Ceremonial opening of the 29th academic year
The central academy at the opening of the 29th academic year of the University of Nova Gorica was held on 17 October 2024 in the Lanthieri mansion in Vipava.
Many dignitaries honored us with their presence, including the president of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Acad. Peter Štih, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr. Igor Papič, rectors of Slovenian universities and directors of institutes and public agencies.
Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, addressed the audience on this occasion: "At the university this year, we have continued the coordination and implementation of the European COFUND project SMASH. We value it highly, as it strengthens cooperation between top Slovenian research institutions. We have in mind the dissemination of the acquired expertise with other stakeholders in the field of artificial intelligence, academic and non-academic. In the awareness that higher education is closely connected with scientific research activity, we are expanding cooperation with some public research institutes. We focus our efforts on the expected launch of the European university ACROSS, an international association of nine universities located in the border areas of Europe. The financing of the project starts next year: as we are used to, we are once again in the company of major universities.
It's not easy for us, but as before, we have to have everything that the big ones have. We are also strengthening our international openness by taking the first steps towards signing a cooperation agreement with one of the Japanese universities, whose representatives were visibly surprised by our research capabilities, achievements and plans during their visit. In terms of scientific research, we maintain a high number of excellent publications, the achievements of our researchers are recognized at home and abroad, including with numerous state and wider, Zois, awards. The artists of the University of Nova Gorica can also be proud of the exceptional achievements of the university's alumni.
At the end, let me just say that I wish that in a few years we will be able to remember the steps we are taking at the University today and say, this is how steel was tempered”, summed up the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica.
The pedagogical activity of the University is carried out within six schools and the Academy of Arts. To date, 283 PhD students, 560 Masters students and 1091 graduates have completed their studies at the University of Nova Gorica. Research activity takes place in six centers and four laboratories, which are equipped with top-quality research equipment. We are involved in smaller and larger international projects, we cooperate with institutions with the highest reputation. Foreign students make up as much as 60% of the student population and come from 54 countries, both from Europe and from other continents.
At this year's opening of the academic year, the president of the Institute of Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation between universities and other scientific research institutions: "From the very beginning we have been cooperating with the University of Nova Gorica, which is one of the smaller universities, but has established itself as a high-quality, internationally recognized educational and, predominantly, research institution.” Prof. Dr. Anderluh emphasized that the cooperation of top institutions leads to greater scientific excellence and, at the same time, strengthens the international reputation of all our institutions, and concluded: "May it remain so in the future."
As part of the ceremonial opening of the new academic year, honorary titles and honorary recognition of the University of Nova Gorica were awarded. The title of honorary doctor of the University of Nova Gorica – doctor honoris causa – was awarded by the Rector of the University of Nova Gorica, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, to the world-famous director from the area of former Yugoslavia, Mr. Želimir Žilnik, for outstanding achievements in the field of film and for enriching the world treasury of art.
For an important contribution to system solutions and to the quality and development of education both at the University of Nova Gorica and beyond, the title of professor emeritus of the University of Nova Gorica is awarded to Prof. Dr. Tanja Urbančič, long-time professor of the University of Nova Gorica.
Mr. Borut Lavrič, a long-time member and president of the Management Board of the University of Nova Gorica, was posthumously awarded the gold plaque of the University of Nova Gorica for his outstanding contribution to the establishment, development and prestige of the University.
We also awarded seventeen graduates. The alumnus primus award was given to graduates who graduated as the first in their generation of enrolled students, namely Karin Logar, Erik Maksimiljan Perkavac, Irma Hostnik, Ranin M.D. Ismail, Svetozar Bastać, Megumi Tona, Ivana Sulaver, Magdalina Mihajlovska, Filip Sluga and Anastasija Kojić; the alumnus optimus award goes to the graduates who achieved the highest average study grade among the graduates in each academic year, namely Anže Novinec, Andrea Stefanović, Lucian Vumilia Ngeze, Erik Maksimiljan Perkavac, Klemen Levičnik, Svetozar Bastać, Darko Ilin, Ivana Sulaver, Magdalina Mihajlovska, Ana Logar and Milan Bajčetić.
Andreja Leban, Public Relations