Conferral of Commemorative Documents, Awards and Scholarships from the University of Nova Gorica Foundation
On 22 October 2025, the conferral of commemorative documents, awards and scholarships from the University of Nova Gorica Foundation took place at the Lanthieri Mansion in Vipava.
On this occasion, the Foundation awarded two Jožko Markič Awards, a scholarship of the Scholarship Fund for Student Athletes "Matija Franko", two scholarships of the Fund for Talented Students "Edvard Rusjan", the first scholarship from the new Fund for Development of Viticulture and Enology, and a commemorative document to a new University of Nova Gorica Foundation Silver Donor.
"The annual awarding of commemorative documents to deserving donors and recipients of scholarships and awards of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation, show that the Foundation is operates successfully. This is also the result of the highly set goals of the Foundation's management, focusing on the increase of the munber of scholarships for students. I am pleased to note that in 2025 we also successfully launched the planned calls for scholarships of the Fund for Talented Students "Edvard Rusjan" and the scholarships of the Scholarship Fund for Student Athletes "Matija Franko" and selected the recipients of financial assistance in the form of Jožko Markič Awards. In addition, we also launched a call for scholarships of the Fund for Development of Viticulture and Enology for the first time. This year, a total of nine scholarships will be awarded, while at the same time it is worth adding that two FUNG scholarship holders have successfully completed their studies in the past academic year.
In addition to scholarships, the University of Nova Gorica Foundation has also been active in other areas important for regaining the status of an organization in the public interest and the related acquisition of funds. We have launched two calls for providing financial assistance for participation in scientific conferences and art festivals and have supported three doctoral students at UNG through them. We have approved the reimbursement of travel expenses for participation in conferences or advanced training for four students of 1st and 2nd level-studies, and we have also provided such assistance to four participants of the Crossing Media Boundaries summer school, which we co-organized with the Research Center for Humanities. We co-organized the 5th Hypercompositional Algebra – New Developments and Applications (HAnDA) symposium and awarded the UNG Foundation Award for the best contribution by a young scientist. Together with the School of Environmental Sciences and the Laboratory of Environmental and Life Sciences, we will also co-organize training for secondary school teachers in the field of aerosols and provide selected participants with financial assistance for accommodation during the training.
I am glad to announce that this year, based on the donations collected and formally announced, that this year's amount of collected donations will be comparable to last year's. Already in September, we exceeded the two-year plan of raising EUR 32,000 through donations. In addition, we welcomed nine new members among the donors to the University of Nova Gorica Foundation.
The greatest encouragement in our work is certainly the that the scholarships and grants awarded by the University of Nova Gorica Foundation reach the right recipients and their numerous achievements furhter prove that. For example, the award of the Slovenian Animated Film Association, which was received by Karin Likar, the recipient of the Jožko Markič Award in the study year 2022/2023, or the participation of our awardees in exhibitions such as ''We Are Here'' at the Nova Gorica City Gallery. In addition, also numerous other achievements of our students significantly contribute to the visibility of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation worldwide, such as the latest achievement of our student athlete Nicolas Gojković, a scholarship holder of the "Matija Franko" Scholarship Fund for Student Athletes – or the success of the scholarship holder of the "Edvard Rusjan" Talented Students Fund, Sanja Dumenčić, who, with the Ajdovščina Red Cross team, achieved first place at the regional competition of first aid teams of the Civil Protection in 2025," emphasized, among other things, the President of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation, Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko.
The opening address by the President of the Board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation was followed by the awarding ceremony.
For the sixth year in a row, the Jožko Markič Awards have been awarded to selected students of the School of Arts, this time to Vukašin Panić and Brina Fekonja.
The award, donated by the A-media d. o. o. company in memory of its co-founder Jožko Markič, means a lot to student Vukašin Panić. "Thank you for all the support I have received from professors, family and friends. Thank you to the Jožko Markič Award Committee for recognizing and appreciating my work. During my studies, I have grown as an artist and as a person. "I will use the prize for my graduation film and to buy a camera," said Vukašin upon receiving the award.
"I would like to thank the Committee and the University of Nova Gorica Foundation for the trust and support they have shown! The Jožko Markič Award means a lot to me. This year, I have invested most of my time and energy in working on my master's animated film, and I will use the award for that. I am grateful to all the professors at the School of Arts of the University of Nova Gorica, especially in the Animation department, because they lead us with a great deal of dedication and courage. I would also like to thank my classmates for all the help and support during my studies!" said Brina Fekonja.
For the third year in a row, scholarships of the Fund for Talented Students "Edvard Rusjan" have been awarded. The recipients are Sara Kovačić, a student of the School of Arts, and Tamara Laković, a student of the School of Humanities of the University of Nova Gorica.
Upon receiving the scholarship, Sara Kovačić says: "I sincerely thank the Committee and the University of Nova Gorica Foundation for what they have shown. This support means a lot to me; as recognition for the effort and dedication I put into my studies. Although I am only at the beginning of my second year of studies at the School of Arts, I have already gained a lot of experience, knowledge and inspiration. Studying abroad represents a challenge for me, but at the same time an exceptional opportunity for personal and artistic growth. Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to continue my education in an environment that truly encourages creativity, progress and freedom of expression."
“I stand here today with deep gratitude and pride. For me, this scholarship is not just a recognition of my work so far – it is a reminder that hard work, perseverance and belief in yourself always pay off, even when the path is difficult. I would like to thank everyone who believed in me: my family, professors and friends, because without your support I would not be standing here today. This award commits me to continue growing, learning and contributing to the community that has inspired me so much. This is not the end of a chapter, but the beginning of something bigger – an opportunity to turn dreams into actions. Thank you for being a part of my journey,” said Tamara Laković a student of School of Humanities upon receiving the scholarship.
For the fourth year in a row, the scholarship of the Scholarship Fund for Student Athletes “Matija Franko” was also awarded, on this occasion to a student of the School of Engeneering and Management Ivan Devetak, a member of the SOČA Sports Association team from Sovodnje ob Soči/Savogna d'Isonzo.
“I would like to thank the University of Nova Gorica Foundation for the scholarship, which represents a great honor and encouragement for my further work. This support allows me to more easily coordinate my study obligations with my sports goals and to continue developing in both areas. The scholarship gives me additional motivation to persist in demanding training, competitions and studies, and to continue my educational and sports journey with responsibility and dedication. "I am aware of the importance of this assistance, so I will continue to persevere in both sports and studies," said Ivan Devetak.
This year, the first scholarship of the Fund for Development of Viticulture and Enology was awarded – to Elizaveta Kunina, student of the School for Viticulture and Enology.
Upon receiving the certificate, Elizaveta said: “My sincere thanks to the University of Nova Gorica Foundation and the Fund for Development of Viticulture and Enology for the scholarship awarded. Your support means a lot to me, as it gives me additional motivation for further study and research work in the field of viticulture and enology. I am grateful for the trust and the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in such a stimulating environment.”
Following the event, a commemorative document was awarded to the third Silver donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation. The title of Silver donor was awarded to Mr. Istok Mikulin, who became a FUNG donor in the academic year 2024/25, a renowned expert in winemaking not only in Goriška Brda and Slovenia and beyond. He graduated from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and worked as a cellar manager at the Brda Winery in Dobrovo for many years. He also worked as a taster at numerous wine evaluations in Slovenia and abroad and as a lecturer within the Business Community for Viticulture and Enology of Slovenia. His name can also be found among the members of the College of Oenologists and founding members of the Sommelier Slovenia organization (1992, Nova Gorica).
Upon receiving the ceremonial certificate, Mr. Istok Mikulin said: "At the end of last year, I retired after almost 42 years of work in the field of viticulture and enology. During this period, in addition to my regular work, I also took care of educating and transferring knowledge to younger colleagues. In viticulture and enology, everything is a long-distance race. Although the vegetation period repeats itself every year and gives us a new vintage of wine, the vintages are different from each other, sometimes more demanding, sometimes less, sometimes very capricious. Therefore, it is necessary to share knowledge and experience and transfer it to younger people, to encourage and motivate them already during their schooling.
A scholarship does not only mean some financial assistance, but can be an important link between the student and the scholarship holder. The company can offer practical experience, while the student, with his theoretical knowledge and a fresh view of the world, generates new ideas and solutions. Only in this way will this industry continue to live."
Prof. Dr. Franko concludes that "the activities of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation encompass much more than just awarding scholarships, prizes and financial aid, and are not only reflected in the donations collected. We would not be able to do all of this if there were not individuals among us who have been sacrificing their free time so that the University of Nova Gorica Foundation can operate and fulfil its mission."
