University of Tartu recognised Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University Eva Åkesson with Skytte Medal

The Development Conference of the University of Tartu was held in the main hall of the university on 17 May, where Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser awarded the Skytte Medal to Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University Eva Åkesson. The university's senate decided to recognise Åkesson with the medal for her services in promoting international cooperation at the University of Tartu and supporting its management as a member of the Council.

During her term as Vice-Chancellor of Uppsala University, Eva Åkesson has devoted much attention to securing a strong partnership between the two universities and involving the University of Tartu in several international networks. Upon her recommendation, the University of Tartu was invited to become a founding member of The Guild, a network of research universities, in 2016.

According to Asser, in 2018, Eva Åkesson helped the University of Tartu be elected the fifth member of U4, a network that has been closely cooperating in the areas of science, education and leadership for 10 years. Uppsala University, the University of Groningen, the University of Göttingen and Ghent University also belong to the network.

“The remarkable successes of the University of Tartu in internationalisation are largely the result of the personal commitment of Eva Åkesson,” said Asser. “Internationalisation is an important tool that allows us to raise awareness of the university, broaden cooperation opportunities and guarantee the smart development of the university as well as Estonia.”

Eva Åkesson has been a member of the University of Tartu Council since 2017. She participates actively in the Council’s work and gives valuable advice based on the experience of the best Nordic universities.

In addition to the appreciation of Eva Åkesson’s personal contribution, the award of the Skytte Medal bears significance to her in other ways. It emphasises the historical and emotional connection between Uppsala University and the University of Tartu, as Johan Skytte was the real leader of these two sister universities during the era of Gustav II Adolf.

The Skytte Medal has previously been awarded to Ene Ergma, Tõnis Lukas, Rein Taagepera, Dag Hartelius, Andres Lipstok, Jüri Raidla, Andrus Ansip, Lennart Meri, Katarina Brodina, Jacques Faure, Kai Lie, Svend Roed Nielsen, Mihkel Pärnoja, Marju Lauristin, Mart Laar and Katri Raik.

The Skytte Medal is an award given to a state or public figure who, in the opinion of the senate of the University of Tartu, has contributed the most to the development of the University of Tartu and higher education in Estonia.

Further information: Andres Soosaar, Academic Secretary, 5919 1116, andres.soosaar@ut.eem