Estonian Maritime Academy Future Wave-Makers Scholarship Fund
Estonia is a maritime nation, and the goal of the Future Wave Makers Scholarship Fund is to further honor maritime professions and support future specialists both at sea and on land.
Support Estonian Maritime Education!
The traditions of Estonian maritime education date back to the 19th century, when the first seafarers received their training at Estonia’s first maritime school in Hiiu (Heinaste). Today, this legacy has culminated in the impressive maritime fortress in Kopli, where hundreds of students receive high-level maritime education daily. Many of these graduates sail the world’s oceans, keeping our sea routes safe and ensuring that goods and people reach us on time and securely.
The scholarship fund was established on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Estonian Maritime Academy and was officially launched at a ceremony held on November 1st. As a maritime nation, Estonia faces great challenges, and without the support of young talents, we cannot sail far. We aim to create a sustainable scholarship fund that provides the Maritime Academy’s students with a steady source of scholarships. The “Future Wave-Makers” scholarship aims to inspire future specialists in the maritime sector and add even more power to their sails. This scholarship is not only financial support; it is recognition of resilience, dedication, and determination on this stormy and long journey. Ultimately, the fund helps to procure necessary equipment for studies and contributes to creating paid internships and finding opportunities for further education.
The Estonian Maritime Academy continuously contributes to growing the scholarship fund. Besides the initiative to direct proceeds from anniversary and alumni events’ ticket sales directly to the scholarship fund, we have also linked employee gatherings to participation fees paid directly into the Future Wave-Makers fund. This is an excellent way to contribute to supporting the maritime sector’s next generation and help ensure the sustainable development of the scholarship fund.
Awarding of the Scholarship
All students of the Estonian Maritime Academy are eligible to apply for the scholarships regardless of their field of study. Detailed conditions can be found in the statute. Currently, the Estonian Maritime Academy offers four applied higher education programs and two master’s degree programs, whose enthusiastic students are extremely grateful for any support. Scholarships are awarded once a year during the spring semester as part of the Development Fund’s scholarship competition, available to both applied higher education and master’s degree students of the Estonian Maritime Academy.
Applied higher education programs:
- Ship Navigation
- Ship Mechanics
- Maritime Transport and Port Operations Management
- Waterway Management and Safety Coordination
Master’s degree programs:
- Maritime Studies
- Maritime Digitalization
The first Future Wave-Makers scholarships were awarded in the spring of 2025 as part of the Development Fund scholarship competition.
Isabella Glaušauskaite is a remarkable young future leader with an impressive international reach. Her contributions to the World Ocean Council and the International Hydrographic Organization’s working group demonstrate a deep commitment to the sustainable management of the oceans. Isabella’s strong academic achievements, focused professional development, and drive to implement science-based, innovative blue solutions earned her the “Future Wave Maker” scholarship.
Karl Viies stands out with strong practical experience and a clear calling as a ship mechanic. He has demonstrated great dedication to professional development, been an active representative of the Maritime Academy, and excelled during his shipboard internship. His professional attitude and desire to contribute to the development of Estonian maritime affairs made him a worthy scholarship recipient.
Karl’s quote: “There is nothing that cannot be fixed.”
Silver Suup is a student with a long-standing passion for maritime affairs and extensive practical experience, whose academic achievements are exemplary. He has been a reliable team member on several ships and has actively promoted maritime knowledge to the broader public. His desire to contribute in the future as an instructor gave his candidacy special weight.
Silver’s quote: “A scholarship is not merely a sum of money. Above all, it is recognition of the work done so far, while also inspiring one to set high goals for the future.”
Acknowledgment to the Supporter
We are extremely grateful to the sea gods for all kinds of support and would like to thank our larger supporters with maritime-related activities:
- 100€ – Guided tour of the Estonian Maritime Academy building
- 500€ – Visit to the Maritime Academy simulator for 10 people
- 1000€ – Sailing trip on the Maritime Academy’s sailboat “Tuulelind” for 10 people
The history of the Maritime Academy
Tallinn Maritime School, the predecessor of TalTech’s Estonian Maritime Academy, was founded as a single navigation class in 1919. At the same time, a class for ship mechanics was opened at Tallinn Technical School, which in 1920 became the Tallinn Ship Mechanics School and in 1935 merged with Tallinn Maritime School.
In the early 1990s, three educational institutions provided maritime education in Tallinn: Tallinn Maritime School, Tallinn Maritime College, and Tallinn 1st Vocational Secondary School. In 1992, these were merged into a single Estonian Maritime Education Centre. In 1994, Estonian Shipping handed over a new building on Mustakivi Road 25 in Lasnamäe to the Maritime Education Centre.
In 1999, the Estonian Maritime Education Centre was renamed the Estonian Maritime Academy.
In 2009, the management of the Maritime Academy moved from Lasnamäe to a building at Kopli 101. This was followed by the Faculty of Maritime and Continuing Education, and in 2012 the Faculties of Shipping and Mechanics, along with other support structures. The last lessons in the Mustakivi Road building’s courtyard laboratories took place in spring 2015.
On August 1, 2014, the Estonian Maritime Academy joined Tallinn University of Technology as a college and has since been called TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. Upon joining TalTech, the vocational education department separated from the Maritime Academy and became an independent institution called Estonian Maritime School, located in the courtyard building at Kopli 101.
On January 1, 2017, TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy became one of five faculty-level structural units at TalTech.
On October 27, 2019, TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Supporters
- Ando Kindel
- Heili Kangust
- Mereakadeemia mereveonduse uurimisrühm
- Li Lind
- Riina Joonsaar
- Riina Otsason
The list of supporters is updated once a week.
Grantees
Spring 2025 – Silver Suup, Karl Viies, Isabella Glušauskaite
