World-renowned scientist to give a public lecture at the Estonian–Latvian Computer Science Theory Days

The UT Institute of Computer Science is organising the Estonian–Latvian Computer Science Theory Days on 24–26 April. As part of the programme, Turing Award laureate Robert Tarjan will give a public lecture titled “Fast and Simple Sorting Using Partial Information” on 25 April at 14:00 in the Delta Study Building, room 1037. The lecture is open to everyone.

The Estonian Computer Science Theory Days have been an important meeting point for the regional theoretical computer science community since 2002, providing a regular forum for researchers, faculty members, postdoctoral scholars, and students to exchange ideas and present ongoing work.

In 2010, it evolved into the joint Estonian-Latvian Computer Science Theory Days, reflecting the close and growing cooperation between the research communities of Estonia and Latvia. It also broadened the scientific scope of the event, increased participation, and created new opportunities for long-term collaborations, joint projects, and student interaction across institutions. Over the years, it has become a valued tradition that strengthens academic ties and supports the development of theoretical computer science in the region.

The scientific programme covers a broad spectrum of topics in theoretical computer science, including cryptography, algorithms, coding theory, quantum computing, programming languages, formal methods, logic, and related areas. These fields are represented by internationally recognised researchers, many of whom are also long-standing organisers of the Estonian–Latvian Theory Days series. Among them are Andris Ambainis (University of Latvia, quantum algorithms), Helger Lipmaa (University of Tartu, cryptography), Vitaly Skachek (University of Tartu, coding and information theory), and Tarmo Uustalu (TalTech, programming languages and logic).

The event also regularly welcomes guests from other countries, further enriching the scientific program and connecting local researchers with the wider international community. This year’s edition features a particularly strong presence from Aalto University, with three talks and several participants.