News

The University of Tartu’s mascot, Tiksu, has already won over the hearts of the entire university community with its academic yet playful appearance and its presence at all major university events. Now, you can buy your own Tiksu stuffed toy from the university’s gift shop. The toys will arrive by mid-July.

On 29 May, the University of Tartu basketball team were crowned Estonian champions, bringing the title back to Tartu after an 11-year break. On 1 June, the players were received and recognised by the University of Tartu rector, director of administration, and Ulla Preeden and Martin Bek, the Deputy Mayors of Tartu.

On 30 May, the University of Tartu delivered outstanding results at the student beach volleyball championships held at NET Sports Hall.

On 28 May, as part of a state visit, the President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová visited the University of Tartu. The delegation also included the Rector of Masaryk University Martin Bareš and Ambassador Zdeněk Beránek.

On 29 May in Tartu, during the fifth match of the Estonian basketball championship finals series, the University of Tartu's basketball team Tartu Ülikool Maks & Moorits defeated BC Kalev/Cramo 85–65. This secured Tartu their third win in the finals series and, after 11 years of effort, the Estonian championship title.

The exhibition “The Face of a Decade” introduces the painting collection of the University of Tartu Art Museum.

From 25 to 29 May, the University of Tartu hosted an Erasmus+ Staff Week, which brought representatives of partner universities from 12 countries to Tartu.

At the end of 2026, the first stage of construction of the academic and research building to be erected on the University of Tartu’s Maarjavälja property will begin. This phase will include the installation of utilities, streets, cycling and pedestrian paths, a 300-space multi-storey car park, and a robotics and drone hall.

On 6 June, the university will, for the first time, take part in the Baltic Pride 2026 March in Tallinn. We invite all students and staff to join.

Academic freedom is not merely an abstract principle, but one of the essential foundations of democratic societies, scientific progress, and international research cooperation. It is also fundamental to Europe’s competitiveness and to our ability to attract and retain world-class talent.

University of Tartu graduation ceremonies take place from 12 to 20 June. Live streaming, recordings and photos of the ceremonies are available on UTTV.

The legacy of Endel Tulving, the world-renowned researcher of human memory and one of the best-known scientists of Estonian origin, arrived at the University of Tartu Library from Toronto. It includes works on neuroscience, his personal archive of research articles and materials, as well as items and awards related to his scientific achievements.

In the third game of the Optibet Basketball League finals, held on 23 May in Tartu, BC Kalev/Cramo defeated Tartu Ülikool Maks & Moorits 83-77. Tartu now leads the series 2-1 and needs one victory to secure the Estonian championship title.

Led by University of Tartu researchers, the largest and most comprehensive study to date has been completed on how genetic differences between individuals influence metabolism.

Konsta Rauhala studied a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA) at the University of Tartu. Now working in procurement in Finland, Konsta describes his time in Tartu as the best three years of his life.

On 13 May, the reputable Baltic Awards 2026 ceremony took place in Riga to recognise outstanding representatives of science, culture, the arts and public life from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The award for significant contribution to science was presented to Vice Dean for Research at the University of Tartu Faculty of Medicine, academician and Professor of Human Genetics Maris Laan.

On 15 May, the University of Tartu opened the Estonian Marine Institute’s new research building and modern living quarters for students and staff conducting fieldwork in Kõiguste, on Saaremaa island.

On 14–15 May, mathematician and former President of the European Research Council (ERC) Jean-Pierre Bourguignon visited the University of Tartu and met with researchers from the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics and the Institute of Computer Science. On 15 May, he gave a public lecture in which he addressed, among other topics, the ERC grant application process.

At the Tartu Observatory of the University of Tartu, the optical periscopic imager for comets OPIC was completed and will be handed over to the European Space Agency (ESA).