SMUL Conference – The importance of knowledge and the university in society

We would like to dedicate this conference to an open discussion on the importance and value of knowledge and the University in today's society, as well as on possible changes or improvements, their benefits and the new responsibilities that modern times bring with them. The international community is confronted with this question, and approaches vary from one society to another. SMUL can contribute to a particularly broad discussion of approaches by bringing together members from abroad and at home. Through this event, the University of Ljubljana contributes to Slovenia's active role in knowledge transfer and networking to address current societal challenges.

The conference will start at 9:00 a.m. CEST, where participants will be welcomed by distinguished guests, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Slovenians Abroad Matej Arčon, Dr. Klementina Fon Tacer, President of the University of Ljubljana Global Alumni and Associates Network, Dr. Jure Gašparič, State Secretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and Dr. Boštjan Markoli, Vice-Rector of the University of Ljubljana for Quality and Internationalisation.

The morning part of the conference will be devoted to this topic. We have invited three prominent guests to reflect on the importance of knowledge, recognition and behaviour, each from their own perspective, and in their own field of expertise:

• Dr. Manja Klemenčič, Associate Senior Lecturer on Sociology and General Education at Harvard University
• Dr. Dimitri Krainc, Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University in Chicago
• Dr. Günter Wagner, Evolutionary Biologist at Yale University and the University of Vienna 

There is a lot of discussion about attracting successful Slovenian experts to return to Slovenia. We would like to focus on this topic, the advantages and challenges of working abroad, the possibilities for returning to Slovenia and, above all, the question of how to ensure that successful experts can continue their work after their return to Slovenia.

The roundtable discussion will bring together individuals with experience of repatriation from abroad, Slovenian scientists and other experts working abroad who wish to return to their home country, experts with experience of establishing a systemic arrangement for repatriation of experts, and representatives of institutions whose cooperation is necessary to facilitate the repatriation process.

Round table speakers:

• Vesna Humar, State Secretary at the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenes Abroad and the World
• Prof. Dr. Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Rector of the University of Rijeka 
• Prof. Dr. Veronika Fikfak, professor of international law and human rights at University College London
• Prof. Dr. Marina Lukšič Hacin, Head of the Institute for Slovenian Emigration and Migration ZRC SAZU and Director of the degree programme EMMIR FH UNG
• Prof. Dr. Uroš Seljak, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at the University of California, Berkeley
• Assist. Prof. Dr. David Modic, Researcher at the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics at UL, formerly at the University of Cambridge, where he researched online scams and psychological mechanisms of information security
• Dr. Jure Gašparič, State Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
• Prof. Dr. Boštjan Markoli, Vice-Rector of the University of Ljubljana for Quality and Internationalisation

The round table will be moderated by Mag. Nataša Briški.

The conference will focus in particular on postdoctoral students and early career researchers to encourage them to return to their home country and/or to continue their collaboration with it. To this end, we will organise a meeting point (poster session) where students and researchers can discuss their research and artistic work, present international cooperation and opportunities for further cooperation. The meeting point is the ideal place for young researchers who want to take the next step, as well as for established scientists looking for new collaborators. 

We also want the conference to contribute to the establishment of partnerships, joint project applications, reciprocity of hosting and exchanges of students and staff, exchange of good practices and encourage SMUL members to return to their home countries.

The event will be recorded and live-streamed via STA channels and UL FB.

THE SMUL CONFERENCE RECEIVED THE HONORARY PATRONAGE OF THE SLOVENIAN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO.