The agreement expanding the existing cooperation between the University of Tartu and Masaryk University was signed on Thursday, 28 May, by Rectors Martin Bareš and Toomas Asser in the presence of the presidents of both republics, Petr Pavel and Alar Karis.
Following the ceremonial signing, Martin Bareš presented the MU Gold Medal to Toomas Asser. The Estonian university received the award in recognition of its significant contribution to the development of higher education and to strengthening cooperation between Masaryk University and international institutions.
“We view the Strategic Partnership Agreement with the University of Tartu as an important opportunity to further develop our long-term cooperation across disciplines, particularly in biomedical research and cybersecurity. We also aim to intensify collaboration in education and in staff and student mobility. We have achieved excellent results through our cooperation within Alliance4Life and the CHESS project (Cyber-security Excellence Hub in Estonia and South Moravia). We have produced numerous joint scientific publications. There is a strong foundation on which to build,” said Martin Bareš, Rector of Masaryk University.
The signed agreement is intended to further deepen and broaden cooperation not only in the life sciences and cybersecurity but across a range of areas. The two universities agreed to provide mutual support in developing joint projects in research, teaching, technology transfer, and university governance.
More specifically, the universities will focus on identifying additional opportunities for research collaboration, including joint research projects; exploring possibilities for joint degree programmes and other forms of educational cooperation; and supporting exchanges of academic staff, students, and administrative personnel.
Experts from Masaryk University and the University of Tartu have collaborated, or are currently collaborating, on 19 European projects. In addition to CHESS and Aliance4Life, these include CCAT – Cybersecurity Certification and Assessment Tools, which was launched this year or another cybersecurity project SECURE-NET. According to the Web of Science database, researchers from the two institutions have co-authored more than 150 publications. Through mobility programmes, more than thirty students have studied at one or the other university.
In line with the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the two universities may also agree in the future on financial support for joint projects. The agreement additionally mentions tuition fee waivers for exchange students.