Distinguished Alumni
Alumnus/Alumna of the year is the highest award Tallinn University gives its alumni for exceptional performance in improving well-being on an international, national or local level. The Alumnus/Alumna of the year award is given to a person or a group of alumni.
The Distinguished Alumna/Alumnus is an award given for exceptional contribution within the areas the university prioritises. The award is given for professionalism, ethics and innovation, contribution to the society and university development. Distinguished Alumni can be several people or groups of people.
Tallinn University Alumni of the Year:
| Year | Name | Year of Graduation | Occupation at the time of Receiving the Award | Reason for recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Joonas Hellerma | 2009 | Cultural journalist | for his outstanding contribution to Estonian society as a cultural journalist , promoter of the Estonian Book and the Year of the Estonian Book, and as a philosophy teacher in several schools. |
|
2020 |
Maarika Truu | 2012 | CEO of Startup Estonia |
For contributing to the development of Estonian business and raising environmental awareness. |
| 2020 | Tanel Toom | 2005 | Film director | |
| 2019 | Triin Toomesaar | 2015 | CEO of The Foundation of Bullying-Free School | Master of political science, graduate of Noored Kooli, leader of the Bully Free School foundation, citizen activist and nominee of the president's young public figure of education prize. |
| 2018 | Mart Taniel | 2005 | Cameraman | For outstanding and internationally acknowledged cinematography work, which was crowned by the spotlight of the American Society of Cinematographers in 2017. |
| 2017 | 2014 | Director | For the creation of successful and award-winning films. | |
| 2016 | Kalev Pihl | 2002 | CEO of SK ID Solutions | For the creation of Estonian e-identity and promotion of digital signing. |
| 2015 | Team of the movie 鈥淩isttuules鈥 and Director Martti Helde | 2011 | Filmstudio Allfilm Director | For high-level artistic achievement and promotion of cooperation between alumni and students. |
| 2015 | Team of the movie "Nullpunkt" and Director Mihkel Ulk | 2010 | Filmstudio Allfilm Director | For high-level artistic achievement and promotion of cooperation between alumni and students. |
Distinguished Alumni of Tallinn University:
| Year | Name | Year of graduation | Occupation at the time of receiving the award | Reason for recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Maria K眉tt | 2002 | a shining example of combining theoretical knowledge and practice in both her leadership and teaching roles - an inspiring and forward-thinking leader in both the academic and professional worlds. | |
| 2025 | Mart Sander | 2024 | a great role model for lifelong learning, BFM cultural ambassador and promoter of doctoral degrees - Guinness World Record holder in the category of "Most characters played by one actor in a single film". | |
| 2025 | Kristo Siig | 2019 | for his outstanding contribution to the Estonian educational landscape and the development of Estonian youth - a respected and creative history teacher, educational technologist and content creator on YouTube's "Video玫ps" channel. | |
| 2025 | Maarja Krais-Leosk | 2022 | a positive-minded expert and leader in the field of social work - a conceptual thinker who can express herself in a popular way when needed. | |
| 2025 | Krista Keedus | 2022 | for smoothly organising the transition to studying in Estonian in Tallinn schools, promoting the educational life of the capital and for her consistent contribution to supporting the next generation of educational leaders in degree studies and continuing education. | |
| 2025 | Mari Laan | 2024 | for her significant contribution to providing internships for students of Spanish language and culture at her publishing house Toledo, for her participation in the teaching of the subject and for supervising students' research - a renowned translator, researcher of the history of translation, commentator on translation and the image of Spain. |
|
| 2025 | Janar S盲kk | 2023 | for his significant contribution to the development of Haapsalu College study programme of Health Promotion Specialist through the development of two new courses "Physical Literacy" and "Planning and Instruction of Healthy Movement". | |
| 2020 | Tiina Ollesk | BA 2005, MA 2007 | Dancer, choreographer, dance teacher | |
| 2020 | Margus Viher | Director of Patent Office | ||
| 2020 | Helina Loor | Creator and CEO of SpeakSmart | ||
| 2020 | Katrin Heinloo |
Art therapist at Perh Psychiatric Clinic |
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| 2020 | Andrei Ivanov | Writer | ||
| 2020 | Viola Murd | 2000 | ||
| 2020 | Solveig Edasi | MA 2005, 2011 | ||
| 2019 |
Janno Kriiska |
2006 | ||
| 2019 | Andres Avarand | BA 1978, MA 1998 | Associate Professor Emeritus | Dean, professor and head of the music chair of the department of culture at Tallinn University and long-standing conductor at song festivals. |
| 2019 | Liljana Skopinskaj | 1980 | Associate Professor of English Didactics | She has conducted foreign language teacher degree-level learning and continuing education courses, and intercultural communication competency workshops in Estonia as well as the European Centre for Modern Languages. More than 50 master's theses have been defended under her guidance. |
| 2019 | Alise D墨rika | 2016 | Infogram Co-founder | Co-founder of the infogram who was named by Forbes as among the 30 most influential young people under 30-year-old to work in the field of media. |
| 2019 | Karmen Paul | 2016 | Director of Viimsi Gymnasium | Has worked long-term as a head of school, vice-principal and teacher. Is currently developing Viimsi State Gymnasium. |
| 2019 | Liisa Puusepp | BA 2002, MA 2004, PhD 2011 |
Research Fellow of Tallinn University Insitute of Ecology |
Researcher at Tallinn University and environmental awareness advisor at the Ministry of the Environment, who with her efficient work and personal characteristics has made many young people interested in natural sciences. |
| 2019 | Hanna Vseviov | 2012 |
Head of Department of Child Welfare, Ministry of Social Affairs |
Master of social work who as the advisor of the children and families department has proven to be a very capable official and member of society with a sense of mission. |
| 2018 |
Marko Torm |
2006 | The Mayor of Rakvere City | For contribution to the development of West Viru County as the county governor and mayor of Rakvere and for promotion of the local educational scene there. |
| 2018 | Katrina Koppel | 2006 | Vice President of European Student Union | For representing student interests. |
| 2018 | Eda Ahi | 2012 | Poet | For upholding the custom of outstanding Estonian women poets and successful activity as the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| 2018 | Jonas Nahkor | 2006 | Teacher at V盲盲tsa School | For promoting environmental education and popularising science, including heading the student space programme. |
| 2018 | Mart M盲e | 2010 | CEO of Microsoft Estonia | For a successful career, promoting new technologies as well as research and teaching work. |
| 2018 | Dagmar M盲e | 2013 | Crossmedia enthusiast | For creating, implementing and introducing cross-media solutions, launching innovative projects and training and instructing students. |
| 2017 |
Jaanika Peerna |
1995 | Internationally recognised video and light artist | For internationally significant and field-connecting artistry. |
| 2017 | Kristina M盲gi | 2011 | Director of Kohila Kindergarten Sipsik, Education Manager of 2016 | For outstanding achievements in directing education. |
| 2017 | Helen Tartes-Babkina | 2010 | Psychotherapist, art therapist and psychologist | For acknowledgement of creative therapies in the field of mental health. |
| 2017 | Joonas Hellerma | 2009 |
Television journalist, TV and Film Critic, Presenter of TV Show Plekktrumm |
For TV work that honours ethics and engages the public. |
| 2017 | Kaia Iva | 1986 |
Estonian Minister of Social Security, Economist and Politician |
For responsible and successful activity in education and politics. |
| 2016 | Janne Andresoo | 1987 | CEO of Estonian National Library | For an outstanding contribution to promoting information sciences. |
| 2016 | Jan Kaus | 1995 | Writer | For the contribution to promoting Estonian cultural life. |
| 2016 | Mart Kuurme | 1997 | Teacher of Physics at Tallinn Secondary School of Science | For long-term successful work teaching science subjects and developing the field. |
| 2016 | Marje Paljak | 1999 | Manager of Social Welfare Office at the Tallinn Centre District Administration | For long-term and valuable contribution to the development of the fields of social protection and social work development. |
| 2016 | Matis Rei | 2011 | Sound Director, Lecturer at BFM | For high-level and internationally awarded works. |
| 2016 | Teibi Torm | 2011 | Promoter of "Back to School" | For the contribution to promoting Estonian teacher education and popularisation. |
| 2015 | Martin Ehala | 1990 | Professor of Estonian language didactics and applied linguistics at University of Tartu | For the contribution to developing mother tongue teaching and Tallinn University. |
| 2015 | Andrei Ivanov | 1998 | Freelance writer | For outstanding creative activity. |
| 2015 | Kadi Kruusma | 2005 | Vice director of Rakvere High School | For the contribution to building Rakvere Gymnasium into a distinct school and the development of the joint studying of bilingual students. |
| 2015 | Rein Oselin | 1991 | Director of J盲rvamaa Vocational Education Centre | For the long-term promotion of the Viru County education scene and the development of J盲rva County Vocational Education Centre into a modern learning facility. |
| 2015 | Marko Reikop | 1991 | Host and editor at Estonian National Broadcasting | For purposeful and dedicated work and professionalism and objectivity as a TV journalist. |
| 2015 | Darja Saar | 2008 | Editor-in-chief of ETV+ | For the development of the contest of entrepreneur ideas of school youth and the creation of the ENTRUM development programme. |
| 2015 | Marian V玫sumets | 2014 | Host of Tudeng.tv | For handling challenging points and topical questions as a TV journalist. |
| 2015 | Anu V盲lba | 1998 | Host and editor at Estonian National Broadcasting | For dedication and high ethics in journalism and an objective and positive stance as a TV journalist. |
| 2014 | 1957 | Senior researcher at Tartu Observatory and associate professor emeritus at the University of Tartu | For long-term popularisation of natural sciences. | |
| 2014 | Toomas T玫nise | 1976. | Vice president of the Estonian Olympic Committee | For the development of intelligent mental and physical culture for the good of the state. |
| 2014 | Toomas Luhats | 2001 | Procurement manager at Elion NutiTV | For the activity of introducing school life and promoting education in Estonian media. |
| 2014 | Toomas Kruusim盲gi | 1986 | Director of Tallinn English College | For long-term popularisation of English language and culture and promotion of the educational scene. |
| 2014 | J眉rgen Rooste | 2012 | Freelance writer and poet | For active organisation of the Estonian literary scene and outstanding creative activity. |
| 2014 | Anneli Aken | 2005 | Conductor and choirmaster in Germany | For the multifaceted promotion of culture and education. |
| 2014 | 2001 | Teacher and head of knowledge centre at Viimsi High School | For promoting the educational scene and popularising science. | |
| 2014 | Helmen K眉tt | BA 2001
MA 2003 |
Minister of Social Security of the Republic of Estonia | For being an outstanding paragon in speciality work in the fields of social welfare and social politics. |
| 2014 | Elle J眉rgenson | 2007 | Medic and head of evacuation group on military missions in Afghanistan | For contributions in speciality work in the fields of military and security. |
| 2014 | Mart Kangro | 1996 | Focuses on his own choreographic work | For focusing on the meanings of the human body and movement in theatre as well as semiotic space-time. |