Topic: recognition 

Ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu announced the recipients of the contribution to society award, research award, language award and the teaching staff of the year awards for 2025.

The society award 2025 is granted for establishing the Estonian Cancer Network, an important step towards the comprehensive development and collaborative management of cancer control in Estonia.

The committee formed by the University of Tartu Student Union chose the recipients of the teaching staff of the year 2025 awards from among 100 nominees.

On Friday, 20 February, the ceremony and concert dedicated to the 108th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia took place in the university’s assembly hall.

On 23 January, the University of Tartu Foundation recognised the scholarship recipients of the autumn semester of 2025 and thanked the foundation’s donors in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum. Scholarships were awarded from 33 funds in a total amount exceeding €200,000.

At the conference “Teaching for learning 2026”, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk presented the teaching awards and the teaching quality award of 2025.

With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.

On 27 November, the University of Tartu announced its teaching excellence ambassadors, who set an example for the entire university community. The title is given to recognise 20 academic staff members who develop their teaching based on evidence and support an open teaching culture that values learning.

On 21 November, Rector Toomas Asser handed over the university’s this year’s 123 honorary decorations. This marked the beginning of the traditional events of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university.

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.