President awards decorations to University of Tartu staff members

Ahead of this year’s Independence Day, President Alar Karis bestows Estonian state decorations on 203 people, 16 of whom are members of the university family.

“These state decorations recognise people from a variety of fields at home, as well as our friends and supporters abroad, for their dedication and care in their professional work or community,” President Alar Karis wrote in the preface to his resolution on bestowing state decorations.

The Order of Merit of the National Coat of Arms, Third Class, was awarded to Professor of Liberal Arts in the 2025/2026 academic year, poet, author and prosaist Viivi Luik.

The Order of Merit of the White Star, Third Class, was awarded to

• Maarja Öpik, Director of the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Professor in Molecular Ecology, member of the Academy of Sciences;
• Erik Puura, Visiting Research Fellow in Geology, former vice rector for development;
• Kärt Summatavet, Consultant at the Institute of Computer Science, and
• Lauri Mälksoo, Professor of International Law, member of the Academy of Sciences.

The Order of Merit of the White Star, Fourth Class, was awarded to

• Tuul Sepp, Professor in Animal Ecology;
• Aigi Rahi-Tamm, Head of the Institute of History and Archaeology, Professor of Archival Studies;
• Tiia Tulviste, Professor of Developmental Psychology, and
• Marju Luts-Sootak, Professor of Legal History.

The Order of Merit of the White Star, Fifth Class, was awarded to

• Ülle Liiber, Teacher in Geography at the Chair of Human Geography and long-time organiser of geography Olympiads;
• Celia Roose, Lecturer in Music Education, and
• Aliis Liin, Legal Counsel of the Rector’s Strategy Office.

The Order of Merit of the Estonian Red Cross, Fourth Class, was awarded to

• Daisy Volmer, Associate Professor of Social Pharmacy, Programme Director of the integrated curriculum of Pharmacy, pharmacist;
• Madis Rahu, Lecturer of Sport Medicine;
• Heli Grünberg, Associate Professor emerita, and
• Olev Salum, Lecturer in Orthopaedic Stomatology.

The President of the Republic will present the state decorations on 14 February at the Ukuaru Music Hall in Rakvere. The ceremony starts at 13:00. The recording of the event will be broadcast by ERR on 24 February. The names of all recipients of state decorations have been published on the website of the Office of the President (in Estonian).