The Golden Plaque

Proposed by: Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana

The trombonist Prof. Dušan Kranjc is renowned for the diversity of his musical interpretations and artistic breadth. His work is distinguished by his devoted pedagogical engagement, with his students achieving outstanding results both nationally and internationally. Of particular importance is his role in the artistic direction of the large brass ensemble Brass AG, which he has led since its inception, ensuring performances of the highest artistic calibre.

Proposed by: Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana

The flautist Prof. Dr Karolina Šantl Zupan complements her artistic and pedagogical work with scientific research. As Vice-Dean for Scientific and Artistic Research, she actively collaborates with artistic institutions within and beyond the University of Ljubljana, and has contributed to the accreditation of the third-cycle doctoral study programme in Art. She also brought the EPARM Conference to Slovenia for the first time.

Proposed by: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Polona Jamnik was among the most dedicated teachers at the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. Appointed a Full Professor in 2018, she served as Head of the College of Biotechnology Studies between 2022 and 2024, and as Chair of the Committee for Undergraduate Studies at the Senate of the University of Ljubljana from 2021 to 2024. She supervised more than 100 diploma, master’s and doctoral theses. In the spring of this year, a serious illness sadly interrupted her successful teaching and research career.

Proposed by: Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Janez Salobir has made a significant contribution to the field of nutrition at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana through his outstanding teaching and research work. With his expertise, vision and ability to connect researchers, he contributes to the development of study programmes, enhances international comparability and improves the quality of the teaching process. The results of his research on nutrition and its impact on health, the environment and food have led to numerous important achievements in both Slovenia and abroad.

Proposed by: School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Andreja Cirman is a Full Professor of Money and Finance. In addition to her award-winning and internationally recognised scientific and research work, she has made outstanding contributions to the development of teaching activities and the transfer of knowledge to the business sector through study programmes tailored to practical needs. Drawing on her extensive experience as a long-standing evaluator at the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, she contributes her expertise within the faculty and in university committees where she has served for many years.

Proposed by: Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Vitomir Štruc, a Full Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, is an internationally recognised researcher in the field of artificial intelligence and leader of the Metrology and Biometric Systems project at the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS). He serves as editor of several prestigious journals in his field, actively participates in organising leading international conferences, and is a distinguished member of the IEEE, IAPR, and EAB professional associations, thereby strengthening the reputation of the University of Ljubljana both nationally and internationally.

Proposed by: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Marija Sollner Dolenc has made an important contribution to understanding the effects of substances on humans through her research on pharmaceutical and toxicological chemistry. She serves as coordinator and head of international and national projects and has co-developed key research tools. Her work is marked by creativity and innovation, and she is equally recognised for her ability to connect researchers and for her dedication to teaching students.

Proposed by: Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Matjaž Mikoš is a renowned civil engineering expert with wide-ranging knowledge, recognised both nationally and internationally, particularly in the fields of hydraulic engineering and hydrology. For more than 40 years, he has successfully combined the work of an engineer and a university teacher. Professor Mikoš is an accomplished educator, researcher and engineer who has consistently enhanced the reputation of the University of Ljubljana through his dedicated and exemplary work.

Proposed by: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Dean Cvetko is a highly regarded higher education teacher at the Department of Physics. His long-standing collaboration with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste places the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Ljubljana among Slovenia’s leading institutions with permanent access to cutting-edge scientific infrastructure at major European accelerators. His scientific, pedagogical and internationally connected research work contributes significantly to the success and reputation of the University of Ljubljana.

Proposed by: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Marjetka Knez is one of Slovenia’s leading researchers in the field of numerical mathematics, a highly respected lecturer –primarily teaching courses in numerical mathematics – and a mentor with a distinguished teaching career. She is the author of more than 50 scientific articles published in prestigious international journals. Professor Knez serves as a role model of dedication to science and her students, and is widely recognised within the international research community.

Proposed by: Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Elen Twrdy is a renowned expert in the field of maritime studies who has made a significant contribution to the development of the discipline and to strengthening the reputation of the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, as well as the University of Ljubljana, through her research, teaching and organisational work. Her professional and academic achievements have left a lasting mark in both Slovenia and internationally.

Proposed by: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Damjan Vavpotič is a lecturer and researcher in the fields of information systems and software engineering, head of the Information Systems Laboratory, and Vice-Dean for Quality and International Affairs. In his role as Vice-Dean and previously as Chair of the Quality and Self-Evaluation Committee, he has improved faculty management and systematically organised the monitoring of measures within the work programme.

Proposed by: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Jadranka Buturović Ponikvar is a specialist in nephrology and internal medicine at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana (UKCL), and a Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana. Born in Pula, she graduated from the University of Belgrade as the top student of her year, and obtained her doctorate in Ljubljana. She has served as Head of the Department of Nephrology and as Medical Director of the UKCL. Her professional work focuses on kidney diseases, dialysis, transplantation, ultrasound and medical ethics.

Proposed by: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana

Prof. Dr Vita Dolžan is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of pharmacogenetics and personalised medicine. Her research has made a significant contribution to understanding the molecular markers of disease progression and treatment response, as well as to introducing new approaches into clinical practice. Through her scientific and professional engagement in international associations, she strengthens the reputation of the University of Ljubljana worldwide.

Proposed by: Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana

Sr. Res. Fell. Dr Matjaž Ocepek is the founder of Slovenian veterinary molecular bacteriology, a long-time researcher and mentor who has laid the foundations for modern diagnostics of bacterial diseases in animals. As head of major laboratories and international projects, and as a distinguished scientist, he has made a substantial contribution to enhancing the reputation of the University of Ljubljana at home and abroad.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Iztok Lebar Bajec, Prof. Dr Uroš Lotrič, Lect. Dr Matjaž Pančur, Assistant Prof. Dr Ratko Pilipović and Assist. Dr Davor Sluga

Proposed by: Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana

The high-performance computing group participates in the development and operation of Slovenia’s supercomputing infrastructure. It provides support services and training for users from the research community and industry, integrates supercomputing into the study process and the development of a new supercomputing study programme, and ensures the establishment and operation of supercomputing infrastructure at the University of Ljubljana.

Assist. Dr Tina Berdajs, Assist. Miha Grčar, Assistant Prof. Dr Klara Hrvatin, Prof. Dr Chikako Shigemori Bučar, Prof. Dr Nataša Vampelj Suhadolnik, Assistant Prof. Dr Maja Veselič and Assoc. Prof. Dr Nataša Visočnik Gerželj

Proposed by: Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana

This group of researchers from the Department of Asian Studies at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, led by Prof. Dr Nataša Vampelj Suhadolnik, works closely with museum institutions to study East Asian objects in Slovenian public and private collections, as well as the culture of collecting such objects in Slovenia. The group presents its activities and findings to experts and the wider public through its dedicated website of the same name.

Katja Čibašek, Dr Andreja Grobelšek, Assist. Anja Gruden, Dr Barbara Horvat Rauter, Dr Ana Jagrič, Saša Jakin, Assistant Prof. Dr Mija Marija Klemenčič Rozman, Assoc. Prof. Dr Alenka Kobolt, Assistant Prof. Dr Tadeja Kodele, Sebastian Robert Krawczyk, Maja Majcen, Assoc. Prof. Dr Nina Mešl, Dr Brina Ornik, Julija Pelc, Assoc. Prof. Dr Simona Prosen, Assistant Prof. Dr Jana Rapuš Pavel, Minea Rutar, Mojca Šeme, Ema Špan, Ana Šutar, Matej Vajda, Assistant Prof. Dr Tomaž Vec, Tatjana Verbnik Dobnikar and Tina Zupančič

Proposed by: Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana

A team of higher education teachers and staff members provide pro bono psychosocial support to students and employees of the University of Ljubljana within the Psychosocial Counselling Centre. Through their professional work, they help students and staff overcome various mental health challenges, foster conditions for improved psychological well-being, and thereby enable students to study more successfully and employees to perform their work more effectively.