Thursday, 30 March 2023 Within the project - A Day of planting Melliferous plants, Dr Živa Fišer highlighted the importance of wild pollinators
Last year, Slovenian beekeepers launched the project A Day of planting Melliferous plants, supported by the company Avto Krka and Rotary Slovenia and North Macedonia. This year they gave special attention to the wild pollinators. For this reason, they invited Dr. Živa Fišer from the Department of Biodiversity (UP FAMNIT) to present their importance. The lecturer emphasized their significant role in providing pollination and also our part in ensuring a safe and adequate living environment.
Partners of the project encouraged schools to maintain biodiversity, therefore, they gave them a wild pollinator hotel made by Tončka Hočevar Centre for Conservation and Education.
The project runs until 2030 and aims to plant 2 million Melliferous plants. Part of donation given by Avto Krka and the Rotary Federation of Slovenia will devoted to reforestation of the burnt Kras region.
Wednesday, 29 March 2023 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OPENS SOON, PHYSICAL BORROWING UNAVAILABLE UNTIL 15 MAY DUE TO MATERIALS RELOCATION
UP UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OPENS SOON, PHYSICAL BORROWING IS UNAVAILABLE UNTIL 15 MAY DUE TO THE RELOCATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
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In the coming weeks, the University of Primorska is preparing the final stage before the opening of the UP University Library at the new location - the former Kolosej in the center of Koper.
Due to the relocation of the library materials, the installation of the unified collection, and the conversion of the materials, the UP UK departments in Koper and Izola (UP FVZ) will have to be closed from 3 April to 15 May 2023. During this period, no borrowing renewal, or return of materials will be possible; no overdue fees, will be charged during this period.
Professors, researchers, students, and other library users are therefore kindly invited to borrow physical materials latest by Friday, 31 March, and to return them after the opening of the University Library UP at the new location.
Between 3 April and 15 May, the electronic databases will be available without interruption and without changes as before. Bibliographic activity will also be uninterrupted during this period.
Tuesday, 28 March 2023 Join Estimathon, organized by Jane Street - the main sponsor of EGMO
Do you know how many computers were connected to the Internet on 1 January 1989? Or how many YouTube videos have more than 1 billion views? What about the bandwidth beneath the Atlantic Ocean?
If you want to solve problems like these, join us at the upcoming Estimathon, organised by Jane Street - the main sponsor of EGMO - The European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad.
After the competition, you will have a unique opportunity to learn about all the career opportunities offered by the company.
The Estimathon takes place on 19 April 2023 in the lecture room - VP3 UP FAMNIT (Glagoljaška 8, Koper,) 2nd floor.
Application deadline >>17 April 2023, 6 pm.
Apply >>> HERE
Monday, 27 March 2023 COFUNDING TUITION FEES IN DOCTORAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
The University of Primorska (UP) has published on its webpage the criteria and conditions for co-financing doctoral studies at UP for the academic year 2023/2024.
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Co-funding tuition fees of public doctoral programs are governed by the Decree on co-financing of doctoral studies (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 22/17 and 105/20; hereinafter: Decree) and the Act Amending the Higher Education Act.
In the academic year, 2023/2024 the tuition fees for co-funding of doctoral studies will be provided to all doctoral students meeting the requirements of the Decree and Criteria for the selection of candidates for co-funding tuition fees in doctoral studies at the University of Primorska.
Doctoral students who are interested in co-funding of tuition fees of PhD programmes and are meeting the requirements from Criteria UP will have to complete the Statement on the fulfilment of the conditions for co-funding tuition fees in doctoral studies for students of the University of Primorska and submit it upon the invitation to enrol the Doctoral degree programmes at the University of Primorska. Faculties conducting doctoral study programmes will publish the Statement on their websites upon enrollment.
Tuition fees for co-funding of doctoral studies may be granted to students meeting the following requirements:
- they are enrolled in the 1st year of doctoral studies and the average grade of exams at the previous level of study is 8 or if they have a scientific publication. The relevance of the publication has to be approved by the Commission for Scientific Research and Development of the UP.
- they are enrolled in the 2nd 3rd or 4th year of doctoral studies and have regularly advanced to the 2nd 3rd and 4th year of doctoral studies. Regular advancement to the higher year of doctoral studies is also considered in cases when the student has an extension of status for justified reasons in accordance with the Higher Education Act, the Statute of UP and in accordance with Article 49 of the Act on Intervention Measures to Contain the COVID-19 Epidemic and Mitigate its Consequences for Citizens and the Economy.
- they have not yet obtained the level of education matching the level of education obtained under third-cycle doctoral study programmes;
- their studies under doctoral degree programmes to obtain a PhD, regardless whether they have been completed, are not or have not been co-funded from public funds.
All candidates who wish to receive co-financing must fill out and submit the Statement on the fulfilment of the conditions for co-funding tuition fees in doctoral studies for students of the University of Primorska!
Students will be informed about the share of co-founded tuition fee after the Call for enrollment into the Doctoral degree programmes ends, by the end of November. The co-financing share will be the same for all doctoral students and will depend on the number of enrolled students meeting the Criteria and the funds received from the Ministry of Higer Education, Science and Innovation.
For specific information about co-financing of doctoral studies please contact: Laura Šušteršič Zorn: laura.zorn@upr.si
For additional information you can contact Student Services (UP FAMNIT).
Friday, 24 March 2023 Discover the possibilities of algebra with our seminar series at FAMNIT
Given the growing interest in applying algebraic methods to study problems from other fields, we have organised a (learning) Algebra Seminar, principally catered to graduate students and postdocs at FAMNIT.
The seminar meets semi-regularly on Thursdays at 14:00 in MP3, for more information and to join the mailing list, please contact the organisers Francesca Gandini (francesca.gandini@famnit.upr.
Friday, 24 March 2023 ELECTIONS OF THE RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA 2023
At the 37th regular session, the Senate of the University of Primorska th regular session, the Senate of the University of Primorska, has adopted the Decision on the call for regular elections of the Rector of the University of Primorska.
An integral part of the Decision on Calling for Elections is the Schedule for the Implementation of Electoral Tasks.
In accordance with the decisions on the call for regular elections of the Rector of the University of Primorska, the deadlines for completing the election start from today, 22 March, 2023.
In accordance with the Schedule for conducting election tasks for the regular elections of the Rector, the deadline for submitting a candidate for Rector of the University of Primorska is from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 until 12:00 (noon).
The three groups of voters who have the right to vote for the election of the Rector of the University of Primorska, are the following:
- higher education teachers, scientific workers, research assistants and higher education staff,
- students, and
- other employees.
More detailed instructions and the forms are published on the link > Election of the rector of the University of Primorska 2023.
Thursday, 23 March 2023 SIXTH SLOVENIAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM WITH INTERNATIONAL ATTENDANCE
After five years of challenges both on a personal and professional level, we are pleased to invite you to the 6th edition of the Slovenian Entomological Symposium with international attendance, which will be held in Izola on September 15-16, 2023. The symposium is organized by entomologists from the Department of Biodiversity of the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (University of Primorska) together with the Slovenian Entomological Society of Štefan Michieli. We are pleased to invite all amateur and professional entomologists to present their achievements, results and visions related to different fields of entomology.
Important dates:
- Deadline for registration and abstract submission: 1. 6. 2023
- Registration fee: 50 € for employees and 25 € for students and pensioners.
- Deadline for payment of registration fee: 1. 7. 2023
The fee includes the Book of Abstracts, organization expenses and refreshment during coffee breaks.
For the process of registration fee payment, please go to the tab REGISTRATION.
Official langauages: Slovene and English.
Wednesday, 22 March 2023 UP PUBLISHED THE CALL FOR YOUNG RESEARCHERS, GENERATION 2023
UP has published a call for young researchers who will train for the profession of researcher and carry out doctoral studies at UP in the next four years. In 2023, five vacancies are announced under the following mentors, UP faculties/institute and research fields:
- prof. Istvan Kovacs; PhD, UP IAM (mathematics),
- Alenka Baruca Arbeiter; PhD, UP FAMNIT (plant production; biotechnology),
- Assoc. Prof. Jakub Sandak, PhD, UP IAM (forestry, wood and paper technology; materials),
- Assoc. Prof. Vita Poštuvan; PhD, UP IAM (psychology; psychiatry),
- Assist. Prof. Patricia Blatnik; PhD, UP FM (economics; public health).
Candidates who have completed a second-level study program in the last four years and have an average grade in all exams and coursework including the grade of the Master's thesis of at least 8.00, can apply for the call until June 15, 2023. One young researcher will be selected for each mentor. UP will enter into a full-time, fixed-term employment contract with the selected young researchers.
Link to the Call for young researchers, generation 2023 >>> HERE <<<.
Tuesday, 21 March 2023 Visit by researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan
Last week the HICUP Lab hosted professors from Interactive Media Design Lab, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan: Prof. Hirokazu Kato (director of IMD Lab), Assoc. Prof. Masayuki Kanbara and Assist. Prof. Taishi Sawabe.
During the visit Assoc. Prof. Kanbara and Assist. Prof. Sawabe presented at Monday Computer Science seminar. Kanabra presented a study, which analyzed the “Gentle stroke with speech” behavior with the aim of modeling the “talking and stroking behavior” in a situation in which a person is caring for another person, while Sawabe introduced us to Comfort Intelligence (CI), an intelligence system that considers passengers’ comfort inside moving autonomous vehicles.
Monday, 20 March 2023 Dr. Katarina Šoln received a fellowship from the World Federation of Scientists (WFS)
We are honoured to announce that Dr. Katarina Šoln was nominated by the Slovenian Science Foundation (SZF) and received a fellowship from the World Federation of Scientists (WFS).
Photo: Mateja Grašič
The main focus of the recipient was on science and science popularization, where her field is allelopathy, which she described as "the plant's secret biochemical weapon, which makes allelopathic plants more successful in competing with other plants for water, space, and sunlight. It is very common among invasive plants, which also have a presence in the home garden - not every plant belongs together ” she summed.
Dr. Katarina Šoln is very passionate about delivering knowledge specific to nature, which is also one of her main goals." I think it is important to present interestingly and understandably all the mysteries of the natural world to the public, therefore, I will organize biology workshops for children, write popular articles about nature, give a few public lectures, and make short videos about plant life", she concludes.
Slovenian Science Foundation (SZF) has been in partnership with the World Federation of Scientists (WFS) since 2002, where the main task relies on the development acceleration of young researchers in the field of planetary necessity.
Fellowships play a distinct social role in promoting the completion of doctoral work, as well as contributing to a more favorable socio-economic situation for young PhDs.
Monday, 20 March 2023 CALL FOR ENROLMENT INTO MASTER AND DOCTORAL DEGREE STUDY PROGRAMMES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
On 17 March 2023 the University of Primorska publishes the Call for enrolment into master and doctoral study programmes in the academic year 2023/2024.
The first round application period opens on 6 April 2023.
The list of study programmes with available enrolment slots is available:
- for master and doctoral study programmes > HERE
Information about application enrolment > HERE
For additional information, you can contact Student Services.
Monday, 20 March 2023 DR. ANNA SANDAK PUBLISHES A SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE IN NATURE REVIEWS MATERIALS
Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE research group leader at InnoRenew, associate professor and research associate at the UP FAMNIT and UP IAM recently published a scientific article »Engineered living materials for sustainable and resilient architecture«, in Nature Reviews Materials.
In the article, Dr. Sandak discusses the progress in biomimetics which allows for the fabrication of man-made materials and surfaces with properties similar to biological ones.
“These advancements enable the development of a new generation of building materials for architecture that have remarkable properties typically unachievable with a traditional approach,” said Dr. Sandak.
The Nature Reviews Materials journal is an online-only journal for weekly publication in all scientific disciplines within materials science, with the impact factor 76.679.
Read more here.
Saturday, 18 March 2023 UP FAMNIT hosted the National Competition for Biology
Today, on March 18 2023, the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT) successfully concluded the National Competition in Biology intended for high school students. This year, 238 high school students competed in the national competition, which guaranteed their successful participation during the school competition where 1677 students were engaged.
Throughout the competition, the students were divided into two different groups, with different topics, where the first and the second one competed in "Biology of the Salt Pans", while the second group, of third and fourth years students, contested in the obligatory curriculum and as well in the content which is applicable for the matura examination.
The competition was co-organised by University of Primorska and ZOTKS an organization that has thrived for more than 70 years to educate young people in the field of technic and science.
In parallel with the competition, a lecture from Prof Dr. Elena Bužan took part, who gave knowledge on innovative teaching methods, focusing on the latest methods of biodiversity monitoring. Afterwards, Taja Pajmon Rak, told participants more about the UP Science Centre and the possibilities of cooperation with high schools.
Friday, 17 March 2023 20TH SOLEMN ACADEMY UP, UP 2.0
20TH SOLEMN ACADEMY UP, UP 2.0
17 March marks the birthday of the University of Primorska, since it was entered in the court register on that day in 2003, and this year marks its 20th anniversary. The celebrations culminate in a gala academy, which this year took place on Thursday, 16 March 2023, and which, along with the awarding of the University's prizes, was a special occasion with the presence of distinguished guests.
The keynote speaker was the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, she emphasised: »Strong links between your university and your innovation and a focus on interdisciplinary, challenge-based challenges in teaching and research have been and will continue to be continue to be the key to your success.«
The guests were welcomed by Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of UP, and Katja Kosem, President of the UP Student Council.
»Therefore, we do not fear for the future of the University of Primorska. Because every minute, hour, day, month, year, we act according to the principle “don’t ever stop wondering”, as our anthem says. This gives us the strength to pick ourselves up even when things go wrong and to achieve even better results than we had planned. We draw this strength and resilience right from our name, UP. In the Slovenian language, “up” means “hope”, so there is always an all-pervasive hope and a desire to improve everything we do. And through the English word “up”, by being aware that we have to do it with confidence, looking up.« dr. Klavdija Kutnar, rector.
»(At UP) you have the opportunity to gain some added value, not just tick off a box and get your degree. A university is a home. Not just for us but also for international students who come to Slovenia for the first time and get an idea of the country based on what they experience at our university. Well, we also rather like to travel around. To gain new experiences, acquaintances, knowledge. But we always like to come back home – to the University of Primorska.« Katja Kosem, President of the UP Student Council
Dr. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon also addressed the audience on the occasion of receiving the title of Honorary Doctor of UP and will deliver his inaugural lecture on Friday, the University's birthday, as the 20th Honorary Doctor of UP.
ACAD. PROF. DR. JEAN-PIERRE BOURGUIGNON
On the proposal of the UP Famnit and the UP IAM, the title of Honorary Doctor of the University of Primorska is awarded to Academic Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon for his outstanding achievements in science and his significant contribution towards developing the University of Primorska and enhancing its reputation.
Professor Bourguignon is a distinguished academic – his research area is differential geometry and his work focuses on the Ricci curvature. He is also the co-author of the monographs A Spinorial Approach to Riemannian and Conformal Geometry (EMS, 2015) and Mathematics, A Beautiful Elsewhere (Thames and Hudson, 2012). For most of his career, he was associated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), which provided him great freedom to continue his research.
Until 2013, he was Director of the prestigious international research institute Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES). Under his leadership, no fewer than three IHES members were awarded the Fields Medal, which, together with the Abel Prize, is the most prestigious award in mathematics. His research and teaching received continuous support by the École polytechnique, where he taught from 1986 to 2013. As President of the Société mathématique de France (1990–92), Professor Bourguignon was instrumental in establishing the European Mathematical Society (EMS), founded in 1990, which he chaired from 1995 to 1998. The most notable achievements of his tenure include the launch of the Journal of the European Mathematical Society (JEMS), the increased visibility of the EMS and his massive support for young mathematicians.
Professor Bourguignon received the Prix Paul Langevin in 1987 and the Prix du Rayonnement Français in Mathematical Sciences and Physics from the French Académie des Sciences in 1997. He has received several honorary titles over the course of his career: he is an honorary member of the London Mathematical Society (LMS) and the German Mathematical Society (DMV). In 2008, he was made honorary doctor of Keio University, Japan, and, in 2011, honorary doctor of Nankai University, China.
Professor Bourguignon has been collaborating with the mathematicians from our University for many years. He first visited our University in December 2016, and after we succeeded in our bid to organise the 8th European Congress of Mathematics in June 2021, our ties were strengthened even further. In addition to his invaluable advice and assistance in providing content for the Congress, he contributed to its smooth organisation and thus to the promotion of the University within the global university network through his active role at the Congress. The presentation of the title Honorary Doctor of the University of Primorska is thus a special honour for both the recipient and the University.
The Rector, together with the Vice-Rectors and Deans, then presented the 2022 University of Primorska Awards:
PROFESSOR MILAN VODOPIVEC, UP FM
On the proposal of the UP FM, the 2022 title of Professor Emeritus of the University of Primorska is awarded to Professor Milan Vodopivec for his excellent work in economics as the highest ranking Slovenian economist, his significant contribution to the education of young researchers and his work on unemployment reduction policies.
Professor Milan Vodopivec completed his doctoral studies at the University of Maryland (1988) and worked at the University of Primorska from 2011 to 2022. Today, he is the highest-ranked Slovenian economist in terms of citations according to the RePEc/IDEAS ranking, and the author and editor of an extensive body of scientific research. As a Lead Economist at the World Bank, where he advised many governments on their labour market policies (between 1988 and 2011), he developed the internationally prominent UISIM simulation model, a standard tool in the analysis of unemployment insurance systems in individual countries. His work is also important at national level, as he is one of the authors of the pension reform and a pioneer in the use of administrative data for economic analysis, contributing to the provision of data sources for research purposes at the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS). He was project leader of three basic and six target research projects at the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) as well as the project leader of a European Commission project. He has also taught courses on the labour market, supervised three young researchers and PhD candidates, and contributed to the education of young researchers with a book for them, A Message-Driven Writing Technique.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR NINO BAŠIĆ, UP FAMNIT AND UP IAM
On the proposal of UP Famnit and the UP IAM, the 2022 UP Formal Charter is awarded to Assistant Professor Nino Bašić for his significant contribution to the development of the University of Primorska in all of its activities and for his outstanding work both in the popularisation of mathematics and computer science among young people and in his integrating role among University of Primorska employees.
Nino Bašić completed his doctoral studies at the University of Ljubljana and has worked at the University of Primorska since 2016. His research interests are in discrete mathematics and its applications in the natural sciences. He is the project leader of one Slovenian Research Agency project, two bilateral projects with the US and a member of the Management Committee of a COST Action. He has organised several scientific conferences and been a member of the Organising Committee of the 8th European Congress of Mathematics (8ECM). During the pandemic, he organised an international webinar on biomathematics and mathematical chemistry, which is still running today and attracts world-renowned scientists. He has been Layout Editor (and since this year Editor) of Ars Mathematica Contemporanea (AMC) and The Art of Discrete and Applied Mathematics (ADAM), and Managing Editor of the newly established journal Discrete Mathematical Chemistry (DMC). Among the courses he teaches at the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, Mathematical Chemistry, a completely new course he has devised himself, is a special feature. He is also actively engaged in the popularisation of maths and computer science among young people: he participates in competitions (as a committee member and as a mentor) and is among the editorial staff at Presek journal. He plays an exemplary integrating role among all employees, garnering better interpersonal relationships through his willingness to help and cooperate.
PROFESSOR AMALIJA ŽAKELJ, UP PEF
On the proposal of the UP PEF, the 2022 Gold Medal of the University of Primorska is awarded to Professor Amalija Žakelj for her significant contribution to the development of didactics of mathematics and her great encouragement in increasing her colleagues’ engagement in project work.
Professor Amalija Žakelj completed her doctoral studies at the University of Ljubljana in 2004 and has been employed at the University of Primorska since 2016, although she has been teaching at the Faculty for over three decades. Her research interests include didactics of mathematics and curriculum development. She is also a lecturer of courses in didactics of mathematics and is involved in the development of new study programmes. She has been involved in a number of national and international projects as a team leader, and has been an exceptional driving force for colleagues in the field, encouraging them to participate more in project work. She has participated in the organisation of various meetings, chaired the Mathematics in Education mini-symposium and led the activities within the 8th European Congress of Mathematics. She has also made a significant contribution to the development of didactics of mathematics as co-editor and co-author of the scientific monograph Selected Topics in Didactics of Mathematics, which contains selected papers from 8ECM. She is professional and values open communication with other specialists, as she bridges the gap between research and practice in her role of national coordinator for statistical literacy and member of the National Baccalaureate Committee.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MATJAŽ KLJUN, UP FAMNIT AND UP IAM
On the proposal of the UP Famnit and the UP IAM, the 2022 UP Scientific Excellence Award goes to Associate Professor Matjaž Kljun for his outstanding research breakthrough in 2022, brought about by vision, perseverance, leadership and scientific excellence.
Matjaž Kljun began working at the University of Primorska in 2003, when he participated in developing and setting up his research field by providing a vision of its potential with a firm basis in close international cooperation. He then completed his doctoral studies in 2014 at Lancaster University, where he built a strong social network of young researchers, who form the core of his collaboration. He has also assimilated Anglo-Saxon research methods, marked by collaboration, the exchange of ideas, encouragement and a reward approach, which the research team has now adopted. All of this led to a remarkable research breakthrough in 2022, when he co-authored 12 original scientific articles (type 1.01), eight of which were SCI (Science Citation Index) journals, ten were Q1 (Quartile 1), and five were A’’ (exceptional achievements), increasing his A1 score by 1.36 in just one year. He is also the recipient of two international prizes from the research community, with two papers receiving honourable mentions – Solids on Soli: Millimetre-Wave Radar Sensing through Materials (14th Conference on Engineering Interactive Computing Systems) and A Survey of Augmented Piano Prototypes: Has Augmentation Improved Learning Experiences (16 th Conference on Interactive Surfaces and Spaces). He shares his research achievements and broad knowledge with his students at the UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR METOD ŠULIGOJ, UP FTŠ TURISTICA
On the proposal of the UP FTŠ - Turistica, the 2022 UP Scientific Excellence Award goes to Associate Professor Metod Šuligoj for his outstanding degree of research excellence in tourism and his multifaceted research work.
Metod Šuligoj completed his first PhD at the University of Ljubljana in 2009 and the second one at the Catholic University of Croatia in 2021. He has been working at Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica since 2010. He demonstrates his scientific excellence by publishing in top-ranked journals beyond the field of tourism and in languages besides English. His articles in Slovenian scientific journals contribute to the development of Slovenian terminology and the promotion of less common topics in Slovenian social sciences and humanities. In 2022, he published four scientific papers, all in indexed journals (SSCI or SCOPUS), and one interdisciplinary monograph. His (usually interdisciplinary) research is conducted both independently and in collaboration with national and international authors, and covers the territory of Slovenia and South-Eastern Europe. His remarkable concern to share his knowledge and experience with younger generations is one of the missions of great researchers. His joint publications in indexed journals prove that he pursues high standards in this area as well. Moreover, he is constantly in contact with practice and presents the solutions he develops within various projects in scientific publications. The integration of all these elements with his successful teaching career tops off his scientific excellence.
PROFESSOR ŠTEFAN BOJNEC, UP FM
On the proposal of the UP FM, the 2022 UP Educational Excellence Award goes to Professor Štefan Bojnec for his outstanding pedagogic work and exceptional mentoring, especially that provided to doctoral students.
Professor Štefan Bojnec completed his doctoral studies in 1988 at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Zagreb, and has worked at the University of Primorska since 2003. He is Head of the Department of Economics and is the lecturer of seven first- and second-cycle courses. He also lectures at foreign universities as a guest lecturer or within international exchanges. The results of surveys carried out among students show exceptionally high ratings, indicating their satisfaction with his teaching. He has also made a significant contribution as a supervisor, not only of master’s and bachelor’s theses, but also of 54 scientific master’s theses and 16 doctoral dissertations (he was a co-supervisor for 5 of them). Five PhD candidates under his supervision have received university or faculty awards for their excellent dissertations. Furthermore, he has made a significant contribution to the education of young professionals as a supervisor to (eight) young researchers. In recent years, he has been shortlisted for the PhD Supervisor of the Year Award by the Slovenian Society of Young Researchers. All of these features of educational excellence are based on his outstanding scientific research, which has produced impressive results as well as garnered him a Zois Prize for achievements in economics.
JAKOB POVŠIČ, UP FAMNIT
On the proposal of the UP Famnit, the 2022 Srečko Kosovel Award for UP Students goes to Jakob Povšič for his thesis Zero-Knowledge Authentication under supervisor Professor Andrej Brodnik.
Jakob Povšič completed the undergraduate study programme in Computer Science at the UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies. His thesis Zero-Knowledge Authentication deals comprehensively with the issue of authentication. It first highlights the issue from the perspective of the role of authentication, then focuses on authentication using a username and password, and analyses the vulnerability of traditional password management. The thesis goes well beyond the level of the expected learning outcomes, both because of its remarkable independent work and its exceptionally comprehensive approach. This extends from the formulation of the theoretical bases to a detailed engineering implementation plan. The latter uses the standard Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), making the implementation of the theoretical bases immediately applicable. Much of the knowledge used in the final thesis comes from outside the curriculum, demonstrating the candidate’s scientific and engineering approach. He successfully presented his thesis at the 7th Student Computer Science Research Conference (StuCoSReC) in 2021.
NIKA KLEPEC, UP FTŠ TURISTICA
On the proposal of the UP FTŠ - Turistica, the 2022 Srečko Kosovel Award for UP Students goes to Nika Klepec for her master’s thesis The Heritage of the Volna Laško Textile Factory and its Museum Interpretation under supervisor Associate Professor Katja Hrobat Virloget and co-supervisor Assistant Professor Neža Čebron Lipovec.
Nika Klepec completed her master’s degree in Heritage Tourism, an interdisciplinary study programme of the UP Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica and the UP Faculty of Humanities. The thesis includes a scientific analysis and self-critical reflection on preliminary incisive social action activities that the author carried out herself: she interviewed former textile workers from the Volna Laško factory, organised a café soirée (2017) and set up an exhibition (2018), which goes beyond the research students usually conduct for the purposes of a master’s thesis. The thesis highlights the topical issue of local community participation in museum presentations and heritage interpretation, which fits with the contemporary participatory trend of an evolving method. Nika Klepec opted for a process that is very challenging and complex due to the activation of a local community and multiple memories and perceptions, especially for someone only at the beginning of their research journey. From a research point of view, the thesis is particularly topical, as it deals with contemporary issues, such as the post-socialist collapse of industry, the related social restructuring, and the current patrimonialisation process of artefacts dating back to the socialist period.
JERNEJ PLEŠA, UP FVZ
On the proposal of the UP FVZ, the 2022 Srečko Kosovel Award for UP Students goes to Jernej Pleša for his master’s thesis Association between selected biomechanical variables and approach jump, linear acceleration and change of direction in male volleyball players under supervisor Professor Nejc Šarabon and co-supervisor Assistant Professor Žiga Kozinc.
Jernej Pleša completed his master’s degree in Kinesiology at the UP Faculty of Health Sciences. In his thesis, he designed and conducted large-scale and organisationally demanding biomechanical studies on a large sample of volleyball players, addressing both fundamental and applied aspects of sports science. The quality and comprehensiveness of the thesis, which goes well beyond the requirements of the master’s programme, is evidenced by the resulting scientific publications. The candidate used the research questions from the thesis to draw up and publish (with the help of his supervisor and co-supervisor) a remarkable number of papers: in total, he is the co-author of 15 scientific papers, including a category A’’ paper and four category A’ ones. He has demonstrated to be highly independent, proactive and professional when preparing his scientific papers, which he continues to be in his doctoral study programme. His master’s thesis thus represents an important contribution to sport science and an excellent foundation for further research in the field.
LARA SORGO, PHD, UP FHŠ
On the proposal of the UP FHŠ, the 2022 Srečko Kosovel Award for UP Students goes to Lara Sorgo, PhD for her doctoral thesis Literary perspectives on identity and belonging: a critical analysis of some case studies of Istrian Italian literature under supervisor Professor Nives Zudič Antonič.
Lara Sorgo has completed her doctoral studies in Language and Interculturality at the UP Faculty of Humanities under supervisor Professor Nives Zudič Antonič. Her top-quality thesis is original, topical, methodologically sound and a major achievement in international research circles. It focuses on identity and belonging in the works of four authors, who can be seen as harbingers of the current issues of complex societies, such as linguistic and cultural pluralism, hybridism, uncertain identities and intercultural dialogue. The originality of the research is based on the observation that the proposals of some intellectuals from the past are still relevant today. Bridging the ethnic and territorial belonging from the past raises the issue of the coexistence of many different cultures in the same territory. During her studies, the candidate was an excellent student: she was involved in two international projects, authored or co-authored four original scientific papers and one chapter in a monograph, collaborated with educational and research institutions, and participated in international conferences. Her thesis garnered her an award by the Centre for Research on Minorities (CERM) of the University of Insubria.
MILAN MILIVOJČEVIĆ, UP FAMNIT
On the proposal of the UP Famnit, the 2022 UP Prize for UP Students is awarded to Milan Milivojčević for his wide-ranging volunteer work and major contribution to the reputation and national and international visibility of the University of Primorska and the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies.
Milan Milivojčević completed the undergraduate study programme in Computer Science at the UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, and is now enrolled in the master’s study programme. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in programming and mathematics competitions, where he achieved notable results. He is also a very active volunteer. He has been a successful student tutor at the Faculty for three years and a technical advisor for the Google Developer Student Club of the UP as well as an event organiser (FAMNIT Hackaton 2022). Moreover, he has participated in organising several conferences (8ECM, ICFP 2021 and CUI 2021), providing assistance and ICT support to the guests, as well as events dedicated to the promotion of maths and computer science. After an Erasmus+ exchange in the Czech Republic, he re-established the Primorska Student Exchange Network (PSEN), which organises events for Erasmus students, and set up the Student Buddy and Accommodation systems. In December 2022, after only 6 months of operation, ESN Primorska became a full member of the ESN network. In September 2022, he represented Slovenia and the University of Primorska at the Erasmus+ 35 years — 35 experiences event in Brussels, organised by the EU to mark the 35th anniversary of the programme. His involvement in a wide range of activities and his immense eagerness to help and work are undoubtedly an example to UP students and employees alike.
MAJA HUMSKI, UP PEF
On the proposal of the UP Pef, the 2022 UP Prize for UP Students is awarded to Maja Humski for her active involvement in extracurricular activities at the Faculty of Education and her representation of the University of Primorska.
Maja Humski is a student of the master’s programme Inclusive Pedagogy at the UP Faculty of Education. She is a member and current president of the UP PEF Student Council. In addition to her formal duties (as a representative in the Academic Assembly and various Faculty committees), she has been a key organiser of high-profile campaigns (a field day for the staff and students, Secret Santa, From PEF to an Oscar, Biodiversity Week at UP PEF, etc.) and events at the Faculty and University (presentations at orientation days, Santa Claus pantomimes for children of employees, etc.). As a student, she participated in re-accreditation procedures carried out by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (NAKVIS). She was also a tutor to Slovenian students and special needs students. She is a member of the UP PEF ECO Council and founding member of the PEF Theatre, which has garnered her a Faculty acknowledgement. Always eager to broaden her knowledge in her extracurricular activities, she was the only student of the Faculty to participate in a Student Innovative Community Service Project (ŠIPK) and took part in workshops and conferences.
NATAŠA KOGOVŠEK, UP RECTORATE
On the proposal of the UP College of Deans and Directors, the 2022 Acknowledgement of a Member of the UP Support Staff is awarded to Nataša Kogovšek for her diligent, professional and reliable work in the Rector’s Office and the custodianship of key UP bodies.
Nataša Kogovešek has worked as a member of the Rector’s Office at the University of Primorska since 2006. She has been involved in coordinating the duties and schedules of the University’s management, paying special attention to the protocol of the University’s ceremonies and other events. Given her diligence and conscientiousness, she was entrusted with the custodianship of the following UP bodies: the Senate, the Administrative Board and the Student Council, the College of Deans and Directors and the College of Secretaries General. She also manages the UP Awards and Prizes Committee. Her effective organisational skills ensure that meetings are convened in a timely manner, that materials and adopted decisions are properly prepared, and that the University’s and Faculties’ managements as well as our colleagues from the Rector’s Office and the faculties are kept consistently informed. She is characterised by her competence and humanity, having established a professional, friendly and respectful relationship with the management of all the faculties. Her skills, experience, kindness, general knowledge and demonstrated loyalty to the University contribute to the quality and reliability of her work.
Thursday, 16 March 2023 The successful conclusion of the Faculty Competition in Programming - FTP
FTP (Faculty Programming Competition) in which you will test your programming skills in a fun and engaging way. You will develop a program (player), which plays a turn based against other programs (players). The goal is to develop a strategy, which best responds to other strategies, without being able to see their source code.
The Competition - FTP took place between 1 October 2022 and 1 January 2023, where 25 undergraduate and postgraduate students in Computer Science (UP FAMNIT) tested their programming skills.
"This year we successfully concluded a re-united Faculty competition in programming. I would like to give a special thanks to GameArt for the collaboration and the rewards that all participants have received. However, the best competitors will also get an additional invitation by GameArt to attend the internship." concluded in the brief statement the head of the competition Aleksandar Tošić from the Department of Information Sciences and Technologies (UP FAMNIT).
The contestants ended up competing interactively in a programming competition, and the best spots went to:
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Alex Vincek 1st place
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Robert Gavranović 2nd place and
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Nejc Razpotnik 3rd Place
We would like to sincerely congratulate all the participants!
Wednesday, 15 March 2023 NEW! THE FIRST APPLICATION PERIOD IS EXTENDED UNTIL 27 MARCH 2023
In accordance with the minister's decision, the first round application period for enrolment in the first year of undergraduate and second-cycle integrated master's degree programmes for Slovenian citizens, citizens of EU Member countries and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship at public higher education institutions and independent higher education institutions carrying out study programmes under a concesion in the academic year 2023/2024 is extended until 27 March 2023 (extended by one week).
List of undergraduate study programmes of the University of Primorska to which the above-mentioned decision refers:
>>> ENROLMENT CONDITIONS FOR THE 2023/2024 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR CANDIDATES WHO HAVE PASSED THE VOCATIONAL MATURA EXAMINATION AND COMPLETED A FIFTH SUBJECT <<<
The corrected timetable is published at >>> >>> https://portal.evs.gov.si/razpisi-za-vpis-javni-koncesionirani
Link to general news from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation >>> Dveletni prehodni rok pri vpisu bo veljal za vse javne univerze | GOV.SI <<<.
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In the framework of the Call for Enrolment in undergraduate and unified master's study programmes in the academic year 2023/2024, the University of Primorska announces the following free enrolment places for 30 undergraduate study programmes (7 higher professional and 23 academic study programmes):
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1.539 enrolment places for Slovenian citizens and EU citizens, of which 1.219 for full-time study and 320 for part-time study,
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71 enrolment places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, of which 57 for full-time and 14 for part-time study,
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247 enrolment places for foreign citizens of non EU countries, of which 212 for full-time and 35 for part-time study.
For the 1st year of study, there are also 91 enrolment places for candidates for parallel studies.
The Call of Enrolment is available at: LINK
The application for enrolment is entirely electronic on the eVŠ web portal. The candidate submits the application with a means of electronic identification of at least a medium level of reliability (with a qualified digital certificate, smsPASS, e-identity card) or with an AAI account (account of the authentication and authorization infrastructure) or with a username and password via the system SI-PASS , which operates within the framework of the Trust Service Authority of Slovenia.
Each candidate can submit one application for enrolment, where they select a maximum of three study programmes in the order of priority, in which they wish to enrol and for which they meet or will meet the conditions for enrolment by the deadline. The order of the selected study programmes is important, as the candidate will be ranked in the first one for which they will meet all the conditions.
Tuesday, 14 March 2023 PRESENTATION OF "SYMMETRY IN GRAPHS" (PI DAY AT UP)
Pi Day is a holiday celebrating the mathematical constant π (pi) on 14 March each year, and is also the International Day of Mathematics. In the American date notation, 14 March is written as 3/14, which are the first three digits of pi. On this day, events are held all over the world, mostly competitions to memorise the decimals of a number. PIphilology covers various mnemonic techniques that can help us to know the maximum possible number of decimals of PI. One way is PIpoetry - i.e. poetry in which the number of letters in the nth word of a composition must equal the nth decimal in the decimal notation of Pi. PIphilology is a technique that can help us to know the maximum number of decimals of Pi.
PIpoetry is a form of poetry in which the number of letters in the nth word of a composition must equal the nth decimal in the decimal notation of Pi. The first Slovenian competition in PIetry was organised at UP, in 2014, within the Department of Mathematics of UP Famnit and UP IAM.
This year, we celebrated this day at UP with the presentation of the scientific monograph Symmetry in Graphs by Ted Dobson, Aleksander Malnič and Dragan Marušič, first full-length book on the major theme of symmetry in graph. It was published in 2022 by Cambridge University Press. The books within the series Cambridge Studies in Advanced Mathematics aim at introducing the reader to an active area of mathematical research. As well as being suitable for postgraduate students, the topics covered are also useful for experts and professionals from other branches of mathematics seeking access to research topics.
ABOUT »Symmetry in Graphs«
The book begins with the basic material, leading the reader towards major problems and most active research themes of this fast-growing field, which forms a part of algebraic graph theory. Authors motivate the detailed discussion of individual topics that follow the introduction.
It is concerned with the study of highly symmetric graphs, particularly vertex-transitive graphs, and other combinatorial structures, primarily by group-theoretic techniques. Investigations of the field shed new light on permutation groups and related algebraic structures.
Featuring many examples and over 450 exercises, it is an essential introduction to the field for graduate students and a valuable addition to any algebraic graph theorist's bookshelf.
Monday, 13 March 2023 VICE-RECTOR PROMOTED ELEVEN NEW DOCTORS OF SCIENCE
On Monday, 13 March 2023, a solemn promotion of Doctors of Science of the University of Primorska took place in the hall of the Armeria Palace in Koper. The Vice-rector of the University of Primorska promoted eleven new Doctors of Science, who completed their doctoral studies between October 2022 and February 2023. As of today, the University of Primorska has 320 Doctors of Science. This year UP FAMNIT gained eight new doctors of science.
Miha Markelj defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FTŠ - Turistica entitled »Designing and Applying the Method for Cultural Landscape Evaluation and Sustainable Tourism Development: Example of the Selščica valley« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Igor Jurinčič
Doctoral dissertation summary
»DESIGNING AND APPLYING THE METHOD FOR CULTURAL LANDSCAPE EVALUATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: EXAMPLE OF THE SELŠČICA VALLEY«
In the protected cultural landscape Sorica-Danje-Torka, the dissertation, takes into account the knowledge of early historical development and shows the possibility of long-term preservation and development of the cultural landscape area. A clearly defined and applicable methodological basis, based on the strict evaluation of individual spatial or cadastral units, gives us a new and a wider set of data whose implementation in sustainable tourism products and later in selected scenarios of sustainable tourism development clearly shows us how to preserve and develop such cultural landscape area while taking into account it cultural and natural specific features.
Žiga Velkavrh defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Behavioral traits across time and countries: essays on indirect reciprocity, deception and nationality«;; under the mentorship of prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar and co-mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Aljaž Ule
Doctoral dissertation summary
»BEHAVIORAL TRAITS ACROSS TIME AND COUNTRIES: ESSAYS ON INDIRECT RECIPROCITY, DECEPTION AND NATIONALITY«
In the doctoral dissertation we use controlled lab economic experiments to investigate altruism and (dis)honesty in situations where helping strangers and honesty are socially desirable but individually suboptimal. We manipulate the access to reputation information. We also examine the behavioral strategies of individuals and conclude that behavior based on personal experience should not be neglected in the future. We conclude the doctoral dissertation with the results of cross-national study, in which we find that Slovenian and international students are similar, while the behavior of Dutch students slightly deviates.
Andrès David Santamaría-Galvis defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »On partitionability and shellability of relative simplicial complexes« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Russ Woodroofe
Doctoral dissertation summary
»ON PARTITIONABILITY AND SHELLABILITY OF RELATIVE SIMPLICIAL COMPLEXES«
Shellability and partitionability are two well-known and mutually related combinatorial properties of simplicial complexes. In his doctoral work, Andrés David investigated what spaces admit a partitionable triangulation, like the real projective plane, the dunce hat, and the open Möbius strip. In this endeavor, he developed tools that reduce the discussion about partitionability or shellability of a given complex in terms of simpler constituent relative subcomplexes. Andrés David also explored some computational aspects of shellability, namely, that the property is NP-complete.
Dean Lipovac defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Human preference for wooden materials and their role in restorative environments« under the mentorship of doc. dr. Michael David Burnard
Doctoral dissertation summary
»HUMAN PREFERENCE FOR WOODEN MATERIALS AND THEIR ROLE IN RESTORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS«
Lipovac’s dissertation examined the role of wood in restorative environments, environments where people can relax and recover from stress. Through a review article and four empirical studies, Dean Lipovac investigated whether wood can improve the comfort and well-being of building occupants by examining how people perceive and respond to different wood materials in different contexts. The results show that people prefer wood in different contexts, but that exposure to smaller wood surfaces is unlikely to significantly affect people's emotional states, physiological activity, and cognitive performance.
Bojan Dolar defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FM entitled »The intergenerational succession of leadership in a family business« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Roberto Biloslavo
Doctoral dissertation summary
»THE INTERGENERATIONAL SUCCESSION OF LEADERSHIP IN A FAMILY BUSINESS«
The research purpose was to explore in-depth the first-generation succession in a family business from the perspective of the incumbent and the successor, in order to gain new insights, improve knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon and contribute to its better effectiveness.
The applied qualitative multiple case study and content analysis method led to some recognizable contributions to science such as the five-dimensional conceptual framework and the successional orientation and to several findings useful for succession practice.
Renè Rodriguez Aldama defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Generic constructions of minimal codes from special classes of functions over finite fields« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Enes Pasalic and co-mentorship of doc. dr. Nastja Cepak
Doctoral dissertation summary
»GENERIC CONSTRUCTIONS OF MINIMAL CODES FROM SPECIAL CLASSES OF FUNCTIONS OVER FINITE FIELDS«
In recent decades, linear codes have been successfully employed to build strong security algorithms. A special class of codes called minimal has been used to derive secure two party computation protocols and secret sharing schemes. René's doctoral thesis introduces generic methods to obtain minimal codes using the theory of Boolean functions and finite fields. Moreover, since the geometric and combinatorial nature of the constructions cover a wide range of possibilities, codes with flexible parameters and additional properties are built, for instance, not satisfying the so-called Ashikhmin-Barg bound or with a large minimum distance.
Amar Bapić defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Constructing new superclasses of bent functions and further constructions of cryptographically significant mappings outside M#« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Enes Pasalic and co-mentorship of doc. dr. Samir Hodžić
Doctoral dissertation summary
»CONSTRUCTING NEW SUPERCLASSES OF BENT FUNCTIONS AND FURTHER CONSTRUCTIONS OF CRYPTOGRAPHICALLY SIGNIFICANT MAPPINGS OUTSIDE M#«
The thesis introduces results which lead to new secondary constructions of (vectorial) bent functions outside the completed Maiorana-McFarland class and it introduces two new superclasses of bent functions: SC and CD, with their applications. Some known constructions of bent functions (e.g. indirect sum and 4-decomposition) are studied as well and conditions for which the obtained functions lie outside M#.
Marc Elmeua González defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FVZ entitled »Biomechanical analysis of equestrian sports« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Nejc Šarabon
Doctoral dissertation summary
»BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUESTRIAN SPORTS«
This thesis presents a compilation of four studies on muscle activity and biomechanics of riding, as well as on measures to make riding safer. The aim of the thesis is to describe the biomechanical responses of the rider to the horse's movement and how these are influenced by training interventions and equipment modification.
Differences in muscle activation patterns and mechanical stress redaction on the trunk have been observed between advanced riders and novice riders. Furthermore, it appears that adjustments to riding equipment and feedback training can reduce the mechanical stress redaction.
Blas Fernandez defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »On certain problems related to Terwilliger algebras and distance-balanced graphs« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Štefko Miklavič and co-mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Ademir Hujdurović
Doctoral dissertation summary
»ON CERTAIN PROBLEMS RELATED WITH TERWILLIGER ALGEBRAS AND DISTANCE-BLANCED GRAPHS«
Blas Fernandez's doctoral dissertation consists of two parts. In the first part, Blas discusses the so-called Terwilliger algebra of a graph. In the past, this algebra was mainly used to study distance-regular graphs and associative schemes. The main contribution to science in the first part of the doctoral dissertation is therefore the use of the Terwilliger algebra for the study of classes of graphs that are not necessarily distance-regular. In the second part of the dissertation, Blas studies the so-called distance-balanced graphs. In this work, Blas resolves several open questions about these graphs raised by other researchers in the literature and classifies a special subclass of regular distance-balanced graphs. The results, which are covered in the doctoral dissertation, are published in six articles in international SCI journals.
Jaka Gašper Pečnik defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Advanced Adhesive Applications for Timber Construction Elements« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Matthew Schwarzkopf and co-mentorship of viš. znan. sod. dr. Vaclav Sebera
Doctoral dissertation summary
»ADVANCED ADHESIVE APPLICATIONS FOR TIMBER CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS«
The PhD conducted by Jaka Gašper Pečnik entitled »Advanced adhesive applications for timber construction elements«; is focused on several innovative adhesive applications and experimental methods from static to dynamic loadings in the field of adhesives use in strucutral timber elements. The finding of the study emphasised the complexity of material variability, from selection of the adhesive systems to the type of wood species, and showed how these variabilities reflect in the performance of composites, joints, or modified wood.
Sadmir Kudin defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP Famnit entitled »Specifying bent functions outside M# and some results on correlation immune functions« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Enes Pasalic and co-mentorship of doc. dr. Samir Hodžić.
Doctoral dissertation summary
»SPECIFYING BENT FUNCTIONS OUTSIDE M# AND SOME RESULTS ON CORRELATION IMMUNE FUNCTIONS«
This thesis investigates and clarifies relations between certain classes of bent functions, namely: the Maiorana-McFarland class, the C and D class, and the PSap class. It also introduces and investigates several new notions related to vectorial Boolean functions, namely: vectorial bent-negabent functions and vectorial bent functions weakly or strongly outside of a given class of bent functions. Some open problems about correlation-immune and resilient functions are also investigated and solved in the thesis.
Sincere congratulations to all new Doctors of Science!
Thursday, 9 March 2023 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation - Cuauhtli Campos Mijangos
We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Designing Interactive Paper Displays by Interlacing Physical and Digital Content Using Horizontal Touchscreens of the student Cuauhtli Campos Mijangos, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Computer Science.
The presentation will take place on Monday, 20 March 2023 at 16.00 in the classroom FAMNIT-MP6 and via Zoom on link:
https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/84160319340?pwd=c25WZnJKemREVWZDQzhqelRQTDZiQT09
Meeting ID: 841 6031 9340
Passcode: 488109
Thursday, 9 March 2023 PI DAY CELEBRATION - PRESENTATION "SYMMETRY IN GRAPHS"
WHEN? 14 March 2023, 3.14 p.m.
WHERE? UP Armeria, Tito square 4, Koper
Pi Day is a holiday celebrating the mathematical constant π (pi) on 14 March each year, and is also the International Day of Mathematics. In the American date notation, 14 March is written as 3/14, which are the first three digits of pi. On this day, events are held all over the world, mostly competitions to memorise the decimals of a number. PIphilology covers various mnemonic techniques that can help us to know the maximum possible number of decimals of PI. One way is PIpoetry - i.e. poetry in which the number of letters in the nth word of a composition must equal the nth decimal in the decimal notation of Pi. PIphilology is a technique that can help us to know the maximum number of decimals of Pi. PIpoetry is a form of poetry in which the number of letters in the nth word of a composition must equal the nth decimal in the decimal notation of Pi. The first Slovenian competition in PIetry was organised at UP, in 2014, within Department of Mathematics of UP Famnit and UP IAM.
This year, we will celebrate this day at UP with the presentation of the scientific monograph Symmetry in Graphs by Ted Dobson, Aleksander Malnič and Dragan Marušič, first full-length book on the major theme of symmetry in graph. It was published in 2022 by Cambridge University Press, as part of the Cambridge Studies in Advanced Mathematics series - a series of books aimed at introducing the reader to an active field of mathematical research. Besides being suitable for graduate students, the treatments are applicable for experts from other branches of mathematics, seeking access to research topics.
ABOUT »Symmetry in Graphs«
The book begins with the basic material, leading the reader towards major problems and most active research themes of this fast-growing field, which forms a part of algebraic graph theory. Authors motivate the detailed discussion of individual topics that follow the introduction.
It is concerned with the study of highly symmetric graphs, particularly vertex-transitive graphs, and other combinatorial structures, primarily by group-theoretic techniques. Investigations of the field shed new light on permutation groups and related algebraic structures.
Featuring many examples and over 450 exercises, it is an essential introduction to the field for graduate students and a valuable addition to any algebraic graph theorist's bookshelf.
Wednesday, 8 March 2023 Student from Japan enthusiastic about HICUP-LAB
Master's student, Yuri Yoneyama from Japan, decided to come to Slovenia as part of a research project involving human-computer interaction and augmented reality. Below, she reveals all about her journey and her work. In addition, she also explained the differences and similarities between Slovenia and Japan.
Yuri, a Master's student, at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, visited the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), in February, as she mentioned she was amazed by Slovenia quite some time ago.
However, her main reason relied on the visit of Assoc. prof. Matjaž Kljuna and Assoc. prof. Klen Čopič Pucihar from the Department of Information Sciences and Technologies (UP FAMNIT), who visited Japan to present their research area, where they also met and worked together on a joint project.
She considers the HICUP - Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory at the University of Primorska as an important crossroads between Japan and Slovenia.
"In Japan, I do my Master's in the field of human-computer interaction and augmented reality, within that, my research project relies on people who are struggling with social anxiety, which is also recognised as one of the most common mental health disorders. Besides, my greatest wish shortly is that people with special glasses, which I am designing, will tackle their anxiety easier. " She also presented her prototype in the HICUP lab, where enjoys her work and is learning a lot, even though sometimes it can take a lot of effort.
In the interview, she also mentioned that Slovenia was a great surprise for her, as she certainly did not imagine that it is such a developed country. "You live in a wonderful country, which I would love to revisit! However, you have a very advanced laboratory and very hard-working professors, which provides a very pleasant working environment", she smiled, "sometimes they can be funny as well. If I make a comparison to Japan, the work structure here is very different! We have very strict rules," she adds.
She was also very fascinated by Slovenian culture and people. “ We don't have carnivals in Japan as Slovenian people have, also I would like to add that people are very nice. If I emphasize my visit to the store where the shop assistant kindly smiled and was also very hospitable.” The biggest gap between countries is in her opinion public transport, as she adds "well, just terrible! in Japan, we have very good connections, and if there are delays, this can be very punishable", she concludes.
Monday, 6 March 2023 Call for Student Tutors for the 2023/2024 Academic Year is now open!
The new Rules on the tutoring system at the University of Primorska are in force, and as a result the new application deadline for student tutors is now open earlier.
We invite you to (re) apply for tutors in the upcoming academic year 2023/2024 and enrich your student experience and the experience of your younger colleagues.
What is tutoring?
Tutoring is an organized help to students based on a personal approach. The call is open for the following positions:
- tutors,
- tutors for foreign students,
- tutors to help students with special needs.
Who is tutoring intended for?
Student tutoring is intended primarily for first-year students who find themselves in a new living and educational environment. Tutors help them with important information and integration into the new environment.
Tutors for foreign students offer support to newcomers who come to UP for exchange or full-time study. Tutors help them integrate into the new environment as well as with administrative and language barriers.
You can apply online through the UP FAMNIT application.
Application deadline is 31 March 2023.
Introductory training for tutors will be organized in May 2023.
The organization and operation of the tutoring system is regulated by the Rules on the tutoring system at the University of Primorska (Pravilnik o tutorskem sistemu na Univerzi na Primorskem). An official English translation will be available shortly soon.
For additional questions, please contact: promo@famnit.upr.si
Thursday, 2 March 2023 RESEARCH ASSISTANT (»THREE-YEAR TENURE TRACK FACULTY POSITION«)
Faculty member: UP FAMNIT
The University of Primorska invites applicants for a research assistant (postdoc with possibility to extended
tenure track faculty position). We seek candidates with a PhD in Life Sciences (molecular biology, ecology, biology, forestry, veterinary, biochemistry etc.). Applicants with experience in wildlife genomics will have priority; postdoctoral and teaching experience are required. Work position is classified in 43th salary grade, from 1st April 2023 onward in 44th salary grade. Trial work is three (3) months. Expected starting date is May 2023.
The candidate will become a member of the Molecular Ecology group at the Department of Biodiversity in the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies. The group uses molecular tools to investigate many different topics and species, from wildlife monitoring to adaptation, and from conservation biology to wildlife management. The group has a keen interest also in citizen science in wildlife monitoring.
Your tasks:
A selected candidate will contribute to the management of national and international research projects and maintain and promote open science practices. The candidate will also teach a minimum of 1 course per semester, train, and supervise students. Work environment will also include international travel due to project meetings.
Your profile:
- A relevant university education with a completed doctoral/PhD degree and a strong potential in research.
- Experience with conducting population genomics analyses is preferred but not required.
- Exceptional organizational skills and strong ability to accomplish tasks independently.
- Teaching or supervision experience required.
- Excellent spoken and written English is required.
Application instructions:
Interested applicants are requested to send the application in electronic form to razpisi@famnit.upr.si and “Tenure-track position” in the object.
Please attach in pdf format:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how you fit the description
- a CV
- a list of publications highlighting the five most relevant ones.
Application deadline: 31 March 2023
Wednesday, 1 March 2023 EXPLORING INTERNATIONALISATION AND RESEARCH COLLABORATION: UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA HOSTS THE UNIVERSITY OF SILESIA DELEGATION
The University of Primorska (UP) welcomed a delegation from the University of Silesia to explore opportunities for internationalisation and research collaboration. The UP Sector for Internationalisation and Project Office hosted the delegation for two days to discuss approaches to internationalisation, project support and the researcher’s view.
On Tuesday, the delegation was welcomed and given a general presentation of UP and its internationalisation and science communication. This was followed by an introduction to general approaches to internationalisation and supporting research. The delegation then heard about central support mechanisms for international students and general approaches to project support, and visited Science Center UP – Aquarium Piran. Finally, they learned about integration into the environment, with a focus on Slovene language learning.
The next day, the delegation met with a research group and heard about faculty support mechanisms at UP FAMNIT and UP FVZ. They also explored UP FM Study Affairs and technological transfer at the Center of Knowledge Development & Transfer, at InnoRenew. The day concluded with a tour and an introduction to research institute InnoRenew CoE.
The visit from the University of Silesia was a great success, providing an opportunity for both universities to discuss approaches to internationalisation and research collaboration. UP looks forward to future collaboration.
Monday, 27 February 2023 Sadmir Kudin, new Doctor of Science
Today, 27 February 2023, we welcomed another doctor of science at UP FAMNIT.
Sadmir Kudin, student of the doctoral study programe Mathematical Sciences at UP FAMNIT has successfully defended his doctoral thesis Specifying bent functions outside M# and some results on correlation immune functions; under the mentorship of Prof. Enes Pasalic, PhD and co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Samir Hodžić, PhD.
We sincerely congratulate the new doctor of science and wish him much success on his future journey in research!
Wednesday, 22 February 2023 PUBLIC CALL TO OBTAIN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE UP SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024
The University of Primorska invites all students of the following faculties: UP Faculty of Humanities, UP Faculty of Management, UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, UP Faculty of Education, UP Faculty of Tourism Studies - Turistica, UP Faculty of Health Sciences, who are eligible, to apply for the Public call to obtain scholarships from the Scholarship Fund of University of Primorska in the academic year 2023/2024.
The Scholarship Fund of the University of Primorska is based on a partnership between the University of Primorska, municipalities, and the private sector. Its aim is to reward and encourage the best students of UP, offer their knowledge to potential employers during the course of their study process, and provide opportunities for employment to these students as soon as they finish their studies. The objective of the Fund is at the same time to support all UP students in achieving the best possible results in their studies.
With this Public Call, the University of Primorska invites all:
- candidates for enrolment in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cycle study programmes of UP and
- students who, in the academic year of 2023/2024, will be enrolled in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cycle study programmes of UP,
to apply for this public call, and thus express their interest in joining the Fund.
The amount of the scholarship for the academic year 2023/2024 is from 2.000,00 EUR to 4.800,00 EUR.
In the case when the scholarships are awarded via UP, the scholarship amount is 2.000,00 EUR per academic year. In certain cases, a higher scholarship can also be awarded, namely:
- for students enrolled in the 1st and 2nd cycle, who score from 80 to 89 points, the scholarship can be as high as 300,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 3.000,00 EU per academic year;
- for students enrolled in the 1st and 2nd cycle, who score from 90 to 100 points, the scholarship can be as high as 480,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 4.800,00 EU per academic year;
- for students enrolled in the 3rd cycle, the scholarship can be as high as 1.000,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 10.000,00 EU per academic year.
Scholarship contracts will be concluded between UP, Fund partners (employers), and students with whom there is a mutual interest in the conclusion of the contract. By signing the scholarship contract, the student agrees that in the case that they are offered employment by a partner of the fund (employer) they will accept the offer and, after completing their studies, work for the partner of the fund for at least as long as they received the scholarship.
Application deadline: September 15th, 2023. The application is submitted in due time if it is submitted between February 16th, 2023 to September 15th, 2023.
On the website of the Career Center of the University of Primorska (KC UP) you will find all details and the public call: UP Scholarship Fund 2023/2024 - PUBLIC CALL!
PUBLIC CALL - 2023/2024
- Career Center of University of Primorska, Center for Lifelong Learning and Career Orientation
- Address: Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenija
- Phone: +386 5 611 76 36
- E-mail: kariernicenter@upr.si.
Tuesday, 21 February 2023 The doctoral thesis defence of the student Sadmir Kudin
Sadmir Kudin, student of the doctoral study programe Mathematical Sciences at UP FAMNIT will defend his doctoral thesis Specifying bent functions outside M# and some results on correlation immune functions; under the mentorship of Prof. Enes Pasalic, PhD and co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Samir Hodžić, PhD.
The defence will take place on Monday, 27 February 2023 at 9:00 in Famnit-VP3 and via Zoom:
https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/81738226081
Meeting ID: 817 3822 6081
The doctoral disertation is available in the library at UP FAMNIT.
Monday, 20 February 2023 Become volunteer at the 32nd World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
Become part of the team and volunteer at the 32nd World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)
Info & Application form>>HERE
Saturday, 18 February 2023 High school students gathered information about UP FAMNIT study programmes
On Friday and Saturday, February 17 and 18, Informative days for future students took place in Slovenia. This year, Famnit was presented in an interactive way at both locations, where the study process is implemented, and once again we are recording great interest in our Undergraduate studies.
Before the start of the presentations with study programme coordinators, the students in Koper, at the faculty's headquarters (Glagoljaška 8), were greeted by the dean, Assoc. Prof. Ademir Hujdurović and in Izola (Livade 1.0), by Assoc. Prof. Dunja Bandelj, Head of the Department of Applied Natural Sciences and Vice-Dean for Education.
In Koper, the students obtained information about the study programs Mathematics, Mathematics in Economics and Finance, Computer Science, Bioinformatics and Biopsychology, while in Izola we presented them with Mediterranean Agriculture and Conservation Biology.
After the presentations in Koper, the students were able to attend Famnit's information fair, where they met student tutors and members of the Student Council. The Student Services Office and the International Office were also available for all questions regarding enrollment and the possibility of international exchanges. The departments of the faculty prepared interesting activities for the visitors of the fair, so the students could try using AR glasses, solving the math game SET, and we also presented them with the operation of the EEG cap.
In Livade, we showed students the new premises with high-tech equipment, which is especially intended for research in the field of applied natural sciences, biodiversity, bioinformatics, food, nutrition, health, urban planning, ergonomics and kinesiology, olive growing, gastronomy and wine culture, Mediterranean cultures and environmental technologies and the use of renewable materials.
The Saturday afternoon session was carried out for presentations in English via ZOOM for students who come from abroad and are interested in the Mathematics, Computer Science and Bioinformatics programmes, which are also offered in English at our faculty.
Students who are interested in how lectures are conducted in practice at UP FAMNIT and other faculties of the University of Primorska will be able to attend the Open Lecture Weeks, which will take place between February 20 and March 17, 2023. The entire program of lectures and other of events is published here.
Saturday, 18 February 2023 A successful conclusion of the Introductory training school on pollinator identification
Data show that pollinators' abundance is declining rapidly across Europe and elsewhere, regarding circumstances their monitoring and conservation becoming a high priority for researchers.
From the 15th to 17th of February within the ConservePlants COST Action (CA18201) the Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNIT organized a Training school on pollinator identification in Izola.
Training encourages knowledge and importance of wild pollinators, who provide one of the most crucial ecosystem services on the planet - pollination.
Therefore, participants obtained theoretical and practical knowledge about the meaning and identification of pollinators.
The three-day programme started with an introductory greeting, followed by the first lecture by Hugo Gaspari, who gave a presentation on the importance of the main groups of pollinators, including butterflies, hoverflies and bees, and introduced the participants to the conservation status and monitoring methods. Marco Bonifacinoo introduced participants to butterflies, later they transferred their knowledge to their identification and a demonstration of sample preparation.
The following day Simone Flaminio, Andrej Gogala and Hugo Gaspar gave a detailed presentation on bees, their biology, ecology and taxonomy. In the afternoon, within the workshop, they identified interactively bees diversity.
On the last day, Maarten de Groot gave a lecture on the importance of hoverflies, followed by a practical session on their identification given by Hugo Gaspar.
The program was led by European experts, coming from the Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis (CREA), the University of Florence, the Slovenian Forestry Institute and the Centre for Functional Ecology (FLOWer lab) from the University Coimbra.
Thursday, 16 February 2023 Jaka Gašper Pečnik, new Doctor of Science
Today, 16 February 2023, we welcomed another doctor of science at UP FAMNIT.
Jaka Gašper Pečnik, student of the doctoral study programe Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments at UP FAMNIT has successfully defended his doctoral thesis Advanced Adhesive Applications for Timber Construction Elements; under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Matthew Schwarzkopf, PhD and co-mentorship of Vaclav Sebera, PhD.
We sincerely congratulate the new doctor of science and wish him much success on his future journey in research!
Tuesday, 14 February 2023 The doctoral thesis defence of the student Jaka Gašper Pečnik
Jaka Gašper Pečnik, student of the doctoral study programe Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments at UP FAMNIT will defend his doctoral thesis Advanced Adhesive Applications for Timber Construction Elements; under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Matthew Schwarzkopf, PhD and co-mentorship of Vaclav Sebera, PhD.
The defence will take place on Thurdsay, 16 February 2023 at 10:00 at InnoRenew Coe (Livade 6a, 6310 Izola) in classroom Sequoia.
The doctoral disertation will be available in the library at UP FAMNIT in the following days.
Monday, 13 February 2023 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE
The Day of Women and Girls in Science, February 11, this year at the proposal of the United Nations, will be held under the slogan: Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. Sustain. ( I.D.E.A.S.). Worldwide, there is still a huge gender gap in all scientific disciplines, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There are more and more women in higher education as well, but they are still underrepresented. According to UNESCO, less than 30% of all researchers are women.
At the University of Primorska, we have 253 female researchers who conduct research at six UP faculties and one research institute (51.4%). Among young researchers, 17 of them received training last year, of which nine were women (59%).
UP women scientists have also won numerous awards. In the ARRS's selection of achievements "Excellent in science" is included in the field of humanities the monograph "In the silence of memory Exodus in Istria" by Assoc. Prof. Katja Hrobat Virloget and, in the field of biotechnology, the article "Quantitative assessment of the risk of exposure to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) through various types of milk for the Slovenian consumer" Assoc. Prof. Jasna Prezelj.
The Prometheus of Science Award for excellence in communication was awarded by the Slovenian Scientific Foundation to Assoc. Prof. Suzana Todorović for her contribution to the promotion of the dialectal image of Slovenian Istria and her cooperation in the registration of Istrobenian languages in the Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The awards for scientific excellence of UP for 2021 were awarded to Prof. Elena Bužan for the field of natural sciences, Assoc. Prof. Katja Hrobat Virgolet and Assoc. Prof. Martina Blečić Kavur for the field of humanities and assoc. Prof. Tina Štemberger for the social sciences.
We asked female UP researchers, students and PhD students:
"How has the decision to do research improved their life/opportunities in life?"
As a researcher, I have a more flexible schedule, so that I can organise my own commitments and balance them more easily with my private life. Research also gives me many opportunities for advanced training and visits abroad."
Katja Kramberger, researcher at the Department of Nutritional Counselling - Dietetics, UP FVZ
Minja: We've been fascinated by science since we were kids.
Aja: As part of our studies in Conservation Biology and Nature Conservation, we knew that we had to acquire additional competences alongside our studies. During our studies, we were actively involved in various student-funded projects, such as the "On the creative path to knowledge". Minja: So here we are today: two women in science working in the field of molecular ecology at the University of Primorska.
Aja: For us researchers, science is much more than just a job; it is our mission and our joy. Minja: If you also enjoy science, help researchers to obtain data on Slovenia's wildlife. As part of the Step Change project, we have developed the SRNA app, which allows all of you citizen scientists to help researchers collect data and monitor the status of Slovenia's wildlife.
Aja: Through this link, you too can become citizen scientists!
Aja Bončina, researcher at the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT (left in the picture) | Minja Krstić, researcher at the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT (right in the picture)
"My research is primarily in algorithmic graph theory. It is a young field, but it is developing very fast, and UP FAMNIT offers me opportunities to participate and organise international conferences, which enable knowledge transfer, even faster progress of science and co-authored papers with experts from all over the world."
Nina Chiarelli, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at UP FAMNIT and researcher at UP IAM
"During my studies, my desire to research suicidal behaviour was sharpened, which led me to the opportunity to work at the Slovenian Centre for Suicide Research at the UP IAM, where I am currently based. At the centre we are involved in various research and intervention projects. On the one hand, we are researching various factors associated with suicidal behaviour, protective factors, and on the other hand, we are integrating these findings into intervention programmes, projects and in this way "giving back" to society. The projects are well received by both the national and international public. As an example of the success of our work, we have been entrusted with the co-organisation of 32. World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Attending and co-organising such congresses allows me to network with both local and foreign experts, which promotes a faster transfer of knowledge and insights. At the same time, it sharpens those aspects that remain unexplored or that require our further attention."
Vanja Gomboč, researcher at UP IAM (Slovenian Centre for Suicide Research)
"I am currently working on my master's thesis, in which I am researching anxiety, stress and depression among female handball players in Slovenia. I am happy that, in addition to seeing the issues first-hand, as a former athlete, I am now also learning about them as a researcher. I hope to use this knowledge as a sport psychologist to help sportswomen and sportsmen in my future career."
Lea Kranjc, Master's student in Biopsychology & full-time student of the Master's programme in Psychology at UP FAMNIT, former elite athlete
"I am grateful to have the opportunity to be involved in research work, projects during my studies, such as the "Creative Path to Knowledge" or the Student Innovation Projects for Social Benefit".
Lana Erjavec, student of the Master's degree programme Physiotherapy
"During my PhD at UP FHŠ, my mentor, Prof. Dr. Nives Zudič Antonič, repeated several times that real research work starts only after the completion of studies. Of course, this turned out to be true. Working in scientific research requires a lot of effort and time. It is sometimes difficult to balance work and private life, so I would not say with certainty that my life has turned around for the better. In some ways, it may even have made everyday life more difficult, because I have less free time for myself, my family and my friends. On the other hand, I have to admit that scientific research also improves me because it is very creative work. This profession allows me to be part of a wider European environment where I meet new people with whom I can exchange experiences and broaden my knowledge. But I also notice that the research environment, despite the efforts to promote gender equality in science, is still very much a male world in which women scientists are under-represented."
Dr. Lara Sorgo, (former) PhD student at UP FHŠ
Tuesday, 7 February 2023 INFO DAYS 2023
You are invited to join us at Info events, where the professors and students will present an insight into life on the Faculty and the benefits of the programmes.
17 February - 18 February 2023 | from 9.00 am |
More information about Info day > Here
The information about enrolment > Here
Monday, 6 February 2023 Training school on pollinator identification
Pollinators provide one of the most important ecosystem services on the planet – pollination. They make food production possible, protect and maintain ecosystems and species, contribute to biodiversity and often act as indicators of state of the environment. Their abundance is declining at a high rate all around Europe, due to habitat fragmentation, pesticide use, climate change and other factors, making their monitoring and conservation a high priority.
Within the ConservePlants COST Action (CA18201), the Department of biodiversity is organizing a Training school on pollinator identification in Izola from 15th to 17th of February. This Training school will teach the importance of pollinators, targeting groups like butterflies, hoverflies and bees, and their biology, ecology, monitoring methods, conservation, preparation of specimens, identification, etc. It will host 15 Early Career Researchers (including MSc and PhD students) and Conservation Practitioners from all over Europe, focused on pollinator taxonomy, biology, ecology and identification.
The program will be led by European experts, coming from the Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis (CREA), University of Florence, Slovenian Forestry Institute and Centre for Functional Ecology (FLOWer lab) from the University Coimbra.
The Department of biodiversity has secured the opportunity of attending experts’ lectures in-person, in campus Livade, in Izola, for UP students, or online, for anyone else interested.
Agenda
Day 1
- Morning: Introduction of participants
-Lecture 1: Pollinators: importance, main groups, conservation status and monitoring methods (Hugo Gaspar)
-Lecture 2: Introduction for butterflies (Marco Bonifacino)
- Afternoon: Practical part: Identification of butterflies and demonstration of the preparation of specimens
Day 2
- Morning: Lecture 3: Introduction for bees: Biology, Ecology and Taxonomy (Simone Flaminio, Andrej Gogala, Hugo Gaspar)
- Afternoon: Practical part: identification of bees
Day 3
- Morning: Lecture 4: Introduction to hoverflies (Maarten de Groot)
- Afternoon: Practical part: Identification of hoverflies to tribe/genus level
Final discussion: Hugo Gaspar
More details on the event > HERE
Date: 15. - 17. 2. 2023
Lectures in campus Livade: 9 - 12h
Address for in-person lecture attendance: UP FAMNIT, Objekt Livade 1.0 Livade 4, Izola 6310
ZOOM access to lectures: https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/84058892779?pwd=ZFp6eURXK0ZkaElKYWsrdGN4ZDFodz09
(Meeting ID: 840 5889 2779; Password: 385200)
Monday, 6 February 2023 Call for enrolment into undergraduate study programs at UP FAMNIT
In the framework of the Call for Enrolment in undergraduate and unified master's study programmes in the academic year 2023/2024, the University of Primorska announces the following free enrolment places for 30 undergraduate study programmes (7 higher professional and 23 academic study programmes):
- 1.539 enrolment places for Slovenian citizens and EU citizens, of which 1.219 for full-time study and 320 for part-time study,
- 71 enrolment places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, of which 57 for full-time and 14 for part-time study,
- 247 enrolment places for foreign citizens of non EU countries, of which 212 for full-time and 35 for part-time study.
For the 1st year of study, there are also 91 enrolment places for candidates for parallel studies.
The Call of Enrolment is available at: LINK
The application for enrolment is entirely electronic on the eVŠ web portal. The candidate submits the application with a means of electronic identification of at least a medium level of reliability (with a qualified digital certificate, smsPASS, e-identity card) or with an AAI account (account of the authentication and authorization infrastructure) or with a username and password via the system SI-PASS , which operates within the framework of the Trust Service Authority of Slovenia.
Each candidate can submit one application for enrolment, where they select a maximum of three study programmes in the order of priority, in which they wish to enrol and for which they meet or will meet the conditions for enrolment by the deadline. The order of the selected study programmes is important, as the candidate will be ranked in the first one for which they will meet all the conditions.
The first application period for enrolment will be:
- for Slovenian citizens, citizens of the EU Member States and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship from 17 February to 20 March 2023,
- for foreign citizens from non EU countries from 17 February to 22 May 2023.
Application procedure for enrolment
Application terms for non-EU citizens (enrolment in the first year of study):
- first application term: from 17 February to 22 May 2023,
- second application term: from 29 May to 24 July 2023,
- third application term: from 11 August to 4 September 2023,
- fourth application term: from 22 to 25 September 2023 (until 12.00).
Application terms for EU citizens and Slovene nationals without Slovene citizenship (enrolment in the first year of study):
- first application term: from 17 February to 20 March 2023,
- second application term: from 21 to 25 August 2023,
- third application term: from 22 to 25 September 2023 (until 12:00).
Application term for enrolment in the subsequent year of study:
- Candidates can apply from 1 to 15 September 2023.
More about enrolment > HERE
Wednesday, 1 February 2023 NEW! The ERASMUS+ Open Call for Student Mobility for TRAINEESHIPS in the year 2023/24 is now open
Students are invited to apply for an Erasmus+ Open Call for student mobilitiy for TRAINEESHIPS in the year 2023/24.
The call supports physical/combined (with a virtual component) long-term mobility of students of all three levels of study for the purpose of traineeship abroad and short-term mobility of doctoral students for the purpose of traineeship abroad.
Within the framework of this call (Erasmus+KA131) ), students can participate in an exchange in the following program countries: member states of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.
The application deadline for the Call is set as an OPEN APPLICATION DEADLINE and starts on the day the Call is published and lasts until the funds are available or until cancelation.
The Open Call and all related attachments are available at the following links:
- The Open Call
- Instructions for submitting the application
- Link to the Online Application Form (via VIS/ŠIS)
- Learning Agreement for Traineeships
- Guidelines, Learning Agreement for Traineeships
- Possibilities of cofinancing the mobility
- OLS
Wednesday, 1 February 2023 Blas Fernandez, new Doctor of Science
Today, 1 February 2023, we welcomed another doctor of science at UP FAMNIT.
Blas Fernandez, student of the doctoral study programme Mathematical Sciences at UP FAMNIT has successfully defended his doctoral thesis On certain problems related to Terwilliger algebras and distance-balanced graphs; under the mentorship of Prof. Štefko Miklavič, PhD and co-mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Ademir Hujdurović, PhD.
We sincerely congratulate the new doctor of science and wish him much success on his future journey in research!
Tuesday, 31 January 2023 When are two graphs really the same?
For the third talk in Famnit's cycle of lectures about mathematics (Famnitovi Izleti v matematično vesolje), Dr. Ted Dobson lectured about a graph, a relatively simple object. It has two parts, dots (which we call vertices) and lines between pairs of dots (which we call edges). They discussed the problem of when two graphs are really “the same”, and what this means. This is a famous problem, called the “graph isomorphism problem”. After looking at some examples, they talked about the current state of the problem, and end by considering graphs that are “symmetric”.
About the lecturer:
Ted Dobson received his PhD in 1995 from Louisiana State University in the USA. After 20 years at the University of Mississippi in the USA and after many years of visits to Slovenian mathematicians, he became a professor at the University of Primorska, in 2018. His research area is symmetries on graphs, together with related areas.
Slides from the lecture can be found HERE.
Monday, 30 January 2023 INTERDISCIPLINARY SYMPOSIUM BRINGS TOGETHER DIFFERENT UP EXPERTISE
On Wednesday, 25 January 2023, UP FTŠ Turistica hosted the symposium "The Present and Future of Wine and Gastronomy Tourism on Tourist Farms in Slovenia" which represents the final activity of the Targeted Research Project "Possibilities of Further Development of Wine and Gastronomy Tourism on Farms" (Vingatur, V5-2030 - Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, ARRS), a complex research and development project made possible by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovenian Research Agency ARRS.
It involved more than 10 researchers from three universities and five faculties: Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), Faculty of Management UP, Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica UP, Faculty of Arts UL and Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences UM:
- Dr Simon Kerma (UP FTŠ Turistica) and Dr. Matjaž Hladnik (UP FAMNIT) presented an analysis of the results of surveys of holders of complementary farm tourism activities;
- Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, dr. Matjaž Hladnik and dr. Ig. Dunja Bandelj (UP FAMNIT) pointed out the importance of including traditional/indigenous plant varieties and animal breeds in the offer of tourist farms;
- Dr Aleš Gačnik (UP FTŠ Turistica) shed light on the place and role of tourist farms in the context of gastronomic tourism and the development of tourism in rural areas;
- Emil Juvan (UP FTŠ Turistica) highlighted the visitor perceptions of tourist farms by illustrating the potential for the development of enogastronomy tourism in rural areas;
- Dr Igor Jurinčič, Dr Simon Kerma and Dr Aleš Gačnik (UP FTŠ Turistica) presented a comparative analysis of wine and gastronomy events in Slovenian wine-growing regions;
- Dr Aleš Gačnik and Mag. Maja Plahutnik Nahtigal (UP FTŠ Turistica) presented the results of the analysis of the use of digital channels of communication of tourist farms, with an emphasis on websites and social networks;
- Štefan Bojnec (UP FM) emphasised and highlighted the importance of tourist farms in the preservation and development of the Slovenian countryside.
In this context Dr. Dejan Cigale and Dr. Barbara Lampič (UL FF) presented how sustainable development is reflected in tourist farms, while Dr Barbara Lampič and Dr Irma Potočnik Slavič (UL FF) highlighted wine tourism routes as an important factor in rural development. Dr Martina Robačer, Dr Martina Bavec and Dr Franc Bavec spoke about the perspectives for the development of ecological tourist farms. The scientific symposium was concluded with proposals for research and development topics as a basis for the design of cross-sectoral measures for the further development of wine and gastronomy tourism on farms and an interesting closing discussion.
Representatives of important institutions also addressed the participants and emphasised the importance of the topic: Prof. Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of the University of Primorska, Dr. Marijana Sikošek, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism Studies Turistica, Tatjana Buzeti, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia, Dubravka Kalin, Director General of the Tourism Directorate of the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Slovenia, Matija Vimpolšek, President of the Association of Tourist Farms of Slovenia, and Dr. Simon Kerma, Project Manager. The importance of cross-sectoral cooperation and networking was highlighted, as well as the importance of transferring research findings into educational programmes, agriculture and the economy.
The scientific and professional symposium highlights the fact that development needs to be planned on the basis of integrated multidisciplinary research, reflecting both international knowledge of the topic and the characteristics of the field. The future of tourist farms in Slovenia undoubtedly depends on creative and innovative cross-sectoral cooperation between agriculture, tourism, culture and science.
Friday, 27 January 2023 (BIO)PSYCHOLOGY DAY AT UP FAMNIT
On 26 January 2023, as part of the (BIO)PSYCHOLOGY DAY AT UP FAMNIT, we hosted High school students from GIMNAZIJA Celje-Center high school.
Through various activities, lectures and workshops, they learned about the diverse world of science and enjoyed it.
After the warm welcome by dr. Vesna Jug from the Department of Psychology, the students were divided into two groups. One of them attended the Mini Info Fair, where students of Biopsychology and Psychology answered various questions about the tutoring system, the Student Council and the Erasmus programme.
In the second group, students have been introduced to a different aspect of mental health. Through discussion and activities, Eva Sedlašek and Polonca Borko from the Department of Psychology, in the workshop "Are you ok? OK!", introduced students to the concept of mental health and its aspects, which have influences on it. Together, they also talked about why it is important to take care of mental health and what we can do about it.
At the practical workshop, Tjaša Ogrizek, Tina Tinkara Peternelj, Dean Lipovac, Klen Čopič Pucihar, Matjaž Kljun in Julija Pavlin, directly introduced participants to the main concepts of biopsychology and the interplay of biological and psychological processes. They interactively engaged students, teaching them more about stress and how we can measure it. In addition, practical examples were given, related to career possibilities in this field and how newer technologies can help researchers.
Dr. Vesna Jug, the coordinator of the Biopsychology study programme, gave students detailed information of the programme itself and the study process (courses, timetables, career opportunities etc.).
Thursday, 26 January 2023 Record attendance of Gimnazija Koper high school students at the Mathematics Day
On Wednesday 25 January 2023, UP FAMNIT hosted the traditional Mathematics Day, which was organized for third-year students of the Gimnazija Koper by professors of Mathematics at UP FAMNIT.
This year the event was attended by more than 100 students, accompanied by mathematics teachers. The students were divided into three groups and listened to lectures on the applicability of mathematics in everyday life.
The programme started with the introductory greetings by Dr. Ademir Hujdurović, dean of UP FAMNIT, Dr. Bojan Kuzma, the Head of the Department of Mathematics of UP FAMNIT and Dr. Marko Orel, Coordinator of the study programme Mathematics.
Dr. Ademir Hujdurović
In his lecture, Dr. Ted Dobson presented the graph, which is a relatively simple object. He relied on the key question of when two graphs are really "the same'' and what this means. Mathematics is often used in the field of Sports, which was presented by Dr. Boštjan Frelih, who gave interesting examples that were not limited to counting results. Dr. Karla Ferjančič presented Bézier curves, which have become incredibly useful with the development of computers. The curves themselves are considered indispensable in the automotive, aircraft and ship industries for robot control, modelling, animation and other fields.
Students also went through the history of cryptographic methods and procedures, as Dr. Štefko Miklavič explained the role of mathematics in cryptography, where students tried to "crack" some simple codes. Dr. Nino Bašić also introduced the basics of the Python programming language.
Lecturer, Dr. Nino Bašić
Dr. Rado Pezdir explained about the vicissitudes of the stock market, basic financial concepts (risk, return, stock market) and also how mathematics can help us understand complex environments such as financial markets.
"When teaching mathematics at school, students mostly calculate and use formulas that they have to learn by heart, sometimes it is difficult to imagine the usefulness of mathematics in real life," says Neva Ećimović, professor of mathematics at Gimnazija Koper.
"Theory and good basics are important, so students can upgrade their knowledge, but at the Mathematics Day, which is prepared every year by FAMNIT, they have a very good opportunity to learn mathematics differently and get the additional motivation to learn, which is sometimes lacking in learning about theory." She summed up, that students are enthusiastic about Mathematics Day every year because in this way they learn about the usefulness of mathematics.
The Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska offer six undergraduate study programs, including Mathematics and Mathematics in Economics and Finance. More information about study programs and studying at Famnit can also be found at the upcoming Information Days, which will take place on 17 and 18 February 2023.
Thursday, 26 January 2023 University of Primorska host the final meeting of the ELBA project
From 23 to 25 January UP FAMNIT hosted the final meeting of the ERASMUS + project ELBA, where highly profiled specialists from universities in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are participating. The purpose of this training is to implement a multidisciplinary package of module-based courses for bachelor and master students at the 10 partnering universities in Central Asia.
The meeting was coordinated by Assist. Prof. Branko Kavšek from the University of Primorska and analyzing the results of the project, the participants see great potential for further development.
»The goal of the project was to develop interdisciplinary model based courses and establish cooperation between partners in Central Asia, research and educational centres in each university. All of these goals were achieved. During the final meeting we have been discussing the finalizing of all the goals and every partner presented their achievements. It was very interesting to see how the project has developed,« summed up Emilbek Musabaev from the Kyrgyz State Technical University, Kyrgyzstan.
Prof. Roberto Fontana from Turin Polytechnic University in Turin, Italy, added his perspective on the results achieved: »The ELBA project had very ambitious goals and objectives. Not all the goals have been reached, but there has been a strong movement from the very beginning with the different consortiums, different levels on the understanding of the subject. Now, the consortium is good in terms of a group that cooperates. The results, that have been reached, were unexpected at the beginning and considering the starting position and the impact of the pandemic, the outcome of the ELBA project is excellent.«
We hosted experts at the faculty as part of the project already in January last year, at a 10-day international teacher-training in the field of Intelligent Big Data Analysis. Then, Shokhjakhon Abdufattokhov from the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, shared this about Intelligent Big Data Analysis (IBDA): »I am applying machine learning to control theory. To put it simply – I am now working on projects of smart buildings where we have sets of big data available to us. To process this data, we have to choose the right algorithm and features, this is IBDA. We can also use it to analyse business intelligence or do market analytics to find out about consumer shopping habits. Some of the colleagues here are interested in building models for the coal mining industry or for predictions in civil engineering. You can extract some really useful features that can give you very exact predictions.«
After the successful conclusion of the project, UP FAMNIT continues providing great research and establishing international cooperation, as well as offering excellent study programmes in the field of Information technologies. To find out more about studying Computer Science (at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral level) and Data Science (at master’s level) at Famnit, we invite you to visit the upcoming Information Days on 17 and 18 February. More information available at www.famnit.upr.si.
Thursday, 26 January 2023 NEW! The ERASMUS+ Open Call for international STUDY exchanges in the year 2023/2024 is now open!
Students are invited to apply for an Erasmus+ Open Call for international STUDY exchanges in the year 2023/2024.
As a novelty this year, the Erasmus+ call for INTERNSHIP exchanges will be published in a separate Open Call, most likely sometime in February. We will notify students via the UP FAMNIT website and other information channels once it’s announced.
The Erasmus+ program enables students to complete part of their study obligations abroad at one of the University of Primorska partner institutions instead of at their home institution. Within the framework of this call (Erasmus+ KA131), students can participate in an exchange in the following program countries: member states of the European Union (EU), Liechtenstein, Turkey, Norway, Iceland, the Republic of North Macedonia and Serbia.
The application deadline is February 24, 2023 (until 11:59 p.m.).
The Open Call and all related attachments are available at the following links:
- The Open Call
- Link to the online application form (OBLIGATORY TO CONSULT ALSO INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION): http://www.famnit.upr.si/sl/sis
- Instructions for submitting the application
- Annex 1_UP FAMNIT
- Annex 2_MOTIVATION LETTER_STUDY
- Annex 3_Possibilities of cofinancing the mobility_E+ ka131_STUDY
- Annex 4_OLS
In addition, we invite UP FAMNIT students to join us for the Erasmus+ Info Meeting, which will take place via ZOOM on Monday, January 30 2023
- at 1 p.m. in Slovenian,
- at 14:30 in English.
Students are kindly asked to review the published open call and related attachments and prepare any questions before the meeting.
Zoom link:
https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/84775725735?pwd=RnpUREZXcURrOFU4Z1pmWDVYQ2c2dz09
Meeting ID: 847 7572 5735
Passcode: 002866
Wednesday, 25 January 2023 The doctoral thesis defence of the student Blas Fernandez
Blas Fernandez, student of the doctoral study programe Mathematical Sciences at UP FAMNIT will defend his doctoral thesis On certain problems related to Terwilliger algebras and distance-balanced graphs; under the mentorship of Prof. Štefko Miklavič, PhD and co-mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Ademir Hujdurović, PhD.
The defence will take place on Wednesday, 1 February 2023 at 17:00 in Famnit-VP3 and on Zoom:
https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/84794175297
Meeting ID: 847 9417 5297
The doctoral disertation will be available in the library at UP FAMNIT in the following days.
Tuesday, 24 January 2023 UP at this year's highly attended 14th Informativa
On January 20 and 21, the University of Primorska successfully presented all UP faculties and study programmes at the 14th INFORMATIVA, the largest all-Slovenian Pre-Open Door Day, which takes place three weeks before the official Open Door Days in Slovenia and thus presents in one place an overview of educational programmess available in Slovenia and abroad – from high schools to universities, graduate and postgraduate programmes, further education and training, language courses, lifelong learning, etc.
After a two-year break from live fair organization, the number of fair visitors was the highest so far. Organized school groups and individual visits dominated on Friday, while on Saturday we mainly recorded visits of students with their parents. Along with the faculties, the UP Student Dormitories and the Career Center of the University of Primorska were also presented.
Thursday, 19 January 2023 The 32nd IASP World Congress under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
We are honoured to announce that the 32nd IASP World Congress will be held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Nataša Pirc Musar.
The Slovenian Centre for Suicide Prevention, which is part of the University of Primorska, Andrej Marušič Institute, and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) will host the Congress in Portorož from 19 to 22 September 2023.
The Slovenian Centre for Suicide Research has achieved a remarkable accomplishment in hosting such an event. This is an international confirmation of the quality of many years of work, both in the field of scientific research and in the implementation of educational programmes, projects and interventions for the general public.
President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Nataša Pirc Musar
Photo: Matjaž Klemenc/UPRS
Wednesday, 18 January 2023 Izleti v matematično vesolje: »When are two graphs really the same?«
We are kindly inviting you to 3rd Mathematical event: FAMNItovi izleti v matematično vesolje,
When are two graphs really the same?
Wednesday, 25 January 2023, at 18.00, Lecture room-VP3, UP FAMNIT / via ZOOM,
Dr. Ted Dobson, UP FAMNIT and UP IAM
For this talk, a graph is a relatively simple object. It has two parts, dots (which we call vertices) and lines between pairs of dots (which we call edges). We will be interested in the problem of when two graphs are really “the same”, and discuss what this means. This is a famous problem, called the “graph isomorphism problem”. After looking at some examples, we will discuss the current state of the problem, and end by considering graphs that are “symmetric”.
About lecturer:
Ted Dobson received his PhD in 1995 from Louisiana State University in the USA. After 20 years at the University of Mississippi in the USA and after many years of visits to Slovenian mathematicians, he became a professor at the University of Primorska, in 2018. His research area is symmetries on graphs, together with related areas.
Tuesday, 17 January 2023 DR. ANNA SANDAK NOMINATED FOR EXPERT AT THE SWISS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE research group leader for wood modification, was invited to become an expert in the database for outstanding female academics at the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The database at lists more than 3500 profiles of top-class female researchers of all disciplines. All of them were nominated by distinguished European research organizations because of their outstanding qualifications and achievements.
Congratulations to Dr. Anna Sandak!
Dr. Anna Sandak
Thursday, 12 January 2023 Former UP FAMNIT student spotted by tech giants APPLE and FACEBOOK
Former UP FAMNIT student, now thirty-two-year-old Jernej Štrasner, showed his enthusiasm for programming already in high school, when he started developing applications for iPhone mobile phones. With a desire for new knowledge, he took advantage of every opportunity and joined the then free online course offered by Stanford University. With his regular homework and conscientious dedication, he was also noticed by lecturers and guest lecturers from Apple, who met him for the first time then.
At the end of his first year at UP FAMNIT, he noticed an extremely tempting announcement on Twitter for practical work from one of the Apple employees he met during the course. Jernej applied and was invited to an interview. As he confided in the interview for the Finance Manager newspaper, with the knowledge he had already acquired, practical questions did not pose any problems for him. In a process that lasted less than a week, he got a three-month internship. »The atmosphere in the company was quite mysterious, each team worked and kept to themselves, we didn't know what others were developing,« he briefly described his experience. Through this opportunity, he first encountered the operation of the company, teamwork and management in general. It was a culture shock. »When you move from Šared to Cupertino, you don't understand anything at first,« said Jernej.
Jernej Štrasner, Source: Finance Manager
He continued his more serious work at the then still growing company Facebook, which, as he said, was already quite a large company, and the atmosphere was not as serious as at Apple. The job interviews were technically challenging, but not too theoretical.
Starting in London, he moved up to the company's headquarters in Silicon Valley and worked on the Facebook Watch project, where they were developing a service for streaming video, movies, series and similar content. »I was sitting less than ten meters from Mark Zuckerberg, which was close and meant that this was a very important project for Facebook at the time.« By upgrading his programming skills, he quickly became the technical manager of the said project and through his experience realized that he is more interested in infrastructure and management than in product development. His desire for an independent career path was growing, so he resigned in May 2019 and founded his company Specto with a 3.5 million investment from investors. Later, the company’s solutions were tested mostly by big companies like Pinterest, Quora and others.
Is Slovenia a favorable country for starting your own business?
In the interview, J. Štrasner added that the development of startups in our country is critical and three urgent changes are necessary. »The first is the wage policy. Clearly, if you earn more, you have to give more to the state. But in our country there are now two extremes, a lot of entrepreneur IT specialists who are taxed minimally, and full-time employees who are taxed too heavily. We need a suitable intermediate solution,« he concludes.
Apple, Scource: Inc Technology
Thursday, 12 January 2023 Dr. Elena Bužan is the new member of the EUA Expert Group on Open Science
Dr. Elena Bužan from the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT has become the new member of the European University Association – EUA, the biggest organization representing European universities, from which more than 850 are currently included in the accociation.
Besides playing a crucial role in the Bologna Process and in influencing EU policies on higher education, research and innovation, EUA ensures that the independent voice of European universities is heard through continuous interaction with a range of other European and international organisations. EUA provides unrivalled opportunities for members to share best practices by participating in projects, events and other mutual-learning activities involving a wide range of universities. The Association also provides members with unique opportunities to shape European policies and initiatives affecting higher education and research.
Dr. Bužan is a member of the Expert Group on Open Science – EGOS, working within EUA. EGOS was first established in 2015 and drives EUA’s work on Open Science, providing recommendations and guidance to support the EUA Secretariat in the definition of the Association’s position and activities in the field.
Over the years, EGOS has been timely in identifying strategic priorities and proposing concrete recommendations. The results of these efforts are visible at institutional level, where many universities have benefited from the evidence-based work, thus adapting their policies and practices. This impact can also be seen at national level, where EGOS’ work has informed the push for the reforms needed to support the transition to Open Science. New EGOS members will now be tasked with bringing forward these developments, as well as identifying new challenges, threats and opportunities for universities in the field of Open Science.
The first meeting of the new EGOS will take place in spring 2023. The new group will drive the implementation of the EUA Open Science Agenda 2025 and continue to guide EUA’s Open Science advocacy and activities, in close collaboration with the newly appointed EUA Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG).
