Uudised

The University of Tartu Mentoring Programme is open for applications. The programme, created for the students and alumni of the University of Tartu, was first introduced in 2017 and is now for the first time also available for international students and alumni.

Aune Valk, University of Tartu Vice Rector for Academic Affairs

Researchers of the University of Tartu begin this year’s first stage of the coronavirus prevalence study on 7 January. In the study they estimate the impact of nationwide restrictions imposed in mid-December, regional restrictions placed shortly before the end of the year, and the holiday season on the spread of the virus.

The results of the coronavirus prevalence study conducted by the University of Tartu show that the virus is widespread and the number of infected people is high, while the number of virus carriers remains largely the same as a few weeks ago. According to researchers, this refers to the efficiency of restrictions imposed at the end of November.

The government decided on Thursday, 17th December 2020 that it is necessary to continue the research on the spread of COVID-19’s and waste water analysis. The Ministry of Social Affairs provides the Ministry of Education and Research 4 000 750 euros to conduct the studies.

In the newly published ranking list of universities from emerging Europe and Central Asia, the University of Tartu has reached the second place, which is also the highest among Estonian universities.

Taking place from 10 to 21 December, the new stage of the coronavirus prevalence study aims also to assess the impact of the restrictions imposed on 24 November on the spread of the virus. The study helps to estimate the growth rate in the spread of the virus and thereby gives important information to decision-makers in addition to the daily statistics by the Health Board.

Dear students, lecturer! Thank you for your patience! We are aware that there are many questions about the continuing of contact study and having taken into account the directions from the Government of Estonia, the Rector`s office of the University of Tartu and the instructions from the UT Clinic`s crisis management team the following rules apply from 14.12.2020 [collapsed]

The government of Estonia decided today that as of 14 December, all educational institutions, including universities, will be closed. Therefore, the university leaders decided that no classroom studies are conducted at the University of Tartu at least until the spring semester.

Researchers of the University of Tartu analysed the data from the eight months of 2020 about nearly 32,000 people, including those who had been tested positive for coronavirus during that period and those who had not. The initial results of the analysis showed that a corona patient was mostly likely hospitalised due to pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Those who did not have corona went to the hospital mostly to give birth or for a medical repeat procedure.

The monitoring study led by the University of Tartu reveals that the number of infectious adults in Estonia has at least tripled compared to mid-November. At the same time, people are following government-imposed restrictions more carefully than before, wearing masks and refraining from physical meetings.

On Tuesday, 1 December, the university members celebrate the 101st anniversary of Estonia's national university.

A new stage in the coronavirus prevalence study begins on 26 November, led by the University of Tartu researchers. Its aim is to determine the prevalence of coronavirus infection among adult population and estimate its change compared to the study conducted two weeks ago. In the new stage that runs until 4 December, researchers also observe changes in people’s behaviour patterns in relation to the restrictive measures introduced by the government.

So far, the university has favoured preferring face-to-face learning to distance learning. However, as the coronavirus infection rate is increasing, the Rector’s Office decided at its today’s meeting that it is reasonable to rapidly reorganise studies wherever possible to safeguard the health of all university members.

Next week, a pilot study will start for testing coronavirus from saliva samples. The saliva test is believed to be cheaper and more convenient than the nasal swab test used at present.

Dear members of the faculty Our academic and everyday lives continue in an unusual rhythm. To be fair, the autumn semester has so far been able to run with only mild restrictions. But the situation is changing because the corona virus has begun to spread more rapidly. I call on you to follow the set regulations even more precisely to impede the spreading of the virus. Our common goal is to stay as healthy as possible and continue studies and scientific work.

The University of Tartu announces a design contest to find a mascot to represent the university’s visual identity. All students, staff and alumni of the university are welcome to submit their design projects until 22 November. The winner will be selected in two rounds: in the first round, a committee comprising the representatives of students, alumni and staff will choose three best projects that will be put to a public vote in the second round. The public vote among students, alumni and staff of the University of Tartu takes place in December.

On Tuesday, University of Tartu researchers will continue the monitoring study on the prevalence of the coronavirus to determine the extent of the spread of the virus among Estonian residents. Over the next two months, researchers plan to test in total up to 10,000 people nationwide in the course of the four stages of the study.

The university invites all staff members, students, alumni and their families to city orienteering in Tartu from 19 October to 1 November. Do you know the buildings and sites connected with the university? Do you know what was in these places in the past? Grab a map and find out!

Researchers of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences of the University of Tartu have conducted a survey to analyse how the university as an organisation responded to the crisis, and to what extent it is possible to use the gained experience to plan future work.