Friday, 13 June 2025 Škofja Loka Gymnasium participates in Science Day at UP FAMNIT
Today, UP FAMNIT hosted 23 students and 2 teachers from Škofja Loka Gymnasium as part of the Science Day, which our faculty organizes for high school students. The aim of the visit was to spark interest in scientific research through interactive and practical experiences.
The students participated in two workshops held at the Livade 1.0 facility in Izola. The first, led by Assist. Prof. Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, focused on aromatic and medicinal plants, with students learning about plant properties and methods for extracting essential oils. The second workshop, led by Petra Gabrovšek, explored the importance of pollinators for food production and biodiversity. Through practical lab work, students examined pollen under the microscope and conducted basic experiments.
The day concluded with a guided visit to the Piran Aquarium, where students observed marine species typical of the Adriatic Sea. The diverse programme offered students a meaningful glimpse into the natural sciences and environmental research.
We were pleased to host such an enthusiastic group and hope the experience inspired further interest in science.
Friday, 13 June 2025 2nd Balkan Mathematics Conference takes place in Thessaloniki, Greece
The Second Balkan Mathematics Conference (BMC II), orgazined by the European Mathematical Society (EMS), marks another important milestone in advancing regional mathematical collaboration and excellence. Held from 12 to 14 June 2025 at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, the event brought together leading mathematicians and promising early-career researchers from across the Balkan region and beyond.
Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of UP, contributes to the conference ad a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, having previously participated as an invited speaker in the first Balkan Mathematics Conference in Pitești, Romania (2023).
BMC II also features two notable contributions from UP researchers. Prof. Dr. Štefko Miklavič, Vice Rector for Research and Development at UP, is an invited speaker, presenting his latest research with the »Terwilliger algebra of a graph« talk. Related to this topic, UP (in collaboration with SDAMS and IMFM), will host the international conference TerwilligerFest – Combinatorics around the q-Onsager Algebra, which will take place from 23 to 28 June 2025 in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. More information about the event is available on the official conference website.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Safet Penjić was recognized as an early career speaker at BMC II, contributing with his talk titled »Combinatorial structure and algebraic characterizations of graphs embedded in a commutative association schemes«.
BMC II successfuly brings together world experts and junior participants, learning about new research trends, and increasing mathematical collaborations in the Balkan area.
Thursday, 12 June 2025 Conversations with Alumni UP FAMNIT: From First Lines of Code to a Master’s Thesis: Two Journeys from FAMNIT
As part of the Alumni Club of the University of Primorska, we are organizing an event where participants will have the opportunity to discuss with experts from our faculty and members of the alumni club.
The discussion will take place in a relaxed environment, where informal socialising over refreshments will also be possible. Don't miss the opportunity to network and make contacts.
You are kindly invited!
Title:
From First Lines of Code to a Master’s Thesis: Two Journeys from FAMNIT
Lecturers:
Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Kljun
Milan Milivojčević (Master’s degree in Computer Science)
Karolina Trajkovska (Master’s degree in Computer Science)
Arsen Matej Golubvikj (Master's degree in Data Science)
When? 26 June 2025, at 10:00 AM
Where? Meeting room at UP FAMNIT (Glagoljaška 8, Koper, ground floor)
Language? English
Content:
Join us for an alumni event where two former students, Karolina Trajkovska and Arsen Matej Golubvikj, will share their academic journeys at UP FAMNIT — from the beginning of their undergraduate studies in Computer Science to the completion of their Master’s degrees. They will talk about how they chose the topics for their Bachelor’s and Master’s theses, and how they approached and carried out their research projects. This event is a great opportunity for anyone interested in the academic path in computer science, as well as for reconnecting with the UP FAMNIT alumni community.
European Researchers' Night is a pan-European event promoted by the European Union to bring science closer to society and to increase young people's interest in science. European Researchers' Night takes place simultaneously in 23 countries and more than 400 cities across Europe and beyond.
The ooScience! project - Fake news and conspiracy theories? Let's Empower (ourselves for) Science!! is funded under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions through HORIZON-MSCA-2023-CITIZENS-01-01: European Researchers' Night and Researchers in Schools 2024 - 2025. The project is funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the European Research Executive Agency can be held responsible for them.
Wednesday, 11 June 2025 Students at the Archaeological Park of Simonov Zaliv!
In collaboration with the Science Centre of the University of Primorska and Faculty of Humanities (FHŠ) Agronomy students actively participated in field exercises to tidy up the surroundings of the archaeological park at Simonov Zaliv, situated on the site of an ancient Roman seaside villa. The students prepared raised garden beds and planted various herbs and medicinal plants known to the ancient Romans, including chives, lovage, savoury, celery, thyme, oregano, and chamomile.
Additionally, they created part of a sensory path using myrtle, rosemary, sage, and lavender to enhance visitors' experience by allowing them to engage with the scents, textures, and stories of the Mediterranean past. Through their work, the students gained insights into Roman life. They demonstrated that an archaeological park can serve as a vibrant and valuable learning environment, where the past and cultural heritage intertwine with agronomy.
The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The project is implemented in accordance with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the development area Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, component Strengthening competencies, in particular digital competencies and those required by the new professions and the green transition (C3 K5), for the investment measure Investment F. Implementation of pilot projects, the results of which will serve as a basis for the preparation of a roadmap for the reform of higher education for a green and resilient transition to a Society 5.0: project Pilot Projects for the Reform of Higher Education for a Green and Resilient Transition.
Tuesday, 3 June 2025 Lek’s ScienceBeat event is once again inviting students of natural sciences and business studies to participate this year
Pharmaceutical company Lek, a member of the Sandoz Group, in cooperation with Slovenian public universities, is organizing the top scientific and professional event ScienceBEAT, which will take place from September 9 to 12, 2025, in Ljubljana and Brdo pri Kranju. It enables young talents to enter the global network of professional excellence in the fields of science and entrepreneurship.
Participants will gain a unique insight into the trends and challenges of the modern pharmaceutical industry and experience the pulse of a global pharmaceutical company that is a leader in the development and production of biosimilar medicines and generic pharmaceutical products.
This year, the event brings an important innovation – after the event, several selected participants will be offered employment at Lek. For all others, opportunities remain open for further collaboration in the form of practical work, writing final theses, or future employment opportunities.
They will also have an exceptional opportunity for networking and gaining invaluable knowledge and professional insights from globally recognized scientists and entrepreneur innovators who are pushing the boundaries in their fields. At the event, participants will also gain practical experience through teamwork on a pharmaceutical-business challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills in practice. Finally, they will also receive access to a global network of experts and career opportunities in an agile and inspiring business environment based on inclusivity, fairness, and diversity appreciation.
At Lek, with various projects, they address young promising students and professionals from various fields who can collaborate with foreign experts in the international environment of the Sandoz global network, acquire new knowledge and skills, develop their talents and creativity, and build their careers. They aim to attract the best individuals from employment markets, faculties, research institutes, and other institutions in Slovenia and abroad.
The ScienceBEAT event is therefore intended for prospective students in the final year of undergraduate studies, as well as students of master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies in natural and business sciences from Slovenia and abroad. More information about the event and applications can be obtained on the ScienceBEAT - Lek website.
Applications are accepted via the ScienceBEAT | Lek online form until June 13, 2025, inclusive.
The condition for participation is a fluent knowledge of English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monday, 2 June 2025 Students' Fieldwork: AGRICULTURE MATTERS!
UP FAMNIT Students Visit the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor
On May 28, 2025, students and their professors visited the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Maribor.
They toured the faculty’s botanical garden, which has a long and fascinating history. They discovered various exotic plant species and were especially captivated by two giant sequoias and a massive arborvitae.
The head of the Department of Genetics, Dr. Metka Šiško, presented the gene bank of stone fruits. Afterwards, the group explored the history of the Pohorski Dvor estate, which is now dedicated to teaching and research.
To conclude their visit, they explored organic strawberry production, which delighted all their senses.
Students in Gorenjska
On May 29, 2025, agronomy students visited the Ecological Seed Bank, whose motto is “The seed of the past is the seed of the future.” The mission of the seed bank is to collect and preserve old Slovenian varieties of agricultural plants.
Next, they visited the Vegerila ecological farm, where they learned about the foundations of regenerative agriculture and confirmed that it is an excellent and effective approach.
The visit concluded at the Garden of Flavors, where students enjoyed tasting a variety of treats. They were especially charmed by the very sociable chickens.
Monday, 2 June 2025 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation of Daniil Baldouski
We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Optimization of Logistics and Scheduling Problems from Real-World Contexts of the student Daniil Baldouski, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Computer Science (in English).
The presentation will take place on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 9.00 in the classroom FAMNIT-VP3.
Monday, 2 June 2025 The ImmBIO Project Enabled a Second Student Visit to Novartis
On May 23rd, as part of the ImmBIO project, a second working visit took place at Novartis in Mengeš, attended by seven students from the University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), along with their academic mentor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karla Ferjančič.
The project focuses on developing mathematical models of a bioreactor and is carried out under the public call Problem-Based Student Learning in a Work Environment: Business, Non-Business, and Non-Profit Sectors in the Local/Regional Environment 2024–2027.
Under the guidance of industrial mentors Dr. Andrej Pohar and Ms. Andreja Pirnat, students are divided into three groups and, through regular online meetings, explore the following topics:
- Solving fluid dynamics problems in a bioreactor using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This includes testing various turbulence models such as k-ε and LES, for mixing simulations, and performing tracer tests to gain insights into medium homogenization.
- Mechanistic modeling of the bioreactor: Developing a one-dimensional model using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and a two-dimensional model with partial differential equations (PDEs), as well as solving the corresponding systems of equations using numerical methods.
- Modeling of Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration (SPTFF) to determine the optimal process parameters.
During their visit, students had the chance to revisit the upstream and downstream department laboratories, which deepened their understanding of the industrial context of the challenges they are researching. In addition, they presented the progress of their work and, together with their mentors, planned further activities leading up to the project's conclusion.
Sincere gratitude to the hosts at Novartis for their warm welcome and the invaluable exchange of knowledge and experience.
