This year’s recipients of honorary decorations have been announced
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.
Rector Toomas Asser will present the university’s honorary decorations at a ceremony on 21 November at 16:00 in the University of Tartu assembly hall. University members are welcome to congratulate their colleagues. Watch the ceremony on UTTV.
The University of Tartu Grand Medal is the highest recognition granted to university members for services of particular value. Based on the senate resolution, the Grand Medal is awarded to Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor emeritus and rector from 1998 to 2006; Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor of Information Systems; Kalle Kirsimäe, Professor of Geology and Mineralogy; and Ivo Leito, Professor of Analytical Chemistry.
Professor emeritus Jaak Aaviksoo is one of the most influential higher education leaders in Estonia over recent decades. He has guided the development of the University of Tartu and the entire Estonian higher education and research system.
Professor Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar is one of the most outstanding representatives of Estonian and international computer science, whose long-standing work at the University of Tartu has left a profound mark both on the Institute of Computer Science and the field of research. Through active publishing, he has become one of Estonia’s most highly cited researchers.
Professor Kalle Kirsimäe is an internationally renowned researcher and a promoter of geological science in Estonia. For years, he has led geology-related research and teaching at the University of Tartu, and he is a respected expert for both the private and public sectors.
Professor Ivo Leito is an internationally renowned expert in analytical chemistry and a dedicated lecturer who has successfully combined high-level fundamental research, metrological precision, and innovative teaching.
The university also announced university members who were granted the University of Tartu Medal, Badge of Distinction and the decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu”, and people outside the university who were awarded the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation for rendering excellent services to the university. In total, the university grants honorary decorations to 123 people.
Recipients of the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation are statesman Siim Kallas, conductor of the Chamber Choir and the Academic Women’s Choir of the University of Tartu Triin Koch, Ambassador of France to Estonia Emmanuel Mignot, computer scientist Härmel Nestra, science journalist Jaan-Juhan Oidermaa, former member of the University of Tartu council Kari Olavi Raivio, Swedish entrepreneur Björn Erik Savén, former Solaride leader Asso Soosalu, and long-time conductor of the Academic Women’s Choir of the University of Tartu Vaike Uibopuu.
See the list of all other recipients of the honorary decorations below.
Rector Toomas Asser will present the university’s honorary decorations at a ceremony on 21 November at 16:00 in the University of Tartu assembly hall. University members are welcome to congratulate their colleagues.
All university members may nominate candidates for the honorary decorations of the University of Tartu. See the lists of this year’s and earlier recipients of honorary decorations in the awards and recognition database on the university website. Read more about honorary decorations on the university website.
Recipients of the University of Tartu honorary decorations in 2025
University of Tartu Grand Medal
- Jaak Aaviksoo, Professor emeritus, rector of the University of Tartu 1998–2006
- Marlon Gerardo Dumas Menjivar, Professor of Information Systems
- Kalle Kirsimäe, Professor of Geology and Mineralogy
- Ivo Leito, Professor in Analytical Chemistry
University of Tartu Star of Appreciation
- Siim Kallas, Estonian statesman, visiting professor at the University of Tartu
- Triin Koch, conductor of the Chamber Choir and the Academic Women’s Choir of the University of Tartu
- Emmanuel Mignot, Ambassador of France to Estonia
- Härmel Nestra, computer scientist, leading organiser of mathematical Olympiads
- Jaan-Juhan Oidermaa, science journalist, head of ERR Novaator science portal
- Kari Olavi Raivio, former rector of the University of Helsinki, member of the University of Tartu council 2012–2017
- Björn Erik Savén, Swedish entrepreneur, supporter of the Estonian Cancer Network ESTCAN
- Asso Soosalu, leader of the Solaride student solar car project
- Vaike Uibopuu, conductor of the Chamber Choir and the Academic Women’s Choir of the University of Tartu
University of Tartu Medal
- Dmitry Denisov, Legal Counsel for Research and Development, Grant Office
- Tuuli Ilula, Head, Procurement Office
- Jaak Jürimäe, Professor of Coaching, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
- Ken Kalling, Junior Lecturer in Medical History, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health
- Veronika Kalmus, Professor of Sociology, Institute of Social Studies
- Irene Kull, Professor in Civil Law, Faculty of Law
- Eri Miyano, Teacher of Japanese Language, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Elin Org, Professor of Microbiomics, Institute of Genomics
- Katrin Pajuste-Kuul, Research and Development Adviser, Rector’s Strategy Office
- Anneli Saro, Professor of Theatre Research, Institute of Cultural Research
- Aleksander Sipria, Lecturer in Emergency Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Kadri Tamme, Lecturer in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Raivo Valk, Senior Specialist for Professional Development, Human Resources Office
- Markus Vetemaa, Professor in Fisheries, Director of Institute, Estonian Marine Institute
University of Tartu Badge of Distinction
- Tsipe Aavik, Associate Professor in Macroecology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
- Age Allas, Coordinator, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Lilian Ariva, Head of IT and Entrepreneurship Department, Narva College
- Mare Aru, Career Counsellor, Office of Academic Affairs
- Signe Bachmann, Subject Librarian, Library
- Mai Beilmann, Associate Professor of Empirical Sociology, Institute of Social Studies
- Katiliina Gielen, Lecturer in English Language and Translation Studies, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Koit Herodes, Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
- Viljar Jaks, Associate Professor in Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
- Liina Joller-Vahter, Visiting Research Fellow, School of Economics and Business Administration
- Kirsti Jõesalu, Research Fellow in Ethnology, Institute of Cultural Research
- Katriin Kaljovee, Head of the Conference Centre, Library
- Roland Karo, Lecturer in Systematic Theology, Director of School, School of Theology and Religious Studies
- Avo Kartul, Librarian, Library
- Siobhan Ann Kattago, Associate Professor of Political Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics
- Dmytro Khutkyy, Research Fellow in Digital Governance, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
- Ülle Kirsimägi, Junior Lecturer in Biostatistics, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health; Computer Specialist, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Karin Kogermann, Professor in Physical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy
- Andre Koka, Associate Professor in Didactics of Physical Education, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
- Marge Konsa, Project Manager, Institute of History and Archaeology
- Sergei Kopantšuk, Research Fellow in Bioorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
- Tiina Kraav, Lecturer in Mathematics Education, Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
- Kristi Kääri, Legal Counsel for Academic Affairs, Office of Academic Affairs
- Mait Lang, Associate Professor in Remote Sensing of Forests, Tartu Observatory
- Darja Lavõgina, Associate Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry; Head of Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Kadri Leetmaa, Associate Professor in Human Geography, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
- Tanel Lepsoo, Associate Professor of French Literature, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Triin Liin, Lecturer in Cognitive and School Psychology, Institute of Psychology
- Tanel Liira, Director of Development, Tartu Observatory
- Dmitri Lubenets, Engineer, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
- Piret Lõhmus, Associate Professor in Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
- Heli Lätt, Head of Visitor Centre, Tartu Observatory
- Reevo Maidla, Head of Administration, Viljandi Culture Academy
- Piret Maiste, Student Exchange Coordinator, International Cooperation and Protocol Office
- Anne Menert, Research Fellow of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
- Armin Mere, bachelor’s student in Computer Engineering
- Olaf Mertelsmann, Professor of Eastern European History, Institute of History and Archaeology
- Signe Opermann, Research Fellow in Sociology of Media, Institute of Social Studies
- Hans Orru, Professor of Environmental Health, Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health; Head of the Centre for Sustainable Development
- Maire Pihlap, Specialist, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
- Eleri Pihlapuu, Foreign Funds Coordinator, Grant Office
- Piret Pikma, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry, Director of the Institute of Chemistry
- Doris Poolamets, student of Medicine
- Janika Päll, Associate Professor of Classical Philology, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures; Project Manager of Helleno-Nordica, Library
- Liina Pärnamäe, Academic Affairs Specialist, Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Medicine
- Piret Pärsim, Coordinator, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
- Urve Reinfeldt, Administrator, Estates Office
- Anne Reino, Associate Professor of Management, School of Economics and Business Administration
- Tuuli Reisberg, Manager of Sequencing Core Facility, Institute of Genomics
- Roger Rikberg, Office Manager, Student Union Office
- Agnes Rohtsalu, Laboratory Assistant, Institute of Physics
- Maarja Roosi, Specialist for Graphic Design, University of Tartu Press
- Tiiu Rööp, Chief Specialist of the Scientific Collection, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
- Kertu Saar, Communication Manager, Institute of Psychology
- Katrin Saks, Associate Professor of Education, Institute of Education
- Epp Sepp, Associate Professor in Medical Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
- Sirje Sisask, Curator, Museum
- Peeter Somelar, Research Fellow in Geology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
- Ene-Reet Soovik, Editor, Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics
- Kadri Steinbach, Director for Academic Affairs, Viljandi Culture Academy, until 2025
- Katre Talviste, Lecturer in Didactics of Literature, Institute of Cultural Research
- Elis Riin Tars-Hunt, student in Medicine
- Moonika Teemus, Head of the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books, Library
- Thomas Thomberg, Associate Professor in Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
- Krisztina Tóth, Visiting Lecturer in Hungarian Language, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
- Aili Tuhkanen, Assistant in Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry
- Martin Valvas, bachelor’s student in Computer Engineering
- Epp Veersalu, Administrator, Estates Office
- Terje Vellemaa, Senior IT Specialist, Institute of Computer Science
- Riina Vibo, Research Fellow in Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Tiia Vissak, Associate Professor of International Business, School of Economics and Business Administration
- Ilona Võik, Teacher of Estonian, Institute of Education
- Kandela Õun, Junior Lecturer in Statistics, Pärnu College
- Erki Õunap, Research Fellow of Entomology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
Decoration “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu”
- Aili Bernotas, Librarian, Library
- Toomas Bernotas, Engineer, Institute of Physics
- Sulev Haldre, Associate Professor in Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine
- Eha Kirsberg, Senior Laboratory Assistant, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
- Birute Klaas-Lang, Professor of Estonian as Foreign Language, Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
- Jelisaveta-Kaarina Kostandi, Specialist of Russian, Associate Professor emerita, Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- Tarmo Kulmar, Professor emeritus, School of Theology and Religious Studies
- Mati Laur, Professor of Modern History, Institute of History and Archaeology
- Enn Lust, Professor of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry
- Karmen Lust, Associate Professor in Physical and Electrochemistry, Institute of Chemistry
- Toivo Maimets, Professor of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
- Maša Muškat, Archibus/FM Specialist, Estates Office
- Rita Mõttus, Preparator, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
- Tõnu Pani, Specialist, Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden
- Mati Pääsuke, Professor emeritus, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
- Raivo Raid, Lecturer in Developmental Biology, Senior Specialist for Electron Microscopy, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
- Merle Rehand, Senior Specialist for Open University Studies, Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
- Siiri Reinola, Librarian, Library
- Vilve Seiler, Information Literacy Coordinator, Subject Librarian, Library
- Martin Zobel, Professor of Plant Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
- Kalev Tarkpea, Head of the Department of Physics Education, Institute of Physics
- Tiia Tulviste, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Institute of Psychology
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