Friday, 31 July 2020 THE EXECUTION OF THE STUDY PROCESS IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2020/21
Dear Students,
We would like to inform you that for the first semester of the 2020/21 academic year, the pedagogical process in scheduled to take place partly in the faculty premises and partly online (mainly through ZOOM and the e-classroom).
Courses, which will take place at the faculty, will also be reachable online (ZOOM, e-classroom, etc.). Exceptions are courses where the student's presence is necessary for the successful execution of the course (laboratory work, field work …).
Due to spatial constraints related to preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19 (safety distance, ventilation of premises…), lectures and exercises are expected to be held on the premises of the faculty for smaller groups of students only, whereas larger groups will be moved online entirely. All students are advised to find accommodation on the coast, since the pedagogical process will be partially carried out on the premises of the faculty for students of all study programs (and years).
This also applies to foreign students, who are advised to move to Slovenia at latest by 14 September (and quarantine from 14.9. to 27.9.), if a mandatory quarantine has been set for their country of departure/origin. The Orientation days for foreign students will be held in the dates from 28.9. to 30.9.2020.
All foreign students must fill in the questionnaire, before arrival to Slovenia: LINK TO QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire is intended to collect information on the existing needs, so that we can adapt our activities and find sufficient capacities.
All collected data will be used only to organise accommodation and share information related to quarantine. If needed, contact data will also be used to notify you about a past contact with a positive person. We will delete all collected data on 30 October 2020.
As we are currently unable to predict the situation in connection to the spread of COVID-19 at the beginning of the academic year, we shall adjust the planned execution of the study process if necessary and inform you about it accordingly. Students are advised to follow announcements on the faculty website on a regular basis.
We greet you warmly and wish you a pleasant summer, as well as to good health!
Friday, 31 July 2020 UP has acquired two new ARRS projects in the field of mathematics
We are pleased to announce that two research groups were successful with their application for the open call for proposals of the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS). Both secured their funding on the basis of the Grade B of the ERC Advanced Grant application.
The project principal investigator of the Customized Project N1-0159 - Designing certain discrete mathematical objects in spectral domain is prof. Enes Pasalic.
The main objective of this project is to investigate the existence, design and classification of certain discrete combinatorial objects that correspond to a special class of polynomials over finite fields which play an important role in cryptography. Namely, the main interest is the analysis of the so-called APN (almost perfect nonlinear) and AB (almost bent) functions. Their main intention is to provide an efficient classification and design of these two classes of functions since the known classes of these functions are obtained in non-generic and non-systematic manner.
(Prof. Enes Pasalic)
The second program group, P1-0285, whose principal investigator is Prof. Dragan Marušič, was successful in obtaining funds for the Customized project N1-0160 - Topological and Algebraic Combinatorics. The TAC project (Topological and Algebraic Combinatorics), which was successfully obtained by Assoc. Prof. Russ Woodroofe, will study problems at the intersection of topology, algebra, and combinatorics.
(Assoc. Prof. Russ Woodroofe)
There are two main themes, both motivated by posets and simplicial complexes arising in group theory. The first theme concerns the topology and combinatorics of the lattice of cosets of a finite group. These questions are intimately related to questions about generation and invariable generation of groups, and connect with a large number of seemingly unconnected fields. The second theme is loosely around shellable and sequentially Cohen-Macaulay simplicial complexes, particularly those arising from algebraic objects. One main goal is a unified and minimally classification-dependent proof that the subgroup lattices of nonabelian finite simple groups are not sequentially Cohen-Macaulay. Progress on these problems is likely to yield better techniques for demarcating between complexes that are sequentially Cohen-Macaulay and those that are not, as will be useful elsewhere in algebra and combinatorics.
The Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS) co-finances Customized research projects that have been successful in the international evaluation process in order to provide applicants with the conditions to further their own scientific excellence and the original idea of the research project.
The above-mentioned ERC Advanced Grant supports excellent, already established researchers at career level who have made recognizable scientific achievements over the last ten years. In addition to the other two scholarships awarded by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant and ERC Consolidator Grant), these are highly prestigious scholarships. The high B grades awarded to the two projects are also important because the University of Primorska is aiming to receive at least one of the ERC grants (A grade) in the coming years.
We extend our sincere congratulations to both researchers!
Thursday, 30 July 2020 STEP CHANGE: A New Horizon 2020 Project in the Spirit of Civic Science
The University of Primorska has successfully acquired the leadership of a new Horizon 2020 project called STEP CHANGE (Science Transformation and EuroPe through Citizens involvement in HeAlth, coNservation and enerGy rEsearch), which combines different scientific areas covered by the Citizen Science Initiative. The project will officially start on 1 January 2021. The project consortium consists of eleven partners from seven countries of the European Union and Uganda, who will collaborate through research in various scientific fields ranging from energy to health and the environment.
The STEP CHANGE project aims to develop data collection software, increase the number of data collectors (including nature lovers, photographers, etc.), establish protocols and improve data quality control in various scientific fields.
The UP FAMNIT Department of Biodiversity will also contribute to the research work on the conservation of wildlife in Slovenia, thus contributing to the further development and increase of the practical value of the Hunting Information System, as well as to a deepened cooperation between our researchers, leading wildlife researchers in Slovenia and the Hunters Association of Slovenia (LZS). Slovenia already prides itself with an extensive database on wildlife in Slovenia, which was established by the LZS. In order to achieve the goals of sustainable wildlife management, education and training of hunters and environmental protection, the LZS has developed a comprehensive information system, unique in the European Union, which stores all important information on wildlife populations.
The project leader, Prof. Elena Bužan, is proud to take on such an important international project: "With the participation of the broadest possible public, the project addresses highly pressing contemporary issues such as the reduction of energy consumption, cardiovascular diseases and obesity, the spread of zoonoses and other infectious diseases (including Covid-19) and, of course, the monitoring and protection of wildlife. In relation to the latter, it is extremely important that this part of the project takes place in Slovenia, which boasts one of the best wildlife management models in the world. I am therefore pleased that we will be working with the Hunters Association of Slovenia. This will significantly increase the practical value of our research, the link between researchers and hunters as end users of research results and - perhaps most importantly increasing trust between various stakeholders".
(Prof. Elena Bužan)
The implementation of the STEP CHANGE project in Slovenia is supported by the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, the Slovenia Forest Service, the Environmental Protection College and the Hunters Association of Slovenia.
It is also worth mentioning that the STARBIOS 2 project will end on 30 July 2020. From the beginning of this year until the end of 2022, UP FAMNIT researchers will participate in the RESBIOS project, which combines research and innovation in the field of biosciences. All the above-mentioned projects are implemented and financially supported within the Horizon 2020 Programme.
We extend our sincere congratulations to our researchers!
Monday, 27 July 2020 Prof. Andreja Kutnar, featured in the prestigious campaign #EUwomen4future
Prof. Kutnar is featured in the prestigious campaign #EUwomen4future in the company of ten other exceptional women in the field of science, research and innovation. The new campaign which was announced by Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, is of high importance, as it includes outstanding women which are active in research, innovation, education, culture and sport. It focuses on some of the cutting-edge achievements that will shape Europe in the future, with a realisation at its core that without its talented and dedicated professionals, Europe cannot grow. These exceptional women are in a unique position as an inspiration and encouragement to other young women and girls that seek out opportunities to fulfil their ambitions.
In the campaign #EUwomen4future campaign, Prof. Andreja Kutnar is in the company of ten other exceptional women from the field of science, research and innovation. Among them Marie Skłodowska Curie, a pioneer in the research of radioactivity, who, along with Henri Becquerel and her husband Pierre Curie, was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics and eight years later the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Another Slovenian, Ladeja Godina Košir, founder of the Circular Change platform and president of the Coordination Goup of the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP), is on the campaign list.
(Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD)
Andreja Kutnar is a full professor, head of the field of Wood Science at the Department of Applied Natural Sciences of the University of Primorska and director of the InnoRenew CoE research institute. She is a board member of the international organization InnovaWood and director of the board of the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). Her areas of expertise include wood composites, thermo hydro mechanical treatment of wood, and adhesive bonding. Her work focuses on research projects in the fields of natural science, technology, sustainable development of the wood industry, environmental impact assessment of new materials, products, and technologies from origin, manufacturing, use/alteration to reuse or recycle. She also engages in calculating life cycle estimates of products and services for the needs of the wood industry, especially for the furniture and wood construction industries, and advises on reducing environmental impacts along the entire value chain of wood. She is also the co-author of several international scientific papers and publications.
In 2016, she was recognized with the “Prometheus of Science for Excellence in Communication” award for successful multi-level communication in wood science and supporting sustainable development. In 2018 she received the distinguished Zois Certificate of Recognition for important scientific achievements in the field of wood science. Her life principle is: "Make your mornings wonderful by following your passion and heart."
More information at: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/euwomen4future
Thursday, 23 July 2020 The University of Primorska hosts mathematician, Prof. Daniel Kráľ, a rising star of European mathematics
Checz mathematician Prof. Daniel Kráľ, a holder of two ERC grants and a rising star in European mathematics, is visiting the University of Primorska this week.
Mathematics at the University of Primorska was presented at the welcome meeting with the Rector, Prof. Klavdija Kutnar, Assoc. Prof. Ademir Hujdurović, Dean of UP FAMNIT, Assoc. Prof. Vito Vitrih, Director of the UP IAM, and Prof. Tomaž Pisanski, President of the Slovenian Society for Discrete and Applied Mathematics, and President of the Organizing Committee of the 8th European Congress of mathematics - 8ECM, which will take place next year in Portorož.
Prof. Kráľ comes from the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University in Brno and is a recognized expert in the field of graph theory. In 2010 he received the ERC Starting Grant for the CCOSA project (Classes of Combinatorial Objects - from Structure to Algorithms), and in 2015 the ERC Consolidator grant for the LADIST project (Large Discrete Structures). He is currently also the editor of two prestigious journals - Advances in Combinatorics and SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics (SIDMA).
(Prof. Daniel Kráľ)
During the visit Dr. Kráľ, together with two other PhD students, continues his well-established research in the field of graph theory with Assist. Prof. Matjaž Krnc (UP FAMNIT).
The ERC grants are awarded by the European Research Council and are prestigious recognitions for research, since an outstanding track record is an important factor of success to obtain the grant. Its aim is to identify the best ideas and talents within each program group. The ERC program offers several types of grants, available at different stages of a researcher's career (Starting Grant, Consolidator Grant and Advanced Grant).
The visit of the Czech mathematician is important for the University of Primorska not only in order to strengthen research cooperation, but also because the University is aiming to obtain one of the above-mentioned European Research Council grants in the coming years.
(Prof. Tomaž Pisanski, Assoc. Prof. Ademir Hujdurović, Assoc. Prof. Vito Vitrih, Assist. Prof. Matjaž Krnc, Prof. Daniel Kráľ, Martin Kurečka, Dr.. Robert Hancock, Assist. Prof. Nino Bašić)
Monday, 13 July 2020 Three more positions of Young Researcher in the field of Mathematics and Biology
The University of Primorska has published a public tender for three more Young Researcher candidates in 2020, who will be trained at the Andrej Marušič Institute (UP IAM) and the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT).
Below you will find the supervisors and research areas / programmes:
Ademir Hujdurović – field: Mathematics, Research Programme P1-0404 Mathematical modelling and encryption: from theoretical concepts to real-life applications; UP Andrej Marušič Institute,
Elena Bužan – field: Biology; Research Programme P1-0386 Conservation biology, from molecules to ecosystem; UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies,
Candidates must submit their applications by 12 August 2020 by 2 p.m.
Dragan Marušič– field: Mathematics; Research Programme P1-0285 Algebra, discrete mathematics, probability and game theory; UP Andrej Marušič Institute,
Candidates must submit their applications by 21 July 2020 by 2 p.m.
More information about the call and the selection procedure is available on this link.
Wednesday, 1 July 2020 Scientific journal ADAM included in Scopus
We are happy to announce that the journal The Art of Discrete and Applied Mathematics – ADAM, which is published by UP FAMNIT and Slovenian Discrete and Applied Mathematics Society – SDAMS is included in Scopus.
The journal is platinum open access, a purely electronic journal that publishes high-quality articles in contemporary mathematics that arise from the discrete and concrete mathematics paradigm. The journal is published since 2018, once a year in English, with abstracts in Slovene.
It favours themes from discrete and applied mathematics and welcomes original, interesting and important results in the form of articles and notes, as well as longer survey papers.
ADAM is expected to be included in SCOPUS in the coming months when the indexing process is completed.
Scopus is Elsevier’s abstract and citation database and is the largest database dedicated to searching and reviewing scientific literature from all fields. It covers bibliographic data with abstracts and citations from over 23,700 titles of scientific journals (4,000 open access), it includes over 5,000 publishers and contains more than 71 million bibliographic records.
With ADAM included in SCOPUS, the articles published in this journal have gained an impact factor, furthermore, the Public Research Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (ARRS) will classify them as articles published in high-quality international scientific journals.
We sincerely congratulate the editorial team on this achievement and wish them continued success in the future!
