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Thursday, 12 February 2026 The doctoral thesis defence of Mateja Erce Paoli

Mateja Erce Paoli, student of the doctoral study programe Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in Slovenian) at UP FAMNIT will defend her doctoral thesis Addressing psychosocial needs with building design to encourage healthy and active ageing; under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Michael David Burnard, PhD.

The defence will take place on Thursday, 19 February 2026 at 10:00 at the InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, Izola, classroom Sequoia.

The doctoral disertation is available in the University Library.

You are kindly invited!

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 International Day of Women and Girls - inspiring female researchers who lead citizen science projects UP

2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science shifts the focus from recommendations and reflection to showcasing existing good practices and solutions for building more inclusive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ecosystems with the slogan “From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap« .

So this year, to mark February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science, at UP, we focused on researchers that tickle the topic of citizen science in STEM, especially in the field of biology. Citizen science 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 actively participate in the various phases of the research process. By doing so, we encourage not only the broader public, but especially young girls and women to be actively involved and see their role in science as active and inspired future scientists.

CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS AT UP

REGALNICA – REGIONAL CENSUS OF THE EUROPEAN TREE FROG (Hyla arborea)

Assist. Prof. Martina Lužnik, Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNT 

 

 

What is the main goal of REGalnica, and why is surveying the European tree frog important for Slovenia? And how do surveys such as REGALNICA contribute to the conservation of vulnerable species and their habitats?

There are two main goals: the first is to collect field data on the occurrence of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) in ponds and other water bodies in south-western Slovenia; the second goal is to involve the public as much as possible so that awareness of endangered species, such as amphibians, can be effectively spread through first-hand field experience.

The European tree frog is a small but charismatic frog that is listed in Slovenia on the Red List of threatened amphibians, where it is defined as a vulnerable species. In south-western Slovenia, however, we had already noticed several years before the first REGALNICA that its occurrence was becoming increasingly rare, perhaps because its breeding sites – wetlands and ponds – are also disappearing. With this project, we want to obtain as reliable data as possible on its occurrence across a wide area – on the Karst, in Istria, in the Brkini and elsewhere. Until recently, on late spring evenings, we were used to loud croaking here, which could be heard from practically every pond or pool.

How does the project connect science, people and nature, and how do participants take part in data collection?

I think it is important that we are all aware of the biodiversity in our surroundings, meaning the diversity of species as well as their natural habitats. This is not something that is important only for scientists or conservationists, but is absolutely essential for everyone. By taking part in this project, participants do not only get to know the European tree frog, as they see, hear and experience much more than just a single species.

REGAlnica is organised so that on a selected evening in May, we gather at the Škocjan Caves Park, with which we have cooperated since the beginning of the project. There, we explain to participants how to reliably detect this species – male European tree frogs have a very characteristic and loud call, by which they can be recognised from a distance. All participants then head out at the same time for night fieldwork to predetermined locations – near ponds and other water bodies – and in a single night, we obtain data for just over one hundred locations. Of course, in the field they also encounter many other organisms – other amphibians call from the ponds, scops owls and other nocturnal birds sing nearby, and jackals often howl in the distance… The nocturnal soundscape is extremely interesting.

Four REGALNICA events have already been carried out, and the fifth will take place this May – what has surprised or impressed you most about the events so far? Are any new event's developments in sight?

The first thing that pleasantly surprised us was the strong response, as we had between 50 and 70 participants at each event. Many are students and biologists, which may be expected, but there are also many other participants, for example families with children and local residents who feel close to nature. It is also lovely to see participants return every year if they can. What makes us happiest is the participants’ enthusiasm. When they call us and report how many frogs they have already heard that evening or what else they have seen. This enthusiasm for nature is wonderful.

This year we are not yet planning major new developments, but in the coming years we would like to expand REGALNICA across the border to Croatia and perhaps also to Italy. It is important to understand what is happening to the populations of this species in this cross-border connected area.

What are the key findings so far that have emerged from the field data collection?

Despite intensive work and all the enthusiasm, we are observing that the European tree frog is much less present than it once was. After a year or two we could not say this with certainty, but after four years of data collection this is now quite clearly evident – croaking can still be heard from only about a third of former breeding sites. Many ponds are completely overgrown or filled in, some water bodies have dried up; after a few years of losing potential breeding sites, amphibian populations can no longer persist. Therefore, we must take proper care of these habitats in order to preserve the aquatic organisms that are inevitably dependent on them.

HOW TO JOIN THE CITIZENS' INITIATIVE "REGALNICA"?

REGAlnica is a regional census of the European tree frog (Hyla arborea) conducted in the Brkini Hills, the Karst, and Slovenian Istria as a citizen science event, where participants, supported by experts, check for the presence of the species at known or former sites. It is important because it provides up-to-date data on the status and decline of the European tree frog, while also raising awareness of the need to preserve ponds and prevent the introduction of fish into breeding sites.
More (page 56) / More (page 38)

SEARCH FOR NON-NATIVE FLATWORMS IN SLOVENIA

Group of female researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT:

Answered by: Assoc. Prof. Živa Fišer, Head of the Biodiversity Department, UP FAMNIT

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What was the main reason you established and are developing a citizen science initiative?

The reason was entirely simple – one of us found an organism in her garden that she could not identify despite her biological knowledge. With the help of the internet, we discovered that they were flatworms, terrestrial planarians, which have no native representatives in Slovenia. A review of the literature showed that these organisms can in some places represent a considerable environmental problem, so it seemed sensible to try to find out more about them. Researching such poorly known and relatively inconspicuous species is extremely difficult, so the idea of doing this with the help of the public immediately came to mind.

What surprised you most in researching non-native flatworms?

I think we were most surprised that they are a fascinating group of animals. Although at first glance they are unattractive and often quite repulsive to people, their life cycle is incredible. They are capable of self-regeneration – if we cut them in half, a new individual grows from each half within a few weeks. Some species have the toxin tetrodotoxin, which they use for defence or to paralyse prey. This is the same toxin as that found in pufferfish or some tropical tree frogs.

What challenge do you most often face when involving the public?

The biggest challenge is reaching people and motivating them to join the research. It is easier if more attractive animals are involved, as people are then much more willing to take part and contribute more data. With organisms such as flatworms, however, we have to invest a great deal of effort in promoting the project. For this reason as well, the four researchers decided to join together as a team, divide the work, and try to obtain as much data as possible. We were very grateful to the magazines that were willing to publish an article about our search and thus expand the circle of recipients.

Why do you think this way of researching is particularly important today?

It is a misconception that in the past citizens did not participate in research; the term citizen science was simply not used at the time. However, this is one of the good ways to obtain a larger amount of data precisely for such more hidden species. We expect flatworms mainly in private gardens, indoor plant pots, and garden centres; these are places that researchers of course cannot freely enter and investigate, so the public is invaluable here.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVE “SEARCH FOR NON-NATIVE FLATWORMS IN SLOVENIA”?

If you have encountered flatworms from the turbellaria group while gardening or engaging in other activities, please do not touch them (you can lift them with sticks), record your observation (take a photo and, if possible, catch it), and report your find to:  ploskicrvi@upr.si,, via the Facebook group “Tujerodni ploski črvi v Sloveniji”,the form > HERE, or by landline (05 663 58 07; on weekdays).

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LOOKING FOR COWSLIPS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Živa Fišer, Head of the Department of Biodiversity, UP FAMNIT

What can an individual contribute to the project and to scientific research through simple observation?

Citizen science projects are designed to involve members of the public in research, where they contribute observations or take part in other aspects of research, such as data processing or promotion. In this way, citizens gain an active role and effectively become a key part of the research team.

Why is public participation in protecting endangered species so valuable?

Most endangered species today are indirectly or directly threatened by human activity – due to habitat loss, hunting, collecting, and similar pressures. If humans are responsible for their disappearance, we are also the only ones who can contribute to their survival. Over the years, it has become clear that without the support and cooperation of the public, we cannot protect species. We cannot protect something we do not know, understand, and come to appreciate. I see this as the key contribution of citizen science to the protection of endangered species.

What is the most important piece of information, lesson, or knowledge that people gain when they take part in this project?

As this was a relatively simple project, both children and older participants took part. Participants learned to recognise a particular species – in this case the cowslip – and at the same time realised that sometimes small differences in structure can mean a big difference for a species. In the study, participants examined one hundred primrose plants in a given area and counted how many had a long style, visible in the flower as a small knob, and how many had a short pistil. Regardless of whether participants learn specific scientific facts in such activities or not, I think the very sensitisation of the public to nature and the processes within it is important in itself. Urban populations in particular are becoming increasingly disconnected from nature, and with such small activities we can encourage participants to return to nature, at least for a few moments, and gain a fragment of this experience.

What advice would you give to young people interested in botany or nature conservation?

To anyone interested in nature in any way – plants, animals, or other organisms – I recommend joining the iNaturalist platform. This is a global online platform through which we can upload photographs of species, whether from our local surroundings or from foreign, exotic places. With the help of a rapidly growing scientific and amateur community, we can obtain information on the platform about the species we have photographed, create a kind of list or album of our recorded species, and at the same time contribute invaluable data on species occurrences. Thanks to this platform, knowledge of many groups of organisms has improved greatly, and not only that – some lucky individuals have even captured in photographs species that were previously unknown to the community.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THE INITIATIVE “LOOKING FOR COWSLIPS”?

Did you know that cowslips have two types of flowers and can only reproduce if pollen from one type of flower is transferred to the pistil of another? In nature, the ratio of the two flowers is supposed to be approximately the same, but a European study conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists has shown that this balance is disrupted in some areas, which may pose a local threat to the species.
Take photos of cowslips in nature and share them at: https://nurmenukk.ee/sl

STEP CHANGE: SRNA APPLICATION FOR MONITORING WILDLIFE ANIMALS

Prof. Dr. Elena Bužan, Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNIT

How does the SRNA project combine citizen participation, science, and wildlife conservation?

SRNA is a citizen science app that connects nature observers with researchers. It is available in two versions: one for hunters and one for other nature observers. Users submit observations of animals (or signs of their presence, such as tracks or droppings), while researchers analyse the data and use them to complement existing databases and other wildlife monitoring methods (e.g. camera traps, environmental DNA). The app supports standardised observation entries, allows the addition of photographs and comments, and includes separate functionalities for hunters and other observers. At the same time, it incorporates educational tools (guides and a photo quiz) aimed at improving users’ knowledge and data quality, which is directly useful for conservation, wildlife management, and coexistence with animals.

What do participants learn about wildlife species when collecting observations?

Participants learn species identification through built-in identification guides and a photo quiz. A pilot evaluation of the SRNA app shows that users are generally successful in identifying more distinctive species (e.g. fox, beaver, coypu, chamois, ibex, deer), but have more difficulty with groups that look similar, where small differences are important (e.g. martens, weasels, and jackal versus wolf). With the help of the guides and quiz, participants learn which species are more difficult to identify, which features to pay attention to, and how important it is to attach a photograph or add a more detailed field description to assist researchers. In addition, the in-app statistics allow them to follow the distribution and presence of individual species on a map. An upgrade of the app in 2026 will also enable the entry of data on biological samples that volunteers can provide to researchers, as well as direct communication between researchers and app users.

What was the most surprising or interesting aspect of the data collected by users?

It was interesting that observation entries differed between hunters and other observers, both in terms of species and reporting patterns. Among the most frequently reported species was roe deer, followed by red deer and wild boar, while hunters also relatively often reported chamois and Eurasian golden jackal. Differences were also evident in spatial patterns (across biogeographical regions), in reporting dynamics (e.g. pronounced evening peaks), and in the delay between an encounter and the submission of a record. Particularly important is that SRNA can complement other monitoring methods: in at least one area, hunters recorded the presence of bears and wolves via SRNA between 2022 and 2024, even though these species were not detected in the same area by camera traps or environmental DNA.

What would you say to anyone thinking about joining the SRNA project for the first time?

Joining is simple, and every entry counts. If you are not completely sure about an identification, the built-in guides and quiz can help; whenever possible, add a photograph, as this increases the reliability of the record. Enter the (meta)data as accurately as possible (location, time, number of individuals, any comments on behaviour or the animal’s condition), and always avoid disturbing the animals. By participating, you contribute to a better understanding of species distribution (including rare, protected, or invasive species) and to science-based conservation and management.

HOW TO GE INVOLVED IN "STEP CHANGE: SRNA APPLICATION FOR MONITORING WILDLIFE ANIMALS"?

The SRNA app helps recording the presence of selected wild mammal and bird species in Slovenia. In addition, the app includes a visual quiz to test mammal identification skills, a field guide to help with the recognition of animal species. It also enables communication with researchers. You can participate by downloading the app and starting to enter your animal sightings whenever you encounter them in nature, whether during a challenging climb or a walk in the woods!

PROTECTION OF BRONZE MONUMENTS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Assoc. Prof.  Ana Slavec, UP FAMNIT & UP IAM / InnoRenew CoE

What led you to work with citizen science?

Ko sem se začela ukvarjati z odprto znanostjo, sem spoznala nekaj raziskovalcev, ki so v svojem delu uporabljali prakse občanske znanost. Njihove izkušnje so me navdušile, zato sem te pristope preizkusila v projektu Zaščita bronastih spomenikov v grajenem okolju, kjer sem bila odgovorna za razvoj mehanizma za vključitev javnosti v varstvo kulturne dediščine.

Why are photographs and observations by citizen researchers crucial for understanding bronze deterioration?

Bronasti predmeti na prostem so izpostavljeni številnim dejavnikom, od onesnaženosti zraka do vremenskih vplivov. Zaradi tega se njihovo stanje lahko hitro spreminja, kar je samo z občasnimi terenskimi ogledi težko zanesljivo spremljati. Če bi ljudje redno dokumentirali stanje spomenikov, bi lahko na podlagi daljšega niza fotografskih opazovanj natančneje spremljali, kdaj in kje prihaja do sprememb. V času trajanja projekta nam žal ni uspelo zbrati dovolj obsežnega nabora podatkov, vendar verjamemo, da bi ob bolj množični udeležbi javnosti v prihodnosti lahko vzpostavili dragocen dolgoročen vir informacij.

How does public participation contribute to the preservation of cultural heritage?

Poleg naravnih vplivov dediščino pogosto ogroža tudi človekovo ravnanje, kar potrjujejo tudi nedavni primeri v medijih, med drugim namerno poškodovanje spomenika v Velenju. Z vključevanjem javnosti v spremljanje in dokumentiranje dediščine krepimo občutek pripadnosti, skrbi in odgovornosti do prostora. Zato verjamem, da lahko aktivno ukvarjanje ljudi z dediščino pomembno prispeva k zmanjšanju pojavov vandalizma ter dolgoročno zmanjša ranljivost spomenikov v zunanjem okolju.

What message would you share on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with those considering a research career or participation in scientific projects?

In recent years, we have observed that trust in science can no longer be taken for granted. Due to the rapid spread of misinformation, the gap between the scientific community and the public is widening. This is precisely why citizen science has such a valuable role. It allows us to bring people closer to how knowledge is actually created and why it is important to assess information critically, verify sources, and understand research processes.
By involving the public in data collection and observation of the world around us, we emphasise that science is not a closed group of selected individuals, but an open process based on questions, doubt, verification, and cooperation. Anyone who knows how to observe, think, and ask questions already carries within them part of the potential of a scientist. These are skills that we need today more than ever.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN "PROTECTION OF BRONZE MONUMENTS IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT"?

Bronze monuments develop different patinas depending on the substances used, rainwater and other environmental factors. To preserve these monuments for future generations, it is crucial to understand the processes of material decomposition. By collecting photographs from citizen researchers, scientists and restorers can better understand the wear of bronze and decide on the most appropriate method to preserve and protect cultural heritage. Thus, you can upload a photo on a dedicated webpage.

Wednesday, 11 February 2026 130 years since the birth of a forgotten Slovenian mathematician

On February 11, 2026, a round table was held at UP FAMNIT in Koper to celebrate the release of the freely accessible electronic edition of the book The Life Path of Mathematics of Ivo Lah by Janez Mulec and the release of the commemorative postage stamp Ivo Lah – 130 years of birth, which was issued by Pošta Slovenije at the end of January.

The participants of the round table shed light on the life and work of Ivo Lah (1896–1979), a Slovenian mathematician, actuary, statistician and demographer, who with his work significantly marked the development of mathematical and actuarial sciences in the wider Central European area.

The work and, above all, the life of Ivo Lah was described in a book published at the end of 2023 by Janez Mulec the Elder. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Pisanski advocated that the University of Primorska also publish it in freely accessible electronic form.

The event was led by Dr. Simona Kustec, editor-in-chief of the University of Primorska Publishing House. The round table was attended by Dr. Janez Komelj, Dr. Tomaž Pisanski and Dr. Janez Mulec, who from different professional perspectives shed light on the significance of Lah's work and its influence on today's research in mathematics, actuarial science and statistics.

About Ivo Lah

Ivo Lah was born in 1896 in Štrukljeva vas and studied in Vienna and Zagreb. Early in his career, he established himself as one of the leading actuaries in the Balkans. Between 1937 and 1940, he published the first scientific journal with actuarial and mathematical content in Ljubljana, Glasnik Udruženja aktuara Kraljevine Jugoslavije, in which contributions were also published in the Slovene language, which made a significant contribution to the development of professional terminology.

In 1942 he published the first mortality tables, and after World War II the trilingual monograph Računske osnovnice životnog osiguranja (1947), which served as an expert basis for negotiations on war reparations; as a member of the Yugoslav state delegation, he participated in the negotiations in Rome. In 1954 he introduced numbers that were soon named after him – Lah numbers. These connect increasing and decreasing powers and, together with Stirling numbers, form an important structure in discrete mathematics. Although they originated in the context of actuarial research, they quickly found a place in modern mathematics and are still the subject of research today. Despite the scientific weight of his contributions, Ivo Lah was overlooked for many decades. It was only in 2002 that it became generally known that the author of Lah numbers was Slovenian. The mystery was solved by mathematicians Tomaž Pisanski and Marko Petkovšek. His professional and personal journey was also marked by post-war stigma, as he disagreed with the social order of the former Yugoslavia in many ways and was unjustly punished by losing his right to vote after the end of World War II.


 

Tuesday, 10 February 2026 UP part of the Slovenian Artificial Intelligence Factory

On 9 February 2026, the official launch of the Slovenian Artificial Intelligence Factory project – SLAIF (Slovenian AI Factory) took place in Ljubljana. The event, which brought together the highest representatives of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the European Commission, the SLAIF consortium, and the business sector, marked the beginning of one of Slovenia’s most important national initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

    

The attendees were initially addressed by the Director of the Jožef Stefan Institute, Jure Cizelj, the Director of the Institute of Information Science (IZUM), Aleš Bošnjak, the Head of the Representation of the European Commission, Dr. Jerneja Jug Jerše, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Robert Golob , and the technical coordinator of the SLAIF project, Sašo Džerovski.

The new Slovenian Artificial Intelligence Factory (SLAIF), which is expected to replace the current EuroHPC Vega system in 2027, represents new infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The project’s technical coordinator, Sašo Džerovski, explains that in the 20th century countries built roads and electricity grids, while in the 21st century they must think about building infrastructure for artificial intelligence. With the SLAIF project, Slovenia will not only be a user of artificial intelligence but also an active contributor to European technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.

The purpose of SLAIF is to unify the artificial intelligence ecosystem through shared infrastructure and, through easy access, tailored support, and appropriate tools, connect academic, industrial, and public stakeholders, while also enabling use by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Prime Minister Dr. Robert Golob emphasized: “We must establish conditions for leveraging the knowledge of experts and transferring it into the economy. I see this as one of the greatest advantages of the new supercomputer and the artificial intelligence factory. The new supercomputer will not be intended only for scientists, but will also be accessible to others, with industry and the economy at the forefront.” The Prime Minister also mentioned that the government is considering access for citizens, which would establish a national generative artificial intelligence platform hosted within SLAIF.

About the project, in which the University of Primorska (UP) participates together with its member, the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (FAMNIT), the project leader, Prof. Dr. Marko Tkalčič, also spoke. Although he was not present on this occasion, he provided the following statement: “The most advanced forms of artificial intelligence today are no longer possible without high-performance computing infrastructure (HPC). Access to such infrastructure is usually limited to the largest global players. The SLAIF project reverses this logic: by establishing a national artificial intelligence factory (Slovenian AI Factory – SLAIF), it opens access to HPC-supported artificial intelligence to researchers, companies, startups, and public administration, while at the same time actively positioning itself within the European AI Factories and EuroHPC landscape. The key focus of the project is not only research, but also the systematic application of artificial intelligence running on supercomputing infrastructure. This will be implemented through training, user support, and concrete use cases. At the University of Primorska, we are proud that, as part of this consortium, we contribute to making HPC-supported artificial intelligence accessible and useful to the broader community, not only to the technological elite.” The event was attended on behalf of the University of Primorska by the Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, Prof. Dr. Michaël Mrissa, Prof. Dr. Jernej Vičič  from UP FAMNIT, and UP FAMNIT student Nataša Miletić.

SLAIF services will address four key areas of the Slovenian economy: the green transition, health and biotechnology, the digital society, and artificial intelligence in science.  Project results, which will be created in cooperation with research institutes, hospitals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and government bodies, will demonstrate impacts in areas such as precision agriculture, medical diagnostics, smart energy systems, and other scientific discoveries.

The SLAIF project, as part of an initiative that currently includes thirteen factories across Europe, is funded by the Republic of Slovenia (Ministry of Digital Transformation and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation), the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, and the European Commission.

The SLAIF project coordinator is the Institute of Information Science. Partner institutions, in addition to the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska, include the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Academic and Research Network of Slovenia, the Faculty of Computer and Information Science of the University of Ljubljana, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics of the University of Maribor, the Faculty of Information Studies of the University of Novo Mesto, the University of Nova Gorica, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, and the Ljubljana Technology Park.

     

Monday, 9 February 2026 Successfully Concluded Conference of the B-RIN and MARiNKA Projects

On Friday, 6 February 2026, the final conference of the B-RIN project (Development of Fundamental Computer Science and Informatics Content and Knowledge in Kindergartens and Primary Schools) and the MARiNKA project (Young People with Fundamental CS&I Knowledge are Creators of the Future) took place at the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT).

  

The event, which attracted 110 participants, brought together project partners from UP FAMNIT,  the besedilo UP PEF, the Faculty of Computer and Information Science of the University of Ljubljana, as well as numerous education professionals from kindergartens and primary schools across Slovenia.

In the opening session, participants were welcomed by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Primorska, Prof. Dr. Tina Štemberger, representatives of the Ministry of Education, and the head of both projects, Prof. Dr. Sonja Čotar Konrad . All speakers emphasized the importance of developing and implementing fundamental computer science and informatics (CS&I) content throughout the entire vertical of the education system. Prof. Dr. Sonja Čotar Konrad highlighted: “These are fundamental competences that every individual needs today, not only programmers. Over the three years of training, children have gained confidence and become more independent in classroom work. An important contribution of the project is also the learning community we created together. We overcame challenges collectively, which strengthened our collaboration. Such a learning community ensures the sustainability of the project and supports further development of schools and kindergartens in other areas as well.”

The conference began with two keynote lectures.Prof. Dr. Tim Bell from the University of Canterbury (Aotearoa, New Zealand) highlighted the concept of computational thinking, which is increasingly being included in national curricula. He focused particularly on how computational thinking can be introduced to younger learners in a meaningful and accessible way, emphasizing the Computer Science Unplugged approach and its connection to programming and the broader understanding of computer science.

Children Need More Knowledge About How Artificial Intelligence Works

The conference began with two keynote lectures. Prof. Dr. Tim Bell from the University of Canterbury (Aotearoa, New Zealand) highlighted the concept of computational thinking, which is increasingly being included in national curricula. He focused particularly on how computational thinking can be introduced to younger learners in a meaningful and accessible way, emphasizing the Computer Science Unplugged approach and its connection to programming and the broader understanding of computer science.

The second keynote lecture, titled Human at the Centre: Technology and the Future of Education, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ernest Ženko  (UP FHŠ). He emphasized that technology in education is not a neutral tool, but a factor that reshapes how we learn, teach, and understand the world. He stated: “Decades ago, computer science education focused on understanding the basics of technology, programming knowledge, and algorithmic thinking – meaning the ability to transfer real problems into a way of thinking that enables solving them. This is something today’s generations often lack. For example, research from the United Kingdom has shown that many teenagers believe artificial intelligence actually thinks. Such misconceptions would not occur if students had more knowledge already in primary school. These topics help children understand the world they live in – for example, how systems that suggest friends on social networks work or how systems collect their data.”

This was followed by presentations of interim evaluations of both projects. Associate Prof. Dr. Mirko Prosen  and Associate Prof. Dr. Sabina Ličen  presented interim results of the B-RIN project evaluation, conducted over two consecutive school years (2023/24 and 2024/25). The mixed-method evaluation showed positive effects on children’s learning, the professional development of teachers and educators, and progress in understanding fundamental CS&I content, while also identifying implementation challenges.

The interim evaluation report of the MARiNKA project was presented by Prof. Dr. Tina Štemberger, who emphasized that the project is progressing according to planned goals and timeline. Key achievements include establishing development groups in schools, creating innovative learning environments through teaching scenarios, active student involvement, systematic quality monitoring, and professional training for project participants.

Good Practice Examples from Kindergartens and Primary Schools Across Slovenia

The afternoon programme focused on presentations of good practice examples from participating kindergartens and primary schools. In kindergartens, fundamental computer science concepts were introduced through the Computer Science Unplugged approach, meaning learning computational thinking processes through play, movement, cooking, and other activities. The principal of Koper Kindergarten, Alenka Rušt, highlighted:  “Within the project, we introduced children to a more demanding topic for the preschool period – password safety and the importance of protecting personal data. We wanted to gradually prepare them for the risks of modern digital environments, as we observe that children already use digital devices extensively in kindergarten. Together with colleagues, we prepared an engaging and developmentally appropriate game based on a story about a girl who loses her teddy bear because she reveals her password. We are pleased that we can present even complex topics to children in a way they understand.”

An example of good practice in teaching programming was presented by Dr. Josip Plemlj Primary School Bled . Students learned programming basics using LEGO bricks and animation in the Stop Motion program. Aleksandra Frelih explained: “This was a winning example for us. The children were enthusiastic about the activity. We focused on understanding algorithms and wanted students to understand the entire video creation process – from the first to the final step. They learned that there is a sequence of steps that must be followed and learned to recognize where mistakes can occur.”

Looking to the Future

The success of the B-RIN and MARiNKA projects is also acknowledged by Radovan Kranjc, advisor at the National Education Institute of Slovenia, who announced a new development for seventh-grade students: “We are following what is planned in the school system. We know that in 2028, a new subject, Informatics and Digital Technologies, will be introduced. We are currently preparing guidelines for the national curriculum commission and considering which content should be included in this subject, which will unfortunately only have 35 hours. That means one hour per week in one school year, when all seventh-grade students will be introduced to at least some essential content from computer science and informatics.”

The conference concluded with final reflections emphasizing the importance of connecting research, pedagogy, and practice, as well as the long-term vision for the development of computer science and informatics education in Slovenia. The final conference confirmed that the B-RIN and MARiNKA projects represent an important step toward systematic, high-quality, student-centered teaching of fundamental CS&I content.

Consortium partners of the B-RIN project include: Vrtec Mavrica Brežice, Vrtec Jelka, Vrtec Koper, OŠ in vrtec Ankaran, OŠ Solkan and Vrtec Solkan, OŠ heroja Janeza Hribarja Stari trg pri Ložu and Vrtec Polhek, OŠ Frana Erjavca Nova Gorica, OŠ Frana Kocbeka Gornji Grad, OŠ Oskarja Kovačiča Škofije, and OŠ Vojke Šmuc Izola.

Consortium partners of the MARiNKA project include: UL Faculty of Computer and Information Science, OŠ Trzin, OŠ Prežihovega Voranca Ljubljana, OŠ dr. Josipa Plemlja Bled, OŠ 8 talcev Logatec, OŠ Staneta Žagarja Kranj, OŠ n. h. Maksa Pečarja, OŠ Vojke Šmuc Izola, OŠ Frana Erjavca Nova Gorica, OŠ Janeza Puharja Kranj, and OŠ Elvire Vatovec Prade.

Monday, 9 February 2026 Open Call for Awards and Recognitions of the Alumni UP in 2026

The Alumni Club of the University of Primorska (hereinafter 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.

    

You can find more information about the operation of Alumni UP, membership, activities, and member benefits on the website: https://www.upr.si/si/up--okolje/alumni-up/.

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.

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 UP), a member of the Alumni UP, for outstanding career achievements, exceptional philanthropic activity, or achievements in the cultural or sporting fields, or if the candidate has otherwise distinguished himself/herself as a leader or role model in one or more areas of activity. In all cases mentioned, the candidate has contributed to the reputation and visibility of UP through their 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 their professional community and/or has made a significant contribution to the development of the profession through their work. The candidate has contributed to the reputation and visibility of UP through their 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 their studies at UP within the past five (5) years and has demonstrated particular excellence in their professional field and/or 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 their 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 may be awarded to legal entities or individuals.

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 recognitions may be proposed by:

  • Alumni UP bodies,
  • a member or a group of members of Alumni UP,
  • the deans of UP faculties, the directors of UP members, and 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, which is available  HERE .

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

  • type of award or recognition,
  • the first name, last name, and email address of the proposer or group representative,
  • the first name, last name, and email address of the award nominee,
  • the name of the organisation and the first name and last name of the person responsible in the case of a candidate for a recognition,
  • A justification of the proposal stating the reason for nominating the candidate (up to 450 words), a brief description of the candidate's achievements.

Please support the justification submitted via the online form with:

  • relevant supporting documents (e.g. recommendations, list of published works, or other documents that demonstrate the candidate's achievements and contributions) and
  • the nominee’s consent (consent  HERE ), which you should send to the email address: alumni@upr.si.

Deadline for submission of proposals: 8 March 2026

Deadline for selection of candidates: 22 March 2026

SELECTION PROCEDURE

 The Selection Committee for awards and recognitions (hereinafter: the Committee), appointed by the Rector on the proposal of UP members, reviews and considers all proposals for awards and recognitions received within the call for applications. If the Committee 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 Committee 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 Committee may request an additional opinion from a relevant expert in the field, employed at UP, or from a practitioner.

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

AWARDING

Awards and recognitions shall be awarded once a year. Alumni UP may award a maximum of one award of each type and up to three recognitions per year. Exceptionally, in a given year, no specific award or recognition may be awarded, or fewer than the specified number of awards and recognitions, if no proposals are submitted or if the submitted proposals do not meet the requirements. Individuals or legal entities may receive an award or recognition only once for the same category.

The awards and recognitions will be presented by the President of Alumni UP at the main event of Alumni UP Week in 2026. The award ceremony will take place on 17 April 2026 at the premises of the University of Primorska in Koper.

More information: 

ALUMNI PISARNA UP

E-naslov: alumni@upr.si

Monday, 9 February 2026 Public Call for Applications for Scholarships 2026/2027

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 2026/2027.

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 the course of 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 2026/2027, 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 2026/2027 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 2nd cycle, 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 2nd cycle, 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 3rd 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, 2026. The application is submitted in due time if it is submitted between 6th of February 2026 to September 15th, 2026.

On the website of the Career Center of the University of Primorska (KC UP) you will find all details and the public call: UP Scholarship Fund 2026/2027 - PUBLIC CALL

Contacts:

Career Center of University of Primorska

Address: Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenija   

Phone: +386 5 611 75 60   

E-mail: kariernicenter@upr.si. 

Public call UP Scholarship Fund - 2026/2027

Monday, 9 February 2026 The video of the first FAMNIT excursion into the mathematical universe is now available

The 1st lecture in the series titled ‘The Role of Dice in World Domination – A Case Study of Risk: The Board Game was delivered by Balázs Dávid.

               

Board games have been an integral part of human history across cultures and societies, and the theory and strategies of traditional games such as Chess and Go have long been studied and analyzed. In this talk, we explored the mathematical mechanics behind a much more recent — though a classic by modern standards — board game: Risk. We showcased how game states can be represented and how transitions between these states can be described with the help of probability theory, more specifically, Markov chains.

Balázs Dávid received his PhD in computer science in 2018 at the University of Szeged, Hungary. His research areas include combinatorial optimization, mathematical programming and algorithm development, particularly in public transport and logistics. His main research interest is the modelling and optimization of problems that are motivated by real-life industrial application. He is currently an assistant professor at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM and UP FAMNIT. 

Friday, 6 February 2026 CALL FOR STUDENT TUTORS

Dear UP students, We invite you to (re)apply to become tutors.

 For this purpose, we are announcing places for:

  • tutors,
  • tutors for foreign students

Student tutoring is intended primarily for first-year students in a new living and educational environment. Tutors help them with important information and integration into the new environment.

Tutors for foreign students support newcomers who come to UP for exchange or full-time study. Tutors help them integrate into the new environment and with administrative and language barriers.

Tutors for students with special needs enable students to adapt more quickly and integrate successfully into the student environment and study.

 You can apply, and the motivational letter can be uploaded to the application form: »tutor application«

The Call for tutors can be found here. Introductory training is organized in November and May.

The organization and operation of the tutoring system is governed by the Rules on the Tutoring System at the University of Primorska.

Students can also apply using the Application Form. The completed form, together with a letter of motivation, should be submitted to the student office of the home faculty.

Student tutors must submit a Report on Work Performed to the faculty student tutor coordinator by September 30. The work report is the basis for obtaining ECTS credits and a certificate. In November, student tutors are awarded recognition for their work in the previous academic year.

Friday, 6 February 2026 Lei Han, new Doctor of Science

Lei Han, student of the doctoral study programe Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English) at UP FAMNIT, has successfully defended his doctoral thesis  Viscoelastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) densfied wood Viscoelastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) densfied wood; under the mentorship of Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD and co-mentorship of Prof. Dick Sanberg, PhD.

We sincerely congratulate the new Doctor of Science and wish him much success in his future research!

  

Friday, 6 February 2026 Notice: Support for ERC Starting Grant Applications

UP FAMNIT and UP IAM have successfully conducted an internal call for proposals to support researchers in preparing and submitting applications for the ERC Starting Grant, which was announced on 17 November 2025.

A total of 9 applications were received under the call.
The applicants (listed in alphabetical order) are:

  • Mohammad Derikvand  - Self-healing of micro-cracks in timber structures
  • Blas Fernández  - Investigation, Discovery, and Exploration of Distance-Biregular Graphs
  • Tilen Genov  - Model-Informed Research for Rare and Overlooked Species
  • Pascal Golin  - Graph induced minor structure theory through the lens of coarse graph theory
  • Giusy Monzillo  - Synchronization and separation: From finite automata to association schemes
  • Aleksander Simonič  - Explicit zero density estimates for L-functions
  • Ana Slavec  - Citizen Science as a Driver for Advancing Statistical Literacy
  • Aleksandar Tošić  - The Artificial Mirror of Society for Scientific Understanding and Forecasting
  • Maheshya Weerasighe  - Adaptive Multi-Route Memory Scaffolding for Cognitive Resilience in Extended Reality

All applications were complete and submitted on time. The applications were reviewed and evaluated by an internal expert committee. Based on a substantive assessment of research excellence, the applicants’ potential, and the quality of the proposed research projects, the committee adopted the following decision:

  • 6 applications were awarded a grade A (excellent potential) and are eligible for co-funding in the amount of EUR 5,000;
  • 3 applications were awarded a grade B (very good potential) and are eligible for co-funding in the amount of EUR 2,000.

We congratulate the selected applicants and wish them every success in the ERC Starting Grant call.

Thursday, 5 February 2026 Aljaž Kosmač, new Doctor of Science

Today, 5 February 2026, we welcomed another Doctor of Science at UP FAMNIT.

Aljaž Kosmač, student of the doctoral study programe Mathematical Sciences (in Slovene) at UP FAMNIT, has successfully defended his doctoral thesis On smooth spline spaces and isogeometric methods for solving high-order partial differential equations over multi-patch domains; under the mentorship of Prof. Vito Vitrih, PhD.

We sincerely congratulate the new Doctor of Science and wish him much success in his future research!

    

   

  

Wednesday, 4 February 2026 UNDERGRADUATE STUDY: Course schedules for Spring Semester 2025/26

We would like to inform you that the course schedules for all study programmes for the Spring Semester 2025/26 are published on our website (https://www.famnit.upr.si//en/student-pages/timetables). Lectures start on Monday, 16 February 2026 and last until Friday, 29 May 2026.

On this website you can also find a short clip that will show you how to check the course schedule.

Important information about the course schedule:

  • Please check all weeks in the schedule, because weekly schedules can differ.
  • The schedule might change until Friday, 13 February. Please check the schedule again before the beginning of the academic year. All changes from Monday, 16 February will be published in the Notices (ŠIS, section Notices). We would like to emphasize that from 16 February 2026 Student Services will publish the notice about the change only for changes on the same day and the following 2 days.
  • In some undergraduate courses, students are divided into groups for laboratory work. Students will receive the information about the group on their student university e-mail no later than Friday, 13 February.

We would like to inform you:

  • BP2, BP3: the course Psychology Practicum is not on the course schedule; students will be informed later,
  • BP2, BP3: the course Selected Biopsychological Topics in the English Language is not on the course schedule; students will be informed later,
  • BP1: The lecturer for the Seminars for the course Neurological Bases of Higher Nervous Functions I will be announced at a later date.

Student Services UP FAMNIT

Wednesday, 4 February 2026 POSTGRADUATE STUDY: Course schedules for Spring Semester 2025/26

We would like to inform you that the course schedules for all study programmes for the Spring Semester 2025/26 are published on our website (https://www.famnit.upr.si//en/student-pages/timetables). Lectures start on Monday, 16 February 2026 and last until Friday, 29 May 2026.

On this website you can also find a short clip that will show you how to check the course schedule.

Important information about the course schedule:

  • Please check the schedule for every week, because weekly schedules can differ.
  • The schedule might change until Friday, 13 February. Please check the schedule again before the beginning of the academic year. All changes from Monday, 16 February will be published in the Notices (ŠIS, section Notices). We would like to emphasize that from 16 February 2026 Student Services will publish the notice about the change only for changes on the same day and the following 2 days.

Student Services UP FAMNIT

Tuesday, 3 February 2026 Invitation – Alpine Europe Summer School 2026 in Slovenia

From June 15 to 28, 2026, the University of Primorska will host the 4th edition of the Alpine Europe: Innovation in the Circular Economy Summer School, taking place in Slovenia.

    

The Summer School will be conducted in English in the forested environment of Slovenia and led by an international team from Europe and the USA. Through lectures, field visits and practical examples, participants will explore the entire wood value chain, learn about the circular economy and discover the principles of the New European Bauhaus. The programme also includes a visit to InnoRenew CoE, the largest timber building in Slovenia, showcasing modern wood construction. The Summer School is accredited in both the USA and Europe.

Alpine Europe leaders include Dr. Andreja Kutnar, Dr. Matthew Schwarzkopf and Dr. Mohammad Derikvand, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM researchers, together with Professor Eric Hansen from Oregon State University.

The Alpine Europe Summer School offers hands-on learning, direct interaction with leading academics and professionals and a unique chance to experience sustainable construction in a real-world European setting.

The programme is organised by the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT), the Andrej Marušič Institute (UP IAM) and the NEBAP Hub, in close collaboration with Oregon State University.

Read more about the summer school here.

View the programme here.

Register here.

Tuesday, 3 February 2026 Lea Primožič, new Doctor of Science

Today, 3 February 2026, we welcomed another Doctor of Science at UP FAMNIT.

Lea Primožič, a student of the doctoral study program Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English) of the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT), has successfully defended a doctoral dissertation entitled Sustainability-focused communication about the built environment: improving practices and impacts (Komuniciranje o grajenem okolju, usmerjeno v trajnostni razvoj: izboljšanje praks in učinkov), under the mentorship of Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD and co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Rok Prislan, PhD.

We sincerely congratulate the new Doctor of Science and wish her much success in her future research!

Monday, 2 February 2026 Call for enrolment in undergraduate study programmes and unified master's study programmes of the University of Primorska in the academic year 2026/2027

In the framework of the Call for Enrolment in undergraduate and unified master's study programmes in the academic year 2026/2027, the University of Primorska announces the following free enrolment places for 33 undergraduate study programmes (8 higher professional and 25 academic study programmes) and 1 unified master's study programme:

  • 1.691 enrolment places for Slovenian citizens and EU citizens, of which 1.351 are for full-time study and 340 for part-time study,
  • 87 enrolment places for Slovenians abroad, of which 69 are for full-time and 18 for part-time study,
  • 267 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 240 are for full-time and 27 for part-time study,
  • 88 enrolment places for foreign citizens of non EU countries, of which 74 are for full-time and 14 for part-time study.

For the 1st year of study, there are also 110 enrolment places for candidates for parallel studies.

The Call of Enrolment is available at  >>this LINK<<

The application for enrolment is entirely electronic on the eVŠ web portal. The candidate submits the application 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 authorization 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, where 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 abroad from 18 February to 18 March 2026,
  • for foreign citizens from non EU countries from 18 February to 30 June 2026.

What’s new in the call 2026/2027?

- The Call includes four new study programmes:

Friday, 30 January 2026 INFO DAYS 2026

      

You are invited to join our main informative events, which will be held live and via ZOOM on 13 and 14 February 2025. The event schedule and Zoom links are available 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 (14 February, 15:00-16:30). Besides that, online presenatations of the application and enrolment procedures will be held in English (13 February, 14:00–15:00 and 4 March, 14:00–15:00).

Detailed information can be found HERE. 

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 The doctoral thesis defence of Lea Primožič

Lea Primožič, a student of the doctoral study program Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English) of the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT), will defend their doctoral dissertation entitled Sustainability-focused communication about the built environment: improving practices and impacts (Komuniciranje o grajenem okolju, usmerjeno v trajnostni razvoj: izboljšanje praks in učinkov), under the mentorship of Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD and co-mentorship of Assist. Prof. Rok Prislan, PhD.

The defence will be on Tuesday, 3 February 2026 at 8.00 at the InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, Izola, classroom Sequoia.

The doctoral disertation is available in the University Library.

You are kindly invited!

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 The doctoral thesis defence of Lei Han

Lei Han, student of the doctoral study programe Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments (in English) at UP FAMNIT will defend her doctoral thesis Viscoelastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) densfied wood Viscoelastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) densfied wood; under the mentorship of Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD and co-mentorship of Prof. Dick Sanberg, PhD.

The defence will take place on Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 14:00 in InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, Izola, classroom Pseudotsuga.

The doctoral disertation is available in the University Library.

You are kindly invited!

 

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 Math-Themed Day at UP FAMNIT: Visit from Students of Gimnazija Koper

Today, on January 28, 2026, the Department of Mathematics UP FAMNIT organized the traditional Mathematics Day for students of Gimnazija Koper at the premises of UP FAMNIT. The event was attended by 100 students who listened to lectures on the applicability of mathematics in everyday life.

   

The students were welcomed byProf. Dr. Marko Orel, the coordinator of the first-cycle study program in Mathematics at UP FAMNIT, Prof. Dr. Ademir Hujdurović, the Dean of UP FAMNIT; andProf. Dr. Bojan Kuzma, the Head of the Department of Mathematics at UP FAMNIT.

The students were first divided into three groups, where they attended lectures, and then continued with interactive workshops.

The lecture titled “The Essentials of Primality Testing" was presented by Assist. Prof. Dr. Aleksander Simonič UP FAMNIT. During the session, students examined methods for determining whether a given one-hundred-digit odd natural number is prime. While this task might seem humorous in a mathematics classroom, it holds significant importance in modern cryptography.

The lecture “Applications of Linear Algebra in Computer Graphics” was delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Safet Penjić (UP IAM and UP FAMNIT), who presented how simple mathematical operations on vectors shape computer games.

Prof. Dr. Martin Milanič from UP IAM and UP FAMNIT delivered a lecture titled “Seven Puzzles on Powers of Two. ” During this session, students engaged in solving seven puzzles related to powers of two, utilising concepts from number theory and game theory.

The workshop “Basics of 3D Modelling with Blender ” was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karla Ferjančič, also from UP FAMNIT and UP IAM. Students learned about Bézier curves and observed their application through a practical example. They also explored the fundamentals of 3D modelling using Blender, a powerful open-source tool for creating animated films, 3D models, video games, and other digital content.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Slobodan Filipovski from UP FAMNIT presented the lecture “Mathematics Behind the Game Sudoku .” In this session, students examined the minimum number of initial clues required to define a unique solution and received tips for solving Sudoku more effectively.

The workshop “Game Theory: Strategic Decision-Making in Theory and Practice ” was conducted by Assist. Prof. Dr. Žiga Velkavrh from UP FAMNIT. In this workshop, students were introduced to the basics of game theory—a field that employs mathematics and statistics to study, explain, and predict the behavior of companies, markets, individuals, and other entities. Particular emphasis was placed on classical games and the renowned concept of Nash equilibrium, which represents a stable state in a strategic situation.

Mathematics Days at UP FAMNIT have been organized since 2013 to promote science, especially mathematics, among young people. The Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies at the University of Primorska offers six undergraduate study programs, including Mathematics and Mathematics in Economics and Finance. More information about studying at FAMNIT will also be available during the upcoming Informative Days, scheduled for February 13 and 14, 2026.

We would like to thank the students and their accompanying teachers for their visit and invite them to attend our future events as well!

  

  

Monday, 26 January 2026 The University of Primorska and the University of Trieste Announce a Joint Call for Applications for Visiting Professorship

The University of Primorska and the University of Trieste have launched a joint international call to select Visiting Professors for the academic years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027, within the framework of the Transform4Europe Alliance.

The call is addressed to departments and faculties of both universities that wish to invite distinguished scholars from institutions outside the T4EU Alliance with the aim of:

  • expanding and enriching educational activities,
  • strengthening research cooperation, and
  • fostering the international dimension beyond the T4EU Alliance.

Selected Visiting Professors will carry out teaching and research activities during their stay and deliver lectures within bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, or doctoral study programmes at both universities.

More information about the call, available funding, obligations of the Visiting Professor, the number of available positions, as well as the application and selection procedure, is available in the call documentation via this link: https://www.upr.si/en/about-the-university/t4eu-/t4eu-opportunities/for-staff/the-university-of-primorska-and-the-university-of-trieste-announce-a-joint-call-for-applications-for

The application deadline is 27 February 2026.

For further information, please contact the UP FAMNIT / UP IAM International Office at international@famnit.upr.si.

You are kindly invited to apply!

Thursday, 22 January 2026 Notice for Students - Change in Classroom Usage During the Exam Period

Dear students,

We would like to inform you of a minor change regarding the use of classrooms for studying during the exam period. Classrooms at the Brolo location are now available for study until 5:00 PM, while the use of classrooms and the hall at Glagoljaška and Galeb remains unchanged.

At these locations, classrooms are available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and their use is strictly for study purposes. You can check classroom availability on the online schedule.

This does not apply to RLABs, but to all other classrooms at Glagoljaška. At the Livade location, only the FAMNIT-3 classroom is available for use without prior approval.

Outside the exam period, the existing system remains in effect, under which prior reservation through the Student Office is required to use the classrooms.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you every success in your studies.

Kind regards,

Student Services Office of UP FAMNIT

Thursday, 22 January 2026 The Symposium of Good Practices for Biodiversity Conservation in the Agricultural Landscape of the Karst brought together 60 practitioners

On January 22, 2026, a symposium titled Good Practices for Biodiversity Conservation in the Agricultural Landscape of the Karst was held in Livade at Facility 1.0. The event was attended by approximately 60 practitioners.

  

The symposium aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among experts in the fields ofnature conservation, biology, and ecology, as well as other stakeholders, including landowners, farmers, decision-makers, residents, and nature enthusiasts, all of whom are involved in the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

The event was structured into three thematic sections:

  1. sustainable management of pastures, grasslands, and ponds,
  2. restoration of burned areas and biodiversity,
  3. sustainable management and circular economies in the Karst.

Assistant Professor Dr. Sara Zupan from the Department of Biodiversity, the event’s organizer, emphasized the importance of such meetings for connecting science and practice and for finding effective solutions for the conservation of the Karst landscape:

“When we think of the Karst, each of us probably forms a slightly different image. Today, the Karst is largely overgrown, but my image still reflects the Karst commons, dry-stone walls, bare rocky terrain, ponds, and grasslands with beautiful plants, butterflies, and birds. However we imagine it, the fact remains that the Karst as we know it today is the result of long-term coexistence between humans and nature. What it will look like in the future largely depends on our decisions.

The Kras4us project – Opportunities for the Conservation of Biodiversity and the Identity of the Karst – is based on the belief that many solutions already exist in the area itself, in the knowledge, experience, and good practices developed by researchers, land managers, farmers, and local communities. The project aims to identify, connect, and further develop these practices and to place them within a broader framework of long-term management of the Karst landscape.

The contributions we heard today, which are also collected in the book of abstracts, reflect the diversity of approaches to biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. I believe that the exchange of knowledge, experience, and perspectives is exactly what can contribute to more thoughtful and long-term solutions.”

One of the key initiatives in this field is the Kras4us project, which is co-financed under the Interreg Italy–Slovenia Programme. The project connects partner organisations on both sides of the border, including the University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT).

The project partners are: the University of Primorska (UP FAMNIT), the Slovenian BirdLife Association (DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia), Škocjan Caves Park, and the Local Action Groups Kras VAM.

The book of abstracts is available > here.

 

  

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 UP SENATE ADOPTS A NEW BACHELOR STUDY PROGRAMME “MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE”

At its 27th regular session on 21 January 2026, the Senate of the University of Primorska adopted a new bachelor study programme “Mathematics and Computer Science”. It is an interdisciplinary study programme designed to educate future professionals with a strong mathematical foundation and advanced computer science expertise, particularly in the fields of software design and algorithm theory, which are at the core of the modern artificial intelligence industry and high value-added information technology. The study programme will be included in the Call for enrolment in undergraduate study programmes of the University of Primorska for the academic year 2026/2027.

The new study programme is designed as a three-year full-time study programme (180 ECTS) and will be delivered in Slovene and English. The programme combines solid mathematical foundations with computer science and practical skills. Students are first introduced to the fundamental areas of mathematics, such as analysis, algebra, and discrete mathematics, while at the same time progressively developing skills in programming, algorithmic thinking, and working with computer systems. This combination enables them to learn problem-oriented thinking and to effectively solve complex tasks using modern computational tools.

The study programme provides graduates with in-depth knowledge and key competences in programming, data science, software design, and algorithm theory, which are at the core of modern information technology and artificial intelligence. Graduates will therefore be well prepared for employment in technologically advanced, high value-added environments, such as software development, data analysis, and information security. At the same time, the programme enables successful continuation of studies at Master level in mathematics, computer science, data science, and related fields, both in Slovenia and abroad. The quality of the study programme has also been recognised by external experts, who emphasised the relevance of the acquired knowledge for effective performance in the workplace.

Upon successful completion of the study programme, graduates are awarded the professional title “diplomirani/a inženir/ka matematike in računalništva (UN)«.

This is the first study programme adopted by the University of Primorska on the basis of the new Higher Education Act, which stipulates that a university whose accreditation has been extended twice consecutively for a full accreditation period may independently adopt its study programmes with public validity without accreditation by the National Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (NAKVIS), and in accordance with the Instructions for the Preparation, Adoption and Implementation of Study Programmes with Public Validity without Accreditation by NAKVIS, adopted by UP (hereinafter: the Instructions). In accordance with the Instructions, the study programme proposal was first reviewed by an internal expert. It was then submitted for evaluation to a group of independent external experts, consisting of two independent external experts in the field of the study programme (one international and one Slovenian expert) and a student selected from the pool of the European Students’ Union (ESU).

    

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 The Department of Biodiversity UP FAMNIT hosted 12 organisations from practices

On Monday, 12 January 2026, the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT hosted an event titled “Practical Training for Students – Exchange of Opinions and Experiences.”

The event was organised to improve the quality of students’ practical training experience and strengthen connections with organisations interested in cooperating with the department and its students. In the study programmes Conservation Biology (Bachelor’s level) and Nature Conservation (Master’s), completing mandatory practical training in a professional working environment is one of the study requirements.

The event, which took place in the premises of Building 1.0 (Livade), was attended by a total of 12 organisations, which presented themselves either in person (6) or via Zoom (6).

“We organised this event for the fifth consecutive year. Each time, I am pleased by the strong interest and openness of the organisations that join us. Cooperation with our students is of great interest to them. In recent years, I have noticed that many organisations wish to establish initial contact with students even before they enter the labour market. By organising such events, we aimed to improve the quality of practical training and encourage early contact with organisations that responded to our invitation and are particularly interested in cooperating with us. We have achieved this goal. At the same time, such events provide students with their first—yet extremely valuable—insight into the work and mission of various organisations in the fields of nature conservation, biology, education, and research. Ultimately, these organisations may become their future employers,” summarised the coordinator of practical training, Assistant Martin Senič from the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT.

We would like to thank all participating organisations and their representatives for their attendance and cooperation:

  

  

Tuesday, 20 January 2026 A solemn event marked the launch of KCUI

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Slovenian Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence (KCUI)  marked the launch of its operations with a solemn event at the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS).

  

The KCUI is the central national initiative for supporting the development, introduction, and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the economy, public sector, and society.  It acts as a gateway for knowledge, training, expert support, and stakeholder networking, and contributes to strengthening Slovenia's competitiveness, productivity, and innovation potential in the field of artificial intelligence.

The event began with a ceremonial address by mag. Ksenija Klampfer, Minister for Digital Transformation, who emphasized "Today, the key question is not whether we will use artificial intelligence, but how we will use it safely, effectively, responsibly, and for the benefit of people—the answer to this is the Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence, which is launching today." The minister also emphasized that the center's key objectives include supporting both businesses and the public sector in achieving better results and increasing efficiency through the introduction of artificial intelligence tools.

This was followed by speeches on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS), the leading partner of the KCUI consortium. Vesna Nahtigal, Director General of GZS, Marko Štefančič, MBA, Director of the KCUI consortium, and Dr. Vida Groznik, Scientific Director of KCUI, addressed the audience.

The project to establish and operate the center at the UP is led by Dr. Marko Tkalčič (UP FAMNIT),  who stated at its establishment: “Artificial intelligence is a very powerful tool which, when used responsibly, can significantly contribute to the functioning of the economy, public administration, and people’s everyday lives. It is important to understand that Slovenia cannot afford to fall behind the rest of the world. We must be proactive and participate in research. Precisely the fact that knowledge gained through research can be transferred to Slovenia in a responsible manner seems to me to be the greatest advantage of this competence center. This project represents a structured framework in which the knowledge held by top Slovenian experts is transferred for the benefit of the Slovenian economy, public administration, and citizens in general. At the University of Primorska (UP), we are proud to be part of a consortium of exceptionally strong Slovenian institutions in the field of artificial intelligence, as we will also be able to contribute our expertise to the achievement of these goals.

The event was also attended by the Rector of the University of Primorska, Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Ademir Hujdurović, along with the project leader, Dr. Marko Tkalčič, and other participants in the project – Dr. Jernej Vičič, Dr. Ernest Ženko, and Nataša Miletić.

The consortium, led by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, also includes: the University of Primorska, the University of Maribor, the University of Ljubljana, the University of Nova Gorica, the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Chamber of Craft and Small Businesses of Slovenia, and the ASEF Institute for Education and Research. The consortium was formed and successful in the context of the public call for (co-)financing the establishment and operation of a Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence (ARIS).

    

     

    

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 Famnits' Excursion into the mathematical universe: The role of dice in world domination - a case study of Risk: the board game

You are invited to the 1st lecture in the series titled

"The role of dice in world domination - a case study of Risk: the board game"

which will take place on Wednesday, 21. January 2026 at 16.00, VP 3 lecture room, UP FAMNIT and ZOOM link.

Board games have been an integral part of human history across cultures and societies, and the theory and strategies of traditional games such as Chess and Go have long been studied and analyzed. In this talk, we explore the mathematical mechanics behind a much more recent — though a classic by modern standards — board game: Risk. We will showcase how game states can be represented and how transitions between these states can be described with the help of probability theory, more specifically, Markov chains.

Balázs Dávid received his PhD in computer science in 2018 at the University of Szeged, Hungary. His research areas include combinatorial optimization, mathematical programming and algorithm development, particularly in public transport and logistics. His main research interest is the modelling and optimization of problems that are motivated by real-life industrial application. He is currently an assistant professor at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM and UP FAMNIT. 

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 The doctoral thesis defence of Aljaž Kosmač

Aljaž Kosmač, student of the doctoral study programe Mathematical Sciences (in Slovene) at UP FAMNIT will defend his doctoral thesis On smooth spline spaces and isogeometric methods for solving high-order partial differential equations over multi-patch domains; under the mentorship of Prof. Vito Vitrih, PhD.

The defence will take place on Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 14:00 in Famnit-MP1.

The doctoral disertation is available in the University Library.

You are kindly invited!

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 Notice for Students - Use of Tables in the Lobby

Dear students,

The faculty has received several complaints from students regarding the use of the lobby.

We would like to inform you that the tables in the lobby are intended for actual use for studying or socializing and not for leaving personal belongings to reserve them for extended periods of time.

Only short absences (approximately up to 10 minutes), for example for a break, are considered acceptable. Leaving personal belongings on tables for several hours without being present is not permitted, as it unfairly prevents other students from using the space.

We kindly ask for your understanding, patience, and consideration for others, especially during periods of increased study demands and the exam period.

Thank you for your cooperation and for respecting shared spaces.

Kind regards,

Student Services Office of UP FAMNIT

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 (BIO)PSYCHOLOGICAL DAY AT UP FAMNIT

 Today, UP FAMNIT welcomed 40 students from Gimnazija Celje – Center.

As part of the event, Sara Vidmar and Polonca Borko led the workshop “Are You OK? OK! with the students. The workshop explored key aspects of mental health, including its definition, influencing factors, and the importance of self-care. Participants engaged in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding. The session also addressed stress and the factors that affect how it is experienced.

In addition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vesna Posavčević and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Krohne presented the Biopsychology study programme and the Slovene Centre for Suicide Research.

Today, science explains the complexity of human perception, memory, thinking, emotions, personality, behaviour, and similar phenomena through an integration of insights from psychology and related fields such as medicine, biology, and pharmacy. With such knowledge, we gain a better understanding of human beings and can strengthen their qualities.

The coordinator of the study programme, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vesna Posavčević presented the Biopsychology study programme in more detail, including the course structure, timetable, and employment opportunities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nina Krohne presented the Slovene Centre for Suicide Research, which focuses on studying various aspects of mental health and on the prevention of suicide and suicidal behaviour across different age groups – from adolescents to older adults.

   

   

   

Monday, 12 January 2026 A postdoctoral researcher position is available

The UP Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies (UP FAMNIT) invites applications for postdoctoral researcher positions. We welcome outstanding candidates with a strong research record in mathematics who are motivated to develop independent research and to contribute to the preparation of competitive project proposals.

  

Position description

UP FAMNIT offers a dynamic international research environment and encourages postdoctoral researchers to pursue independent high-quality research, build collaborations, and contribute to the research profile of the faculty. Since this is an open call, the exact research topic and mentoring arrangements will be determined based on the candidate’s expertise and research plan, as well as alignment with UP FAMNIT’s research strengths.

A key expectation is that the successful candidate will be proactive in preparing and submitting competitive research proposals, in particular to:

  • Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) postdoctoral calls,
  • ERC Starting Grant,
  • Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS) research project calls.

The postdoctoral researcher is expected to:

  • Develop and carry out an independent research programme leading to high-quality publications;
  • Initiate and contribute to research proposals (MSCA, ERC, ARIS and other relevant schemes);
  • Collaborate with UP FAMNIT researchers and engage in international scientific networks;
  • Present results at seminars, conferences, and other dissemination activities;
  • Contribute to the vibrant academic community at UP FAMNIT (mentoring of junior researchers and/or limited teaching may be possible depending on needs and mutual interest).

Conditions

  • Duration: 2 years, with possible extension subject to funding and performance
  • Starting date: flexible; preferably by June 2026
  • Host institution: UP FAMNIT, University of Primorska, Slovenia
  • Deadline for application: January 31st 2026.

Requirements

  • PhD in Mathematics;
  • Strong research track record appropriate to career stage, evidenced by publications and research achievements;
  • Demonstrated potential for scientific independence and leadership;
  • Motivation and capability to prepare competitive research proposals (MSCA, ERC, ARIS);
  • Excellent written and spoken English.

Employment terms

  • Full-time employment, with contract conditions in line with Slovenian regulations;
  • Salary and benefits according to Slovenian national postdoctoral salary scales (approximately 1900 EUR/month net, depending on individual circumstances);
  • Support for research visits and conference participation.

How to apply

  • To apply, please email the following documents to razpisi.famnitiam@upr.si with the subject line:
  • “University of Primorska Postdoc – Open Call 2026”
  • Curriculum Vitae,
  • Publication list,
  • Research statement (including a short outline of a project idea),
  • Copies of up to three recent papers or preprints,
  • Names and e-mail addresses of two or three persons who can be contacted for reference (and who have agreed to be contacted).

Thursday, 8 January 2026 Public Lecture by Dr. Julian Eliah Heger

Dr. Julian Eliah Heger will present a public lecture on Monday, 12 January 2026, at 10:00, as part of the procedure for his first appointment to the academic title of  higher education teacher – Assistant Professor in the field of Physics.

The lecture entitled “Understanding Functional Materials Through Synchrotron X ray Scattering” will take place at the InnoRenew CoE premises, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola.

You are kindly invited to attend.

Wednesday, 7 January 2026 Presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation of Ivan Damnjanović

We invite you to the presentation of the topic of the doctoral dissertation Some results in spectral and extremal graph theory of the student Ivan Damnjanović, enrolled in the doctoral study programme Mathematical Sciences (in English).

The presentation will take place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026 at 11.00 in the classroom FAMNIT-MP6.

You are kindly invited!

Monday, 5 January 2026 Co-create the future of wood industry: New undergraduate programme at UP FAMNIT

UP FAMNIT will offer a new first-cycle (undergraduate) programme Innovations in Wood Innovation for Sustainability starting in the 2026/2027 academic year. The programme is designed to meet the modern needs of the wood industry in Slovenia and Europe and to prepare future professionals with a combination of innovative technologies, sustainable approaches, and digital skills. It will be implemented in Slovene and in English language.

The three-year programme is divided into six modules: foundational knowledge, core professional subjects, digital skills for working with wood, business and sustainability competencies, wooden built environments, and practical training, including an international mobility component. The mobility component allows students to gain experience abroad – at 12 partner universities and companies in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy and the USA – and to learn about different educational systems, work environments, and cultural approaches.

In addition to international experience, students will carry out practical training at leading Slovenian companies, giving them direct exposure to real projects and innovative technologies. This approach ensures that graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern wood industry, which demands digital competencies, sustainable thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems.

The programme is based on an interdisciplinary approach and innovative teaching methods – from project work and collaborative learning to case studies and discussions. Students will gain skills that enable creative problem-solving and the integration of sustainable solutions in the wood industry. The programme includes 22 courses, practical training, a mobility component, and a final seminar.

The programme will be conducted in Izola, with some components also in Koper, providing students access to modern learning spaces and research environments.

»With the programme Innovations in Wood Industry for Sustainable Development, we are shaping the future leading experts in sustainable materials. The programme offers more than just a degree – it opens doors to innovation, international collaboration, and knowledge essential for the green transition,« summarized Prof. Dr. Andreja Kutnar, study programme coordinator.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the programme will be prepared for independent or collaborative work as professional and technical staff in the wood processing and construction industries, as technical associates in research and development activities of companies or research institutions, as entrepreneurs, producers, or consultants, and as professional staff in administrative institutions such as ministries, inspectorates, various agencies, and municipal offices. Graduates can further enhance their knowledge at the master’s level – UP FAMNIT offers a master’s study programme in Sustainable Built Environments.

More information about the new study programme is available here.

Students, join us and become part of the innovative world of wood industry!