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Tartu is known as a university town.The biggest
university in Estonia - the University of Tartu, and the Estonian
Agricultural University are situated here. University of Tartu was
established in 1632 during the reign of Gustavus II Adolphus as the second
university in the Swedish Empire. Using the direct example of the
University of Uppsala, studies began in the form of a 4-department Latin
academy. The functioning of the University during the Swedish period was
obstructed by wars. The University's activities were suspended for the
whole of the 18th century.
The University was re-opened in 1802. In the Russian Empire of that period
it was the sole university where studies were undertaken in German thus
making it an unique intermediary between East and West. The University's
belle poque was in the 19th century. World renowned scholars such as the
founder of embryology K.E.v.Baer, the founder of physical chemistry
W.Ostwald, physicists H.F.E.Lenz, M.H.Jacobi and others studied and worked
at the University.
At the end of the 19th century, the University's activities were paralyzed
for some decades due to the politics of Russification.
The new rise of the University of Tartu was concurrent with the
establishment of the Republic of Estonia. The 1st of December, when in
1919 the National Native- Language University was opened, is nowadays
celebrated as the University's anniversary. During the years of the
Estonian Republic, much work was done in the development of national
research. The neurologist L.Puusepp, astronomer E.Öpik, geo-botanist
T.Lippmaa and archeologist H.Moora worked in Tartu.
Under Soviet occupation the University of Tartu had the good fortune to
maintain its role as Estonian alma mater Tartuensis
Today, the University is undergoing a period of great change and is
striving to re-join the family of world universities
Faculties
in Tartu University
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