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.

Merko’s young researcher/teacher scholarship for 2023 goes to a Faculty of Engineering doctoral student in civil engineering and architecture, Helena Kuivjõgi, who is alsoa member of the nearly zero-energy buildings research group. Alongside her research for raising awareness in the construction sector, she teaches at the university level and promotes engineering studies by mentoring upper secondary school students. Helena is committed to being a teacher in the best sense of the word, supporting advances in society as a person of science. She contributes actively to curriculum development by adopting new learning methods in the Building Energy Simulation course and helps out in an advisory and practical role at the youth council of the Estonian Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers.

The engineering scholarship provides recognition for two building design and construction management students, Mihkel Hõlpus and Rauno Lemberg.

Mihkel is a fifth-year student who is currently working at the Merko Allveelaev apartment building site. He is an eager learner, hard-working, motivated and conscientious, and dreamed of being a builder back when he was much younger. Dogged in pursuing his goals and independent, he is also not averse to asking questions and is prepared to engage in discussions to find the best solution. His ideas are inventive and innovative. He is meticulous in performing calculations, accurate in drafting and drawing up schedules, clever in solving problems and a good, positively minded communicator. Outside of school and work, Mihkel can be found running, cycling, downhill skiing or if friends talk him into it, Ironman team events.

Rauno is a third-year student. After completion of the Pelgulinna State Gymnasium project, he started working for the structural engineering department. Rauno is conscientious and a sharp specialist who goes in-depth in topics, sees the crux of problems and finds solutions. Working on the construction site, one could notice his great interest in the work on the site and his deep desire to learn. His other strengths are good communication skills and strong engineering knowledge. Besides school and work, he has also contributed to developing student life via BEST-Estonia. An example was the 2023 Enginaator competition where he was responsible for all aspects of the construction task from concept and organization to handing out the awards.