University of Tartu has announced this year’s recipients of honorary decorations

  • 2024-10-27

On 25 October, the University of Tartu senate decided to award the University of Tartu Grand Medal to Professor of International Business Urmas Varblane.  Also, 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 been announced.

The University of Tartu Grand Medal is the highest award granted to university members for services of particular value. According to the senate’s resolution, this year’s Grand Medal was awarded to Urmas Varblane, Professor of International Business, member of the University of Tartu council and member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Professor Varblane is an outstanding economist whose contribution extends beyond the conventional scope of academic work. He has served as a bridge between universities and entrepreneurship, making a direct impact on both public policy-making and corporate strategies.  

Urmas Varblane focuses in his research on the role of foreign investment in economic restructuring, the development of national innovation systems and policies, globalisation, and the internationalisation of enterprises. Worth a special mention is his contribution to establishing and developing the Asia Centre at the University of Tartu, which has helped strengthen cooperation and economic ties between Estonia and Asian countries.  

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 recognised with the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation for rendering great services to the university.  

The University of Tartu Star of Appreciation is granted to Aveli Asber, artistic director of the University of Tartu Folk Dance Ensemble; Jaanus Kann, Director of the Southern Department of Estonian Internal Security Service; Tiiu Kirsipuu, sculptor and the University of Tartu’s partner in public space design; Kulno Kungla, Manager of Tartu Student Club; Rainer Saks, security expert and university’s adviser on cybersecurity; Ingrid Tersman, Ambassador of Sweden to Estonia until 2024; Ahto Truu, leader of the Olympiad movement, and Ants Veetõusme, President of the Estonian Academic Sports Federation 2005–2024 and Secretary General 2001–2005.

The list of all other recipients of the honorary decorations has been published on the university website

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.

All university members may nominate candidates for the honorary decorations of the University of Tartu. The names of this year’s and earlier recipients of honorary decorations have been entered in the awards and recognition database on the university’s website. Read more about honorary decorations on the university’s website.