A Gala Opening at the Start of the New Academic Year
The main event at the opening of the 22nd academic year took place on Thursday, 13 October at the Lanthieri Mansion in Vipava.
Prof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik, the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, addressed the invited and reminded them of the events “ten years ago when the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Higher Education approved the application of the Nova Gorica Polytechnic and changed its status into a university, thus enabling the establishing of the fourth Slovene university – the University of Nova Gorica.”
The University of Nova Gorica developed into an excellent university which is globally known mostly for its scientific value and international connections. Today, pedagogical work at the University of Nova Gorica is done at six schools faculties, and, since September 2016, also at the University’s Arts Academy, which was formed on the basis of the former School of Arts. This is the first university-level arts academy since 1945. “The University of Nova Gorica is thus richer and stronger in the field of arts and this is, apart from science and pedagogical work, one of the core elements of every university,” said Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik in his speech.
A versatile research activity is being carried out in six laboratories and six centers that are equipped with the latest research equipment. We are partners in smaller and larger international projects and cooperate with the most esteemed research institutions. The University of Nova Gorica is consistently turning into a multinational and multicultural academic environment. 25 percent of the staff members and 57 percent of doctoral students come from abroad. So far, the University of Nova Gorica has produced 189 doctorates, 295 master’s degree diplomas and 790 graduates.
This year, we are particularly proud of the results of the international RUR chart (Round University Ranking), which placed our university among the best universities in the world. The University of Nova Gorica was ranked 203rd, which places it among the world’s best higher education institutions. The top most places are mostly taken by American and English universities. As for its pedagogical work, the University of Nova Gorica was ranked even higher, on 87th place, which can be ascribed to the excellent professor-student ratio. This is particularly important for the Slovene higher education system, as it is normally still marked by mass study programs in terms of the number of students. This is due to the fact that the newest regulation issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport finances study programs on the basis on the number of enrolled students.
“Despite everything, we are entering the new academic year with optimism, steadfast in our mission, dedicated to achieve international university standards and a responsible connection with our students and the society as a whole,” said the chancellor of the University of Nova Gorica at the end of his speech.
At the gala ceremony, the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, prof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik also announced who received the title of the professor emeritus of the University of Nova Gorica, the title of an honorary member of the University of Nova Gorica, he gave out student awards alumnus primus and alumnus optimus of the University of Nova Gorica and the title golden donator of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation. The President of the Management Board of the University of Nova Gorica, Mr. Boris Peric, gave out the golden plate of the University of Nova Gorica award.
In its session of 7 September 2016, the Governing Board of the University of Nova Gorica agreed to award Prof. Dr. Matjaž Klemenc a golden plate of the University of Nova Gorica for his exceptional contribution to the development of the scientific and educational infrastructure of the University of Nova Gorica.
In its session of 6 July 2016, the Senate of the University of Nova Gorica agreed to award Prof. Dr. William E. Eichinger the title of an honorary member of the University of Nova Gorica for his outstanding contribution to our scientific excellence in the field of atmospheric research.
In its session of 6 July 2016, the Senate of the University of Nova Gorica agreed to confer the title of professor emeritus of the University of Nova Gorica upon Prof. Dr. Stanko Strmčnik for his significant contribution to the development of scientific activities and his remarkable performance as professor and mentor.
The alumnus primus award is granted to a graduate of the first and second level study programme who progressed regularly during studies and was the first of his or her generation of enrolled students to graduate. The alumnus optimus award is granted to the graduate of the first and second level study programme whose average grade in each study year was the highest of all the graduates. The awards were given to the graduates of the School of Engineering and Management, School of Environmental Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Science, and School of Arts.
The title Golden donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation received Prof. Oskar Kogoj. In 2014, Prof. Oskar Kogoj donated the University of Nova Gorica's Foundation permanent ownership of 20 artistic photographs of Prof. Italo Zanniere from the year 1947. They were made for the book "Spacal and the Karst". This was a collaboration between the authors Zoran Kržišnik, Oskar Kogoj and Italo Zanniere.
Congratulations to all awardess!
Andreja Leban, Public Relations
