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Today, we spoke with Gianmarco Cherchi, a Computer Science Researcher at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Cagliari (Italy), and a Professor of "Data Visualization" and "Web Programming," who visited us as part of a research visit.

Prof. Cherchi arrived as part of a short-term visit and was hosted by Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Klen and Assoc. Prof. Klen Čopič Pucihar from the Department of Information Sciences and Technologies.

During his stay, he gave a lecture at the Monday RIN seminar, where he presented his research field. A few days later, he also lectured Master's students in an intensive course on data visualization. Before returning to Cagliari, he reflected on his stay here in Koper: "This is my first visit to Koper, and I find it to be a beautiful city. My hosts, Matjaž and Klen, have been incredibly kind and welcoming, which has made my stay even more enjoyable. I’ve also had the pleasure of connecting with their PhD students and all the members of their group. I delivered a lecture on Monday at the seminar about my research area, which was an exciting experience. Today, I also had a great experience working with Master's students during the intensive course on data visualization."

He also explained what data visualization is and emphasized why it is important nowadays. "Data visualisation is a subfield of computer science that focuses on effectively representing data. With the rise of AI and big data, we now generate vast amounts of information, making it essential to have the right tools for visualisation. Therefore it is crucial to present data in a way that is understandable to everyone and conveys the correct message," he adds.

Tuesday, 18 February 2025 Citizen science serves as an effective tool for monitoring invasive species

Invasive species threaten biodiversity, the economy, and human health. Therefore, their detection is critical for their management, which requires extensive monitoring that often exceeds the capacity of professional scientists.

Individuals can significantly contribute by reporting new sightings using applications like eBird, Pl@ntNet, iNaturalist, and ArtPortalen and participating in citizen science initiatives.

An international study involving 30 researchers, part of the COST Alien CSI initiative—of which Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Fišer was a part—has demonstrated the crucial role of citizen science in the early detection of invasive species. Published in People and Nature, the study analyzed 600 official reports from 30 countries and compared them to over 220 million public-platform records.

This is the first study to measure the impact of citizen science on the early detection of invasive species. The findings revealed that citizen science platforms are highly effective. Official programs tend to detect European-regulated species, whereas the public is quicker to identify species already present in neighbouring countries or those that can be recognized without expert knowledge. For vertebrates (such as birds and mammals), the public is more likely to notice them before official monitoring does.

Based on these results, future recommendations suggest a holistic approach that combines professional monitoring with increased public involvement through citizen science. By working closely with platforms for reporting sightings and supporting their development, governments could create a more effective system for monitoring invasive species in the future.

However, citizen science is a crucial component of the solution for the early detection and effective management of invasive species.

Monday, 17 February 2025 Students Visit Novartis as Part of the ImmBIO Project

As part of the ImmBIO project, students from UP FAMNIT and UL FMF, along with their academic mentors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karla Ferjančič (project leader at UP FAMNIT) and Prof. Dr. Emil Žagar (UL FMF), recently visited Novartis in Mengeš.

During their visit, they were welcomed by work mentors Dr. Andrej Pohar and Ms. Andreja Pirnat, who, along with their colleagues, guided the students through the laboratories of the "upstream" department. This is where the initial phase of development—planning and cultivating microorganisms or cells that produce desired biological substances—occurs. They also toured the "downstream" department, where medicinal biological ingredients' development, planning, testing, and purification occur.

As part of the project, the students are tackling current challenges at the company to develop and test mathematical models of bioreactors. In addition to their regular weekly remote meetings, this visit provided an excellent opportunity for the students to gain better insight into the development process and a more comprehensive understanding of Novartis's work in developing biological medicines.

Saturday, 15 February 2025 Successful Implementation of INFO DAYS in Koper and Izola

On Friday and Saturday, February 14 and 15, INFO DAYS for prospective students took place across Slovenia. At UP FAMNIT, we hosted our events at two locations this year and recorded significant interest in our undergraduate study programmes.

In Koper, at the faculty headquarters, students were welcomed by the Dean, Prof. Ademir Hujdurović, before the presentations began. Meanwhile, in Izola (Livade 1.0), where some study programmess are conducted, students were greeted by Assoc. Prof. Živa Fišer, Head of the Department of Biodiversity, and Assoc. Prof. Sara Zupan, Deputy Coordinator of the Conservation Biology study programme.

In Koper, prospective students received information about Mathematics, Mathematics in Economics and Finance, Computer Science and Biopsychology. In Izola, they were introduced to Bioinformatics, Agronomy and Conservation Biology.

After the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to visit FAMNIT’s information fair, where they met student tutors and members of the Student Council.

In Izola, prospective students were given tours of the laboratories and practice rooms equipped with high-end technology, primarily used for research in applied natural sciences, biodiversity, bioinformatics, food, nutrition, health, urban planning, ergonomics and kinesiology, olive growing, gastronomy and wine culture, mediterranean studies, environmental technologies, and renewable material usage.

The Saturday afternoon session was dedicated to English-language presentations via ZOOM for international students interested in Mathematics, Computer Science and Bioinformatics study programmes, which are also offered in English at our faculty.

In addition to program content, multiple sessions via Zoom provided information about student housing and the application and enrolment process .

An additional online presentation on the application and enrolment process for undergraduate studies is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Zoom link: https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/98521649402?pwd=6ACPQuaenQTZk148AzQe

For questions related to the application and enrolment process, students can contact the Student Services Office (vpis@upr.si) and the UP Admission Office (vpis@upr.si).

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation - Vanja Gomboc

We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Journalists' Psychological Processes When Reporting on Suicide: Mixed Methods Analysis of the student Vanja Gomboc, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Suicidology and Mental Health.

The presentation will take place on Thursday, 20 February 2025 at 9.00 via Zoom on link:
https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/93692229993

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 Famnits' Excursion into the mathematical universe: Rumors, epidemics and economic crises: infection processes in networks

You are invited to the 4th lecture in the series titled

“Rumors, epidemics and economic crises: infection processes in networks,”

which will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 16:00, in Lecture Hall 3, UP FAMNIT, and via ZOOM.

The lecture will be presented by Dr. Miklós Krész UP FAMNIT, UP IAM, and InnoRenew CoE.

What are the commonalities between the economic crisis of 2008, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social media campaigns in recent political elections? Why were the dynamics of bankruptcies, epidemic outbreaks, and the spread of misinformation so unexpected? What are the similarities and differences between these processes and how can mathematical models describe them? What specific problems arise in controlling the spread of these types of outbreaks and what mathematical methods can be used to address them? In this lecture, we will take a journey through the methodology of computational network analysis to answer the above questions and to highlight the main challenges.

Miklós Krész received his PhD in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Szeged, Hungary, in 2005. His main research interests include industrially motivated optimization methods, data driven industrial solutions and the integration of operations research and data science methodologies. He focuses on both fundamental and applied research in these areas. Currently, he is a Professor of Computer Science at UP FAMNIT and UP IAM, and he is the Head of the Information Processing Research Department at the InnoRenew CoE interdisciplinary research center.

Wednesday, 12 February 2025 Public Call for Applications for Scholarships 2025/2026

The University of Primorska invites all students of the following faculties: UP Faculty of Humanities, UP Faculty of Management, UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, UP Faculty of Education, UP Faculty of Tourism Studies - Turistica, UP Faculty of Health Sciences, who are eligible, to apply for the Public call to obtain scholarships from the Scholarship Fund of University of Primorska in the academic year 2025/2026.

The Scholarship Fund of the University of Primorska is based on a partnership between the University of Primorska, municipalities, and the private sector. It aims to reward and encourage the best students of UP, offer their knowledge to potential employers during their study process, and provide opportunities for employment to these students as soon as they finish their studies. The objective of the Fund is at the same time to support all UP students in achieving the best possible results in their studies.

With this Public Call, the University of Primorska invites all:

candidates for enrolment in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cycle study programmes of UP and
students who, in the academic year of 2025/2026, will be enrolled in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cycle study programmes of UP,
to apply for this public call, and thus express their interest in joining the Fund.

The amount of the scholarship for the academic year 2025/2026 is at least 2.200,00 EUR.

In the case when the scholarships are awarded via UP, the scholarship amount is 2.200,00 EUR per academic year. In certain cases, a higher scholarship can also be awarded, namely:

for students enrolled in the 1st and 2^ndcycle, who score from 80 to 89 points, the scholarship can be as high as 330,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 3.300,00 EU per academic year;
for students enrolled in the 1st and 2^ndcycle, who score from 90 to 100 points, the scholarship can be as high as 550,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 5.500,00 EU per academic year;
for students enrolled in the 3^rd cycle, the scholarship can be as high as 1.200,00 EU per month, respectively as high as 12.000,00 EU per academic year.

Scholarship contracts will be concluded between UP, Fund partners (employers), and students with whom there is a mutual interest in the conclusion of the contract. By signing the scholarship contract, the student agrees that in the case that they are offered employment by a partner of the fund (employer) they will accept the offer and, after completing their studies, work for the partner of the fund for at least as long as they received the scholarship.

Application deadline: September 15th, 2025. The application is submitted in due time if it is submitted between February 11th, 2025 to September 15th, 2025.

On the website of the Career Center of the University of Primorska (KC UP) you will find all the details and the public call: UP Scholarship Fund 2025/2026 - PUBLIC CALL!

Contacts: Career Center of the University of Primorska, Center for Lifelong Learning and Career Orientation

Address: Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenija

Phone: +386 5 611 75 60

E-mail: kariernicenter@upr.si.

Public call UP Scholarship Fund - 2025/2026

JP za pridobitev stipendije na UP za leto 2025-2026.pdf (301kb)

Public call UP Scholarship Fund 2025-2026.pdf (268kb)

Monday, 10 February 2025 Invitation to the defense of the diploma thesis – Elsa Morina (Computer Science, 1st cycle)

Elsa Morina, a student of the study program of Computer Science, 1st cycle, will present the diploma thesis entitled Analyzing Fluctuations in Temperature on Portoroˇz Airport using Time Series on Thursday, 13 February 2025 at 11:00 in the classroom Famnit-MP6.

You are all kindly invited!

Monday, 10 February 2025 Great interest in the EVMC 2025 conference

The Faculty of Environmental Protection together with partner organisations (UP FAMNIT, UL Biotechnical Faculty, Julius Kühn Institute, Hunting Association of Slovenia and the Slovenian Forestry Institute) is organising the 14th European Conference on Vertebrate Management, which will take place in Ankaran, Slovenia, between 12th and 16th May 2025.

The conference continues the tradition of previous meetings known as EVPMC, but with an expanded focus on the inclusion of all vertebrate species and various management approaches, including ecology, monitoring, and species conservation.

The main sections of the conference, covering the latest and most intriguing topics across a wide range of disciplines, include:

ecology, physiology and behaviour;
taxonomy and genetics;
population monitoring and management;
human-animal conflicts and social dimension;
(invasive) alien vertebrates;
crop and urban systems;
health, zoonotic pathogens and parasites;
rodenticide resistance;
new tools and methods.

With over 200 research contributions from more than 40 countries, EVMC 2025 will bring together a diverse international community of experts to share experiences, present new discoveries, and foster collaborations that will shape the future of vertebrate management.

We are particularly pleased to welcome distinguished keynote speakers:

Ancuta Fedorca, National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry ˝Marin Dracea˝, Romania;
Atle Mysterud, University of Oslo, Norway;
Heidi C. Hauffe, Fondazione Edmund Mach; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Italy;
Joaquin Vicente Baños, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Spain;
László Kövér, University of Debrecen, Hungary;
Sabine Begall, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany;
Boris Kryštufek, Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Slovenia;
Nikica Šprem, University of Zagreb, Croatia.

For more information and registration, visit: www.evmc.online

Wednesday, 5 February 2025 5th Biological Evening: Ethnobiology of Wartime: The Role of Wild Plants in Food Security

You are invited to the 5th Biological Evening titled "Ethnobiology of Wartime: The Role of Wild Plants in Food Security."

The lecture will be given by Naji Sulaiman, Assistant Professor of Environmental and Applied Botany at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy.

The event will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, February 12.

About the lecture: Wild food plants (WFPs) have been an important source of human nutrition since ancient times, and they particularly revive when conventional food is not available due to emergencies, such as natural disasters and conflicts. Nearly 60% of the Syrian population (12.4 million people) are food insecure due to the current war. The presentation focuses on the conflict’s effect on the use of WFPs and on what species are consumed by local people during the current crisis. The study documents 75 wild food plant species used for food and drink.

About the lecturer: Naji Sulaiman is an Assistant Professor of environmental and applied botany at the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Italy. As an ethnobotanist, his research primarily focuses on the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions. He has a PhD in Tropical Agrobiology and Bioresources Management from the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, where he also earned his Master’s degree in Tropical Crop Management and Ecology. He completed his Bachelor’s studies in Agricultural Engineering at Tishreen University in Latakia, Syria. In recent years, his research concentrated on the relationship between people and wild plants under turbulent and warfare conditions.

Friday, 31 January 2025 The 7th Slovenian Entomological Symposium gathered enthusiasts and experts in the field

From January 31 to February 1, 2025, the 7th Entomological Symposium with International Attendance (SES7) took place in Izola, at Livade 1.0, bringing together 69 experts, researchers, and entomology enthusiasts from Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia.

The two-day event was organized by entomologists from the Department of Biodiversity at UP Famnit and the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli. During the symposium, participants exchanged knowledge, achievements, results, and visions across various fields of entomology, including insect taxonomy and phylogeny, forestry and agricultural entomology, conservation entomology, insect diversity, and entomological methodology.

The attendees were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Fišer, Head of the Department of Biodiversity, Andrej Kapla, President of the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli, and Prof. Dr. Vladimir Ivović, the organizer.

The symposium’s keynote speakers were Alenka Žunič Kosi and Tatjana Čelik, who presented their latest findings in entomology.

Dr. Žunič Kosi, a researcher at the National Institute of Biology, also shared her impressions of the event:

"I believe that meetings with other entomologists are crucial, as they allow us to exchange knowledge and experiences while staying updated on the latest developments in the field. Slovenia may be a small country, but such events foster valuable connections. I look forward to future lectures and discussions with colleagues, and I sincerely thank the organizers for this excellent experience," she stated.

Dr. Alenka Žunič Kosi

She also highlighted a study on cricket communication that she presented in the opening lecture: "We discovered that, in addition to acoustic signals, crickets also communicate through vibrations transmitted via solid surfaces such as plants or the ground. This finding is significant, as it suggests that the combination of sound and vibrations plays an important role in attracting females," she explained.

A total of 31 scientific contributions were presented at the symposium.

Before the official start of the symposium, two interactive workshops were held. The Bio-Creative Workshop "From Knowledge to Story," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katarina Šoln from the Department of Biodiversity UP Famnit; and "Preparation and Importance of Entomological Collections," led by Andrej Kapla, President of the Slovenian Entomological Society Štefan Michieli, Matic Gabor from the National Institute of Biology and Jurij Rekelj from the Prirodoslovni Museum of Slovenia.

The Bio-Creative Workshop

During the morning workshops, participants learned how to write a children's story with biological content and how to present scientific discoveries simply and understandably to the general public. They also gained insights into the importance of entomological collections and sample preparation procedures. Such collections are essential for research and preserving insect data, as they hold historical value, provide insights into extinct species, and serve as a crucial source of information at the national level.

Preparation and Importance of Entomological Collections

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katja Adam from the Department of Biodiversity and a symposium organizer expressed satisfaction with the attendance and positive feedback from participants: "The initial impressions are excellent, as we have recorded high participation this year—around 70 attendees, including international participants. The attendees are pleased, and an essential part of these gatherings is networking, where we discuss ongoing and future projects as well as joint research. Personally, I have learned a lot about insects and met new experts," she added.

The symposium was organized as part of the E-NAT2CARE project (Strengthening Cross-Border Links for the Conservation and Restoration of Natura 2000 Areas in the Wider Border Region).

Book of abstract.

Friday, 31 January 2025 Call for Enrolment in Undergraduate Study Programmes of the University of Primorska in the Academic Year 2025/2026

In the framework of the Call for Enrolment in undergraduate and unified master's study programmes in the academic year 2025/2026, the University of Primorska announces the following free enrolment places for 30 undergraduate study programmes (7 higher professional and 23 academic study programmes):

545 enrolment places for Slovenian citizens and EU citizens, of which 1.225 are for full-time study and 320 for part-time study,
76 enrolment places for Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship, of which 60 are for full-time and 16 for part-time study,
207 enrolment places for citizens of Western Balkans countries, with which the Republic of Slovenia has a bilateral agreement in the field of education (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia), of which 185 are for full-time and 22 for part-time study,
76 enrolment places for foreign citizens of non EU countries, of which 64 are for full-time and 12 for part-time study.

For the 1st year of study, there are also 100 enrolment places for candidates for parallel studies.

The list of undergraduate study programmes in English language at UP FAMNIT that are announced in the Call for enrolment 2025/2026:

Bioinformatics, academic (UP FAMNIT)
Computer Science, academic (UP FAMNIT)
Mathematics, academic (UP FAMNIT)

The Call of Enrolment is available at: LINK

The application for enrolment is entirely electronic on the eVŠ web portal. The candidate applies with a means of electronic identification of at least a medium level of reliability (with a qualified digital certificate, smsPASS, e-identity card) or with an AAI account (account of the authentication and authorisation infrastructure) or with a username and password via the system SI-PASS, which operates within the framework of the Trust Service Authority of Slovenia.

Each candidate can submit one application for enrolment, in which they select a maximum of three study programmes in the order of priority in which they wish to enrol and for which they meet or will meet the conditions for enrolment by the deadline. The order of the selected study programmes is important, as the candidate will be ranked in the first study programme for which they will meet all the conditions.

The first application period for enrolment will be:

for Slovenian citizens, citizens of the EU Member States and Slovenians without Slovenian citizenship from 18 February to 18 March 2025,
for foreign citizens from non-EU countries from 18 February to 30 June 2025.

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 Invitation to the defense of the diploma thesis – Sara Pachemska (Computer Science, 1st cycle)

Sara Pachemska, a student of the study program of Computer Science, 1st cycle, will present the diploma thesis entitled Nonlinear EEG signal autoregression for improved brain functional connectivity analysis on Monday, 3 February 2025 at 11:00 in the classroom Famnit-MP3.

You are all kindly invited!

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 INFO DAYS 2025

14 and 15 February 2024, from 9.00 am

You are invited to join our main informative events, which will be held live and via ZOOM on 14 and 15 February 2025. Event schedule and ZOOM links are available on the link below. Some general presentations and presentations of study programmes will be held in Slovene, however, for study programmes that are also implemented in English, presentations will be held in English via ZOOM as well (15 February, 15:00–16:30). Besides that, online presenatations of the application and enrolment procedures will be held in English (15 February, 14:00–15:00 and 5 March, 14:00–15:00).

More information about Info day > HERE

Information about enrolment > H ERE

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 Landmark genetic study: positive glimmers amid general decline in genetic diversity

In the most comprehensive global analysis of genetic diversity ever undertaken, an international team of scientists has found that the genetic diversity is being lost across the globe but that conservation efforts are helping to safeguard species.

The landmark study, published in the pre-eminent scientific journal Nature, was led by Assoc. Prof. Catherine Grueber from the School of Life and Environmental Sciences and a team of researchers from different countries including prof. Elena Bužan from the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT.

The data spans more than three decades (from 1985-2019) and looks at 628 species of animals, plants and fungi across all terrestrial and most maritime realms on earth.

Two-thirds of the populations analysed are declining in genetic diversity but conservation efforts designed to improve environmental conditions, grow populations and introduce new individuals for breeding – for example habitat restoration and animal translocations – are sustaining, and in some cases increasing, genetic diversity in populations.

Assoc. Prof. Grueber said: »There is no getting around the fact that biodiversity is declining at unprecedented rates across the globe – but there are glimmers of hope. The action of conservationists is reversing these losses and helping to create genetically diverse populations that can better meet the challenges of the future.«

The team of scientists used innovations in genetic analysis to gain new insights from studies carried out decades ago. Creating a common measurement scale, they were able to make comparisons between studies, even when they used different methodologies and collected genetic data in different ways.

»This kind of comprehensive global study would not have been possible even 10 years ago. Advances in genetics and statistics have given us new tools that mean we can continue to learn from studies long after they were carried out – a huge benefit when we are looking at populations and trends on a global scale,« added Assoc. Prof. Grueber.

Prof. Elena Bužan (UP FAMNIT) emphasized the importance of modern methods of assessing genetic variability: »We have been striving for effective management using molecular methods in our molecular ecology group. For many years, with the help of modern methods of assessing genetic variability, we have been helping various stakeholders in making decisions and formulating guidelines for species conservation. As this study also showed, only comprehensive data on genetic diversity can assess the adaptive capacity of populations to environmental changes – both those occurring today, such as habitat fragmentation and loss, as well as those that will result from future climate change.«

Successful cases identified by the study include the release of arctic foxes from captive breeding programs in Scandinavia, translocation of greater prairie chickens into existing populations in North America, and the effective treatment of disease within black-tailed prairie dog populations, which has improved the health of colonies in north-central Montana in the US.

The authors hope the findings will encourage more conservation efforts and lead to increased protections for populations that are currently not managed.

Full article is available at this link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08458-x

Tuesday, 28 January 2025 Nature enthusiasts, join us for educational lectures within the 7th Slovenian Entomological Symposium with international attendance (SES7) in Izola!

Did you know that male butterflies can detect a single molecule of a female’s pheromone from several kilometres away? In the lecture How insects communicate: The diversity of signals and their role in maintaining biodiversity, we will explore the fascinating world of insect communication, including chemical signals, pheromones, vibrations, sounds, colours, and patterns. You will learn how these modalities play a crucial role in survival, reproduction, and biodiversity conservation.

Lecturer: Alenka Žunič Kosi , National Institute of Biology

When: Friday, January 31, at 13:15 h
Where: Livade Campus, Livade 4, Izola, Lecture Hall SIGMA
Language: The lecture will be held in English.

We will also present the E-NAT2CARE project (Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021–2027), which investigates innovative pheromone-based methods for monitoring endangered species populations and enhancing conservation strategies.

Join us if you are curious about natural sciences, ecology, and the incredible world of insects!

*The E-Nat2Care project is financed by the Interreg VI-A Italija-Slovenija 2021-2027 program

***

Join us for a lecture First reintroduction of an endangered species of butterfly (Coenonympha oedippus) in Slovenia: approach, results, perspectives, on the story of the marsh ecotype of the endangered butterfly Coenonympha oedippus, which has been brought to the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction. As part of the PoLJUBA project (2018–2022), we successfully achieved promising results through ex-situ breeding, reintroduction, and population reinforcement.

Presenter: Tatjana Čelik, ZRC SAZU, Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology

When: Friday, January 31, at 1:50 PM
Where: Livade Campus, Livade 4, Izola, Lecture Hall SIGMA
Language: The lecture will be held in English.

We will discuss the project’s key approaches, such as habitat restoration, genetic monitoring, and breeding individuals for reintroduction, as well as long-term plans to conserve this species in the Ljubljana Marshes.

Nature enthusiasts, students, and researchers are all welcome!

**The E-Nat2Care project is financed by the Interreg VI-A Italija-Slovenija 2021-2027 program

About SES7

The 7th Slovenian Entomological Symposium with international attendance (SES7) will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the latest discoveries, innovations, and challenges in the insect world, as well as a space for sharing ideas, networking, and collaboration.

This unique scientific meeting will take place from January 31 to February 1, 2025, in picturesque Izola. It will bring together leading experts, researchers, and enthusiasts of entomology.

The organisers of the symposiums are the Department of Biodiversity and the Slovenian Entomological Society of Štefan Michieli.

Friday, 24 January 2025 What is citizen science?

Citizen science is the English translation of the Slovenian term "Državljanska znanost", which means the active participation of the public in scientific research projects. The basic aim of citizen science is to offer every citizen the opportunity to participate in the various phases of the research process actively. In Slovenia, the following translations are commonly used: ljubiteljska znanost, občanska znanost, skupnostna znanost, ljubiteljska znanost ter participativna znanost. (source: https://citizenscience.si/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Brosura_online.pdf).

Citizen science is one approach that has emerged from the participatory turn in research and innovation. This turn is usually motivated by pursuing various objectives, such as promoting democratisation and public participation in science and innovation, fostering scientific literacy, raising public awareness of scientific and technological issues or conducting research programmes with patterns and geographical scales that professional researchers alone could not achieve.

By participating in the scientific process as amateur scientists, amateurs have access to all the basic mechanisms of scientific knowledge, including those previously reserved for professional scientists, such as identifying research needs, developing research projects, formulating hypotheses, collecting data, interpreting research results and defining their scientific applications.

The socialisation of science

A key element defining citizen science as a potential tool for the socialisation of science arises from its basis in an observable social phenomenon, reflected to some extent in the willingness of the lay public to participate in the scientific process as stakeholders about particular social or economic issues. This is usually due to a personal interest in certain topics (e.g. a love of nature and the observation of natural processes) or simply a love of science. Although there is a long tradition of lay participation in science (e.g. in disciplines such as astronomy or zoology), this trend is also spreading to other areas of science and is increasingly linked to tackling major societal challenges such as climate change, the transition to renewable energy and social inequality.

Scientific and educational value

Collaboration with amateur scientists enables researchers to collect extensive or hard-to-access data and to access traditional knowledge preserved by individual communities. It also provides the opportunity to interpret the results on this basis. In addition, citizen science has an important educational value, as it helps to increase participants' knowledge and interest in science while improving their skills such as responsibility, critical thinking and socio-economic problem-solving (source: https://citizenscience.si/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Brosura_online.pdf).

10 principles of Citizen science

In 2015, the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) adopted the 10 principles of citizen science.

These principles were endorsed by Science Europe, thus confirming the credibility of the principles and of citizen science as a legitimate process in scientific research. (Source: https://citizenscience.si/obcanska-znanost/10-nacel-obcanske-znanosti/ )

Beginning of the path

The Step Change Citizen Science Navigator is a guide for researchers who want to involve the public or amateur scientists in the scientific research process. It builds on the experience of the Step Change project and aims to generalise and extend its findings to benefit researchers embarking on the citizen science pathway. (https://cs-navigator.stepchangeproject.eu/)

At the national level, the Citizen Science Network in Slovenia brings together organisations, institutions and stakeholders active in the field of citizen science.

Important organisations for the promotion of citizen science in Europe:

International citizen science projects in which the University of Primorska is involved:

Citizen Science Initiative

SEARCH FOR NON-NATIVE FLATWORMS IN SLOVENIA (download)

(Dr. Živa Fišer, Dr. Katja Adam, Dr. Sara Zupan, and Dr. Martina Lužnik / Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNIT)

Have you noticed unusual elongated animals in your garden that look like earthworms, leeches or slugs while gardening or tidying up?

Perhaps you have already had an encounter with flatworms from the group Turbellaria. These animals are not native to our country, but are becoming increasingly common in Europe. In neighbouring Italy, over 15 different species have been found in recent years with the help of residents. They also exist in Slovenia, but we have very little information about them. We invite you to help us in the search for non-native flatworms.

• What are non-native flatworms?

Flatworms are predators that feed on earthworms and other soil organisms. They have a long, flattened body that is between a few centimetres and 30 cm or more in length. Some species have a hammer-shaped head. All flatworms excrete mucus, which gives them a shiny, moist appearance. Some have a distinctive striped pattern across the body or are brightly coloured.

• Where can you find them?

They are usually found in moist soil, under pots or in the base of ornamental plants, under stones and between wood. They are thought to be found in greenhouses, where they may have been introduced by imported plants. In Europe, they have been observed most frequently in May/June and in September/October, after rainfall.

• Are they dangerous?

Some flatworms can excrete toxins, so you should not touch them with your bare hands. They could disturb the natural balance in the soil if they occur in large numbers because they are eaten by earthworms and other soil organisms.

• What to do if you discover them?

Don't touch them with your hands, but pick them up with small sticks - some flatworms can excrete toxins.
Document the sighting - photograph the animals and, if possible, capture them in a sealed plastic or glass container. Place a few layers of moistened paper towels in the container and store it in the refrigerator.
Report your observation in one of the following ways.

***

- by email to ploskicrvi@upr.si
- on the Facebook group "Alien Foreigners flatworms in Slovenia"
- via the form > here
- by phone (+386 5 663 58 07; on weekdays)

We would be very pleased to receive your saved samples - we will discuss the shipping method with you personally. Your cooperation is crucial for understanding the distribution of these little-known non-native species.

Thank you for helping us with our research.

Friday, 24 January 2025 UP FAMNIT welcomed a group of 200 high school students: Successful implementation of Mathematics Day

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, and Friday, January 24, 2025, the Department of Mathematics UP FAMNIT organized the traditional Mathematics Day for students from Gymnasium Koper and Gymnasium Piran. Over two days, around 200 students gathered to attend lectures on the practical use of mathematics in everyday life.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the students were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Marko Orel, Prof. Dr. Ademir Hujdurović, the Dean of UP FAMNIT, and Prof. Dr. Bojan Kuzma, the Head of the Department of Mathematics.

The diverse program offered a wide range of topics that the lecturers presented to the students interactively. The students were first divided into three groups, in which they attended the lectures and then participated in interactive workshops.

At the lecture titled Classical Winning Techniques in Mind Games, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Peter Muršič from the Department of Mathematics, the students learned about combinatorial games – turn-based strategy games between players, where the moves are predetermined and there is no randomness involved.

The lecture From Data to Information: Statistical Thinking in Everyday Life was given by Prof. Dr. Lara Lusa (UP FAMNIT and UL MF). She spoke about the vast amount of data generated today and emphasized that it must be properly collected and organized for data to become useful information. In the lecture, she presented examples where statistical thinking helps individuals convert data into meaningful information and better understand the world around them.

The lecture Games in Nature was conducted by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Barbara Boldin. The students learned that the decision-making of animals in different situations can be represented as mathematical games and discovered the basic ideas of game theory.

After a short break, workshops by Aljaž Kosmač (UP IAM) followed, who led the workshop Where is the Zero of a Function, in which students explored various types of functions (polynomials, exponential, logarithmic, etc.) and used the computer tool GeoGebra.

Ajla Šehović (UP IAM) took the students into the world of cryptography with the workshop Mastering Codes: Unveiling the Secrets, where the young participants learned the basics of encryption.

In the workshop Mathematics of Everyday Social Decisions, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kenny Bešter Štorgel (UP FAMNIT), the students analyzed real-life decision-making examples. Together, they made decisions based on available information and analyzed them from a mathematical perspective.

Two days later, on Friday, January 24, 2025, we divided the students into two groups as part of Mathematics Day. They were welcomed by Dr. Ademir Hujdurović, Dean of UP FAMNIT, and Dr. Bojan Kuzma, Head of the Department of Mathematics at UP FAMNIT.

The students first attended the lectures From Data to Information: Statistical Thinking in Everyday Life, presented by Prof. Dr. Lara Lusa (UP FAMNIT and UL MF), and Classical Winning Techniques in Mind Games, presented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Peter Muršič (UP FAMNIT).

After a short break, the workshops Where is the Zero of a Function and Mastering Codes: Unveiling the Secrets followed, during which the students gained new knowledge and practical experience.

We have been organizing Mathematics Days at UP FAMNIT since 2013 to popularize natural sciences, particularly mathematics, among young people. The Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Information Technologies at the University of Primorska offers seven undergraduate study programs, including Mathematics and Mathematics in Economics and Finance. Students can learn more about the study programs and life at FAMNIT at the upcoming Informative Days, which will take place on February 14 and 15, 2025.

We thank the students and their teachers for attending and inviting them to our future events!

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 Exhibition of portraits of Zois Prize winners in Ljubljana

On Wednesday, 21 January 2025, an exhibition of portraits of the recipients of the Zois Prizes and awards for outstanding achievements in the field of scientific research and development for the year 2024 was opened at the Krakovski embankment in Ljubljana - among them are three UP employees: prof. dr. Tomaž Grušovnik and prof. dr. Vito Vitrih received the Zois Prize, and prof. dr. Igor Klep received the Zois Award.

The exhibition was organised by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in cooperation with Tourism Ljubljana. The exhibition will be on display from 21 January to 24 February 2025 at the Krakovski nasip in Ljubljana and will give the general public an insight into the achievements that contribute to the development of science and innovation in our society.

We invite you to visit Ljubljana to see the exhibition and the important achievements - and we congratulate the UP recipients once again!

Prof. dr. Vito Vitrih

Prof. dr. Tomaž Grušovnik

Prof. dr. Igor Klep

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 Call for Applications for the year 2025 – Jožef Stefan Golden Emblem

The Jožef Stefan Institute has launched a public call for applications for the award “zlati znak Jožefa Stefana” (Jožef Stefan Golden Emblem), which recognises the most outstanding doctorates awarded to young researchers in the Republic of Slovenia in the last three years in the fields of Natural, Mathematical, Technical, and Life Sciences.

Eligibility Criteria

Successful defence of the doctoral thesis in Slovenia after 1 October 2021.
Applicants must be under 32 years of age at the time of the defence, or 33 years of age for the field of Medicine.
The work comprising the doctoral thesis must have been carried out entirely or predominantly in Slovenia.

Application procedure and Deadline

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 12 February 2025 at 15.00.

Application procedure and documentation at the link > HERE <

The Institute awards a maximum of three “zlati znak Jožefa Stefana” awards each year. All recipients for the year 2025 will be invited to present their work at lectures to be organised at the "Jožef Stefan" Institute.

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 UP at the 16th Informativa

The University of Primorska also participated in the 16th Informativa, the largest nationwide pre-information day, which took place on 17 and 18 January 2025 at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre. UP has presented 30 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate and 16 doctoral study programmes in one place to pupils, students, parents and other participants.

More than 25,000 visitors attended the two-day event. All six members of the University of Primorska had the opportunity to present their activities to the participants and answer all their questions about studying at UP, extracurricular activities, student life, enrolment procedures and other topics in a relaxed chat. A special UP workshop entitled "Little secrets of great students" gave students great tools for their studies, regardless of their choice of faculty or course of study.

Traditionally, the event took place four weeks before the official information days, on 14 and 15 February 2025, when the UP faculties will also open their doors to students and others and give them the opportunity to get to know more about studying at UP. In order to enable as many students as possible to participate in the information days, the University of Primorska will organise a free bus for students from Murska Sobota, Maribor, Celje, Ljubljana and Postojna.

More information on other information events is also available on the subpage.

Friday, 10 January 2025 OPEN CALL FOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITONS OF THE ALUMNI UP CLUB IN 2025

The Alumni Club of the University of Primorska (hereinafter referred to as Alumni UP) is a network of Alumni Clubs of individual faculties of the University of Primorska, whose purpose is to maintain contact with and among alumni, to organize educational, scientific, and other professional events, to support excellence in research, and to strengthen the identity and sense of belonging of the University of Primorska graduate community.

The University of Primorska issues an Open call for awards and recognitions of the Alumni UP club to strengthen the identity and sense of belonging of the Alumni UP community. The following describes in more detail the types of recognitions and awards, the procedure for submitting applications and the conditions for the award, the selection process, and the awarding of recognitions and awards.

TYPES OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Alumni UP Award for Excellence

The Alumni UP Award for Excellence is awarded to a graduate of the University of Primorska (hereinafter referred to as UP); a member of the Alumni UP, for outstanding career achievements or outstanding philanthropic activity or achievements in the cultural, sporting field, or the candidate has otherwise established himself/herself as a leader or role model in one or more areas of his/her activity. In all of the above cases, the candidate has contributed to the reputation and visibility of UP through his/her work and achievements.

Alumni UP Award for outstanding achievements in the professional field

The UP Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement is awarded to a UP graduate, a member of the UP Alumni, who has achieved outstanding success in his/her professional community and/or has made a significant contribution to the development of the profession through his/her work. The candidate has contributed to the reputation and visibility of UP through his/her work and achievements.

Alumni UP Award "Young UP"

The UP Alumni Award "Young UP" is awarded to a UP graduate, a member of the UP Alumni, who has completed his/her studies at UP within the past five (5) years and has demonstrated special acumen in his/her professional field and/or has demonstrated dedication to community service, public service, or philanthropy, and who has achieved significant career, scientific research, or other professional accomplishments during this period. The candidate has contributed to the reputation and visibility of UP through his/her work and achievements.

"Patron of Alumni UP" recognition

The "Patron of Alumni UP" award is given to a supporter of Alumni UP for a significant contribution to the development and activities of the Alumni UP community. The award is not linked to membership in Alumni UP and can be awarded to legal or natural persons.

PROCEDURE FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR AWARDING THE RECOGNITIONS

Candidates for awards may be proposed by:

- Alumni UP bodies;
- a member or a group of members of Alumni UP.

On behalf of a group of members, the proposal should be submitted by a representative of the group.

Candidates for recognition may be proposed by:

- Alumni UP bodies;
- a member or a group of members of Alumni UP;
- the deans of the UP faculties, the directors of the UP members, and the UP management.

On behalf of a group of members, the proposal should be submitted by a representative of the group.

An individual may not nominate himself/herself. The President of the UP Alumni, as a voting member of the Commission, cannot propose candidates. Voting members of the Commission cannot propose candidates in the year of the award.

Candidates for the awards must meet the following conditions:

- have completed a postgraduate or undergraduate degree at UP or an advanced study program at UP; and
- membership of the Alumni UP.

How to submit your proposal: via the e-form HERE.

The following information must be entered in the e-form:

- Type of award or recognition,
- the name, last name, and email of the proposer or representative of the group;
- the name, last name and email of the award nominee,
- the name of the organization and the name and last name of the person responsible in the case of a candidate for an award,
- the consent of the nominee (sample available on the webpage).

A justification of the proposal stating the reason for nominating the candidate (up to 400 words), a brief description of the candidate's achievements, and relevant supporting evidence (e.g., references, list of published works, or other documents demonstrating the candidate's achievements and contributions).

Deadline for submission: 2.3.2025.

Date for the selection of candidates: 17.3.2025

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The Selection Committee for awards and recognitions (hereinafter: the Committee), appointed by the Rector on the proposal of the UP members, reviews and considers all proposals for awards and recognitions received within the call for applications. If the Commission finds that a proposal for an award or recognition is formally incomplete or inadequately drafted, it shall invite the proposer to complete the documentation within three (3) days.

The Commission shall adopt the Criteria for the Selection of the Recipients of the Alumni UP Awards and Recognitions at the time of the annual public call for applications. The Commission may request an additional opinion from a relevant expert in the field, employed at UP, or from a practitioner.

The Commission reserves the right to change the type of award, with the agreement of the candidate, if the Commission considers that another type of award or recognition, as defined in Article 2 of these Regulations, is more appropriate for the proposed candidate. The Commission shall forward the selection of the candidates for the awards and recognitions to the Rector of UP for approval.

AWARDING

Awards and recognitions shall be awarded once a year. The Alumni UP may award a maximum of one award of each type and a maximum of three recognitions per year. Exceptionally, in a given year, no specific award or recognitions shall be awarded, or fewer than the number of awards and recognitions provided for, if no proposals are submitted or if the proposals submitted do not meet the requirements.

Legal or natural persons may only receive an award or recognition once for the same species.

The awards and recognitions will be presented by the President of the Alumni UP at the main event of Alumni UP Week in 2025, the award ceremony will take place on 17 April 2025 at the premises of the University of Primorska in Koper.

More information:

ALUMNI UP OFFICE

E-mail: alumni@upr.si

Tel.: +386 (0)5 611 75 63

CALL FOR AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

CONSENT FORM SAMPLE

The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The project is implemented in accordance with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the development area Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, component Strengthening competencies, in particular digital competencies and those required by the new professions and the green transition (C3 K5), for the investment measure Investment F. Implementation of pilot projects, the results of which will serve as a basis for the preparation of a roadmap for the reform of higher education for a green and resilient transition to a Society 5.0: project Pilot Projects for the Reform of Higher Education for a Green and Resilient Transition.

Tuesday, 7 January 2025 T4EU international call for applications for the science advisers

Transform4Europe (T4EU) announces a vacancy for a Grant Manager.

The successful candidate will be based in Lisbon, Portugal, under the auspices of the Portuguese Catholic University, and will be responsible for project coordination and project fundraising for the Alliance.

More information is available in the document below and you can also contact transform4europe@upr.si.

>> INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ONE VACANCY OF SCIENCE OFFICER TO PERFORM DUTIES OF SCIENCE MANAGEMENT <<