Novartis donates to the Srčna UL fund for students in need

Heart UL is a charitable initiative by the University of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth, aimed at raising funds for socially disadvantaged students of the University of Ljubljana who face financial hardship due to special personal circumstances. Novartis responded with a donation to help these students develop their potential.

“At Novartis, we recognise that acquiring knowledge is the foundation for personal and social growth, the key to unlocking a world of opportunities and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential. We firmly believe that all students should have equal educational opportunities, regardless of their personal circumstances. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, which is why we have supported the Heart UL charity campaign to assist students in need. Through this initiative, we actively contribute to strengthening our collective efforts to support individuals facing hardship while co-creating a more just and inclusive society,” said Petra Štefanič Anderluh, General Manager of Novartis d.o.o.

The donation also reflects the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances. “We believe that providing equal opportunities for all is essential in creating a fairer and more inclusive society. With this donation, we aim to support students with disabilities within the Heart UL project – students who, due to long-term impairments, disorders, or deficits, require additional assistance to successfully integrate into their studies,” said Nejc Jaka Sekula, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Head Talent at Novartis.

With this type of support, the University of Ljubljana is endeavouring to ensure equal opportunities for all students.

Donations to the Heart UL project provide financial support to students in need, enabling them to continue their studies and achieve their goals despite personal challenges. Since 2021, 145 University of Ljubljana students have received financial assistance through the initiative.

The latest Heart UL call for applications attracted 43 students, and with Novartis’ contribution, the fund now exceeds EUR 24,000. “We are extremely grateful to Novartis for their generous donation. The contributions from our donors help make life a little easier for our students, who might otherwise struggle to focus on their studies due to financial constraints. This support allows them to continue their education. In collaboration with the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth, we will ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most,” said the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr Gregor Majdič.