Employee Notices

The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation is organising a consultation on invasive alien species for the second consecutive year. The event aims to facilitate the exchange of information and the sharing of knowledge on current topics in this field.

The consultation will cover various topics related to invasive alien plant and animal species. It will also present the traffic-light system for invasive ornamental plants, designed to support responsible choices of ornamental plants, which is one of the results of the LIFE OrnamentalIAS project.

Date and time: Thursday, 26 November 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Venue: Kranj City Library, conference hall, 1st floor, Gregorčičeva ulica 1, 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is mandatory for organisational purposes. Registration is open until 20 November or until all available places have been filled.

For more information and the registration link.

UNESCO invites scientists to participate in an international survey examining the role and contributions of scientists, as well as the challenges they face in their work in crisis and emergency situations.

Two groups are invited to participate:

• Individual scientists: Complete the survey
• Scientific organisations and institutions: Complete the survey

You are invited to participate and contribute to a better understanding of the role of scientists in crisis and emergency situations.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ljubljana is organising a free online course in Polish language, culture and history, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

The course is primarily intended for students preparing to go on an exchange programme in Poland, as well as anyone interested in the Polish language, culture and history or planning to visit Poland. No prior knowledge of Polish is required.

During four interactive sessions, participants will learn the basics of Polish communication, useful expressions for their first days in Poland, and interesting facts about Polish history and culture. The course will be taught in Slovenian by Tina Podržaj, an experienced Polish language lecturer.

The course will take place online via Zoom and is free of charge. As all available places have been filled, registration is currently open only for the waiting list. If the course is offered again, those on the waiting list will be contacted directly.

More information and registration for the waiting list: [link to the registration form]

The Ministry of Defence and the Slovenian Armed Forces, in cooperation with the Slovenian Defence Industry Cluster, invite interested participants to attend SIDEC 2026, an international defence exhibition taking place from 10 to 12 November 2026 at the Celje Fairgrounds.

The exhibition will offer an opportunity to explore the latest technological trends, visit exhibitions and attend the accompanying conference programme.

The deadline for mandatory online registration is Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at 23:59.

More information about the event, programme, exhibitors and registration is available at: www.sidec.si.

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!

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.

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