On Friday, the University of Tartu Institute of Education celebrates its 20th anniversary and opens its new building

On Friday, 4 March at 10, a newly renovated academic and research building will be opened at Jakobi 5 in Tartu for the staff and students of all departments of the University of Tartu Institute of Education. Also, a conference will be held to celebrate the institute's 20th anniversary. 

The Jakobi 5 building brings together all departments of the Institute of Education, which previously operated in three locations: the long-lived schoolhouse on Salme street and buildings on Uppsala and Näituse street. "The new and modern academic and research building allows us to work in one building for the first time. We hope the new building helps us increase the synergy between curricula and research groups," said Head of the Institute of Education Äli Leijen. 

The well-being of both students and staff has been considered when furnishing the building. Students and teaching staff can use spacious lecture halls equipped with modern technology and adapted to the specialisations taught. At the heart of the institute's building, one will find an open-plan library and exercise bikes, also quiet relaxation areas have been created for staff and students. 

The Jakobi 5 building used to house the University of Tartu Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, which moved to the academic building constructed as an annexe to the university's sports hall on Ujula street in 2019. Then renovation works started in the Jakobi 5 building to make it suit the needs of the Institute of Education. 

At the opening of the academic and research building, Rector Toomas Asser, Minister of Education and Research Liina Kersna, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Raul Eamets, student of Educational Innovation Liisi Pajula, Mayor of Tartu Urmas Klaas and the representative of the construction company AS Ehitustrust Marko Raudsik will give a speech. After the opening words, visitors can look inside the building and participate in guided tours. 

After the opening of the academic building, at 13, an anniversary conference will take place, where Head of the Institute of Education Äli Leijen, Minister Liina Kersna, Dean Raul Eamets, Director of Tallinn University School of Educational Sciences Tiia Õun and Director of Tartu Tamme Secondary School Ain Tõnisson will speak about the future of educational sciences and teacher education. The discussion will be moderated by Professor of Educational Technology Margus Pedaste. Also, the heads of the departments of the Institute of Education will give an overview of their past years' activities and achievements in teaching, research and development.  

The Jakobi 5 building was designed by RTG Projektbüroo AS and the draft plan was made by Kaido Kepp from Arhitektuuriklubi OÜ. Interior design is by Henriko Heinoja. The surface area of the Jakobi 5 plot is 3,624 m^2, and the floor area of the building is nearly 4,000 m². The building cost approximately 7.8 million euros. 

The opening ceremony of the academic and research building takes place on 4 March at 10 in the courtyard of Jakobi 5. To enter the building, everyone must present a valid Covid-19 certificate and wear a mask.