Topic: recognition 

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 21 November, the University of Tartu senate decided to make nominations for the national research awards of the Republic of Estonia.

On 1 December, the ceremony of the 106th anniversary of Estonia’s national university took place at the University of Tartu assembly hall. As part of the ceremony, the University of Tartu Honorary Doctor Professor Svante Pääbo delivered a lecture “About Neandertals, and how they live on in many of us”.

On 12 November, at the Estonian Research Council’s annual science communication conference, the traditional science popularisation awards and special prizes were presented to those who speak about science in an inspiring way.

On 12 November, the Estonian Research Council recognised outstanding science communicators at its annual science communication conference.

We asked four recipients of honorary decorations to share what makes the University of Tartu special to them.

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.

Three student teams from the University of Tartu took part in the Nordic Collegiate Programming Contest (NCPC) on 4 October, where a total of 173 teams from across the Nordic and Baltic countries competed in the main ICPC category.

Triin Laisk, Associate Professor of Genomics and Reproductive Genetics at the University of Tartu, has become the first person from the Baltics to be selected as one of eight finalists in the Scientific Achievement category of the Inspiring Women in Science competition organised by the journal Nature.

Until 31 October, nominations can be submitted for the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award.