December, at the ceremony of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university, scholarships were awarded to bring mathematician Juhan Aru and oncogeneticist Jüri Reimand to work at the University of Tartu as expatriate Estonian visiting professors.

Today, on 1 December, the University of Tartu celebrates the 106th anniversary of the founding of the Estonian-language university. At the anniversary ceremony of Estonia’s national university, this year’s recipient of the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award was announced – Professor emerita Ene-Margit Tiit.

Speech by Rector of the University of Tartu, Professor Toomas Asser at the ceremony marking the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university on 1 December 2025.

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