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Friday, 24 April 2026 Lek’s ScienceBeat event is once again inviting students of natural sciences and business studies to participate this year

Pharmaceutical company Lek, a member of the Sandoz Group, in cooperation with Slovenian public universities, is organizing the top scientific and professional event ScienceBEAT, which will take place from September 16 to 19, 2026, in Ljubljana.

This year, the event introduces an important innovation: after the event, several selected participants will be offered employment at Lek. For all others, opportunities remain open for further collaboration in the form of practical work, writing final theses, or future employment opportunities.

During the 4-day event, participants will have the opportunity to work in teams to solve a real pharmaceutical challenge, gain insights into current topics and trends in biotechnology, pharmacy, chemistry, digitalization, and manufacturing processes, and visit development and production sites.

ScienceBEAT is an excellent stepping stone for outstanding students and young professionals at the beginning of their careers:

• Inside insight: Discover how a global pharmaceutical company operates and helps shape the future of biological medicines and generics.
• Valuable experience: Gain references and achievements that stand out on your CV.
• Future technologies: Explore the latest trends—from artificial intelligence and data science to automation and robotics.
• Learn from the best: Gain knowledge directly from top scientists and researchers who apply it daily in drug development.
• Real challenge: Work in a team on a practical project and demonstrate your knowledge of real industry challenges.
• Network of opportunities: Connect with people who could become your mentors, colleagues, or future employers.
• Holistic experience: Develop yourself not only professionally but also personally and socially.
• Step closer to your career: Open doors to global opportunities in an inspiring and inclusive work environment.

The event is intended for final-year undergraduate students as well as master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral students in natural sciences and business fields from Slovenia and abroad. It is suitable for anyone who wants to get ahead, enhance and test their knowledge in practice, and actively contribute to shaping the future of science.

Applications are open until May 17, 2026, via the ScienceBEAT | Lek online application form. Applicants must submit their CV in English. As the event will bring together young talents from around the world, it will be conducted in English.

More HERE

Frequently Asked Questions 

Wednesday, 22 April 2026 Welcoming a Volunteer from the Tačke pomagačke Society: Exploring the Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy

Today, we hosted Mojka Mehora Lavrič, a volunteer from the Tačke pomagačke society, at the faculty premises. The lecture was organized in collaboration with Prof. Daša Grajfoner as part of the courses Educational Psychology (1st year of the Master’s program in Psychology) and Evolutionary Psychology (1st year of the undergraduate program in Biopsychology).

The presentation focused on the activities of the Tačke pomagačke society, its programs, and the various user groups it serves. Special emphasis was placed on practical examples of working with therapy dogs, the requirements for including both dog and handler, and the competencies needed for such work.

The lecture also addressed whether certain dog breeds are more suitable for therapeutic work, and what the relationship between a dog and its handler looks like compared to typical pet ownership. An important part of the content was dedicated to animal welfare and how society ensures that the work is not overly demanding for the dogs.

The event provided insight into the effects of animal-assisted therapy, as well as the responses of users and professionals, while also opening space for reflection on the broader significance of the human–animal relationship in modern society.

The Tačke pomagačke society is a volunteer organization that has been carrying out therapy work with dogs in around 130 institutions across Slovenia.

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 Awards and recognitions presented to UP Alumni at the MeetUP event

On Friday, April 17, 2026, a traditional event took place in the UP FAMNIT Auditorium, which not only unites but also celebrates the successes of UP alumni – MeetUP. Six UP Alumni Awards and Recognitions were presented to all those who, on the one hand, transfer knowledge and successes after completing their studies at UP at home and abroad, and on the other hand, represent excellent partners for cooperation and success of the UP Alumni Club.7

This year's event followed the concept that was introduced by the new concept of club management, namely the involvement of alumni in all elements of the organization of the event, both the offer and ultimately the involvement of employees in the event, as many employees of the university are also employees of the event, which shows excellent continuity of cooperation and satisfaction. Thus, not only the Rector of UP, Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, who is the first PhD student in mathematics at UP FAMNIT, but also the president of the UP Alumni Club, are alumni, asist. Martin Senič, who addressed the attendees and hoped for new expansion and success stories of cooperation, and then presented awards and recognitions.

We are also proud to present this year’s award recipient.

The Alumni UP Award for Outstanding Achievements in their Area of Expertise for 2025 was received by Iza Resnik Strozak, UP FAMNIT alumni

Iza Resnik Strozak is a graduate of UP FAMNIT, who has already shown research maturity during her studies. Today, as a member of the management of MM Količevo, she leads the transformation of quality, environmental standards and sustainability strategies in a complex production environment. By contributing to quality and environmental improvements in the production of cardboard from fresh and recycled fibres, it embodies sustainability and innovative thinking. She is a model of an internationally oriented and socially responsible professional, for which she received the UP Alumni Award for outstanding achievements in the professional field.

Members of the UP Alumni Club also participated in the event, offering their knowledge or products and introducing themselves to their colleagues and guests of the event. The UP Alumni Club strives to directly involve university alumni in all its activities and events, provide them with space for networking and additional education, and support them on their career paths.

Other award recipients are available HERE.

Friday, 17 April 2026 Invitation to attend the WENUS project workshop

InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM is organizing the WENUS (Wood Education for Sustainable Construction. Empowering professionals and students to build a more sustainable future through innovative and tailored training in circular wood and timber construction) project workshop, which will be held 27 May 2026, in the InnoRenew CoE building.

At the workshop, you will be able to find out more about how to empower professionals and students to build a moresustainable future through innovative training in circular wood and timber construction.

Wenus project partners prepared extensive training content that enhances vocational educational training (VET) in sustainable wood and timber construction by integrating circular economy principles and 3D printing technologies into the curriculum.

Partners also launched the eLearning platform where all developed curriculum is available to broaden access and enrich vocational training with essential green and digital skills, thereby fostering greater sustainability and innovation within the sector.

At the workshop you will hear about the developed training content, the eLearning platform and 3D printing exercises. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the models and see a demonstration of how to use 3D printing exercises in the training.

See here the detailed agenda.

The participation is free of charge, however, prior registration is needed. Please register here until 6 May 2026.

Registration link: HERE 

Kindly invited to join us!

Stay tuned with news about the project activities by visiting the WENUS webpage and subscribe to the WENUS newsletter!

WENUS is an Erasmus+ project, led by the German institute Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and including partners from InnoRenew CoE UP IAM, Technological Centre for Furniture and Wood of the Region of Murcia, and Globalnet.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Thursday, 16 April 2026 Online Info Session for Master's studies

UP FAMNIT Master's study programmes are interdisciplinary and diverse, offering students everything they need: knowledge, project work, case studies, research activities, and well-equipped laboratories.  

You are invited to join the presentations of our study programmes, which will be held from 4 May and 5 May 2026 via ZOOM. Study programmes coordinators will present our study and research activities and answer your questions as well. 

Programmes held in English will be presented in English.  

There is a specific day and time of presentation for each Master's study program, so we invite you to see the list below. More information about our info events and Zoom links can be found here. 

Discover all Master's study programmes at UP FAMNIT! 

The CALL FOR ENROLMENT into UP FAMNIT postgraduate study programmes in 2026/27 is available HERE. 

You are invited to join us! 

Thursday, 16 April 2026 UPgrade - guidance for choosing a program of study at higher levels

Deciding on a field of study and a degree program is an important step after finishing high school—and it’s often just as important after completing the first cycle of higher education. Continuing on the chosen path, switching to a different field, or pursuing a dual degree are options that universities offer to students who wish to take advantage of the benefits of the Bologna system.

That is why UP offers its students support throughout the entire final year of the first cycle—first through visits to each program, where students receive both a reminder on how to continue their studies through the proper processes and a list of possible transfers within UP’s study programs. The visits were followed by information booths at individual faculties and other activities, which culminated on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, with the UPgrade fair, where all member institutions presented their second- and third-cycle programs; the event was also open to external visitors seeking information prior to the information days scheduled to take place at individual faculties in the coming months.

The UP faculties presented themselves at the fair, along with the FTPO, a faculty in the process of joining the university—together, they showcased 33 master’s degree programs and 16 doctoral degree programs, where students shared their experiences, while staff from the departments and the UP Admissions Office provided information on admission requirements. They presented both the programs and the options for transferring between UP faculties or programs, vertical study tracks within faculties, and concurrent study. In addition, the International Office—along with the office for the European university Transform4Europe, the UP Career Center, and UP Sports—presented opportunities to broaden their academic experiences. UP Sports also organized a workout session designed to help students clear their minds and make better decisions about continuing their studies.

Monday, 13 April 2026 Famnits' Excursion into the Mathematical Universe

You are invited to the next Famnits' Excursion into the Mathematical Universe, titled Those who say maths has no colours have not met association schemes yet! When symmetry and regularity come into play together..., on Wednesday, 22. April 2026, 4:00 pm, at VP3 Lecture room and via Zoom. The lecturer is Dr. Giusy Monzillo, UP FAMNIT.

About the lecturer:

Giusy Monzillo was born in March 1993 in Battipaglia, Salerno, Italy. She graduated in Mathematics from Università degli Studi della Basilicata (Unibas), Potenza, Italy, in February 2016.  Giusy received her Master's degree in Mathematics from Unibas in June 2018, where her mathematical interests were Algebra and Geometry. She obtained her Ph.D. in Mathematics from Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy, in June 2022.  Since October 2022, she has been a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska, where she has recently been promoted to Assistant Professor. Her current research interests include Algebra, Combinatorics, Graph theory, and Finite Geometry.

About the lecture:

Since the ancient determination of the five Platonic solids, the study of symmetry and regularity has always been one of the most fascinating aspects of mathematics, and even nowadays, there are many challenging problems in this area. One intriguing phenomenon is that the arithmetical regularity properties of an object often imply both the uniqueness of the object and the existence of numerous symmetries. This interplay between symmetry and regularity forms the core of the present lecture.

Mathematically speaking, graphs and association schemes easily interpret many symmetry and regularity properties, mainly because the very nature of these peculiar mathematical tools makes them incredibly versatile, convenient to use: association schemes can be roughly understood as special collections of coloured graphs, i.e., nice structures made of “points” that are all connected via distinctly coloured “lines”. For instance, if we consider a (regular) hexagon in a plane, we can choose red to colour its perimeter, green to colour its two inscribed triangles, and blue to colour its three diagonals; in such a way, we partition all edges in a hexagon (connecting every two vertices, we get a complete graph with 15 edges) into three distinct colour classes and obtain an association scheme consisting of three coloured graphs: the red perimeter, the green triangles, and the blue diagonals.

In light of this naive but very effective example, we can imagine an association scheme to be a special colour palette for colouring sufficiently regular mathematical structures: association schemes, by assigning colours, can highlight the most beautiful aspects of a studied object, i.e., the symmetries! Much more about the beauty of mathematical symmetries will be revealed during the lecture, along with some curiosities on everyday life topics seen through the lens of association schemes.

Monday, 13 April 2026 UPGRADE - UNIVERSITY OF PRIMORSKA MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL STUDY PROGRAMMES FAIR

You are cordially invited to the Master's and Doctoral Study Programmes Fair, UPgrade, on Wednesday,April 15, 2026, between 11:00 and 15:00 at the Avla UP FAMNIT  (Koper, UP FAMNIT).

The aim is to provide UP students with information about:

• opportunities of  transferability between faculties
• vertical study pathways within faculties (and differences in content across different study levels within the same programme)
• parallel study options
• exploring different study paths in general

The fair will be attended by tutors, professors, postgraduate students, departmental staff and the career centre, who will be available for all information on 2nd and 3rd cycle studies.

Friday, 10 April 2026 The Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT Hosts Associate Professor Onur Candan from Ordu University

As part of the ERASMUS+ programme, the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT will host Associate Professor Onur Candan from 13 to 17 April 2026.

Dr. Candan is an ecologist specializing in herpetology. He obtained his PhD in Biology (Zoology) from Hacettepe University (Ankara, Turkey), where he also earned the title of Associate Professor in Ecology. He currently works as an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, within the Division of General Biology, at Ordu University.

For more than two decades, Dr. Candan has been involved in numerous research projects in the fields of biodiversity and nature conservation across Turkey, with a particular focus on sea turtles, amphibians, and reptiles. He is also a member of the National Scientific Committee for Sea Turtles in Turkey.

Dr. Candan teaches a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including conservation biology, environmental impact assessment, herpetology, animal tracking and handling techniques, vertebrate field studies, and population monitoring. His teaching is enriched by extensive hands-on experience in wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and telemetry. With a strong commitment to students’ academic development, he supervises numerous Master’s and PhD theses, particularly in the field of sea turtle biology.

Within the study programmes Conservation Biology and Nature Conservation, Dr. Candan will deliver the following lectures:

1. Amphibians and reptiles of Turkey
   Monday, 13 April 2026, 13:00–15:00
   UP Livade Campus – Izola, Zoology Laboratory
2. Studying herpetofauna on land and in sea: Methods, implications for conservation and lessons learned
   Wednesday, 15 April 2026, 10:30–12:30
   UP Livade Campus – Izola, FAMNIT 3 Lecture Room
3. Sea turtles in the Mediterranean: Biology and conservation perspectives in a changing world
   Thursday, 16 April 2026, 15:30–17:30
   UP Livade Campus – Izola, FAMNIT 3 Lecture Room

The lectures are open to all UP FAMNIT students, staff, and the general public.

You are warmly invited!

Thursday, 9 April 2026 Visit from the University of Malta Strengthens Cooperation and Exchange of Good Practices at UP FAMNIT

The University of Primorska, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), hosted two representatives from its partner institution, the University of Malta, within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. UP FAMNIT has an established collaboration with the University of Malta, including ongoing student exchange activities.

The faculty was visited by Marvic Cuschieri, Senior Manager at the Faculty of Science, and Marion Cachia, Administrative Specialist at the Department of Mathematics.

The main purpose of the visit was the exchange of good practices in administrative processes and support for study programmes. Particular attention was given to admission procedures, timetable planning, organisation of examination periods, assessment processes, and the promotion of study programmes and alumni activities.

During their stay, the guests met with staff from the Student Services Office and the Communications Office, where they engaged in constructive discussions and shared experiences related to the organisation of study processes and faculty support services.

They also visited the Admissions Office of the University of Primorska and the University Library, where they met with professional staff and gained detailed insight into admission procedures and the services provided by the university. The programme further included a tour of the University of Primorska’s research infrastructure. The guests visited the Livade 1.0 campus in Izola and InnoRenew CoE, where they were introduced to research activities and interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of sustainable materials and the environment.

The visit represents an important opportunity to strengthen further cooperation between the University of Primorska and the University of Malta, foster the exchange of experiences, and develop new opportunities for collaboration within the Erasmus+ programme.

Thursday, 9 April 2026 UP FAMNIT hosted high school students in Izola

On Wednesday, April 9, 2026, UP FAMNIT in Izola welcomed three high school students from Gymnasium Sežana and (škofijska) Gymnasium Vipava. The visit was part of the Institute for Youth Policy’s “Job Shadowing” programme, now in its eighth year. Our faculty participated and put together an engaging programme for the students.

Assist. Prof. Sara Zupan led the event, organising the reception and giving both the opening and closing talks. Assist. Kevin Rečnik showed the students around the campus. At first, the students learned about the faculty, its study programmes, how the study system works, and what the work process is like. Afterwards, they toured the facilities, met staff members, learned about their roles, and heard about their educational and career journeys.

Assist. Prof. Matjaž Hladnik and Assist. Prof. Alenka Baruca Arbeiter from the Department of Applied Natural Sciences, as well as Assist. Prof. Sara Zupan and Assist. prof. Katja Adam from the Department of Biodiversity participated in the event. They also hosted the students during practical sessions in the courses Introduction to Microbiology and Animal Physiology.

The students were also introduced to the work of a laboratory technician, a position often intended for students as their first opportunity to work in our facilities and become familiar with colleagues and the work process. Finally, student Lina Kramberger presented student project work, such as the Allelotox project, which also provides students with their first steps into their future careers in scientific research.

Tuesday, 7 April 2026 ALUMNI UP WEEK 2026