Employees of the Skytte Institute, Kristiina Tõnnisson and Maili Vilson, received university decorations

On Friday, October 25, this year’s University of Tartu decorations recipients were announced. Among others, the head of the institute and lecturer in public administration, Kristiina Tõnnisson, received the University of Tartu Medal, and the deputy head of the institute for academic affairs, Maili Vilson, received the University of Tartu Badge of Distinction. 

Kristiina Tõnnisson has been the long-time head of the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies and, before that, the head of the University of Tartu’s European College. “Under her leadership, the institute has been brought to a very good financial position and has grown from one of the smallest to one of the largest units in the social field in terms of the number of employees, with extensive internationalisation among both the institute’s staff and students,” said Mihkel Solvak, deputy head for development and associate professor of technology studies at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. 

Kristiina Tõnnisson has skillfully contributed to resolving various crises that have affected the university and the institute and mitigating their negative impacts. In the first case, her actions were important in supporting the institute’s Ukrainian students and staff and ensuring the smooth continuation of teaching and research work in a situation where the work of people and projects related to Ukraine was at risk. In the second case, her actions in responding to the crisis, maintaining the university’s reputation, and caring for the well-being of her home institute’s people in a way that went beyond what the position necessarily requires deserve special mention. “The quality of management of university units and institutes becomes particularly evident in crises, and she has shown capability and care in them,” Solvak specified. 

Maili Vilson is the deputy head of academic affairs of the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, under whose leadership numerous educational developments and applied projects have been carried out with various partners outside the university. “The organisation and quality assurance of the institute’s teaching has largely been on Maili’s shoulders, and she has successfully fulfilled this difficult task. The institute’s staff and students enjoy the fruits of this work without often noticing the great work that has taken place in the background. The Badge of Distinction is a sign that this is noticed and appreciated,” said Solvak. 

Rector Toomas Asser recognised university members for their outstanding work with the University of Tartu Medal, Badge of Distinction, and the “100 Semesters at the University of Tartu” decoration, as well as the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation for non-university individuals who have rendered great services to the university. Among others, the University of Tartu Star of Appreciation was awarded to security expert and university advisor on cybersecurity Rainer Saks, a long-time cooperation partner of the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. 

The Senate of the University of Tartu decided to recognise Professor of International Business Urmas Varblane with the University of Tartu Grand Medal. The Grand Medal is the highest internal recognition of the university, awarded to university members for special merits. Read more on the university’s main page. 

Rector Toomas Asser will ceremoniously present the university decorations on November 21 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 these years 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.