Friday, 29 August 2025 UP / Orientation Days 2025
Before the start of the new academic year, UP will host Orientation Days on 29 and 30 September. The event is designed for degree-seeking international students as well as exchange students joining UP from partner institutions. Orientation Days offer a chance to meet fellow international students, discover the new academic and social environment, and connect with the people who will shape their study experience.
The welcome gathering at Koper’s Taverna will feature addresses by Vice-Rector Prof. Michael Mrissa, President of the UP Student Council Lana Erjavec, President of ESN Primorska Emilija Toth and a representative of the Municipality of Koper. Across the two days, students will receive practical information about studying and extracurricular opportunities at UP, take part in a basic Slovenian language course, and explore some of Koper’s key sites. The programme will also include support and guidance from student tutors and ESN Primorska representatives.
Thursday, 28 August 2025 UP FAMNIT Hosted the Summer GAP Days 2025
Between August 25 and 29, UP FAMNIT hosted the Summer GAP Days 2025.
The event brought together 31 participants from eight countries – in addition to the host country Slovenia, attendees came from Croatia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Romania, Hungary, and India.
A special session at the GAP Days recognized Prof. Leonard Soicher's research contributions.
GAP ("Groups, Algorithms, and Programming") is a computer system designed for research in discrete algebra and, more broadly, discrete mathematics. The GAP Days event brings together developers and experienced users who actively contribute to the ongoing development of the system while deepening their understanding of its functionalities and future directions.
The program included workshops on the basics of using GAP and on the Digraphs package, as well as presentations of new packages and recent developments. The core of the event focused on collaborative development work, with an emphasis on improving the system itself and its extensions. Presentations played a supporting and complementary role, while the main focus was on hands-on collaboration and the exchange of technical knowledge.
The University of Primorska organized the Summer GAP Days 2025 in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana.
Friday, 22 August 2025 FAMNIT hosted an International Workshop on Graph Theory
From 18 to 22 August 2025, the Departments of Mathematics at UP FAMNIT and UP IAM, in collaboration with the Slovenian Discrete and Applied Mathematics Society (SDAMS), organized the Koper–Leipzig Workshop on Graph Theory. The event, open to participants by invitation only, brought together renowned local and international researchers as well as early-career scientists working in graph theory, with the aim of strengthening international collaboration and advancing joint research in the fields of structural, algorithmic, and extremal graph theory.
The workshop hosted 20 researchers and students from eight institutions:
UP, FIŠ Novo mesto, Leipzig University (Germany), KAIST (Korea), Institute for Basic Science (Korea), Czech Technical University in Prague (Czech Republic), University of Warwick (United Kingdom), and University of Waterloo (Canada).
The program included four survey lectures on selected topics in structural and extremal graph theory, while most of the time was dedicated to collaborative research. At the start of the workshop, participants presented open research problems and were then divided into four working groups, each focusing on different challenges within graph theory. Regular daily meetings provided opportunities to present progress, exchange ideas, and discuss new conjectures and unresolved questions.
Prof. Martin Milanič, a member of the Organizing committee, highlighted the success of the event: “We are very pleased that distinguished researchers from abroad accepted our invitation, and also our students gained a lot through establishing new contacts and working with them." Assist. Prof. Sebastian Wiederrecht (KAIST, Korea) added: "The workshop was highly successful in both bringing together a diverse group of excellent researchers and in creating an inspiring environment. Another opportunity to gather at the University of Primorska is eagerly anticipated by everyone."
The Koper–Leipzig Workshop once again demonstrated that international collaboration is essential for advancing mathematics and that joint research fosters the creation of new ideas, knowledge, and opportunities.
Tuesday, 19 August 2025 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation of Edit Földvári-Nagy
We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Phenotyping Scotch pine wood with near-infrared spectroscopy (Fenotipizacija lesa škotske borovnice s pomočjo bližnje-infrardeče spektroskopije) of the student Edit Földvári-Nagy enrolled in the doctoral study programme Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English).
The presentation will take place on Wednesday, 27 August 2025 at 9.00 at InnoRenew CoE in the room Pseudotsuga (Livade 6A, 6310 Izola) and via MSTeams:
https://teams.microsoft.com/v2/
You are kindly invited!
Thursday, 14 August 2025 ŠtartUP – a sporty and social start to the academic year 25/26 for all UP students
The University of Primorska invites all its students – all levels and years of study – to the ŠtartUP – sport and social event, which marks the beginning of the new academic year.
• Saturday, October 4, 2025
• 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Žusterna Seaside Park, Koper
The event offers an opportunity for learning, networking and socializing. More than 50 local associations, institutions, organizations and companies will present themselves and offer entertaining and interactive activities at their stands.
When you register on the day of the event, you will receive a stamp collection card. By successfully completing activities at the stands, you will collect stamps – and for the number of stamps you collect, you will receive a practical promotional gift.
The location is perfect for relaxing in the sun, so bring a picnic blanket or beach towel. Lunch and coffee will be provided for registered participants.
The list of participating organizations is constantly updated on the official subpage of the event > HERE
REGISTRATION for UP students: https://forms.office.com/e/HqUFrEePnV
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ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT
When you arrive, please go to the registration desk where you will scan your QR code. After filling out a short digital form, you will receive:
- a temporary ŠtartUP / OpenUP tattoo (this is your accreditation for the event).
- All UP students will receive an OpenUP T-shirt (*The T-shirts can also be picked up later at your faculty).
- a card to collect stamps with the logos of all exhibitors.
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SUSTAINABLE EVENT
As we support sustainability in our organisation, we ask you to bring the following:
- a water bottle (flask or water bottle) for hydration and
- a container for lunch (you can also use it to take food home if there is any leftover).
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SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on social media using the hashtag #ŠtartUP2025.
Connect with us, share your impressions, and tag us in your posts!
Tuesday, 12 August 2025 Assist. Prof. Tilen Genov joins rare whale research in St Vincent and the Grenadines
Assist. Prof. Tilen Genov from UP FAMNIT’s Department of Biodiversity is currently in St Vincent and the Grenadines, taking part in an international research expedition focused on whales and dolphins—most notably the elusive dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima), one of the least understood whale species globally.
The expedition, led by Assoc. Prof. Jeremy Kiszka from the Florida International University, brings together researchers aiming to better understand the occurrence, abundance, social structure, ecology, and vocal behaviour of dwarf sperm whales. Data is also being collected on a variety of other species, including spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, and sperm whales.
Assist. Prof. Genov plays a key supporting role in the project, with primary responsibilities including operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) for aerial observations and contributing to the study of social structure in dwarf sperm whales. He also assists with general fieldwork, contributing to a multidisciplinary team effort. The researchers are using drones, hydrophones, and photo-identification techniques to study these rarely seen marine mammals.
This research not only seeks to advance scientific knowledge but also to support future conservation efforts by providing much-needed baseline data on a species still shrouded in mystery.
We look forward to new findings from the research team that will continue to uncover the secrets of these deep-diving ocean dwellers.
Friday, 8 August 2025 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation of Amina Selmanović
We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Chemo-Enzymatic Functionalization of Wood Extractives for Applications in Wood Protection of the student Amina Selmanović, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English).
The presentation will take place on Thursday, 28 August 2025 at 13.00 via MicrosoftTeams on link:
You are kindly invited!
Friday, 1 August 2025 UP projects featured at the citizen science exhibition
On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the exhibition "Discover, Participate, Explore – Citizen Science in Slovenia" opened on Krakovski nasip in Ljubljana and will be on display until August 31, 2025. Guided tours will also be available on August 7 and 21.
The interactive outdoor exhibition presents the best examples of slovene citizen science and, with 30 projects on 22 posters, takes visitors through current research projects in which all residents can participate – not just scientists.
Citizen science is a form of scientific research in which anyone can participate as a non-professional researcher, regardless of age, education, or professional knowledge. The only important thing is that they are driven by curiosity and a desire to contribute to scientific research. Citizen science enables people to actively participate in scientific research at various stages of the research process: from planning research to observing phenomena, collecting data, analyzing results, communicating discoveries to the world, etc. This makes science more inclusive and open to the public.
Among the projects presented, there are five projects in which the UP is participating:
- Searching for alien flatworms in Slovenia
- STEP CHANGE – Srna
- Development of wood composites with higher impact noise protection to improve quality of life
- Servite monastery – old maternity hospital in Koper
- Protection of bronze monuments in a changing environment
- Looking for Cowslips
How can I participate?
Searching for alien flatworms in Slovenia
If you have encountered flatworms from the turbellaria group while gardening or engaging in other activities, please do not touch them (you can lift them with sticks), record your observation (take a photo and, if possible, catch it), and report your find to: ploskicrvi@upr.si,, via the Facebook group “Tujerodni ploski črvi v Sloveniji”,the form > HERE, or by landline (05 663 58 07; on weekdays).
STEP CHANGE ‒ Srna
The SRNA app helps recording the presence of selected wild mammal and bird species in Slovenia. In addition, the app includes a visual quiz to test mammal identification skills, a field guide to help with the recognition of animal species. It also enables communication with researchers. You can participate by downloading the app and starting to enter your animal sightings whenever you encounter them in nature, whether during a challenging climb or a walk in the woods!
Development of wood composites with higher impact noise protection to improve quality of life
Citizen researchers took part in a listening test in which they were exposed to impact noise and vibrations. Initial findings show that people can actually perceive loud impact sounds in objects as vibrations, which also makes these sounds more annoying. Based on these findings, it will be possible to improve the acoustic comfort of the living environment. You can participate by signing up for the test and sharing your impressions.
Servite monastery – old maternity hospital in Koper
Today’s inhabitants of the Istrian-Karstic region know the Servite Monastery in Koper as the old maternity and pediatric hospital (between 1946 and 1997). People linked to the building - former employees, women in labour, those born there - can record their memories of the building in a memory book. First in a paper one, since 2024 also in an online one.
Protection of bronze monuments in a changing environment
Bronze monuments develop different patinas depending on the substances used, rainwater and other environmental factors. To preserve these monuments for future generations, it is crucial to understand the processes of material decomposition. By collecting photographs from citizen researchers, scientists and restorers can better understand the wear of bronze and decide on the most appropriate method to preserve and protect cultural heritage. Thus, you can upload a photo on a dedicated webpage.
Looking for Cowslips
Did you know that cowslips have two types of flowers and can only reproduce if pollen from one type of flower is transferred to the pistil of another? In nature, the ratio of the two flowers is supposed to be approximately the same, but a European study conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists has shown that this balance is disrupted in some areas, which may pose a local threat to the species.
Take photos of cowslips in nature and share them at: https://nurmenukk.ee/sl
The exhibition was prepared by the Citizen Science Network, which brings together individuals and institutions that run various projects, organize events, share knowledge, or provide space for research. In 2023, the Central Technical Library of the University of Ljubljana (CTK) launched the website citizenscience.si, which features a selection of the best Slovenian citizen science projects. Today, the network connects more than 60 partners.
