Topic: recognition 

On 23 January, the University of Tartu Foundation recognised the scholarship recipients of the autumn semester of 2025 and thanked the foundation’s donors in the White Hall of the University of Tartu Museum. Scholarships were awarded from 33 funds in a total amount exceeding €200,000.

With the annual awards, the university aims to recognise its employees’ and students’ outstanding achievements in teaching, doing research and serving society.

On 2 December 2025, Paul Cobley — Honorary Doctor of the University of Tartu — delivered a public lecture titled “Thinking: close and distant” as part of the Juri Lotman Lecture Series. The lecture is now available to watch online.

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.

Selgunud on tänavused Tartu Ülikooli teenetemärkide kavalerid. Filosoofia ja semiootika instituudist pälvisid Tartu Ülikooli aumärgi Siobhan Ann Kattago, poliitikafilosoofia kaasprofessor ja Ene-Reet Soovik, semiootika osakonna toimetaja.

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.

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

In collaboration with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various partners at Stanford University, Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom has announced the 2026 Short-Term Research Fellowships for Estonian scholars. Two of the Stanford University Fellowships for Estonian Security and Foreign Policy Experts were awarded to researchers from the University of Tartu, semioticians Mari-Liis Madisson and Andreas Ventsel.

Today, at the ceremony and concert dedicated to the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia in the University of Tartu assembly hall, the Peeter Tulviste memorial fund prize, the Ernst Jaakson memorial fund scholarship and the Lennart Meri award for research and for master’s thesis were presented.

On 21 February, the Peeter Tulviste memorial fund prize was presented at the ceremony marking the Republic of Estonia’s anniversary at the University of Tartu. The 5,000-euro prize was awarded to Research Fellow in Theoretical Philosophy Uku Tooming, whose research focuses on understanding the cultural nature of humans.