Badges of Merit

The Tallinn University Badge of Merit is awarded to university employees who have stood out with their long-term excellent work and persons who have done a great service to the university outside of the university.

Badge of Merit

2025

  • Birgit Vilgats, Director of the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School - for her effective work in leading the institute.
  • Hans Põldoja, Head of Studies at the School of Digital Technologies - for leading the introduction and creation of new digital tools at the institute, including a significant contribution to the DigiÕIS portal, which has facilitated management decisions and various analyses and supported academic staff in planning their work and assessing their workload.
  • Heli Kaldas, Director of Haapsalu College - for her long and effective work in leading the college.
  • Tiia Õun, Director of the School of Educational Sciences - for her long and effective work in leading the institute and developing the field of education at the University.
  • Aili Tamm, Study Specialist at the School of Educational Sciences - for her long-standing and dedicated work in organising studies at the School of Educational Sciences.
  • Hannes Palang, Professor of Human Geography at the School of Humanities, Head of the Centre for Landscape and Culture - for his long-term contribution to the development of the university, the establishment and successful management of the Centre for Landscape and Culture.
  • Jaanus Terasmaa, Professor of Ecohydrology at the School of Natural Sciences and Health, Head of the Institute of Ecology - for his outstanding contribution to research on climate and environmental change, environmental education, interdisciplinary cooperation and keynote speeches in the field, which have contributed to the promotion of sustainable development and the green transition in Estonia and internationally. 
  • Indrek Grauberg, Director of the School of Governance, Law and Society - for his long-term leadership of the institute.
  • Eve Kiiler, Lecturer in Contemporary Art at the Baltic, Film, Media and Arts School - is celebrated for her exceptional commitment to the aesthetic image of the campus. She curates 50-60 exhibitions each year, showcasing the creative works of our students, staff, and alumni. In addition, she continually explores ways to extend the visibility of our creatives beyond the campus.
  • Kristiina Oppi, Chief Collections Manager at the Marketing and Communication Office - is celebrated for her exceptional commitment to the aesthetic image of the campus. She curates 50-60 exhibitions each year, showcasing the creative works of our students, staff, and alumni. In addition, she continually explores ways to extend the visibility of our creatives beyond the campus.

2024

  • Andres Jõesaar, Associate Professor of Media Policies at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School - for his significant contribution to the management of the university in the field of creative activities and cooperative relations, the development of the LIFE course, the creation of the student media house LUNA, the development of cooperation with companies and the development of media and communication study area at the BFM.
  • Ruth Shimmo, Director of the School of Natural Sciences and Health - for her long-standing and effective leadership of the institute and for developing an empathetic organisational culture that integrates disciplines.
  • Kirsi Tirri, Professor of Education at the University of Helsinki - for her leadership and guidance in the collaborative relationship between Tallinn University and the University of Helsinki and long-standing commitment to the mutual development of doctoral studies, support for doctoral students and supervisors.
  • Matthew Earl Crandall, Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Governance, Law and Society - for his consistent work as a highly regarded lecturer and supervisor, for his significant contribution to the management and development of the international relations study programme and for the popularisation of the field.
  • Mart Laanpere, Professor of Mathematics and Computing Education at the School of Digital Technologies, for his long-standing and dedicated work as the founder of the technology enhanced learning study area and as the developer of the Centre for Educational Technology at the University, as an internationally recognised researcher, high-level publisher and supervisor.
  • Peep Nemvalts, Research Fellow Emeritus at the School of Humanities - for his long-standing and dedicated work in the promotion of academic Estonian, for promoting quality higher education in Estonian, for founding the university centre for academic language, for organising conferences on academic language, for teaching and training in the field.
  • Tõnis Saarts, Associate Professor of Comparative Politics at the School of Governance, Law and Society - for his consistent active contribution to media coverage that has helped raise the visibility and reputation of Tallinn University as a research university.
  • Tiina Tambaum, Lecturer of Social Gerontology at Haapsalu College - for her active contribution to the media coverage of Tallinn University as a leader of development in the field of older people and senior work.

2023

  • Krista Aren, Associate Professor of Design at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School - for her invaluable contribution to the innovation of arts learning and teaching and for designing several learning and leisure areas on the campus.
  • Aira Lepik, Lecturer in Librarianship at the School of Digital Technologies - for her long-standing work in teaching and popularising information science.
  • Ene Alas, Associate Professor of English Language and Testing at the School of Humanities - for her long-term, reliable and consistent work as a highly respected lecturer and supervisor, and for developing the study programmes of English Language and Culture and Foreign Language Teacher.
  • Aino Ugaste, Professor of Early Childhood Education at the School of Educational Sciences - for her long-term and effective leadership and development of teaching, research and development activities in the field of early childhood education.
  • Krista Loogma, Distinguished Professor of Vocational Education at the School of Educational Sciences - for her long-standing and effective leadership and development of research, teaching and development in the field of vocational education.
  • Raivo Vetik, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Politics at the School of Governance, Law and Society - for his long-standing successful contribution to the development of the field of social research and for his successful management of projects in the field of migration.
  • Saima Kuu, Lecturer in Anatomy at the School of Natural Sciences and Health - for her long-standing and valued work as a lecturer, head of study programmes and promoter of physical activity.
  • Professor of Chemistry at the School of Natural Sciences and Health, Rando Tuvikene - for his great contribution as a successful project applicant, research group leader and doctoral thesis supervisor.

2021

  • Kairit Tammets, Senior Research Fellow in Technology Enhanced Learning, Head of the Centre for Educational Technology at the School of Digital Technologies - for her long-standing exemplary leadership of the Centre for Educational Technology at Tallinn University and for receiving the National Research Award 2020.
  • Kai Pata, Associate Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning at the School of Digital Technologies - for promoting the study area of technology enhanced learning, launching and managing the Open Society Technologies study programme and contributing to the development of the LIFE course at Tallinn University.
  • Maia Muldma, Lecturer in Teacher Education and Educational Science at the School of Educational Sciences - for developing the field of music didactics, writing textbooks and methodological literature, and developing the study programme of classroom teacher at Tallinn University.
  • Talvi Märja, Professor Emeritus of the School of Educational Sciences, for establishing the field of andragogy at Tallinn University and for developing adult education policy in Estonia.
  • Tiina Selke, Associate Professor of Music Didactics at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School - for her long-standing promotion and development of the field of music education at Tallinn University.
  • Indrek Ibrus, Professor of Media Innovation at the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School - for launching and effective managing of the Centre of Excellence in Media Innovation at Tallinn University.
  • Professor Emeritus of the School of Humanities Otto Jastrow - for the establishment of the Arab Studies study area at TLU's Estonian Institute of Humanities. All the current faculty members of the Middle Eastern Studies speciality and PhD students in Studies of Culture - Middle East at the Tallinn University's School of Humanities have developed from this study area and his students. After gaining emeritus status, he was awarded the prestigious Edward Ullendorff Medal.
  • Krista Kerge, Professor Emerita at the School of Humanities - for her long-standing and exemplary work at Tallinn University. She is a highly respected member of the faculty, an exceptional lecturer, a thorough and demanding supervisor, and a leader in her specialty with a broad perspective. As one of the leading researchers in the field of textual studies in Estonia, she has also been a strong advocate for the ongoing professional development of first language teachers, including the establishment of the Information Centre for the Teaching of First Language at the University. 
  • Merike Sisask, Professor of Social Healthcare at the School of Governance, Law and Society, Senior Research Fellow - for her long-standing and excellent research at Tallinn University.
  • Erik Terk , Professor Emeritus at the School of Governance, Law and Society - for his long-term and successful contribution to the development of the field of futurology in Estonia, the application for contract-based funding, and the involvement of private and public funding in Tallinn University.
  • Tiit Land, Professor of Chemistry at the School of Natural Sciences and Health, Rector of Tallinn University of Technology - for his long-term effective leadership of Tallinn University.
  • Eve Kikas, Professor of School Psychology at the School of Natural Sciences and Health - in connection with the development of the internationally renowned field of school psychology at Tallinn University, for her contribution to both academic and applied fields, including the publication of Estonian-language teaching materials and continuing education.
  • Aleksander Pulver, Associate Professor of Personality Psychology at the School of Natural Sciences and Health - for successfully launching and initiating communication during the emergency period, launching emergency impact research and promoting the field of Health Behaviour and Wellbeing at Tallinn University.
  • Tiiu Koff, Visiting Professor at the School of Natural Sciences and Health, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ecology – for her long-standing and significant contribution to the activities of Tallinn University, to doctoral studies and to the promotion of research and teaching at the Institute of Ecology.
  • Andres Kollist, Director of the Academic Library - for his long-term work and contribution to the management and development of the Tallinn University Academic Library.

2020

Name Reason for recognition
Tarmo Rajaleid

Lecturer of montage at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School and director of BFM Production Centre – for long-standing contribution to the development of the technical foundation of the school and the creation of a high-level production environment that supports creative and study work (Badge of Merit No. 81).
Tõnu Talpsep

Technical Specialist of the Equipment Storage of the BFM Production Centre at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School – for recording the history of the school and maintaining the life spirit of the collective (Badge of Merit No. 82).
Tiia Artla

Crafting technology and folk art lecturer at the School of Natural Sciences and Health Tiia Artla – a lecturer valued by students and a loved and supportive colleague who has stood for the good development of the speciality (Badge of Merit No. 83).
Kristjan Port

Sports biology professor at the School of Natural Sciences and Health Kristjan Port – for contributing to society and speaking out on the topic of health promotion (Badge of Merit No. 84).
Airi Värnik

Professor emeritus at the School of Natural Sciences and Health Airi Värnik – for a large contribution to the development of university and doctoral studies and being the leading person of interdisciplinarity at the School of Natural Sciences and Health (Badge of Merit No. 85).
Maris Kurel

Study regulations specialist at the Academic Affairs Office Maris Kurel – for outstanding proper work at the university (Badge of Merit No. 86).
Madis Lepik

Didactics of mathematics doctor at the School of Digital Technologies Madis Lepik – for the undertaking of training Estonian mathematics teachers (Badge of Merit No. 87).
Pille Eslon

Language technology doctor at the School of Digital Technologies Pille Eslon – for founding and promoting the research category of language technologies at Tallinn University (Badge of Merit No. 88).
Ants Sild

Member of the council of the School of Digital Technologies and the IT management curriculum council Ants Sild – for long-term contribution to the development of the School of Digital Technologies (Badge of Merit No. 89).
Sulev Oll

Head of communication at the Marketing and Communication Office Sulev Oll – for excellent work in the coverage of university activities (Badge of Merit No. 90).
Kadri Kiigema

Head of the Marketing and Communication Office Kadri Kiigema – for innovative and effective marketing and communication activities (Badge of Merit No. 91).
Eveli Ojamäe-Veider

Head of the Personnel Office Eveli Ojamäe-Veider – for her meaningful contribution to the organisation of personnel politics (Badge of Merit No. 92).
Helen Joost

Head of the Academic Affairs Office Helen Joost – for her contribution to the long-term and effective development of degree-level learning (Badge of Merit No. 93).
Raimo Pullat

Professor emeritus at the Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communication School Raimo Pullat – for years of high-level contribution to city history research (Badge of Merit No. 94).
Jekaterina Koort

Confucius Institute director Jekaterina Koort – for exemplary and successful work in contributing to development of the institute (Badge of Merit No. 95).
Martin Sildos

Tallinn University Symphonic Orchestra conductor Martin Sildos – for meaningful and exceptional concert activities (badge of merit No. 96)
Kersti Sirel

School of Natural Sciences and Health basketball didactics lecturer Kersti Sirel – for successful work in promoting physical education (badge of merit No. 97)
Toomas Karjahärm

School of Humanities research track associate professor Toomas Karjahärm – for long-term successful research and contributions to study activities (badge of merit No. 98)
Maie Pihlamägi

School of Humanities research track associate professor Maie Pihlamägi – for years of dedicated work in leading the research journal Acta Historica Tallinnensia (badge of merit No. 99)
Merle Tischler

Management Support Office secretary Merle Tischer – for long-term contribution to the wellbeing of management support and university members (badge of merit No. 100)
Toomas Meister

Information Technology Office head Toomas Meister – for successful work in developing the university’s information technology infrastructure (badge of merit No. 101)

2019

Allan Puur
Andi Kivinukk
Anne Tiko
Arvo Iho
Ene Lind
Georg Sootla
Irina Belobrovtseva
Jüri Kruusvall
Karin Baskin
Katrin Saks
Marek Tamm
Marga Lvova
Marika Veisson
Marje Lepanen
Meeli Roosalu
Mihhail Lotman
Orest Kormašov
Renee Nõmmik
Zhu Lu
Tõnis Põder
Viiu Tuulik

2018
Kadri Herde
Linda Elken
Sirje Lämmergas

2016
Anne Tali
Rein Veidemann
Maie Vikat
Sirje Runge
Angela Arraste
Luule Sakkeus
Indrek Vijard 

2015
Aurika Meimre
Jyrki Käkönen
Peeter Normak
Hagi Åšein
David Lamas
Timo Tobias
Ellu Saar

2014
Ene Käpp
Jüri-Ruut Kangur
Viivi Maanso

2013
Kaido Fridolin
Keit Paal
Kaarel Zilmer
Anu Iho
Viive-Riina Ruus

2012
Jüri Rent
Rein Raud

2011
Elviine Uverskaja
Kristel Toom
Marvi Pulver
Romi Mankin
Mihhail Lotman
Sirje Virkus
Tõnu Viik
Anne Valmas
Taimi Tulva 
Imbi Teiter
Edith Sepp
Mailis Reps
Priit Raudkivi
Jüri Ratas
Ãœlar Ploom
Juhan Parts
Tõnis Palts
Tiiu Olm
Heli Mattisen
Kersti Markus
Lauri Läänemets
Suliko Liiv
Rein Lang
Henn Kukk
Leif Kalev
Mati Heidmets
Hille Erik
Martin Ehala
Anzori Barkalaja
Andres Avarand
Mait Arvisto

2010
Krista Mits
Lylian Meister

2004
Helju Ridali
Ants Tarraste
Urve Ratas
Viivi Maanso

2003 
Ãœlo Ugaste
Valdo Liblik
Pille Kippar
Hans Gross
Lembit Andresen

2002 
Aksel Telgmaa
Jaan-Mati Punning
Jüri Orn
Rein Maran
Mait Arvisto 

Order of Merit

2002
Evi Mannermaa

2000
August Undusk
Kersti Sirel
Peeter Normak
Veera Neverdinova
Romi Mankin
Mati Graf 

1999
Leo Villand
Taimi Tulva
Helle Saarsoo
Jaan-Mati Punning
Tiiu Olm
Kaalu Kirme
Hergi Karik
Mati Hint
Mati Heidmets