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.

Meet alumni of the century

Tallinn University Alumni of the Year:

Year	Name	Year of Graduation	Occupation at the time of Receiving the Award	Reason for recognition
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	Triin Ruumet	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 “Risttuules” 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
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
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 Dīrika	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 Väätsa School	For promoting environmental education and popularising science, including heading the student space programme.
2018	Mart Mäe	2010	CEO of Microsoft Estonia	For a successful career, promoting new technologies as well as research and teaching work.
2018	Dagmar Mäe	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 Mägi	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 Järvamaa Vocational Education Centre	For the long-term promotion of the Viru County education scene and the development of Järva 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 Võsumets	2014	Host of Tudeng.tv	For handling challenging points and topical questions as a TV journalist.
2015	Anu Välba	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	Uno Veismann	1957	Senior researcher at Tartu Observatory and associate professor emeritus at the University of Tartu	For long-term popularisation of natural sciences.
2014	Toomas Tõnise	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 Kruusimägi	1986	Director of Tallinn English College	For long-term popularisation of English language and culture and promotion of the educational scene.
2014	Jürgen 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	Peeter Sipelgas	2001	Teacher and head of knowledge centre at Viimsi High School	For promoting the educational scene and popularising science.
2014	Helmen Kütt	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 Jürgenson	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.