We believe that by 2020 the University of Ljubljana will become a recognised, internationally open and excellent research university creatively contributing to the quality of life. This vision is pursued with optimism and enthusiasm, which is why ever more attention is placed on activities to internationalise the University.
The University of Ljubljana is the oldest and largest higher education and scientific research institution in Slovenia, established in 1919(5) and comprising 23 faculties and three art academies. The University supports basic, applied and development research, achieves excellence and the utmost quality, and meets the highest ethical criteria in all fields of science, art and technology.
It promotes both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary studies and exchanges its achievements in science and art with other universities and scientific research institutions. In this way, it contributes its share to the Slovenian and global treasury of knowledge, transferring knowledge to students and other users.
(5) As at 31 December 2015, the University of Ljubljana employed 5747 persons.
We believe that by 2020 the University of Ljubljana will become a recognised, internationally open and excellent research university creatively contributing to the quality of life. This vision is pursued with optimism and enthusiasm, which is why ever more attention is placed on activities to internationalise the University.
In 2015, the University of Ljubljana recorded high-profile domestic and international events, proving that it is actively involved in society and pursues its activities successfully, both at home and abroad.
We strengthen the academic community of professors, researchers, students and other associates, striving to win recognition at home and abroad. Our actions are based on academic excellence and freedom of creativity, autonomy in relation to the State, political parties, corporations and religious communities, on humanism and human rights as well as on an ethical and responsible attitude to the world.
For the third year in a row, the respectable Italian Domus magazine has ranked the Department of Industrial and Unique Design of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana, among the top one-hundred European schools in architecture and design. It made the list as the only Slovenian institution.
The associates of the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, published an article in Nature Physics entitled Light-controlled topological charge in nematic liquid crystals, which describes experiments creating and stabilising a pair of topological defects in a liquid crystal using intensely focused laser light.
The associates of the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, published an article entitled Recovery of large carnivores in Europe’s modern human-dominated landscape. The research has shown that at least one large carnivore species lives on roughly one third of the European territory. Researchers found that a model of co-existence with humans has made it possible to preserve large carnivores in a forested cultural landscape, even on a densely populated area, such as Europe.
Associates from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, participated in the development of four out of sixty existing prototype devices in magnetocaloric refrigeration. In the field of electrocaloric devices, they manufactured the third such prototype in the world, while the fourth one is being produced by applying the latest findings. Based on an invitation received from a prestige publisher, the team was the first to present its results in the scientific monograph entitled Magnetocaloric Energy Conservation: From Theory to Application, thus confirming its leading role in the world.
At the end of January, the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana, organised a conference on cross-border cooperation entitled “Deans, Rectors, and Business Directors in the eRegion Meeting on the Cross-border Joint EU Projects Opportunities in the Area of Transport and Logistics,” which was attended by the rectors and deans of Slovenian, Italian, Austrian and Croatian universities, ambassadors to Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, plus professors and representatives of the wider economy. The purpose of the conference was to prepare current topics for application to European invitations to tender and to promote cooperation among the interested parties.
We marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of organised and guided physical education at the University of Ljubljana. Upon that event, the University issued a publication entitled 50 Years of Physical Education at the University of Ljubljana 1963-2013, presented awards for contributions to the development and inclusion of physical education, long-standing pedagogical work and publishing activities, all on the topic of university sports.
The Angewandte Chemie magazine published an article entitled Construction of a new class of tetracycline lead structures with potent antibacterial activity through biosynthetic engineering by associates from the Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. Using new biosynthetic engineering procedures, they developed a new tetracycline antibiotic carboxamido chelocardin, which is noted as a new method of action and having excellent effectiveness against a number of multi-drug resistant pathogens causing hospital infections.
In cooperation with the National Institute of Biology, the University of Ljubljana hosted an expert in the design, development and management of regional innovation systems and hubs, Dr. Jukka Viitanen from Finland. Dr. Viitanen is a renowned expert in the development of innovation systems with experiences in high-tech industries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The project to conserve and monitor the conservation status of the wolf population (Canis lupus) in Slovenia (abbreviated SloWolf) was among 61 projects relating to nature or nature-related communications selected as one of the top 13 LIFE projects chosen every year by Member States together with the European Commission. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Slovenia Forest Service and the Dinaricum Society. The goal of the SloWolf project was to preserve the wolf population, its prey and habitats in Slovenia in the long term and to improve its co-existence with humans.
Ljubljana became richer for a new Acceleration Business City (ABC). It is intended for start-up companies with an already made product. The ABC accelerator was established by BTC, Xlab, AmCham Slovenija and ABC TIM, with IBM Slovenija and the University of Ljubljana as strategic partners. The purpose of the accelerator is to implement two three-month programmes every year and, upon conclusion, offer teams the opportunity to establish contacts with different partners worldwide for another three months using the accelerator.
In cooperation with the Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI), we presented the Rector’s Award for the Best Innovation of the University of Ljubljana. The award for the best innovation went to the project entitled Printing ink for irreversible temperature indicators with low activation temperature.1 Second place went to the LACEnano2 innovation and third place to the iTreeAssay3 project. The authors of all three winning innovations received support for the commercialisation of their innovations and a cash prize from the Rector’s fund.
The University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik prepared a reception for student athletes who participated in the 2nd European Universities Games in 2014. Students represented the University of Ljubljana in three sports disciplines, i.e. football, table tennis and tennis. The Rector paid special commendation to Toja Černe, a student of the Faculty of Sport at the University of Ljubljana, who won the bronze medal at the 2014 World Universities Championship in Archery, in the compound bow discipline.
At the University of Ljubljana we hosted and organised the international Falling Walls Lab event for the first time. This inspiring interdisciplinary event offered students, researchers, experts and entrepreneurs aged up to 35 the opportunity to present a breakthrough idea, research work, innovative project or business model. The panel chose the three best ideas from the final 13 ideas. The winning idea was that of Karin Ljubič entitled Breaking the Wall of Data Storage, which allows immense data storage potentials in terms of quantity, free-of-charge data reproduction and resistance for thousands of years, as the data is saved in a living plant and its seeds.
1 The new feature of the proposed series of irreversible temperature indicators showing the thermal history of products is an innovative combination of active material, microcapsule technology and print. The main advantages of the indicator are a change visible to the naked eye that needs no energy source to operate and the possibility of manufacturing temperature indicators in thin and flexible forms typical of smart labels.
2 LACEnano solves the problems of tattoo artists; from arm pain to additional work cleaning and servicing tattoo tools. Tattooing using LACEnano tools is also less painful for those getting tattoos. The technological innovation combines technologies that are used in other branches, resulting in the optimisation of operations, quality and producer price.
3 The innovation represents a fast, simple and effective way to detect internal anomalies in the trunks of standing trees which typically devalue trees in terms of quality and economic value. It is based on an analysis of an ultrasound signal being passed through the trunk, causing no damage to the tree. The method provides a notable increase in revenues from forest management, as healthy trees may be distinguished from unhealthy ones in due time, thus increasing their returns.
A team of students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, won the Design/Build/Fly contest for remote controlled aircraft, which was held in the USA. University of Ljubljana students beat 84 university teams from across the world.
The Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, was successfully re-accredited for the next five-year period by the well-established AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). AACSB accreditation is based on a commitment to achieve high quality and continuous advancements in business education.
Ljubljana was the venue of the 5th European conference on research in social work, organised by the Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana. The event was attended by over 450 researchers from across the world. At the conference 360 contributions shed light on different perspectives of personal and social aspects of people’s lives in a period characterised by divergence from the social state, which has deeply encroached upon people’s everyday lives and redefined the professional work performed by social workers.
The University awarded its 10,000th PhD degree to Katarina Polajnar Horvat from the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, for the doctoral dissertation entitled The Role of Social Factors in Developing Environmental Awareness and Changing Environmental Behaviour. The first PhD candidate at the University of Ljubljana was Ana Mayer from the same faculty, who earned her PhD in chemistry. In Slovenia, most doctors of philosophy graduated from the University of Ljubljana, and an increasing number of PhDs are awarded to foreign students.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal published an article entitled Protein aggregation in salt solutions by researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology University of Ljubljana. They proposed a model solution with short-range and directional forces between protein molecules. The model predicts the formation of chains and clusters and gives a correct description of the experimentally specified phase diagram for the co-existence of two liquid phases in the case of lysozyme solutions.
The University Rector, Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik welcomed a delegation from the Yunnan Agricultural University in China. The universities agreed to collaborate in teacher and student exchange and in joint programmes, and concluded by signing a memorandum on cooperation.
At the University of Ljubljana we hosted a lecture by Prof. Tang Tao from the Beijing Jiaotong University. He spoke of the Chinese railway development in the last decade and security challenges in the management of railway infrastructure in China. He specialises in railway control and safety in China and is at the same time an expert in high technology and Development Programme 863 in modern transport systems.
Within the scope of the University of Ljubljana Career Centre – the meeting point of promising human resources and good employers, the University of Ljubljana organised theelevator pitch festival University goes to market, which was held in Kongresni trg, in front of the Rectorate. At the festival, students presented themselves to over fifty employer representatives on city buses that were parked in front of the Rectorate for this particular occasion. The presentation of a job interview with an employer was symbolically performed by the University Rector Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik and the Mayor of Ljubljana Zoran Janković.
The University of Ljubljana Rectorate held the founding meeting of the Slovenian Innovation Hub, attended by 23 co-founders. The latter signed a memorandum of incorporation, elected council members and adopted a programme of work and an annual financial plan. In the programme of work, co-founders primarily committed themselvesto prepare specific partner development projects or form value chains, but also to cooperate in the preparation of long-term state programmes. The fundamental goal is to contribute to the development of a knowledge-based economy and raise the international competitiveness of Slovenia.
We presented a cash donation of €12,700 to the University of Banja Luka. University of Ljubljana employees collected the funds for employees and students at the University of Banja Luka who suffered heavy damage by floods in May 2014. On account of this solidarity and humane action by University employees, six students and six employees at the University of Banja Luka who suffered the most damage in the mentioned floods received valuable funds for the restoration of their flooded houses and apartments.
The Kazina Palace held the inauguration of a Steinway & Sons piano that was donated to the Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana,by Krka. The Academy of Music has been faced with demanding challenges in the modernisation and upgrading of musical equipment, most of which comprises musical instruments. The sound of the new acquisition in the Academy’s new premises was tested by Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak, a world renowned pianist and professor emerita of the University of Ljubljana.
The Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, hosted participants for the 13th INFINITI Conference in International Finance. The conference is organised in cooperation with Trinity College from Ireland and Monash University from Australia. The conference’s central topic was “International Financial Integration – Is There a New Normal”.
Prof. Dr. Tomaž Čater and Assistant Ivan Župič from the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, analysed the use of bibliometric methods in scientific works published in magazines pertaining to management and organisation in an article entitled Bibliometric methods in management and organisation, published in the Organizational Research Methods magazine. The purpose of the article was to create a reference and recommendations for researchers aiming to use bibliometric methods in literature reviews on management and organisation.
The Nobel Prize winner Sir Richard J. Roberts was awarded an honorary PhD of the University of Ljubljana for his successful cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, in the field of molecular medicine and biotechnology. The gala event was enriched with a lecture on genetically modified food and claiming its unsubstantiated opposition.
Assist. Dr. Marinka Žitnik and Prof. Dr. Blaž Zupan, researchers from the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, developed a computational approach to draw conclusions in a diverse data environment based on the simultaneous inflow of data matrices, noise removal and search for data samples. The article Large-scale data fusion was published in the IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis & Machine Intelligence magazine.
MOL Group, a leading international oil and gas company, has invited students for the 9th consecutive time to enter the international online student contests Freshhh, where students interested in the real challenges of oil and gas industry participate in three-member teams. Out of the 2210 teams from seventy countries, for the first time in the history of the competition the team of students from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, was included in the top five teams. They won the third place.
The University of Ljubljana Rectorate held the founding meeting of the University of Ljubljana global alumni and associates network (SMUL), where members adopted a memorandum of incorporation and elected management for a two-year period. SMULbrings together prominent scientists, professors and other respectable persons working in academic, research and development spheres outside Slovenia. It was established as an activity to raise the quality of study programmes and the reputation of the University of Ljubljana while strengthening international cooperation. The attending members of SMUL elected Prof. Dr. Zlatko Skrbišfrom Monash University, Australia, as their Chairman.
Prof. Dr. Tatjana Avšič Županc and Dr. Miša Korva from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, published a research study in the journalNatureentitled Temporal and spatial analysis of the 2014-2015 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, revealing the epidemiological history and evolution of the epidemic between March 2014 and January 2015. They found that genetic changes in the virus happened at a slower rate than expected and that mutations in the viral glycoprotein were relatively small.
Dr. Gregor Strle and Prof. Dr. Janez Cerkovnik from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, received special commendation by the editor of the Angewandte Chemie journal for their article entitled A simple and efficient preparation of high-purity hydrogen trioxide (HOOOH), which was ranked in the top Hot Paper category. A simple and efficient method to prepare high-purity hydrogen trioxide solutions that was developed by the researchers represents a major advancement in the field.
At the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, we organised the European Cytoskeleton Forum Meeting 2015. The ECF Meeting was attended by thirty invited lecturers from Europe, the USA, Canada and Singapore and around one hundred delegates from across the world. The Meeting gave special attention to molecular bases for neurodegenerative and malignant changes, genetic skin disorders and to the relation of cytoskeletal proteins and their role in disease development.
At the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana, we organised the 16th science conference, with international participation, entitled Waste Management – GzO’15 Urban Mining in cooperation with the Slovenian Mining Association of Engineers and Technicians. The conference presented new developments, current projects and activities, strategies and research results in waste and environmental management.
A research team from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, was the first in the world to publish the results of a research on the efficiency of a universal screening programme for familial hypercholesterolemia in children in the leading cardiology journal Journal of American College of Cardiology. Familial hypercholesterolemia was confirmed at genetic level in 57 percent of the children referred to a clinic for increased cholesterol levels. Early detection and treatment of this disease is vital for the reduction of risks in the development of premature cardiovascular diseases.
At the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, we hosted the prestige international ISSEP conference (International Conference on Informatics in Schools: Situation, Evaluation and Perspectives) and a conference for Slovenian teachers entitled Up-bringing and education in an information society (VIVID), which featured in-depth discussions and successful international examples of teaching computer and information science. The purpose of both conferences is to train the youth to create information and communication technologies.The conferences, which were attended by over two hundred domestic and foreign researchers and practitioners in computer science education, took place within the scope of the Information Societymulti-conference.
At the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, we organised the first World Congress on Electroporation in biology and medicine, which included the topic of food and environmental technologies, with presentations by researchers from 42 countries. The honorary patron of the Congress was the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor.
At the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, we organised the International Conference on Engineering Vibration ICoEV 2015, which was attended by two hundred participants from 31 countries across the world. The conference held a comprehensive debate on new developments in engineering vibration, with emphasis placed on non-linear fluctuations.
We organised a celebration upon the 70th anniversary of the activities of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana. Within the scope of the event, former deans of the Academy were presented special commendation awards for their management of the Academy. Upon the occasion we also opened an exhibition entitled the Treasures of an Art Collection, which was exhibited in the premises of the University Rectorate for several months.
The new generation of freshmen at the University of Ljubljana entered the 2015/2016 academic year with the traditional event Freshmen Welcome 2015. A diverse entertainment programme was held in front of University headquarters, featuring attractive presentations by all 26 faculties and academies of the University of Ljubljana.
The University of Ljubljana made a successful presentation at the traditional Higher Education and Scholarships Fair in Zagreb and Rijeka and at the 8th ZVONCE Education Fair in Belgrade. By increasing its attendance at education fairs, the University has strengthened its international cooperation and academic mobility.
At the University of Ljubljana we welcomed a delegation from the Belgian Catholic University of Leuven. During the visit, Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Danny Pieters from the Catholic University of Leuven met with management representatives and researchers from various faculties of the University of Ljubljana. Among other things, he visited the recently constructed buildings of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology and Faculty of Computer and Information Science. The visit was concluded with the signing of a strategic partnership memorandum.
At the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, we organised the 3rd international symposium entitled Why the world needs anthropologists? in cooperation with the EASA Applied Anthropology Network, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU), VU University Amsterdam, Campus CIELS Padova, Slovenian Ethnological and Anthropological Association KULA and the University of Delaware. The symposium was attended by 450 participants from 25 countries who discussed why anthropology is necessary for the resolution of hot global issues, such as climate change, political unrest and rapid development of technologies.
At the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, we held the 2nd module of interuniversity European postgraduate education entitled Non-clinical pharmaceutical and early clinical development. Education was provided within the scope of the harmonised Pharma Train programme, which implements reliable standards for top quality postgraduate education and training in medicine development and brings together ten European universities. The programme featured twenty lectures given by domestic and foreign professors and lecturers from European regulatory bodies and pharmaceutical industry.
At the Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, we participated in the organisation of the Cloud-Assisted Services conference (CLASS 2015).The international conference focused on the subject of smart cities and communities, 4.0 industry and sustainable development.
At the Faculty of Theology, University of Ljubljana, we organised an international science conference entitled Truth and Compassion. The conference hosted 18 lecturers from Slovenia, Hungary, Poland and Russia. The main topic at the conference involved searching and getting to know the real questions and answers about truth and compassion and searching for ways to put them into practice worldwide with respect to events during and after World War II.
The website of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, University of Ljubljana,received the Netko award presented by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the best online projects in the country. The Faculty received the award in the category of digital presence of state and public administration. The website was the result of the University of Ljubljana Internationalisation project.
Postgraduate students at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering , University of Ljubljana, Jaka Pribošek and Matija Brumat won first place in strong international competition at the Texas Instruments Innovation Challenge – Europe Design Contest, organised every year by the Texas Instruments Corporation. Globally speaking, this is one of the largest contests in analogue electronics and integrated processor systems. It was attended by 320 teams from 187 European universities, in total over nine hundred students.
University Week, commemorated every year at the beginning of December when the University celebrates its anniversary, was initially intended for the presentation of the most prominent research achievement of the University of Ljubljana. At the central event, a formal session of the Senate, we presented the highest awards (Honorary Doctor1 , Honorary Senator2 , “Pro Universitate Labacensi”3 plaquettes , Golden plaquettes and certificates of recognition for young university teachers and associates. Students were presented Prešeren awards and certificates of recognition for study achievements and engagement in extracurricular activities. Furthermore, we awarded University of Ljubljana professor emeritus titles to retired University teachers for their important contributions to the development of science and art and committed pursuit of pedagogical and mentorship work.
1 Prof. Dr. Bengt Winblad received the title of the University of Ljubljana Honorary Doctor for his outstanding achievements in the research of age-related dementia and for his successful cooperation with the University of Ljubljana.
2 Prof. Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak received the title of the University of Ljubljana Honorary Senator for her important contribution to the international reputation of the University and for her long-lasting outstanding artistic and pedagogical work in pianistics.
Dr. Justin Teissie, Research Councillor, received the title of the University of Ljubljana Honorary Senator for his long-standing cooperation in the education of postgraduate students, for his support to research work and for strengthening the public profile of the University of Ljubljana. Prof. Dr. Franz Leberl received the title of the University of Ljubljana Honorary Senator for his outstanding commitment to universal academic excellence and important contribution to raising the quality of work at the Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana.
3 Pro universitate labacensi’ plaquettes are awarded to natural and legal persons who have made a major contribution with their assets or work to the development of the University’s material capacities or to the training of its associates. In 2015, the Pro Universitate Labacensi plaquette was presented to: Krka d.d., Novo mesto, Pahernik Foundation, Brdo Group (Mihaela Bauman Podojsteršek, professor emeritus Dr. Bojan Majes, Prof. Dr. Radovan Stanislav Pejovnik, Janez Topovšek and Prof. Dr. Nikolaj Zimic).
