University of Tartu announced the first teaching excellence ambassadors

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.

According to Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk, teaching excellence ambassadors help foster an atmosphere at the university where teaching is valued and based on evidence. “Ambassadors set an example by their excellent teaching skills, but also by researching and reflecting on their teaching as well as sharing experiences with colleagues. Their work has both an immediate and long-term impact in supporting the development of students and other academic staff,” added Valk.

According to Mari Karm, Associate Professor of Higher Education Teaching and chair of the election committee, the competition for the title of teaching excellence ambassador was strong, with many convincing applications submitted. “The applicants who stood out were those who had previously demonstrated a commitment to valuing teaching that supports learning, analysed the significance of their past activities in their application, recognised their unique features when developing teaching, and set out clear plans for the future,” said Karm.

“I would recommend future applicants to highlight their previous collaboration in developing teaching, be specific, and set precise goals along with distinctive opportunities as a teaching excellence ambassador,” Karm added.

Teaching excellence ambassadors

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
  • Anu Põldsam, Lecturer in Jewish Studies, School of Theology and Religious Studies
  • Anu Ormisson-Lahe, Junior Lecturer in Art History, Institute of History and Archaeology
  • Kristiina Praakli, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
  • Agda Grahv, Teacher of Pedagogy, Viljandi Culture Academy
  • Linda Palts, Teacher of Estonian, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
  • Pire Teras, Associate Professor of Estonian Phonetics, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
• Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Annegrete Palu, Junior Lecturer in Experimental Psychology, School of Law, Institute of Psychology
  • Stefano Braghiroli, Associate Professor of European Studies, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
  • Mario Truu, Junior Lecturer in Criminal Law, School of Law
  • Kaspar Kruup, Junior Lecturer in Communication Sciences, Institute of Social Studies
  • Anne Reino, Associate Professor of Management, School of Economics and Business Administration
• Faculty of Medicine
  • Ave Minajeva, Associate Professor in Pathological Anatomy, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
  • Kai Part, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
• Faculty of Science and Technology
  • Mirjam Paales, Junior Lecturer in Informatics, Institute of Computer Science
  • Svetlana Ganina, Lecturer in Didactics of Physics, Institute of Physics
  • Kaido Lätt, Lecturer in Mathematics, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
  • Ivo Leito, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
  • Raimond-Hendrik Tunnel, Lecturer of Computer Graphics, Institute of Computer Science
  • Piret Luik, Professor of Didactics of Informatics, Institute of Computer Science
  • Edith Viirlaid, Lecturer in Colloidal and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry