Topic: recognition 

We asked four recipients of honorary decorations to share what makes the University of Tartu special to them.

On 31 October, the senate of the University of Tartu decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to former rector, Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor Kalle Kirsimäe, and Professor Ivo Leito. 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 also been selected.

This year’s Lennart Meri Waterfowl People’s Fund scholarship was awarded to Patrick O’Rourke, a doctoral student at the University of Tartu’s Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.

All university staff and students are invited to nominate candidates who deserve to be awarded the university’s honorary decoration for their outstanding achievements.

Wai Ming Choi’s MA thesis explores the oracle practice Kau Cim as a social and interpretive process. Drawing on first-hand ethnography, the study highlights how ritual divination fosters community connection.

Today, at the ceremony and concert dedicated to the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the University of Tartu assembly hall, the Peeter Tulviste memorial fund prize, the Ernst Jaakson memorial fund scholarship and the Lennart Meri award for research and for master’s thesis were presented.

On 21 February, the Peeter Tulviste memorial fund prize was presented at the ceremony marking the Republic of Estonia’s anniversary at the University of Tartu. The 5,000-euro prize was awarded to Research Fellow in Theoretical Philosophy Uku Tooming, whose research focuses on understanding the cultural nature of humans.

In the week leading to the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu announced the recipients of the university's contribution to society award, research award and language award, and the teaching staff of the year award.

The committee formed by the University of Tartu Student Union chose the recipients of the teaching staff of the year awards for 2024.