Celebration of the University of Nova Gorica 30 year anniversary in Ajdovščina
On the occasion of its thirty year anniversary, the University of Nova Gorica had prepared a celebration in Ajdovščina, which attracted numerous visitors of all generations.
Science, technology and art were part of all celebration activities. The event was one of the many marking the University’s thirty year anniversary, which we aim to celebrate in September as well.
The celebration began on 28 May 2025 with an evening concert in the Sports park Pale, where the well-known music groups Pelhan, Kokosy and Mrfy had their performance. The following day the Lavrič trg was transformed into a research, technological and artistic centre, with more than fifteen stands and interactive presentations offering an insight into the University’s versatile education and research activities.
All the University’s schools, along with its academy, research laboratories and centres presented themselves at the event, including some of the many partner companies and organisations. The event participants included the Centre of green technologies, GO! 2025, Adult Education Centre Ajdovščina, Zavod BETA – Garaža, Arctur, d. o. o., Incom, d. o. o., Centre of school and other activities, and University of Nova Gorica Foundation.
A special emphasis was given to presenting the European Cross-Border University ACROSS, as the University of Nova Gorica is its proud member. The ACROSS University unites nine European universities with more than 110.000 students and 11.000 staff members; this offers numerous opportunities for international cooperation and mobility, a range of mutual, enriched study programmes and an access to excellent research infrastructure to students, researchers and wider public.
Visitors could take part in the measurements of black carbon, a quiz on invasive species, experiments with liquid nitrogen, and could also microscope advanced 2D materials. Children and young people were able to follow the presented scientific experiments with enthusiasm, to test their skills in a competition on the stars developmental stages, and to watch a funny presentation on the use of liquid nitrogen. Little children could test their skills in building an observatory model Vera Rubin from the LEGO bricks, while elders could taste the aroma of offered wines with the help of a scientific analysis.
Humanistic contents were presented through interactive experiments, the history documents of the Letters (Pisma) project, quizes on coffee and chocolate and socially relevant discussions on language and bread. The visitors could also take part in a workshop on animated film and could get to know robotics.
The event in Ajdovščina was more than just the occasion for marking the three decades of life of the University of Nova Gorica – it was an opportunity for diverse generations to connect, for exchanging knowledge and encouraging creativity; in this way we also strengthened the University’s mission of being an open and innovative educational institution. This is why we would like to consider organising this type of events on a regular basis.
Andreja Leban, Public Relations
