Since 2007, we have recognised engineering students and young lecturers at TalTech with scholarships to help secure the future of the construction industry and to provide better education to future professionals.

The 2021 Merko scholarship for teacher and researcher has been awarded to Martin Thalfeldt, a tenure-track assistant professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, TalTech School of Engineering. His research is related to the energy performance of buildings and indoor climate, a field that is become increasingly more prominent. In addition to being a researcher, he is a renowned lecturer in the field of construction, whose lectures are very popular and attended with great interest. He has supervised dozens of master’s theses and has now taken on the new challenge of supervising doctoral dissertations. Martin is a young researcher dedicated to his chosen field and was recently awarded a research grant by the Estonian Research Council. He actively participates in the work of the Centre of Excellence for Zero Energy and Resource Efficient Smart Buildings, and he regularly makes presentations at conferences and trainings to share his research results with a wider audience.

The engineering scholarship has been awarded to Karro Haava, a third-year student in Structural Engineering and Construction Management, and Merko’s technician at the Tallinn Ballet and Music School construction site. From his time as an intern, it immediately became clear that he was serious about his profession and, as a young aspiring civil engineer, he had made the only right choice for his studies. Sciences, logics, situation and data analysis, and making connections are what make Karro’s eyes shine. Karro is quick-witted, trustworthy, devoted to his work and enthusiastic. He has one of the most important skills for a civil engineer – he dares to take on challenges and responsibilities.