Recipients of new decorations of the University of Tartu selected

On 30 October, the University of Tartu Senate decided to award the Johan Skytte Medal to the President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid. The highest award for university members, the University of Tartu Grand Medal, will be given to four long-term high-calibre researchers. Also, 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 been selected.

The Johan Skytte Medal is awarded to a statesperson or public figure who, in the eyes of the University of Tartu Senate, has significantly contributed to the development of the University of Tartu and higher education in Estonia in the recent years. It goes to Kersti Kaljulaid, who, as the University of Tartu Council Chair in 2012–2016, supported the governance and structural reform of the university and helped to increase its international renown. “We are also very grateful that as the President, Kersti Kaljulaid supported the signing of the Estonian Research Agreement, helping to ensure the development of Estonian research and innovation,” said Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser.

From this autumn, the university uses a new way to recognise its members and other important persons for the university – an integrated system of honorary decorations with a unified design. According to Academic Secretary of the University of Tartu Tõnis Karki, the new decorations continue the long-standing distinguished tradition and at the same time mark a new era in recognition. “The design of the honorary decorations proceeds from the design of the rector’s chain of office with the portico of the university’s main building as its central element. The intersecting lines forming the outlines of the portico symbolise the university as a place where ideas are born and move on,” described Karki. The design of both the rector’s chain of office and the honorary decorations is by Julia Maria Künnap. The rector will present the honorary decorations at the ceremony taking place at the end of November, just before the anniversary of Estonia’s national university.

The senate decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to four members of the university for their services of particular value. Professor of Accounting Toomas Haldma was the initiator and first chair of the university’s auditing committee and has led and developed the School of Economics and Business Administration for a long time. Professor of Health Care Management Raul-Allan Kiivet has continuously and efficiently contributed to the development and implementation of the governance and structural reform of the University of Tartu and its Faculty of Medicine. Research Professor Andres Merits has fostered research-based attitudes in the Estonian society which have helped to choose the measures necessary for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Senior Research Fellow in Psychometrics Olev Must has developed intelligence research and worked out and implemented the academic test of the university.

Rector Toomas Asser recognises individuals outside the university who have rendered great services to the university with the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation and members of the university with the University of Tartu Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu”.

Further information:
Toomas Asser,  Rector of the University of Tartu, 516 6849, toomas.asser@ut.ee
Aliis Liin, Legal Counsel of the University of Tartu, 509 8623, aliis.liin@ut.ee

Recipients of honorary decorations of the University of Tartu in 2020

Johan Skytte Medal

• Kersti Kaljulaid, President of the Republic of Estonia

University of Tartu Grand Medal

• Toomas Haldma, Professor of Accounting, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Raul-Allan Kiivet, Professor of Health Care Management, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health
• Andres Merits, Academy Research Professor, Institute of Technology
• Olev Must, Senior Research Fellow in Psychometrics, Institute of Education

University of Tartu Star of Appreciation

• Peeter Einola, Leader of the Estonian community in Canada
• Veljo Ipits, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AS Salvest
• Mart Koldits, Director of “The Spirit of Tartu”, the light show dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Estonia’s national university
• Tõnis Leht, Editor of TV series “The Century of National University” (ETV)
• Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild network of European research-intensive universities
• Andres Tenusaar, Designer and animator for “The Spirit of Tartu”, the light show dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Estonia’s national university
• Pärt Uusberg, Composer of “... windship with oars of light...”, the large-scale composition for mixed choir and symphony orchestra dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Estonia’s national university
• Ardo Ran Varres, Composer for “The Spirit of Tartu”, the light show dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Estonia’s national university

University of Tartu Medal

• Alan Altraja, Professor of Pulmonology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Indrek Aus, Assistant in Otorhinolaryngology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Raul Eamets, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor of Macroeconomics, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Ülo Langel, Professor of Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Technology
• Martin Noorkõiv, PhD student of Media and Communication
• Renate Pajusalu, Professor of General Linguistics, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
• Ando Pehme, Associate Professor in Martial Arts Didactics, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
• Lehti Pilt, Senior Specialist for Educational Technology, Office of Academic Affairs
• Bakhtier Rasulov, Senior Research Fellow in Plant Biology, Institute of Technology
• Jüri Roosaare, Associate Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Science and Technology
• Hannes Tomusk, Assistant in Human Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
• Oivi Uibo, Associate Professor of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Aune Valk, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs
• Heili Varendi, Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Medicine

University of Tartu Badge of Distinction

• Allan Aksiim, Master’s student of Change Management in Society
• Laura Altin, PhD student of Geography
• Reelika Alunurm, PhD student of Economics
• Ene Anijalg, Assistant in Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Jaan Aruväli, Senior Engineer, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Hendrik Ehrpais, Engineer, Tartu Observatory
• Ilona Faustova, Senior Research Fellow in Molecular Biology, Institute of Technology
• Peeter Haavik, Caretaker, Estates Office
• Merit Hallap  Assistant in Speech Therapy (until 2019), Institute of Education
• Merli Ilves  Master’s graduate of Geography in 2020
• Sulev Iva Lecturer in South Estonian Language and Culture, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
• Julius Juurmaa PhD student of Medicine, medical resident in Radiology
• Argo Jõeleht  Senior Research Fellow in Geology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Priit Jõers Associate Professor in General and Microbial Biochemistry, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
• Peeter Jäme  Caretaker, Estates Office
• Allen Kaasik, Professor of Molecular Toxicology, Senior Research Fellow in Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
• Karoliina Kalda, Exhibition Specialist, Museum
• Kaire Kallak, Secretary-Information Specialist, Grant Office
• Maarja Kalma, Specialist in the Research Group of Physical Activity for Health, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
• Uku Kangur, Bachelor’s student of Computer Science
• Juri Karjagin, Associate Professor in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Heili Kasuk, Lecturer of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
• Toivo Kikkas, PhD student of History
• Tatjana Koor, Assistant in Tourism Management, Pärnu College
• Tiia Krass, Teacher of English Language Teaching Methodology, Institute of Education
• Eerik Kurs, Skipper-Engineer, Captain of M/S Aurelie and M/S Emili 007, Estonian Marine Institute
• Joanna Kurvits, Master’s student of Change Management in Society
• Andres Kuusk, Scientific Adviser, Tartu Observatory
• Eha Käige, Secretary, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Aitel Käpp, Head of Marketing and Communications, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Meelis Käärik, Associate Professor in Probability Theory, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
• Kalmer Lauk, Analyst of Research and Development, Grant Office
• Laurits Leedjärv, Senior Research Fellow, Tartu Observatory
• Helina Leppik, Secretary, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Anneli Lorenz, Assistant of Entrepreneurship, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Maria Murumaa-Mengel, Lecturer in Social Media, Institute of Social Studies
• Marko Mägi, Research Fellow in Bird Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Reedik Mägi, Research Professor in Bioinformatics, Institute of Genomics
• Anu Noorma, Research Professor in Applied Remote Sensing, Tartu Observatory
• Aime Pahverk, Collector of Ichthyological Material, Estonian Marine Institute
• Jüri Paljak, Electrician-Repair Worker, Estates Office
• Sirje Pihlap, Assistant in Didactics of Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
• Olev Salum, Lecturer in Orthopaedic Stomatology, Institute of Dentistry
• Elo-Hanna Seljamaa, Senior Research Fellow in Estonian and Comparative Folklore, Institute of Cultural Research
• Esta Sikkal, Teacher in Didactics and Teaching Practice, Institute of Education
• Margret Sisask, Assistant to Head of Institute, Specialist in Academic Affairs, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Anton Solbaja, Caretaker, Estates Office
• Mihkel Solvak, Senior Research Fellow in Technology Research, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
• Allan Zirk, Senior Specialist, Research Group for Biological Informatics, Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden
• Ingrit Zolotov, Head of Library, Narva College
• Peep Talving, Professor of Surgical Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Aile Tamm, Senior Research Fellow in Materials Science, Institute of Physics
• Maria Tamm, Coordinator, Dean’s Office of Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Tarmo Tamm, Senior Research Fellow in Materials Science, Institute of Technology
• Dorel Tamm-Klaos, Head of Dean’s Office, Faculty of Social Sciences
• Peeter Tenjes, Senior Research Fellow, Tartu Observatory
• Mai Toom, Project Theme Manager (until 2020), Institute of Psychology
• Enda Trubok, Assistant in Estonian Language, Narva College
• Kenneth Tuul, Chemist, Institute of Chemistry; Specialist, Institute of Physics
• Neeme Tõnisson, Senior Research Fellow of Medical Genetics, Institute of Genomics
• Ilmar Uduste, Master’s student of Data Science
• Aune Unt, Teacher of TV Journalism, Institute of Social Studies
• Anneli Uusküla, Professor of Epidemiology, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health
• Sille Vahtra, Coordinator, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Marge Vaikjärv, Graduate of integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s programme of Medicine in 2020
• Madis Vasser, PhD student of Computer Science
• Aimar Ventsel, Senior Research Fellow in Ethnology, Institute of Cultural Research
• Kerstin Ventsel, Master’s student of Educational Innovation
• Norman Vester, Bachelor’s student of Economics
• Marili Vihmann, Master’s student of Entrepreneurship and Technology Management

Decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu”

• Malle Ernits, Library
• Toivo Hinrikus, Institute of Pharmacy
• Jüri Jegorov, School of Law
• Kalle Kaarli, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
• Edvitar Leibur, Institute of Dentistry
• Madis Noppel, Institute of Physics
• Sirje Olmre, Finance Office
• Kalju Paju, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
• Jüri Parik, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
• Mare Peedimaa, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
• Miia Rannikmäe, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Silvia Russak, Institute of Dentistry
• Maie Ruus, School of Law
• Mare Saag, Institute of Dentistry
• Väino Sammelselg, Institute of Chemistry
• Ljudmila Savihhina, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
• Jüri Sepp, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Juta Sikk, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Vladimir Šor, Institute of Chemistry
• Illi Tarmu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
• Väino Vaske, Institute of Psychology
• Eevi Vider, Estates Office