Wednesday, 9 October 2024 UNESCO Delegation Explores Collaboration with University of Primorska on Mental Health Research

On Tuesday, 8 October 2024, representatives from the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe visited the University of Primorska (UP). Programme Specialist Megumi Watanabe and Associate Project Officer Laura Bortolutti discussed with UP representatives about a potential collaboration in the field of Mental Health and Suicidology, thus fostering research and educational partnerships between UNESCO and UP.

They met with Prof. Dr. Vita Poštuvan, Deputy Head of UP IAM Slovene centre for suicide research (SCSR), Dr. Nina Krohne, first Doctor of Science at the Suicidology and Mental Health Programme at UP FAMNIT, and PhD candidate Vanja Gomboc.

The meetings focused on the innovative work being conducted by SCSR and the ongoing activities of their online platform Živ? Živ!, which provides support and resources for suicide prevention in Slovenia. They discussed UP Psychological Counseling Centre’s role in supporting student mental health and the Suicidology and Mental Health doctoral programme.

In conclusion, UNESCO representatives Megumi Watanabe and Laura Bortolutti met with six scholarship recipients from the UP Scholarship fund who received scholarships from the UNESCO donation—Aleksandra Zec, Alja Šlenc, Diar Gashi, Dmytro Tupkalenko, Filip Trajkoski, and Marija Ćetković.  

This initiative reinforced the University of Primorska's dedication to supporting talented students, particularly in STEM fields, by providing them with the financial resources to achieve their academic ambitions. The UNESCO funds have been instrumental in creating these opportunities, enhancing students’ academic achievements, and boosting their career prospects through the university’s scholarship program.