Topic: recognition 

At the start of the autumn semester, a competition for Playtech scholarships was held, with a total of 27 applications submitted. The recipients were computer science students Muhammad Haris Irfan and Hendrik Jaks.

Scholarships were presented to seven students on University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science Day, held on 25 September.

Nominations for the Estonian Science Communication Awards can be submitted to the Estonian Research Council (ETAG) until 15 September. The competition aims to recognise outstanding and active science communicators as well as innovative initiatives that promote science to wider audiences.

The Estonian Research Council (ETAG) invites students to participate in the 2026 National Contest for University Students. The last day for submissions is 15 September. This year, the total prize fund exceeds €200,000.

UT staff and students are invited to nominate candidates who deserve to be awarded the university’s honorary decoration for their outstanding achievements. Nominations can be submitted until 20 September.

Academy members Jaak Vilo (bioinformatics) and Martin Zobel (ecology) have been elected Members of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

On 10 June, the University of Tartu announced its new teaching excellence ambassadors, who serve as role models for the entire university community. The title is given to recognise 14 academic staff members who develop their teaching based on evidence and support an open teaching culture that values learning.

The recipient of the Young Scientist Award of the Culture Fund of the President of the Republic is Anni Allikalt, the Young IT Scientist Award was granted to Marharyta Domnich, and the Young Environmental Scientist Award went to Jeffrey Carbillet.

Ahead of the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the University of Tartu announced the recipients of the contribution to society award, research award, language award and the teaching staff of the year awards for 2025.

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.