Gala Opening of the 23rd Academic Year
The main event at the opening of the 23th academic year took place on Thursday, 12 October at the Lanthieri Mansion in Vipava.
The Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik greeted the audience and reminded the people that “the beginning of our University’s operations was a time accompanied by misunderstandings of our vision and our wish to ‘be different’.” The state and the local communities, with rare exceptions, often times didn’t show understanding for an institution that needs to be autonomous, independent and at the same time responsible. In spite of such beginning, the University of Nova Gorica, with persistence and dedication of all the employees and external collaborators, developed into a superb institution of higher education.”
Today the University’s pedagogical activities take place at seven Schools. Up to now the UNG has had 199 PhD graduates, 342 Master’s programs graduates and 821 Bachelor degree graduates. Research activities are conducted at six centers and four laboratories, all equipped with first-rate research equipment. We participate in smaller and bigger international projects and cooperate with esteemed institutions worldwide. Foreign students represent 45% of the student population and come from 44 countries, including Europe and other continents.
“2017 will be remembered as the year when the UNG finally shifted part of its activities to the Lanthieri Mansion in Vipava. Doing that, our long-awaited dream and a long-lasting project of the castle’s renovation fulfilled themselves and the Lanthieri castle began to glow in a new light. The University of Nova Gorica got a wonderful space at a notable and unique location, while Vipava as a town got its academic flair,” explained Prof. Dr. Zavrtanik in his speech.
This year we are also particularly proud of the results of the international RUR university ranking chart that evaluates and ranks world’s best universities. The University of Nova Gorica was placed very high, on the 186th place. So it is right there with world’s leading universities. Thus, it improved last year’s exceptional result – its placing on the 203rd spot. The EU also recognized UNG’s excellence, as the results of the global, international comparative platform for ranking universities U-Multirank 2017 showed that our university displays above-average results.
Excellence in research, international focus and regional integration were highlighted. Comparing the results the University of Nova Gorica achieved at U-Multiranking 2017 with the results of other universities within a broader region, including areas outside Slovenia, shows that the University of Nova Gorica is the best university based on most evaluation factors. It not only exceeds other Slovenian universities but also older and bigger universities in our neighborhood.
“We are entering the new academic year with optimism, steadfast in our mission, bound to fulfill international university norms and with a responsible stance towards our students and the society as such. We are convinced that we are simply the best and that we can do so much more,” the Rector concluded his speech.
In the name of the University as a whole, Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik thanked the Mayor of the Vipava municipalityIvan Princes, MSc the municipality councilors and the inhabitants of Vipava for a wise decision and a warm welcome.
At the ceremony, the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, prof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik, presented different awards, namely, the doctor honoris causa of the University of Nova Gorica, the title of professor emeritus of the University of Nova Gorica, the honorary member of the University of Nova Gorica and the golden plate of the University of Nova Gorica. The Vice-rector for Education, Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko presented student awards, alumnus primus and alumnus optimus, and the member of the management board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation, Prof. Dr. Gvido Bratina presented the bronze donator of the University of Nova Gorica award.
At its session on 15 March 2017, the Senate of the University of Nova Gorica made the decision to award the title of an honorary doctor of the University of Nova Gorica – doctor honoris causa – to Prof. Dr. Igor D. Gregorič for extraordinary scientific and professional achievements in the field of cardiology.
At its session on 5 July 2017, the Senate of the University of Nova Gorica reached the decision to award the title of professor emeritus of the University of Nova Gorica to Prof. Dr. Boštjan Žekš for setting excellency standards for pedagogical and scientific activities at the University of Nova Gorica.
At its session on 10 May 2017, the Senate of the University of Nova Gorica reached the decision to grant Prof. Dr. Paolo Samorí the honorary member of the University of Nova Gorica award for his contribution to the development of scientific excellence at the University of Nova Gorica in the field of organic electronics.
At its session on 23 March 2017, the Governing Board of the University of Nova Gorica reached a decision to award the golden plate of the University of Nova Gorica to Mitja Jermol, MSc for important contribution towards the development of material opportunities for the University of Nova Gorica.
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 for Viticulture and Enology.
The title bronze donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation received Mr. Fedor Tomažič. In 2016, Mr. Fedor Tomažič donated a Florentine frame and a Venetian chandelier to the University of Nova Gorica Foundation.
Congratulations to all awardess!
Andreja Leban, Public Relations
