Three Golden Ravens landed at TalTech

Usually, after major sports competitions, athletes are asked: “How does it feel?” This Saturday, the same question was answered by the laureates of the Estonian Student Awards, who stood out with their impactful campaigns, contributions to society, or other meaningful efforts that enriched student life.

At this year’s TUNNE gala — held for the third time — awards were presented in ten categories. The jury included representatives from all Estonian universities as well as leading experts in their fields. Out of the ten Golden Ravens awarded, three found their way to TalTech.

This year’s laureates were:

🏆 Student of the Year – Vivian Põld

🏆 Student Organisation of the Year – Estonian Association of Psychology Students

🏆 Student Act of the Year – Event Series SXNAPS

🏆 Marketing Act of the Year – “Hedgehog‑Friendly Tartu”

🏆 Social Contribution of the Year – “Foreign Languages in Healthcare”

🏆 Student Sports Contributor of the Year – Ragnar Rooba

🏆 Educational Quality Contributor of the Year – Estonian Law Students’ Union

🏆 Security Awareness Contributor of the Year – Andreas Idavain

🏆 Newcomer of the Year – TalTech x TTK Folkrace

🏆 Student Friend of the Year – Tiit Land

🏆 Special Prize “Connector of the Year” – Support Initiative for Ukraine “A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed”

You can learn more about the laureates on the Estonian Student Awards website: BLOG - TUNNE

SECURITY AWARENESS CONTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR – ANDREAS IDAVAIN

The Security Awareness Contributor of the Year, TalTech Business IT student and active Defence League member Andreas Idavain, is dedicated to bringing drone education to both high‑school and university students. The drone club he initiated brings together everyone interested in building, programming, and operating unmanned aerial vehicles. After receiving the award, Andreas said: “I’m very happy to be here today. Having grown up in the youth organisations of the Defence League, it means a lot to now be in a position where I can give something back.”

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – TALTECH x TTK FOLKRACE

Awarded as the Newcomer of the Year, TalTech x TTK Folkrace is a robotics competition for young people, where participants build and program autonomous robots to complete an obstacle course — testing speed, precision, and creativity. Several competition classes allow both beginners and experienced robotics enthusiasts to take part. In their thank‑you speech, the laureates said: “We wanted to create a small, fun initiative, but it didn’t turn out small at all — at least it was very fun.”

STUDENT FRIEND OF THE YEAR – TIIT LAND

TalTech Rector Professor Tiit Land, named Student Friend of the Year, can be seen presenting awards, giving speeches, playing table tennis in a cow costume against opponents, or cheering in the front row at the Summer Games. Under his leadership, the rectorate is actively represented at student events, helping students feel valued, supported, and appreciated by the university.

In addition to the laureates, several TalTech students and projects were nominated: Tipilan 2025 for Student Act of the Year and Newcomer of the Year; TalTech Marketing Evening 2025 for Marketing Act of the Year; Mark Toomsalu for Student Sports Contributor of the Year; and Karoliine Orav and Kristin Taru for Educational Quality Contributor of the Year.

The Estonian Student Awards took place for the third time this year. The festive gala at Von Krahl Theatre was brought to life by 31 student activists, 15 of whom were from TalTech.

Alongside the warm atmosphere that TUNNE reliably brings year after year, the event was once again infused with colour and humour by film student and host Aaron Thor Härm. He led both a ladder game and a university‑guessing game, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. And no evening is complete without entertainment: the gala opened with an energetic dance performance by first‑year dance arts students from the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, followed by the student band RUTE, who electrified the crowd with alternative rock. The evening was filled with glamour, moving moments, and new memories — once again proving that TUNNE is an event that stays with you.

This autumn, you’ll once again have the chance to join the TUNNE organising team. If interested, contact the team at info@studentestonia.ee.