Formal inauguration of the University of Nova Gorica Rector Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob
In the premises of the University of Nova Gorica, in the Lanthieri mansion, a formal inauguration of the University of Nova Gorica Rector, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, took place yesterday, at the beginning of his second mandate. The president of the University’s management board, Prof. Dr. Nataša Zabukovec Logar, symbolically gave Prof. Dr. Golob the rector’s insignia, a sign of honour and responsibility.
Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob was elected Rector for the 2026–2030 term on 29 October 2025 at a session of the University’s management board, and his term of office began offically on 1 February 2026.
Prof. Dr. Golob pointed out the meaning of oath, which is not only an academic relict of the past but it also carries responsibility for the University’s future development. “After one completed mandate, I am very much aware of the content of these words and of the responsibility, and also of the work which I accept with this responsibility. I am grateful to the management board for their trust”, said the Rector.
Today the University of Nova Gorica has seven schools, four research laboratories and seven research centres in three locations. The Rector emphasised the University’s willingness to harmoniously develop all of its fields of activity, which has so far been successfully done despite continual challenges and opportunities.
The University’s work has been recognised at an international level this year, as one of the most renowned university rankings ranked the University of Nova Gorica among the top Slovenian universities in the field of Physical Sciences and among the best two Slovenian universities in group classification.
Prof. Dr. Golob also emphasised the importance of the University’s infrastructural development in the municipalities of Ajdovščina and Nova Gorica, as well as the importance of cooperating with the local an international partners such as the National Institute of Chemistry, the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Science and Art and the Jožef Stefan Institute; and last but not least, of actively cooperating in the ACROSS – the European Cross-Border University.
“Universities are not living organisations by themselves – life is breathed unto them by their employees and students. That is why we need to carefully build an environment .which encourages cooperation, efficiency and solidarity”, concluded Prof. Dr. Golob, thanking all of the employees and students for their contribution to the University’s development over the past years.
The University leadership team, along with the Rector, Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, includes the Vice-rector for education and art, Prof. Dr. Penka Stateva, and the Vice-rector for for sustainable development and technology, Prof. Dr. Matjaž Valant.
The formal celebratory speaker at the inauguration was the Director of the National Institute of Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Gregor Anderluh, who in his speech pointed out that leading a university was primarily a matter of responsibility towards the community and society’s future. He congretulated the Rector for his courage and willingness to take up the new mandate once again, and emphasised that quality leadership had a key impact on the institution’s development, connections and reputation.
Prof. Dr. Anderluh also emphasised the need for a closer and strategic cooperation between the Slovenian higher education and research space, the latter being of a good quality yet still fragmented to a great extent. As a positive example, he mentioned the cooperation between the University of Nova Gorica and the Institute of Chemistry as well as the importance of creating recognised centres of knowledge.
Prof. Dr. Anderluh continued by emphasising the importance of the University’s links with the high technology companies in the region, and of the role of knowledge as the main develpmental capital in Slovenia. Here he pointed out the responsibility of academic leaders in times of social changes and wished the Rector a successful continuation of his term of office, the courage to establish links and to further strengthen the University’s role as a significant social conversational and developmental partner.
On the occasion we were honoured to host some prominent dignitaries, among them the President of the Slovenian Academy of Science and Art, Acad. Prof. Dr. Peter Štih, the rectors of the Slovenian universities, directors of research insitutions, mayors and vice-mayors as well as the state secretary of the Ministry for Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Prepared by: Andreja Leban, Public Relations
- Recording of the formal inauguration
Author: Cimet Studio - Video highlights
Author: Cimet Studio
