Monday, 27 November 2023 INAUGURATION OF THE RECTOR OF UP
The inauguration of the Rector of UP took place on 23 November 2023 at the Regional Museum in Koper - the new four-year term will be led by the current Rector, Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, who was elected in the elections in May 2023.
The event was hosted by Prof. Dr. Mara Cotič, Dean of the UP PEF as the oldest UP Senator, who in her speech emphasised: »The rector must be the person who guides the university community of learners in the right direction, and for this she must have a wealth of experience and a broad outlook, and above all she must serve as an example to her entire academic community. With her tirelessness, diligence, attention to detail, and ability to listen to students, scientists, artists and professionals alike, Prof. Klavdija Kutnar has proved beyond doubt during the past term that she is such an example to all of us who serve the academic community of the University of Primorska. That is why the professors, researchers, professional staff and students of the UP have once again honoured her and given her the responsibility to lead the University of Primorska in the new term of office 2023-2027.«
The Mayor of the Municipality of Koper, Aleš Bržan, also wished the UP Rector a successful continuation of her goals: »The University is most present in Koper. And it is here that some of the stories that other Slovenian cities are following were born. Recently, we have jointly opened a library that offers 24-hour access to students, researchers, and citizens. (...) The University ensures that young, educated, active people come to the environment and contribute to the development of our city, and as Mayor I want as many of them as possible to stay here.«
The symbolic act of the re-election of the UP Rector - the assumption of the insignia and the swearing-in with the declaration and signing of the solemn document, was performed by the host of the event, Prof. Dr. Mara Cotič, and the signatory of the candidacy proposal, the Dean of UP Famnit, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ademir Hujdurović .
UP Rector's Oath: "Four years ago, as the Rector of the University of Primorska, I accepted the Rector’s insignia which is handed down from Rector to Rector as a symbol of commitment to the University. I hereby dedicate myself to use all my knowledge and experience, all my responsibility and my conscience to foster quality, creativeness and excellence in the fields of education, research, and arts within the University of Primorska. May this insignia be a symbolic protector of the values of all Slovene universities, as well as the symbol of the mission of the principal house of knowledge and culture of Primorska.«
After the ceremony, the Rector, Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar , gave a speech, listing the key achievements of the last mandate and the objectives for the next one, and concluded: "Let me conclude with the same saying as at the inauguration four years ago: “A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are for.” I promised then that we would steer our ship, the University, towards the horizon, to sail in good weather and through storms, and to take it far out into the world. Even though there were many storms in the first term, mainly because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we kept our promise and went far into the world. We will go even farther by 23 November 2027, when we hand over the leadership of the University to a new generation."
At the event, the UP Rector also presented the team - the University will be led by the same team as at the end of the first term, i.e. four Vice-Rectors, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tina Štemberger, Prof. Dr. Štefko Miklavič, Prof. Dr. Rok Strašek, Prof. Dr. Michael Mrissa, and the General Secretary Dr. Boštjan Frelih.
After the inauguration, the Rector was congratulated by guests, e, employees, and students of UP.
