Best lecturers of 2018 revealed

Based on students’ feedback, UT’s 2018 lecturers of the year are Reet Alas, a French teacher at the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures of the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Kristel Ruutmets, an entry level English teacher at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Joel Starkopf, a Professor of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at the Faculty of Medicine and Edith Viirlaid, an Assistant in Colloidal and Environmental Chemistry at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The President of the UT Student Body Allan Aksiim thinks that the University of Tartu as a promoter of science and education is a pillar of Estonian society. “Inevitably, people studying at the University of Tartu will, in the best way, gain the knowledge they need to govern the state, become a leading force in society and change the world,” he explains. “That’s why we need to recognise skilled lecturers – to make sure our young people and future leaders inherit their valuable intellectual resources.”

The lecturers of the year received silver pins designed by jewellery designer Katrin Veegen especially for this occasion. In addition, the lecturers received a bonus the size of a professor’s minimum monthly wage at UT. All prizes were awarded at the anniversary ball on December 1st at Vanemuine Concert Hall. 

In addition, the ten best teaching staff members of each faculty are recognised. At the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, seven out of the ten are members of the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures:

• Reet Alas, Teacher of French;
• Katiliina Gielen, Lecturer in English Language and Translation Studies;
• Natalija Joonas, Teacher of Russian;
• Krõõt Kaljusto-Munck, Teacher of English and Swedish;
• Kaidi Kriisa, Lecturer of Latin;
• Ele Sepp, Teacher of English;
• Piret Toomet, Teacher of Estonian.

The recognition ceremony took place during the festivities held in honour of the 99th anniversary of the Estonian national university on December 1st.