News

On 15-16 November, the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science will host the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Data Science Technologies and Applications (IDSTA) and the IEEE International Conference on Blockchain Computing and Applications (BCCA) virtually. Registration is open here until the event's start.

The November newsletter of the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science is out and can be read here.

Today marks the launch of a new €12 million Horizon Europe funded project, BeYond-COVID (BY-COVID), which will tackle the data challenges that can hinder effective pandemic response. The core aim of the project is to ensure that data on SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases can be found and used by everyone.

The university aims to keep studies open as long as possible, which is why stronger safety measures are imposed. Safe distancing should be maintained between people during classes, in public rooms and all, including those who are vaccinated, must wear masks in the university buildings. Only protective masks, not scarves or visors, may be used to cover the nose and mouth.

Ahmed Awad, Professor of Big Data of the University of Tartu, will deliver his inaugural lecture “Big Data Analytics from the Rich Cloud to the Frugal Edge” in the UT assembly hall on 28 October at 16:15.

On 26 October at 10:15 Ivo Kubjas will defend his doctoral thesis “Algebraic approaches to problems arising in decentralized systems” for obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Computer Science). The defence takes place in Zoom. Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Vitaly Skachek, University of Tartu

In order to keep the working and learning environment as normal as possible in the new academic year, the general rule of conduct applies that staff and students who work and study in the university buildings have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or wear masks.

Ahmed Awad, Professor of Big Data of the University of Tartu, will deliver his inaugural lecture “Big Data Analytics from the Rich Cloud to the Frugal Edge” in the University’s Assembly hall on 28 October at 16:15.

AIRE (AI & Robotics Estonia), the centre of artificial intelligence and robotics, will offer training, consulting, and innovative tailored digital solutions for manufacturing companies, a package that cannot be found on the private market as a turnkey solution. The objective of AIRE is to increase the competitiveness of Estonian manufacturing companies in foreign markets.

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) – a joint undertaking of the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) – today announced the launch of OPTIMA (Optimal Treatment for Patients with Solid Tumours in Europe Through Artificial intelligence). This € 21.3 million public-private research programme will use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve care for patients with prostate, breast and lung cancer.

The October newsletter of the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science is out and can be read here.

EMBL and the University of Tartu have signed a memorandum of understanding to foster scientific collaboration in the life sciences.

At the beginning of the academic year, the University of Tartu and Tartu University Hospital are jointly organising vaccination days near the university’s study buildings to further improve the chances of starting face-to-face studies and meeting in the lecture halls. University members who have not been vaccinated yet can get the vaccine against Covid-19 without prior booking in the following places: at the university’s main building in room 140 (the first room on the right from the main entrance)

The cover of the September issue of Communications of ACM, the most prestigious journal in computer science, featured an article led by University of Tartu researchers. The article proposes steps to tackle one of the biggest challenges of the future of computer sciences and the digital world: how to manage ever-increasing data volumes and data presented as graphs.

Meelis Roos received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science from the University of Tartu in 1997 and 1999, respectively. His master’s thesis “Integrating Notarization and Time-Stamping“ was the world’s first scalable blockchain-based digital signature notary-quality solution that included a time stamp. He has worked in one of Estonias top IT companies Cybernetica at security engineer positions.

The September newsletter of the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science is out and can be read here.

To help promote vaccination in Tartu and Tartu County, on Saturday, the vaccination bus of Tartu University Hospital moves from Raatuse 22 to the city centre, next to Tartu Kaubamaja. On the bus, it is possible to get vaccinated from 10 to 16.

On 1 October, the artificial intelligence and robotics innovation hub (AI & Robotics Estonia EDIH) will be established, which starts advising Estonian manufacturing companies on the application of artificial intelligence and robotics in product and service development. The innovation hub is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the activities are implemented by the Estonian universities and science parks.

The newly published magazine EXCITE, the Estonian Centre of Excellence in ICT Research, summarises the activities of the centre of excellence to date, and also takes a look at the future of the field of ICT through the eyes of researchers. Browse the magazine here.

University of Tartu PhD student Nurlan Kerimov led by his supervisor Lecturer of Bioinformatics Kaur Alasoo developed a search engine for geneticists, which works like Google Maps: given genetic coordinates associated with a disease, it finds which gene is likely to cause the disease and in which tissue. Also read the article in Nature Genetics. Read further in our blog.