University of Tartu to open state-of-the-art Chemistry Building

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Chemistry Building will include Andrus Ansip, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, Tõnis Lukas, Minister for Research and Education, UT Rector Professor Alar Karis, Urmas Kruuse, Mayor of Tartu, Professor Peeter Burk, Dean of the UT Faculty of Science and Technology, and Enn Lust, Director of the Institute of Chemistry.

According to Kristjan Haller, UT Vice Rector for Research, The Chemistry Building provides all necessary facilities for scientists and students to engage in research meeting the highest modern standards. “We have created a work environment that will attract and retain talented research staff,” said Kristjan Haller. “Our chemists have had to endure poor working conditions for a very long time. Hopefully we have now solved their problems,” he added.

While talking about the new Chemistry Building, both Kristjan Haller and Peeter Burk were keen to point out the fact that so far the only Nobel Prize recipient to have worked at the University of Tartu was a chemist. “After Carl Schmidt managed to renovate the chemistry lab in the main building in 1858, 50 years had to pass for the University of Tartu to raise its first Nobel winner. This time, I hope, 25 years should suffice for one of our graduates to receive a Nobel Prize,” said Professor Peeter Burk.

The new Chemistry Building has more than 12,000 square metres floor space, accommodating four big lecture halls, state-of-the-art research laboratories, offices for research staff, teaching labs, offices for teaching staff, specialised libraries, a café and other auxiliary rooms as well.

Nearly 300 researchers and PhD students will start working and nearly 600 students will be taught in the Chemistry Building. There are 278 modern workplaces in the building, of which 146 are designated for research staff or for teachers who also conduct research, and 132 are allocated to PhD students.

The new Chemistry Building will be home to the Institute of Chemistry, the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, the Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, the Institute of Sport Education and Coaching Sciences and the Institute of Psychology.

The new Chemistry Building (to be known as ’Chemicum’ according to the local tradition of giving university buildings Latin-derived names) is situated in the Maarjamõisa science campus of the University of Tartu at 14a, Ravila Street. The construction of the research centre for environmental and materials analysis was supported from the European Regional Development Fund, and the total cost of the building and equipment amounted to 520 million Estonian kroons.


Additional information: Heiki Pagel, telephone +372 737 5110, +372 503 2021, heiki [dot] pagel [ät] ut [dot] ee


Karin Volmer
University of Tartu
Press Officer
Telephone: +372 737 5683
Mobile: +372 5202807
E-mail: avalik [ät] ut [dot] ee
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