Healthy Campus

Sport and Physical Activity

We value physical activity as an essential part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Regular exercise supports both physical and mental well-being, helps people maintain their ability to study and work, and strengthens the sense of community across the university.

Our aim is to provide students and employees with opportunities to exercise and participate in sport at every level, whether their goal is to feel better, maintain an active lifestyle or achieve success in competitive sport.

Sporting activities at the university are coordinated by the Well-being Ambassador and the university sports team. Their work helps ensure that every student and employee has access to diverse opportunities to be physically active. The sports team also participates in sports seminars organised by the Estonian Academic Sports Federation at least twice during each academic year, bringing new ideas and best practices to the university’s sporting life.

We support physical activity and sport through the following activities:

• Group training sessions: All students and employees are welcome to participate in regular group training sessions held at Tartu Tamme Upper Secondary School. We offer volleyball, basketball and roundnet sessions for both beginners and more experienced participants. The sessions are suitable for everyone, regardless of their previous level of fitness or sporting experience.
  In addition to weekly group training sessions, the sports team organises special activities throughout the academic year, such as group padel sessions.
  More information about student sport is available in the TTHKK Sport Facebook group and on the sports team’s Instagram account, @tthkk.spordiesindus. Information about group training sessions for employees is available from reelika.vetemae-viik@tartuh.ee.
• Participation in competitions: Students and employees of the University participate in a variety of sporting events. These include the Estonian Student Championships organised by the Estonian Academic Sports Federation, events in the Ylisport series, including Ylipall, and the student winter and summer games held in Kääriku. Where possible, the university supports participants by covering all or part of their participation fees and transport costs.
• Indoor and outdoor gyms: All employees and students may use the university’s indoor and outdoor gyms. The outdoor gym is open to the public 24 hours a day and is equipped with OMNIGYM exercise equipment.
• Support for elite athletes: We have supported and will continue to support students who combine their studies with elite sport. These students have included Julia Beljajeva, Tuuli Tomingas, Anabel Sarapuu and Eliise Anijalg.

Nutrition

We value informed food choices and support students and employees in developing healthy eating habits. Our goal is to create an environment in which healthier choices are easy to make and readily available.

The university café prepares its meals on site, helping to ensure freshness and quality. The menu is varied and includes a range of options at different price points, including more affordable meals.

Healthier alternatives are also available from the university’s vending machines, supporting a balanced diet.

The principles of balanced nutrition are integrated into teaching and learning. Public lectures and seminars addressing nutrition from a variety of perspectives are also organised regularly.

Mental Health

Supporting the mental well-being of students and employees is important to us. The promotion of mental health is part of the University’s development strategy. Good mental health helps students retain their motivation and enjoyment of learning and supports successful coping throughout their studies.

A supportive and safe environment makes it easier to develop self-management skills, cope with stressful situations and achieve personal and academic goals.

To promote mental health, the university provides:

• free mental health counselling with a psychologist;
• support and guidance from academic affairs specialists on study-related matters, including opportunities to take academic leave and the recognition of prior learning;
• regular activities and events for the University community.

Our traditional events include celebrating the university’s anniversary in November by preparing and enjoying a cake together, a charity Christmas market, Heart Month activities in April, discussion evenings on a variety of topics, and celebrations marking the International Day of University Sport (IDUS day) organised by FISU.

Environment and Sustainability

We value environmentally friendly and responsible practices. Our goal is to use resources wisely, conserve energy, and create a learning and working environment that supports both human well-being and environmental sustainability.

The efficient use of electricity and heating energy is a strategic priority for the university and has both environmental and economic importance. Monitoring consumption, identifying inefficiencies, optimising building management systems, promoting energy conservation and reducing costs are all important steps in ensuring the university’s long-term sustainability.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are supported through the following measures:

• The 74 solar panels installed on the roof of the academic building produce approximately 28,000 kWh of renewable energy each year, helping to reduce the university’s carbon footprint.
• Automated lighting, ventilation and heating systems ensure that the academic building operates efficiently. For example, sensors enable the smart building system to adjust lighting intensity according to the available natural light. Lighting is also switched off during evenings and weekends.
• Most light fittings have been replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting.
• Motion sensors are used in corridors with lower levels of foot traffic.
• Waste is sorted to reduce the amount of general waste. General waste bins have been removed from offices and classrooms, and waste-sorting stations have been installed in shared areas.
• Hazardous laboratory waste, batteries, pharmaceutical waste and electronic waste are collected separately.
• Tablet computers are available for use in teaching and learning, helping to reduce paper consumption.