Employee Notices

The UP FAMNIT Senate, at its 41st regular session held on 28 September 2026, confirmed the heads of four UP FAMNIT departments for the upcoming four-year term, following the departmental elections.

Three departments will continue to be led by their current heads: Assoc. Prof. Dr Živa Fišer will continue to lead the Department of Biodiversity, Prof. Dr Bojan Kuzma the Department of Mathematics, and Prof. Dr Dunja Bandelj the Department of Applied Natural Sciences.

In the upcoming term, the Department of Information Sciences and Technologies will be headed by Prof. Dr Marko Tkalčič.

The Department of Psychology is expected to hold its elections in November.

We wish all department heads every success in their work, many new achievements, and successful leadership of their respective departments.

Are you interested in studying or undertaking a traineeship abroad? Would you like to learn more about the opportunities offered by Erasmus+, or have you already participated in a mobility and would like to share your experience?

Join us for the Erasmus+ Day at UP FAMNIT, organised as part of the Europe-wide Erasmus Days initiative.

When? Monday, 12 October 2026, from 10:00 to 15:00 

Where?  Galeb Lobby (Kettejeva 1), located close to the main UP FAMNIT building:

The event is intended for all UP FAMNIT students and staff who are considering studying, undertaking a traineeship, teaching or participating in training abroad, as well as anyone interested in other international opportunities available through Erasmus+.

Those who have already participated in an Erasmus+ mobility or are currently preparing for one are equally welcome. We would be happy to hear about your experiences and answer your questions about studying and living abroad.

The UP FAMNIT International Office will be available at the information point throughout the event to answer questions about mobility opportunities, application procedures, funding and other practical aspects of going abroad.

Feel free to stop by at any time between 10:00 and 15:00. We will be happy to help you find the international opportunity that suits you best.

We look forward to seeing you!

We invite you to join us for the nature workshop “Parks and Gardens – Hidden Life Around Us”, organised as part of the GOmini project. The workshop is organised by the University of Primorska with the operational support of the Estplore guides.

Important information:

• 📅 Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
• 🕓Time: from 09:30 to 11:30
• 📍Location: Rafut Park, Nova Gorica
• 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 Target group: families with children aged 6 and above

The workshop will be held in Slovene and Italian. Participation is free of charge, but the number of places is limited, so prior registration through the online form is required: https://forms.gle/K6UzHQn4xTQEbWy17

How much “nature” is actually hidden in our urban parks and carefully maintained gardens? How many of the plant and animal species living there can we recognise? Which ones were introduced intentionally, and which arrived on their own? And are all the species we find in our gardens really welcome?

During the nature walk through Rafut Park, we will explore the surroundings through the eyes of real nature detectives. We will look for tracks, feathers, pellets, fur and other signs that can reveal which animals live in this green corner, even when we do not see them directly.

During our exploration, we will also use digital microscopes, which will allow us to observe tiny organisms and interesting details of plants and other natural materials that often go unnoticed by the naked eye. This will help us discover less visible inhabitants and hidden details of life in parks and gardens.

We will then turn our attention to plants and go on a “hunt” for non-native species. We will get to know some of these species and explore where they come from and how they arrived in our environment. We will also look at the impact they can have on native species and why some non-native species can become problematic.

Through exploration, we will discover that parks and gardens are not just spaces for people, but also important habitats for many plants and animals. Native and non-native species, people and nature all interact within these environments, and these relationships can bring both benefits and challenges to different organisms.

The workshop will offer an opportunity to look at a familiar environment from a different perspective and to discover the hidden biodiversity that surrounds us, even in places where we may not expect to find it.

As the workshop will take place outdoors, we recommend suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor activities.

The invitation and detailed programme are attached.

You are warmly invited!

About the project:

The project GOmini – Hidden Natural Heritage of the Cross-Border Area for Young Generations promotes the exploration of less noticeable habitats and raises awareness of the importance of biodiversity through the involvement of children and local communities. Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 is a European cross-border cooperation programme. By funding cooperation projects between Italian and Slovenian partners, the Programme enriches the cross-border area through joint activities and financial support aimed at improving the quality of life of the population, while also protecting and promoting natural and cultural heritage.

More information:

www.ita-slo.eu/spf

www.euro-go.eu/spf      

We invite you to join us for the nature workshop “Karst – A Mosaic of Life”, organised as part of the GOmini project. The workshop is organised by the University of Primorska with the operational support of the Estplore guides.

Important information:

• 📅 Date: Saturday, 24 October 2026
• 🕓Time: from 09:30 to 11:30
• 📍Location: Karst grassland on Monte Stena in the Rosandra Valley, Italy
• 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 Target group: families with children aged 6 and above

The workshop will be held in Slovene and Italian. Participation is free of charge, but the number of places is limited, so prior registration through the online form is required: https://forms.gle/QhpTr779oZWYXBmEA  

Karst grassland is a unique habitat shaped by the sun, the Bora wind, rocky soils and a long history of coexistence between people and nature. Although it may appear barren at first glance, it supports remarkable biodiversity.

During the nature walk, we will explore how Karst grassland developed, how it has changed over time and how human activities have influenced it. We will learn why traditional land use, grazing and the maintenance of open areas are important for many species, and what happens when these habitats begin to become overgrown or their use changes.

We will pay particular attention to the most numerous inhabitants of Karst grassland – insects. With the help of an expert entomologist, we will search for and observe different species and learn about their role in the ecosystem. Insects are important pollinators, form part of food webs and are also excellent indicators of environmental conditions.

During our exploration, we will also use digital microscopes, which will allow us to observe tiny organisms and interesting details of insects, plants, soil and other natural materials that often go unnoticed by the naked eye.

Through exploration, we will discover that the present-day appearance of the Karst is not only the result of natural processes, but also of long-term human influence. Maintaining a diverse mosaic of grasslands, shrublands and rocky areas is therefore important for many plant and animal species.

As the workshop will take place outdoors, we recommend layered clothing suitable for the season, protection from wind and rain, and appropriate hiking footwear.

The invitation and detailed programme are attached.

You are warmly invited!

About the project:

The project GOmini – Hidden Natural Heritage of the Cross-Border Area for Young Generations promotes the exploration of less noticeable habitats and raises awareness of the importance of biodiversity through the involvement of children and local communities. Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 is a European cross-border cooperation programme. By funding cooperation projects between Italian and Slovenian partners, the Programme enriches the cross-border area through joint activities and financial support aimed at improving the quality of life of the population, while also protecting and promoting natural and cultural heritage.

More information:

www.ita-slo.eu/spf

www.euro-go.eu/spf      

Dear all,

We would like to inform you that the UP University Library has launched a new website, where current news, updates and information related to the library’s activities will be published from now on.

The website is available in Slovenian, English and Italian:

www.uk.upr.si

Pionirski dom – Center for Culture of Youth is an official examination centre for the international Cambridge English and DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) examinations. The examinations are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and provide internationally recognised proof of language proficiency.

Cambridge English examinations are available at the following levels:

• B2 First
• C1 Advanced
• C2 Proficiency

For Spanish, DELE examinations are available at levels A1–C2 and are issued by Instituto Cervantes.

An international language certificate can be useful when applying for study programmes abroad, participating in exchange programmes, research projects, conferences, summer schools and professional training, as well as when demonstrating language proficiency for employment and work in an international environment.

The examinations take place at the Pionirski dom premises in Ljubljana, and registration is available for individual candidates as well as groups.

More information about the examinations, dates, registration deadlines and fees is available at [link].

For further information and registration:

• Cambridge English: exams@pionirski-dom.si
• DELE: examenes@pionirski-dom.si

The International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) is organising two timely online initiatives in autumn 2026, aimed at professional development, the exchange of experiences and expanding access to resources in the field of mathematics education.

ICMI Online Seminar Series for Capacity Building: Strengthening Mathematics Teacher Education

The new online seminar series aims to strengthen mathematics teacher education and facilitate the international exchange of experiences. The seminars will include lectures, practical activities, small-group work and discussions on how the approaches presented can be adapted to different contexts.

The first seminar, titled Language-supportive Teaching in Mathematics: Lessons for Teacher Educators’ Practice, will be led by Anjum Halai from Pakistan and will take place on 12 October 2026. Further seminars will follow on 27 November 2026, 12 January 2027 and 15 February 2027.

More information and registration: https://www.mathunion.org/icmi/projects/icmi-capacity-building-seminars

ICMI AMOR – 2nd Webinar

The second webinar as part of the ICMI Awardees Multimedia Online Resources (AMOR) initiative will take place on 28 October 2026. The webinar will focus on the work of Ubiratan D’Ambrosio (Felix Klein Award 2005) and Terezinha Nunes (Hans Freudenthal Award 2017).

A recording of the first webinar is available on the ICMI AMOR Website or directly on the AMOR YouTube channel.

More information: https://www.mathunion.org/icmi/projects/icmi-amor

23 September is European Organic Farming Day, dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of organic production, sustainable management of natural resources, and connecting producers, experts and consumers.

To mark the occasion, a professional and practical event will take place at Bonistra on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, from 10:00 to 13:30. The event is intended for anyone interested in organic herb cultivation, the development of herb farms, and creating higher added value from herbs.

The event is aimed at existing and prospective herb growers, organic farms, as well as conventional farms considering a transition to organic production.

The programme will include presentations on:

• how medicinal and aromatic plants are organically cultivated at Bonistra,
• the activities of the Consortium for Organic Agriculture of Slovenia and the planned rosemary collection plantation in cooperation with UP FAMNIT,
• practical advice on specific challenges faced by herb farms – from cultivation and processing to product development, marketing and brand development.

A special part of the event will be dedicated to questions and specific examples submitted by registered participants, allowing the programme to be tailored as closely as possible to their actual needs.

Location: Bonistra, Krkavče 131 B, 6274 Šmarje, Slovenia
Date and time: 23 September 2026, 10:00–13:30
Email: info@bonistra.si
Phone: +386 41 858 978

In the 2026/2027 academic year, the University of Primorska is publishing, for the first time, a call for enrolment in short education and training programmes upon completion of which participants receive a micro-credential. Unlike macro-credentials (such as degrees and licences), micro-credentials are shorter in duration and focus on a specific, narrower topic. Within the education system, they complement degrees but cannot replace them.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, the University of Primorska is offering 24 education and training programmes provided by six UP faculties and the UP NEBAP Hub. All interested individuals – including students, employees and members of the general public – are eligible to participate. The programmes are awarded ECTS credits, while micro-credentials enable participants to acquire new knowledge and competences quickly and flexibly, which they can also use in further education or on the labour market.

Applications are submitted via an online application form by 15 August 2026 (the deadline has been extended to September 10, 2026.) for programmes taking place in the first semester, or by 15 January 2027 for programmes taking place in the second semester.

The full list of programmes, the price list and the official call for applications are available at: https://www.upr.si/si/up–okolje/mikrodokazila/razpis-26-27. For further information, please contact kompetence@upr.si.

We warmly invite you to apply!

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the 15th Knowledge Platform Forum, entitled The European Degree Label – From Initiative Development to Implementation, organised by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of the Republic of Slovenia as an online event on Monday, 21 September 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (CEST).

During the event, we will present the Operational Guide for the Joint European Degree Label, published by the European Commission earlier this year, and open a discussion on the opportunities and challenges related to its implementation within the Slovenian higher education system. Particular attention will be given to the relationship between the Joint European Degree Label, the development of joint study programmes, quality assurance in higher education, and the expectations of students and employers.

A draft programme is attached, available only in Slovenian.

Registration is available on the website of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, where the final programme will also be published at the beginning of September:

15th Knowledge Platform Forum: The European Degree Label – From Initiative Development to Implementation | GOV.SI

To facilitate a well-informed and productive discussion during the forum, we encourage participants to familiarise themselves with the following European Commission materials in advance:

1. Operational Guide for the Joint European Degree Label
   https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4507ce06-63ac-11f1-9b18-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
2. European Commission webinar: How to Award the Joint European Degree Label – Interpreting the Operational Guide
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFmxgSR4aVU&t=63s