News

On 28 November, the council of the Institute of Computer Science at the University of Tartu elected Jaak Vilo as the next head of the institute. His term begins on 1 January 2026.

On 27 November, the University of Tartu announced its teaching excellence ambassadors, who set an example for the entire university community. The title is given to recognise 20 academic staff members who develop their teaching based on evidence and support an open teaching culture that values learning.

University of Tartu computer scientists have developed artificial intelligence based tools that help companies in Ida Viru County use technology in their day to day operations. These solutions aim to make data driven planning and decision making simpler, more transparent and accessible to all.

On 21 November, Rector Toomas Asser handed over the university’s this year’s 123 honorary decorations. This marked the beginning of the traditional events of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university.

From the University of Tartu, 110 students and 205 staff members signed up for the step challenge that took place from 1 to 31 October.

The project proposed by Swedbank Life Insurance focused on improving the customer experience when signing a life insurance contract in a digital environment.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. The recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation, Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” have also been selected.

Heisi Kurig, Head of the Institute of Computer Science, writes that AI will not take jobs from those who understand how it works.

On 27 October from 13–18, the University of Tartu development conference “A university for us, Estonia and the world” took place in the university assembly hall and online. Keynote speakers were Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Kersti Kaljulaid and Kristina Kallas.

The three-minute thesis competition for doctoral researchers, held at the University of Tartu Library on 22 October, featured 13 popular-science short lectures in Estonian and 14 in English.

Three student teams from the University of Tartu took part in the Nordic Collegiate Programming Contest (NCPC) on 4 October, where a total of 173 teams from across the Nordic and Baltic countries competed in the main ICPC category.

Kaur Alasoo, Associate Professor of Bioinformatics at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, has combined computer science and molecular biology in his research to find new ways of predicting the effects of genetic variants and to better understand rare diseases. He was interviewed by Professor Jaak Vilo, Head of the Chair of Data Science.

For the first time in Estonia, a prototype of a sign language interpreter robot will be developed that will automatically translate spoken and written Estonian into Estonian Sign Language.

The University of Tartu has a Student Union (UTSU) of nearly 140 members, which has been steadfastly standing for students’ rights and solving their concerns for years. Full of initiative, student representatives have brought numerous ideas to life within the university and drawn attention to various institutional shortcomings.

During the Peeter Tulviste memorial week held from 27 October to 2 November, a memorial conference takes place in the university assembly hall, and the exhibition “Bibliophile Peeter Tulviste” opens at the university library.

A recent overview published by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) reveals that Estonia has performed exceptionally well in the European Union’s framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe (2021–2027). Among Estonian institutions, the University of Tartu has been the most successful participant in the programme, receiving almost €90 million in funding.

In June 2025, the University of Tartu Academic Sports Club conducted a survey on the physical activity habits of the university community.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.

All university staff and students are invited to nominate candidates who deserve to be awarded the university’s honorary decoration for their outstanding achievements.

With a passion for artificial intelligence and a journey spanning academia and industry across Europe, Asad brings a global perspective to the University of Tartu’s Institute of Computer Science. He was interviewed by professor Jaak Vilo, Head of the Chair of Data Science.