University of Nova Gorica - ung.si › public › doc › splosna_brosura_2009_en.pdf · University of Nova Gorica The University of Nova Gorica is an institution of higher education

Title: University of Nova GoricaISSN 1855-7538

Edited by: Andreja Leban

Text: Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik, Prof. Dr. Gvido Bratina, Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko, Prof. Dr. Tanja Urbančič, Prof. Dr. Polonca Trebše, Prof. Dr. Iztok Arčon, Doc. Dr. Franc Marušič, Prof. Dr. Samo Stanič, Prof. Dr. Urška Lavrenčič Štangar, Prof. Dr. Božidar Šarler, Prof. Dr. Matjaž Valant, Akad. Prof. Dr. Andrej Kranjc, Prof. Dr. Oto Luthar, Doc. Dr. Saša Dobričič, Doc. Dr. Petra Svoljšak, Doc. Dr. Mirjam Milharčič Hladnik, Prof. Dr. Marina Lukšič Hacin, Prof. Dr. Jelica Šumič Riha, Doc. Dr. Maja Bračič Lotrič, Doc. Dr. Matejka Grgič, Doc. Dr. Tanja Petrović, Dr. Lorena Butinar, Dr. Helena Šterlinko Grm, Melita Sternad Lemut, Mirjana Frelih, Vanesa Valentinčič Murovec, Rene Rusjan

Photos: Archive of the University of Nova Gorica, Archive of Famul Stuart, Archive of Inštitut za raziskovanje krasa, Prof. Dr. Samo Stanič, Doc. Dr. Darko Veberič, Doc. Dr. Franc Marušič, Doc. Dr. Maja Bračič Lotrič, Doc. Dr. Nataša Novak Tušar, Dr. Urh Černigoj, Dr. Jana Laganis, Dr. Helena Šterlinko Grm, Mag. Ingrid Petrič, Fei Gao, Danijel Olivo

Cover design: A-media d.o.o., Šempeter pri GoriciPrint: A-media d.o.o., Šempeter pri GoriciPrint run: 500

Published by: University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska 13, Rožna Dolina, SI-5000 Nova Gorica, SloveniaPublication year: 2009

Publication is free of charge. Publication is founded from public resources.

Access also on: http://www.ung.si/public/doc/splosna_brosura_2009_en.pdf

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University of Nova Gorica 3Organisational Structure 5School of Environmental Sciences 8School of Engineering and Management 12School of Applied Sciences 15School of Humanities 20School for Viticulture and Enology 28School of Arts 30Graduate School 32 Environmental Sciences (third level) 33 Physics (third level) 35 Karstology (third level) 37 Comparative studies of ideas and cultures (third level) 39 Economics and Techniques for The Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage (third level) 41 Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology (third level) 43Laboratory for Environmental Research 46Laboratory for Astroparticle Physics 50Laboratory of Organic Matter Physics 53Laboratory for Multiphase Processes 54Materials Research Laboratory 56Centre for Atmospheric Research 58Centre for Systems and Information Technologies 61Wine Research Centre 63Institute for Cultural Studies 64Library 66Book Publishing 68Edvard Rusjan Foundation 69Primorska Technology Park 70Public Events 71

Contents

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The activities of the University of Nova Gorica are devoted to educating young talented people and searching for the scientific truth. The Uni-versity of Nova Gorica comprises seven schools

Introduction / Dear Friends

and nine research centres. Our professors are top researchers and teachers who dedicate their knowledge to developing modern undergradu-ate and graduate study programmes.

The University of Nova Gorica participates in in-ternational cooperation with similar institutions around the world. It takes special care to promote multidisciplinary research and programmes de-signed to build partnerships between industry and academia, with the hope of creating a better society both at local and global levels.

I hope this presentation will encourage you to join us and realise your life ambitions.

Prof. Dr. Danilo ZavrtanikPresident

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University of Nova Gorica

The University of Nova Gorica is an institution of higher education that provides undergraduate and graduate study programmes and conducts scientific research. It started its operations in the 1995/96 academic year as the School of Environ-mental Sciences, the first international graduate school in Slovenia, founded by the Municipality of Nova Gorica and the Jožef Stefan Institute of Ljubljana. Due to the introduction of new study

programmes and the expansion of scientific re-search activities, the School was reorganised in 1998 and renamed Nova Gorica Polytechnic. In 2006 the institution changed its status and be-came the University of Nova Gorica. It was found-ed by the Municipality of Nova Gorica, the Mu-nicipality of Ajdovščina, the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Scientific Research Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Arts.

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Today the University of Nova Gorica provides ed-ucation at seven schools: the School of Environ-mental Sciences, the School of Engineering and Management, the School of Applied Sciences, the School of Humanities, the School of Viticulture and Enology, the School of Arts, and the Graduate School, which offers the following doctoral study programmes: Environmental Sciences, Physics, Karstology, Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures, Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, and Economics and Techniques for the Conser-vation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage. Research is conducted by five laborato-ries (the Laboratory for Environmental Research, the Laboratory for Astroparticle Physics, the Labo-ratorij of Organic Matter Physics, the Laboratory for Multiphase Processes and the Materials Re-search Laboratory); three centres (the Centre for Atmospheric Research, the Centre for Systems and Information Technologies and the Wine Research Centre); and the Institute for Cultural Studies. The modern library holds textbooks and professional literature that are available to researchers, stu-dents and the general public. The University of Nova Gorica Book Publishing is responsible for issuing textbooks, lecture notes, collections of scientific papers and other works.

A vital link between local economy and higher education has been forged by the establish-ment of the Primorska Technology Park, which integrates technologically innovative companies

that facilitate the transfer of knowledge and development initiatives to the entrepreneurial environment.

Mindful also of the importance of stable and foreseeable financial resources for the imple-mentation of higher education, the University of Nova Gorica has furthermore established the Ed-vard Rusjan Foundation, whose mission is to en-sure high-quality and sustainable development of the University’s activities.

Through a wide array of complementary and mu-tually enriching activities, the University of Nova Gorica strives to achieve and provide the highest quality education and scientific research as well as ensure their comprehensive integration into local, national and international spheres.

Contact InformationPhone: + 386 5 331 52 23Fax: + 386 5 331 52 24E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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PresidentProf. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Vice-president for researchProf. Dr. Gvido Bratina

Vice-president for educationProf. Dr. Mladen Franko

Senate

President of the Senate

Prof. Dr. Boštjan Žekš,member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Members of the Senate

Prof. Dr. Iztok Arčon

Prof. Dr. Gvido Bratina

Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko

Prof. Dr. Andrej Kranjc,member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Prof. Dr. Oto Luthar

Doc. Dr. Franc Marušič

Prof. Dr. Maja Ravnikar

Prof. Dr. Stanko Strmčnik

Prof. Dr. Polonca Trebše

Prof. Dr. Tanja Urbančič

Jernej Premrl, Student Representative

Governing Board

President of the Governing Board

Borut Lavrič, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana

Members of the Governing Board

Ivo Boscarol, Municipality of Ajdovščina

Prof. Dr. Rado Riha, ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana

Melita Sternad Lemut, University of Nova Gorica

Sabina Zelinšček, University of Nova Gorica

Robert Žerjal, Municipality of Nova Gorica

Mateja Založnik, Student Representative

Student Council Tea Bratuž, School of Humanities

Jan Ferjančič, School of Applied Sciences

Mojca Arsenijević, Graduate School

Kristina Obu, School of Environmental Sciences

Petra Planinšek, School of Environmental Sciences

Jernej Premrl, School of Engineering and Management

International Advisory CouncilProf. Dr. Alfonso Franciosi, Sincrotrone Trieste, Italy

Prof. Dr. Werner Hofmann, University of Salzburg, Austria

Prof. Dr. Giorgio Margaritondo, EPFL, Switzerland

Prof. Dr. Soren L. Nielsen, Roskilde University, Denmark

Prof. Dr. Corrado Sarzanini, University of Torino, Italy

Schools

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School of Environmental Sciences

The School of Envi-ronmental Sciences has been in op-eration ever since the establishment of the University of Nova Gorica in 1995 (then School of Environmental Sciences) and im-plements the first- and second-level study programme Environment. The

School closely collaborates with the Labora-tory for Environmental Research, which provides most of the teaching staff as well as research bases and material conditions for students’ prac-tical training.

Bachelor’s Programme ENVIRONMENT (first level)

The study programme Environment is an inter-disciplinary undergraduate programme leading to a university degree. It has been developed

Dean: Prof. Dr. Polonca Trebše according to the Bologna guidelines, by restruc-turing the 4-year Bachelor’s programme En-vironment, which had been conducted by the University of Nova Gorica ever since 2000. The programme lasts six semesters and covers all major areas of natural, technical and social sci-ences that treat environment-related problems, e.g. water, air and soil pollution, measurements in environment, ecotoxicology, environmental health, waste management, nature protection, environmental management, environmental

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impact assessment, environmental economics, as well as environmental legislation and com-munication with the public. A successfully com-pleted programme leads to the title diplomirani okoljski tehnolog (equivalent to BSc in Environ-mental Technology).

The basic aim of the study programme is to educate qualified experts in re-search, engineering and administration who will be able to carry out envi-ronment-related tasks in various economic sectors, as well as in legislative and executive activities at local, national and international levels. The credit-based programme provides a common curriculum for all first-year students, ensuring a sound and broad knowledge base in natural and mathematical sciences necessary to understand the relations between individual environmental issues and phenomena. Second- and third-year students are given an opportu-nity to select a certain number of courses or collect credits from a prescribed list of electives which have been designed so as to upgrade the knowledge obtained from compulsory

courses. We also wish to provide our students with as many practical experiences as possible throughout the duration of the studies, which may be acquired by participating in laboratory exercises, field work and group research project,

and by doing the diploma project.

The group research project is unique to the pro-gramme; it is a compulsory course that places empha-sis on solving practical en-vironmental problems and multidisciplinary group work. The group research project is conducted during all three years and complet-

ed by a public presentation of results in the form of a seminar.

Special attention is paid to the diploma thesis, which is essentially an autonomous professional project in which a student addresses and solves a concrete problem, demonstrating that he/she is able to use a systematic approach to solving complex environment-related issues.

Based on the European Credit Transfer System

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(ECTS), the programme ensures international comparability and harmonisation with relat-ed study programmes around the world and enables participation in international student exchanges within the EU Socrates Erasmus programme. Students are thus enabled to take part in research and attend credit-based study programmes both in Slovenia and abroad.

Graduates may continue their studies in the

Master’s study programme Environment (sec-ond level) or other Master’s programmes at the University of Nova Gorica and other universities, provided they meet admission requirements. The Bachelor’s study programme Environment (first level) is open to all candidates who have successfully passed the secondary school-leaving exam (matura) or vocational second-

ary school-leaving exam (poklicna matura). The number of available places is limited to 40.

Master’s programme ENVIRONMENT (second level)

The distinctly interdisciplinary and research-oriented second-level study programme lasts four semesters. It covers all major areas of en-

vironmental sciences, such as: water, air and soil pollution, measure-ment methods for pol-lution assessment and control, management of waste and the impact of their disposal on the environment, chemical, physical, biological and health impacts of pol-

lution, as well as legal, economic and adminis-trative aspects of environmental protection. A successful completion of the programme leads to the title magister okoljskih ved (equivalent to MSc in Environmental Sciences). Languages of in-struction: Slovenian and English.

The programme’s objective is to develop broad-

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based scientists capable of understanding and managing complex environmental issues per-taining to natural, mathematical, organisational and economic sciences. Graduates should be able to investigate and recognise the relations between environmental phenomena, natural environment and society, as well as between technology, organisation and economics, with a view to ensuring sustainable development. They should also be able to foster proactive and effective cooperation among experts of various scientific disciplines whose cooperation is vital for addressing environmental issues.

Conducting their research students participate in clearly defined projects concerned with envi-ronmental problems that may comprise meas-urement in environment, monitoring, environ-mental impact assessment, as well as introduc-tion of environment-friendly technologies and renewable sources of energy, etc.

The ECTS system enables students to attend oth-er credit-based study programmes at the Univer-sity of Nova Gorica or other institutes of higher education in Slovenia and abroad.

The number of available places is limited to 30. Upon successful completion of the Master’s pro-

gramme graduates may continue their studies in programmes leading to PhD of Science, provided they meet admission requirements.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 95Fax: +386 5 331 52 96E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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School of Engineering and Management

Dean: Prof. Dr. Tanja Urbančič

In modern economy, successful operation of enterprises requires not only personnel with specialist qualifications but broad-based and highly competent engineers able to effectively translate technical, business and organi-sational aspects of management into practice. For this purpose, the School of Engineering and Management had been providing the study programme Industrial Engineer-ing Management and Economics since the 1998/99 academic year. By 2007/08, the programme was restruc-tured according to the recommendations of the Bologna Declaration, renamed Engineering and Management and extended with a 2-year Mas-ter’s (second-level) programme.

The basic aim of the programme is to provide future experts with a most comprehensive in-sight into the sphere of producer undertakings. The programme Engineering and Management at the University of Nova Gorica is distinguished by its placing emphasis on translating knowl-

edge into practice (exercises, seminars, practical training). Another important contribution to the programme’s qual-ity lies in a relatively small number of stu-dents per teacher, which greatly facili-tates the promotion of individual students’ scientific interests.

Graduates’ employability within the first year of completing the studies is estimated at no less than 97 percent. Our students are also of-fered career advice and assistance in seeking employment.

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The full-time first-level study programme lasts six semesters and includes lectures, tutorials, practi-cal placement and the diploma project. Upon completion of the studies graduates receive the title diplomirani gospodarski inženir (equivalent to BSc in Engineering and Management).

The programme comprises basic courses in nat-ural sciences as well as a wide array of courses in engineering, economic and organisational sciences. Third-year students conduct also prac-tical placement in companies. This gives them an opportunity to use the acquired knowledge in real-life situations.

Graduates are qualified to work in adminis-trating and managing technological and busi-

ness systems, marketing engineering services and industrial products, planning, managing and assessing investment projects, designing strategic and operational development plans, controlling computer-based systems, etc. Their employment opportunities mainly rest in the so-called middle management where they work as production, maintenance or sales managers, but they may also work as sales engineers and so forth.


Bachelor’s ProgrammeENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT (first level)

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In view of the great demand for experts in the field of engineering and management both in Europe and around the world, the Bachelor’s (first-level) study programme Engineering and Management has been extended by the Master’s (second-level) programme. Upon completion of the studies graduates receive the title magister gospodarski inženir.

Students are required to pass five compulsory courses which provide them with the knowledge for an improved understanding of all major areas that essentially build the interdisciplinary profile of an expert in engineering and management, e.g. modern technology with the emphasis on information technologies, economics and strategic management. The programme also

requires participation in group and individual research projects. Students may select two obligatory elective subjects and three electives enabling them to strengthen their knowledge in technology, informatics and other relevant fields of interest.

Students are provided individual consultations and guidance regarding their study and career needs at every stage – during enrolment, subject selection and employment seeking.

Contact informationPhone: +386 5 331 52 31Fax: +386 5 331 52 40E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

Master’s ProgrammeENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT (second level)

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School of Applied Sciences

Dean: Prof. Dr. Gvido Bratina

The School of Applied Sciences currently con-ducts the following two study programmes in applied physics: the first-level programme Engi-neering Physics and the second-level programme Experimental Physics. Both programmes place

emphasis on translating knowledge into prac-tice and working in small groups to facilitate di-rect and informal exchanges between students and teachers. Both programmes are conducted on the premises of the new building at the Uni-versity campus in Ajdovščina.

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Bachelor’s ProgrammeENGINEERING PHYSICS (first level)

The study programme Engineering Physics builds a bridge between basic knowledge in physics and its use in technology and science. The subjects provided by the programme are accordingly enriched with numerous examples of applications in everyday life and especially industry. The contents of basic subjects (math-ematics, physics) provide students with the ba-sic knowledge without the need to conduct ex-haustive proofs and calculate derivatives from first principles. The programme focuses on con-ducting measurements in a wide array of fields that are explored within the courses Measure-ment Techniques I and II, as well as within the special experimental course Physical Laboratory. The contents and form of the latter (conducting

experiments in R&D industrial sectors) enables students to become acquainted with practical problems in R&D industrial sectors throughout the duration of the studies.

Because it covers top-level education and train-ing in the fields that are of vital importance

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for all industrial companies that require im-plementation of precise measurement proce-dures, the programme provides qualified ex-perts in high technologies. First-level graduates will obtain sufficient basic practical knowledge to find employment in R&D and measurement industrial sectors. However, they may also im-prove their knowledge in various fields of phys-ics by continuing their studies in the Bachelor’s (second-level) programme Experimental Physics at the University of Nova Gorica or related pro-grammes provided by other institutions.

Graduates will have ample opportunities to find employment in industrial measurement and research laboratories as well as govern-ment consulting agencies where they will have the ability to conduct measurement procedures independently and lead small groups of techni-cal experts. The study lasts six semesters. The number of available places is limited to 40.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 365 35 00Fax: +386 5 365 35 27E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/schools/3000/

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Master’s ProgrammeEXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS (second level)

The study programme Experimental Physics builds on the knowledge obtained in the first-level programme Engineering Physics. Whereas Engineering Physics provides basic education in applied physics ensuring ample employment opportunities in engineering fields, Experimen-tal Physics offers a sound theoretical basis for the continuation of studies leading to a PhD degree, on the one hand, and a number of spe-cific competences that graduates will be able to apply in R&D industrial sectors and sciences, on the other. Both modules of the programme, Solid State Physics and High Energy Physics, are

experimentally oriented. Along with overall sci-entific advancement and the rise in engineering culture, the modules’ emphasis on using exper-imental methods and graduates’ work with the latest technologies give graduates a competi-tive edge in the global market of knowledge.

Graduates’ employment opportunities range from leadership positions in industrial R&D laboratories to government scientific organi-sations. They will also have no difficulties in participating in conducting experiments at re-

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search laboratories. The study lasts four semes-ters. The number of available places is limited to 20.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 365 35 00Fax: +386 5 365 35 27E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/schools/3000/

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School of Humanities

Dean: Doc. Dr. Franc Marušič

In 2006, almost at the same time as the Nova Gorica Polytechnic was given the status of a university, a single study programme in human-ities – Slovenian Studies – set the foundation for a school with four study programmes that cov-er not only humanities, but also a number of so-cial sciences. After the Council for Higher Edu-cation of the Republic of Slovenia had approved the two-level Bologna programme Cultural His-tory, after the joint Master’s programme Migra-tions and Intercultural Relations had been put in place, and after the existing programme Slov-enian Studies had been restructured according to the 3+2 principle, it seemed all but inevitable that the then Stanislav Škrabec School of Slove-nian Studies would transform into the School of Humanities providing four study programmes.

As may be concluded from the programmes’ titles alone, the School of Humanities offers a combination of studies in traditional humani-ties topics and current knowledge. We find it essential to: ensure that our programmes will meet the highest-quality scientific, profession-al and didactic standards; equip our students with the knowledge and skills required to suc-cessfully continue their studies as well as con-

duct research and professional work in Slovenia or abroad; generate and develop new method-ologies in humanities in Slovenia; be able to in-vestigate both local characteristics and broader global phenomena; and have the capacity to pass our knowledge on to our students, col-leagues and the general public.

Most of the School’s associates are young, yet well-established researchers, many of them pursued part of their academic education abroad where they continue to participate in scientific or academic projects, thus ensuring a rapid and effective exchange of ideas between international and Slovenian academic spheres.

All the four study programmes above have been developed with the same end in view, which shall continue to provide central orientation in developing new contents that will – while re-maining faithful to the old humanities motto Animus facit nobilem – offer the knowledge and expertise that cannot be attained by any other available study programme of this kind.

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Bachelor’s ProgrammeSLOVENIAN STUDIES (first level)

Programme directress: Doc. Dr. Katja Mihurko Poniž

The Bachelor’s study programme Slovenian Stud-ies was the first study programme in humani-ties to be conducted by the University of Nova Gorica. Initially a 4-year study pro-gramme, it was restructured ac-cording to the principles of the Bologna Declara-tion, so that in the 2007/08 academ-ic year the School of Humanities in-troduced a new, 3-year first-level Bachelor’s pro-gramme Slovenian Studies and a 2-year second-level Master’s programme Linguistics.

The aim of the Slovenian Studies is not to “rep-licate” the already existing programmes in this field, but offer new contents, different meth-odologies and original approaches. The pro-gramme expands the traditional division into language- and literature-related contents by

introducing basic and elective subjects in gen-eral linguistics and literary theory, and investi-gating linguistic and literary phenomena by ap-plying methods that are new to the Slovenian educational sphere. A wide array of electives in each field of interest introduces our students to

contents which they are bound to encounter during their further stud-ies or at work.

Teachers encour-age students to undertake auton-omous research in individual themes or problems; stu-dents also have an opportunity to

take courses in arts (painting, music, drama, etc.), cultural history, humanities and social sciences. We are confident that such a curriculum will al-low them a smoother transition to second-level research-oriented programmes or further stud-ies leading to teaching qualifications. Those stu-dents who will decide to seek employment after graduating from the first-level programme have an opportunity to acquire “practical” skills which

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they will require in their future work (comput-ing, editing, publishing, etc.).

On the one hand, the programme is closely linked to the local environment by giving students an opportunity to become acquainted with the dy-namics of intercultural contacts and influences, neighbouring cultures as well as methods used in investigating all these phenomena. On the other hand, it is internationally comparable and interesting by offering courses in general lin-guistics, literary theory, methodology, foreign languages, world literature, etc. This provides students with a broad and sound basis for con-tinuing their education or seeking employment either in Slovenia or abroad.

The programme is subject to constant change, improvement and updating to keep abreast with the latest scientific knowledge as well as to take into account the needs of the society and the de-mands of our students. Based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), the restructured programme gives student an opportunity to at-tend other study programmes either during or after their studies both in Slovenia and abroad.


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This is a new two-year Master’s offering two independent modules in linguistics: Language and Communication. The Language module of-fers mostly topics related to theoretical linguis-tics and its applications. Communication mod-ule, on the other hand, dealing with language and communica-tion, combines humanities and social sciences. Each year, stu-dents select two courses from one module and one course from the other. Students can gain up to 6 ECTS from the Master’s pro-grammes both inside and outside the University, provided that it contributes to the overall coherence of the degree. During their first year, the students are required to take three compulsory courses in core linguistics: Semantics, Syntax, and Phonol-ogy, and three electives from the two modules. The electives may be selected from advanced classes in syntax, phonology, semantics, neu-rolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computational

linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguis-tics, pragmatics, etc. Moreover, the students can also choose from related courses in logic, analytic philosophy, rhetoric, semiotics, new media, etc. Special attention is paid to individ-ual research. The students are engaged in re-

search from the very beginning: how to choose a problem, how to approach it, how to think about it and its possible solution, and how to argue and present their findings.

During their se-cond year, the

students devote most of their time to research for their MA dissertation. The main features of the Master’s in Linguistics are modern linguistic methodologies, the ties with the local intercul-tural environment, the ties we have with many institutions around the world, and the compati-bility of our programme with the ECTS. Our cer-tificate is therefore internationally recognised and allows the students to seek employment

Master’s ProgrammeSLOVENIAN STUDIES (second level)

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in European research, educational, academic or governmental institutions. The University of Nova Gorica is proud to offer this programme, administered by established young researchers and lecturers from Slovenia and abroad.


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Bachelor’s ProgrammeCULTURAL HISTORY (first level)

Programme directress: Doc. Dr. Petra Svoljšak

In the 2007/08 academic year, the School of Hu-manities started a new Bachelor’s (first-level) study programme Cultural History. This authen-tic and innovative programme is based on the Slovenian cultural-historical tradition where Slovenian culture has long been understood as the core of the Slovenian national individuality and identity. Cul-tural history has therefore un-equivocally formed one of the central humanities studies in Slovenia, but only turned into an independent chair at the University of Nova Gorica.

The 3-year Bachelor’s pro-gramme has been developed according to the principles of the Bologna Declaration and is based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Moreover, we also plan to introduce a Master’s (second-level) programme.

The programme provides all the knowledge nec-essary to become a successful historian with a

Bachelor’s degree. Its primary aim is to educate professionals who will have the competences to engage in research, cultural and administrative activities. With this end in view, the programme provides students with the basic knowledge in

cultural history, the history of ideas and ideologies, and in-tellectual development. It fur-thermore includes all key ele-ments of historical culture and historiography, as well as basic historical sciences. A consider-able part of the programme is devoted to Antiquity, which left an important mark on the development of the Northern Primorska region. The Cul-tural History programme also includes several other fields, such as: history of law, history of religion, history of agricul-ture, intellectual history, cul-tural heritage, etc., which are

a true novelty in the Slovenian higher education tradition. Such a structure enables not only the introduction of new basic and elective subjects, but also substantial and methodological integra-tion with other humanities and social sciences. Finally, the programme also offers a wide range

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of foreign language courses.

Students will be encouraged not only to gain theoretical knowledge, but to undertake practi-cal tasks and to seek research topics that could prove interesting both for the requirements of the local environment and possible internation-al cooperation. Students may also choose from several specialist programmes and continue their studies in Master’s and PhD programmes both in humanities and social sciences.

The Cultural History programme is closely linked to the local environment, giving students an op-portunity to become acquainted with the im-portant role that a border area plays in a critical analysis of Slovenia’s integration into broader (European) civilisation and globalisation process-es. Owing to its close link to the area that stands as a meeting point of the Slavic, Romance and Germanic worlds, the programme also renders crucial support to the Slovenian community liv-ing outside Slovenia’s borders.

Finally, the programme is subject to constant change, improvement and updating to keep abreast with the latest scientific knowledge as well as to take into account the needs of the so-ciety and the demands of our students, which

is the sole guarantee for a high-quality study process. Basic knowledge in history, enriched with practical and research-oriented work, com-petent application of principal methodologies and mastery of at least one modern language enables students to take part in other study pro-grammes during or after studies both in Slovenia and abroad.


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Master’s ProgrammeMIGRATIONS AND INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS (second level)

Programme directress: Prof. Dr. Marina Lukšič Hacin

The joint Master’s study programme Migrations and Intercultural Relations has been developed in cooperation with the University of Stavanger, Norway, the Open University of Lisbon, Portugal, the University of Oldenburg, Germany, and with the financial support of the European Union.

This is one of the first examples of international cooperation within the European Higher Education Area that has yielded a joint on-line study programme that starts with an intensive 3-week intro-ductory course at one of the coop-erating universities.

The basic goal of this international programme is to educate and train professionals who will possess sufficient theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge (with the emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and transcultural aspects of migrations) to lead or autonomously conduct scientific research projects. Performing practical work with migrants in intercultural

contexts, they will also gain the ability to criti-cally analyse the existent practices and strate-gies employed in migration and integration policies. Equipped with the expertise to carry out planning, coordination and evaluation activities,

they should be able to create and implement in all sovereignty the strategies of formal, legal and practical regulation of migration-relates intercultural relations.

The Master’s study programme Migrations and Intercultural Re-lations started in the autumn of 2006. The next enrolment is scheduled for the autumn of 2009; thereafter the programme will run on regular annual basis. For more information, please,

visit: www.migrationhistory.com/ms


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School for Viticulture and Enology

Acting as Dean: Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Bachelor’s ProgrammeVITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY (first level)

Programme directress: Melita Sternad Lemut

The study programme Viticulture and Enology is the first programme in Slovenia that emphasiz-es the integration of grape-growing, winemak-ing and wine marketing. It has been developed by the University of Nova Gorica in coop-eration with the Na-tional Institute of Bi-ology, the Jožef Stefan Institute, the Scientific Research Centre of the Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Agricul-tural Institute of Slov-enia and the Instituto Esperimentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante from Gorizia, Italy.

The programme pro-vides students with fundamental and

professional knowledge. Lectures are complemented with laboratory exer-cises, field work and practical train-ing in vineyards and wineries. Stu-dents are given an opportunity to take courses from other study programmes that meet the standards of the Uni-versity of Nova Gorica. The study lasts six semesters. Pursuant to the Higher Education Act, the programme imple-ments the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to facilitate its integra-tion into the credit system of study programmes at other higher educa-tion institutions both in Slovenia and abroad. To obtain the professional title diplomirani inženir vinogradništva in vi-narstva (equivalent to BSc in Viticulture

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and Enology), a student must collect 180 credits (60 credits each year). The study ends with a suc-cessful defence of the Bachelor’s thesis.

Graduates will have the competence to organise and manage wine estates or find employment in analytical laboratories, nurseries or cooperative wineries. They will be able to critically assess new

technologies and their applicability in the local environment. Comprehensive knowledge will enable them to readily adapt to changes in local and global markets as well as to global changes, and thus give them a competitive edge. After completing a Bachelor’s degree, students may continue their studies in Master’s Programmes (second level).


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SCHOOL OF ARTS

Dean: Boštjan Potokar

Bachelor’s ProgrammeDIGITAL ARTS AND PRACTICES (first level)

Programme directress: Rene Rusjan

Are you drawn to creating moving pictures – film, video or animation? Spending your time story-telling in the audio-visual world? Ani-mating drawings and objects? Do you want to make photography your field of expertise? Are you interested in communicating through vir-tual channels of the World Wide Web? Or may-be you are more tempted towards exploration and the freedom of experiment in artistic cre-ativity? Would you like one of these to be your profession? The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Arts

and Practices provides exactly that. Main modules:· Animation (animated film, animation in crea-

tive industries); · Videofilm (feature, documentary, experimen-

tal videofilm, art video); · Photography (fine art, applied); · New media (creative use of new technologies).

The new programme positions itself into the gap in the current offer in Slovenian higher edu-cation in the field of creative digital media. The programme structure enables combining dif-ferent media and creative environments while the students can explore each media in their functional use and/or as independent creative means. Thus a broad field of future professions opens up: from authors (meaning an author

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of an artwork in its entirety, for example of an animated film or art installation, photo or web project) up to professional workers in interdisci-plinary creative teams (creator of virtual spaces, creating animations or interactive applications for mobile phone industry, video reporter for web TV, documentary or product photographer, director of photography in a videofilm, layout artists, special effects animators, character ani-mators, etc.).

Digital Arts and Practices programme has been developed in accordance with the principles of Bologna declaration and is based on the three-year long Digital Media programme of Famul Stuart School of Applied Arts, of which the School of Arts is a successor. Hence the School of Arts of the University of Nova Gorica alrea-dy in its foundation unites the experience and knowledge of both institutions.

The BA in Digital Arts and Practices is a three-ye-ar long programme, the student shall accumu-late 60 points each year, thus at the end of the studies s/he must have at least 180 ECTS. The admission requirements for the Digital Arts and Practices programme are a matura, vocational matura or final examination after the comple-tion of four-year secondary education program-me or its equivalent and successfully passing a proof of artistic ability. The programme is in the process of acquiring the consent of the Council for Higher Education of the Republic of Slovenia and will take place at the Famul Stuart School of Applied Arts in Ljubljana.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 1 436 47 06Fax: +386 1 436 47 06E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.sihttp://famulstuart.si/

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Dean: Prof. Dr. Iztok Arčon

The Graduate School combines and implements all doctoral study programmes (third level) of the University of Nova Gorica. The single inte-grated Graduate School provides a large possibil-ity of choice and interdisciplinarity in developing individual doctoral study programmes. Moreo-ver, based on the European Credit Transfer Sys-tem (ECTS), it enables students to select most appropriate courses for their respective research orientations from the Graduate School’s wide ar-ray of available, mutually complementary study programmes.

Graduate school

All doctoral study programmes closely collabo-rate with research laboratories, centres and in-stitutes of the University of Nova Gorica as well as other research institutions both in Slovenia and abroad where students can conduct their research or participate in international research projects.

The Graduate School forms a creative environ-ment in which students, professors, researchers and experts in various fields can meet with the common objective of building new know-how and translating it into practice in an entrepre-neurial environment.


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Programme director: Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko

The 3-year doctoral study programme Environ-mental Sciences presents the reconstruction of the previously 4-year direct doctoral study pro-gramme of the same name, which had been pro-vided by the University of Nova Gorica since the 1995/96 academic year. A successful comple-tion of the programme leads to the title doktor znanosti (equivalent to PhD in Science). The lan-guage of instruction is English.

Environmental sciences require an explicitly interdisciplinary ap-proach and therefore scientists who have the competence to work in environmental research, protection and man-agement. Due to the lack of scientists with ad-equate multidisciplinary knowledge, one of the main issues faced by the environmental science is cooperation of top experts in natural sciences on the one hand and managers, legal experts and so forth on the other. This is why the basic

Doctoral Study Programme ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (third level)

aim of the study programme is to educate lead-ing-edge researchers with substantial interdisci-plinary know-how. Environmental studies both at undergraduate and graduate levels are con-sidered an important asset worldwide.

In conducting research our students may fo-cus on investigating basic environmental phenomena, improv-ing technologies that reduce environmental impacts, as well as de-veloping and introduc-ing new techniques for detecting environmen-tal pollutants. Students may also devote their attention to investigat-ing the environmental

impact of human activities, the effects of the environment on the quality of human life, and the consequences of environmental changes in the future, etc.

The programme comprises a compulsory subject (a seminar in environmental sciences), three elec-tives (in the field of atmosphere, hydrosphere or

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soil research), a compulsory research project and the preparation of the doctoral dissertation. The programme is intended for candidates who have completed a second-level study programme in natural sciences, biotechnology, engineering or medicine; a study programme under Article 36 of the Higher Education Act of the Republic of Slov-enia (in natural sciences, biotechnology, engi-neering or medicine, provided that it has a fixed study load of 240 credit points), or who have completed education abroad that is equivalent to the programmes above.

The number of available places is limited to 20.


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Programme director: Prof. Dr. Samo Stanič

The doctoral study programme Physics encom-passes studies in physical sciences provided by the University of Nova Gorica. It is suitable for students who wish to pursue research in the fields of new materials and characterization

methods (electronic, structural and chemical properties of materials within atomic and mo-lecular physics, numerical modeling of processes that regulate phase transitions in materials) and

Doctoral Study Programme PHYSICS (third level)

high energy physics (astroparticle physics and cosmology) and is strongly research oriented.

The basic objective of the programme Physics is to educate top scientists with substantial expe-rience in experimental work in various fields of physics. The programme provides the framework

for the pursuit of study and research interests of the students within which the curriculum for each student is determined individually, based on the selection of available relevant subjects and courses. Most courses are being taught either in small groups individually. Horizontal integration of the studies is based on the credit system, which facilitates the exchange of courses between related programmes at the Gradu-ate School of the University of Nova Gorica and those

at other universities.

Doctoral study will be qualified and ready to pur-sue their academic careers at research institutes

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and universities, which is one of the options for their employment. Furthermore, they will be in position to run for top managerial positions in industrial R&D sectors in various areas, from de-velopment of new technologies and products to determining the corporate strategic orientation.


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Programme director: Prof. Dr. Andrej Kranjc, member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

The doctoral study programme Karstology, which complies with the so-called Bologna Re-form, is intended for candidates who have com-pleted the previous study programme leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a second-level study programme in various fields and wish to gain

a broad knowledge in this broadly integrated system of sciences on karst to become karst re-searchers or karst managers. The programme offers a broad-based basic insight into karstolo-gy (in terms of e.g. geological structure, surface and underground landscape, waters) on the one

Doctoral Study Programme KARSTOLOGY (third level)

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hand and highly-focused orientation on the other, depending on the students’ requirements (e.g. karst waters use and protection). The pro-gramme’s curriculum places great emphasis on autonomous research work. Graduates will have

an opportunity to employ the acquired knowl-edge in institutions dealing with karst research or management. The teaching staff conducting the programme consists of top Slovenian and international karstologists.

The programme’s basic objective is to educate karstologists-researchers and karstologists-managers. Karstologists-researchers will have the competence to conduct autonomous re-search of karst and karst phenomena from dif-ferent perspectives and for different purposes. Karstologists-managers will have the capacity to integrate the knowledge conveyed by highly-

focused scientists and apply it for a wide range of utility purposes (economy, education, protec-tion).

A successfully completed 3-year study pro-gramme Karstology leads to the title doktor zna-nosti (equivalent to PhD in Science). Language(s) of instruction: Slovenian and/or English.

Contact InformationKarst Research InstituteZRC SAZU PostojnaPhone: +386 5 700 19 00Fax: +386 5 700 19 99E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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Programme directress:Prof. Dr. Jelica Šumič Riha

The doctoral study programme Comparative Studies of Idea and Cultures, provided by the Scientific Research Cen-tre of the Slovenian Acad-emy of Sciences and Arts (SRC-SASA, Ljubljana), is based on an intellec-tual exchange among Slovene and foreign university educa-tors, researchers and students from the fields of humanities and social sciences. Researchers,university educators and students from the fields of philoso-phy, history, archeology, eth-nology, folklore studies, anthropol-ogy, art history, linguistics,literary studies and sociology participate in the studies.

The programme combines several traditional and classical approaches, but it also goes beyond conventional disciplines and cultural boundaries by using interdisciplinary and comparative ap-

proaches, and by considering problems in their historical, social and political contexts. It further engages in the critical analyses of current prob-lems at the global level.

Students will become acquaint-ed with the main ideas, con-

cepts and practices which continue to shape con-

temporary Europe as well as other parts of the world. Students will come to recog-nise the mutual de-pendence of bi- and

multilateral processes of cultural exchanges,

and confront the cur-rent dialectical relation

between the superficially static nature of tradition and

the constantly changing lifeworld, between sameness and diversity, be-

tween local characteristics and global trends.

The basic aim of the programme Comparative Studies of Cultures and Ideas is to ensure the high-est quality acquisition of knowledge at the gradu-ate level, based on the exchange of ideas between

Doctoral Study Programme COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF IDEAS AND CULTURES (third level)

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domestic and foreign university lecturers, re-searchers and students active in the humanities.

The following modules are offered in the post-graduate study programme Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures:• Slovene Studies – tradition and modernity Module coordinator: Doc. Dr. Marjetka Golež Kaučič• Cultural History Module coordinator: Prof. Dr. Oto Luthar• The Transformation of Modern thought – Phi-

losophy, Psychoanalysis, Culture Module coordinator: Prof. Dr. Oto Luthar• Anthropological module: Cosmologies, commu-

nitites, events Module coordinator: Prof. Dr. Borut Telban• Archaeological module: Millennia between the

Adriatic and the Danube Module coordinator: Doc. Dr. Jana Horvat• Language as social practice in shaping ideology,

memory, and identity Module coordinator: Doc. Dr. Tanja Petrović

Contact InformationPhone: +386 1 470 64 51E-mail: [email protected]://isik.zrc-sazu.si

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Programme directress: Doc. Dr. Saša Dobričič

The doctoral study programme Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Archi-tectural and Environmental Heritage is a joint international programme founded by the University of Nova Gorica and the Uni-versity IUAV of Venice, Italy, in cooperation with the universities of Naples, Paris, Udine and Hamburg.

The study programme is based on an interdiscipli-nary approach that com-bines engineering and ar-chitectural knowledge with legal and economic exper-tise which complement the theoretical aspects of con-servation. The programme offers two specialist mod-ules: Techniques and Ma-terials, and Economics and Management. The initial part of the programme provides common lectures with the emphasis on enhancing the basic theoretical knowledge on conservation, international case studies, general

Doctoral Study Programme ECONOMICS AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE (third level)

European legislation and basic conservation or-ganisations.

Specialisation in Techniques and Materials aims at training highly qualified experts with sub-

stantial theoretical and practical competences as well as knowledge in structural properties and characteristics of historical building ma-terials and technologies, the use of diagnostic

42

procedures and the selection of typologies of in-tervention and building site administration. Key activities are focused on the design and imple-mentation of conservation-restoration projects.

Specialisation in Economics and Management aims at training highly skilled experts in eco-nomics of culture and art and cultural heritage management for the purposes of developing sustainable policies of cultural heritage protec-tion and valuation. The key topics within this specialisation course are: critical comparison of the European and global legislative guidelines for cultural heritage and cultural activities, eco-nomics of public cultural heritage valuation and appraisal, cultural tourism, single development strategies for the promotion, management and development of cultural heritage markets.

Under the 3-year doctoral study programme (180 ECTS) students may complete a 1-year sec-ond-level Master’s course (60 ECTS). The specific feature of the programme is the common diplo-ma issued by both its founders. Lecturers who participate in implementing the programme are university teachers and top experts at key inter-national scientific institutions, thus ensuring and promoting the multidisciplinary exchange of expertise, educational methods and research

activities. The official language is English. Lec-tures are held on the premises of the University of Nova Gorica in Venice, Italy. The main lan-guage of instruction is English, combined with other European languages.

Contact InformationPhone: +390415299662, +390415299663Fax: +390415299664E-mail: [email protected]://www.iuav.ithttp://www.ung.si/en/

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The doctoral study programme Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology is the result of a cross-border effort in molecular biology be-tween the University of Nova Gorica and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) from Trieste, Italy. The programme offers high quality education of young experts who will be able to use their exper-tise in various fields. Mo-lecular biologists will find employment in health care, food industry and environ-mental protection, whereas biotechnologists will be able to apply their knowledge on advanced technologies in industrial production of human-friendly products. The programme provides for students’ intensive par-ticipation in research, seminar-based work, as well as critical and reflective participation in discussions. The study programme lasts three years (180 ECTS) and leads to the title doktor znanosti (equivalent to PhD in Science).

Future PhD’s in science will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to under-

stand scientific research in bioscience, develop autonomous thinking and critical evaluation, as well as personal responsibility and capacity of decision-making. Projects conducted during the period of studies are, as a rule, a continuation of a wider research programme of the research group. Students may select from basic scientific

programmes, such as: gene expression control, DNA replication, DNA repair and RNA processing, studies on human viruses, molecular biology, molecular genetics, experimental haematology, and human gene therapy. Other projects in which stu-dents may conduct research work fall within the fields of bacteriology and yeast genetics, protein structure and bioinformatics, as well

as plant virology and bacteriology.

Students will acquire the following range of general competences:- basic knowledge and skills in various fields of molecular biology and biotechnology, such as: molecular immunology; RNA processing, translation and transcription; DNA replication,

Doctoral Study Programme MOLECULAR GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (third level)

44

recombination and repair; proteomics; bacteri-ology; yeast genetics; molecular pathology; vi-rology; protein structure and bioinformatics;- applied knowledge and skills (communication, IT, data analysis);- research competences;- and laboratory practice.

In our opinion, doctoral studies are not only about producing a doctoral dissertation, but a highly qualified researcher. The doctoral study Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology enables students to strengthen their knowledge in a specific research area and become researchers possessing an in-depth understanding of the subject of interest, the capacity to translate their knowledge into practice as well as inter-pret and critically evaluate data and results.

All activities are conducted in English.


LABORATORIES, RESEARCH CENTRES AND INSTITUTE

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Head: Prof. Dr. Urška Lavrenčič Štangar

The Laboratory for Environmental Research con-ducts basic and applied research in different ar-eas of environmental sciences.

Basic ResearchIn the area of basic research, the activities of the laboratory are directed to the investigation of pho-tochemical and microbial degradation as well as the transport of pollutants in the environment, the inves-tigation of antioxidants in agricultural products and foodstuffs, the develop-ment of laser-based meth-ods, bioanalytical methods, and ecotoxicological tests for the identification and determination of toxic compounds and their ef-fects on the environment. The activity of the laboratory is recently also be-ing extended to the preparation and characteri-zation of new materials, which have potential application to environmental friendly systems, such as membranes for fuel cells, utilisation of al-

ternative energy from biomass, wastwater treat-ment with various advanced oxidation methods by using solar energy andphotocatalytic systems for degradation of VOCs in air.Relevant results have recently been achieved in the field of photodegradation processes, where the experiments are focused on the application of TiO2 thin films as the catalyst for the degrada-

tion of substituted phenols, textile and other dyes, pes-ticides, and pharmaceuti-cals under simulated (UV light) and environmental conditions. Our research is focused on the application of such prepared films for bactericidal and self-clean-ing purposes. New tech-niques for the degradation of pollutants in waste and drinking waters by laser light, ionising radiation and advanced oxidation techniques are being in-

vestigated as well.

Among the research achievements of great im-portance, one must mention the development of highly sensitive analytical methods based on

LABORATORY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

47

photothermal techniques such as thermal lens spectrometry (TLS), which are combined with bioanalytical techniques (acetylcholinesterase - AChE biosensors), flow in-jection analysis (FIA) and liquid chromatography. The technique of surface plasmon resonance is also being developed recently and is used in combination with various biomolecules (proteins, enzymes) to de-tect of metal ions and dif-ferent organic pollutants in aqueous samples.

Besides the detection of toxic compounds (organo-phosphate and carbamate pesticides, chromate), the developed methods are applied to investigate the role of biologically active compounds such as anti-oxidants in different physiological processes. Carotenoids are, for example, the subject of our investigations related to the photochemical cy-cles in plankton and aquatic plants and phyto-

plankton cell lysis, while highly sensitive TLS de-tection of bilirubin is exploited to investigate the

transport of antioxidants across cellular membrane and the function of asso-ciated transport proteins.

Because of their nutri-tional value, other groups of antioxidants (such as anthocyanins and hy-droxycinnamic acids in some fruit species like sweet cherry and white grapes) are also being investigated. The Labo-ratory for Environmental Research is interested in the research of the lo-cal cultivars and special attention is devoted to environmental impact on polyphenol content, such as the position of grow-ing, weather conditions

and orchard or vineyard handling.

The cutting-edge laser technology is also used for the remote sensing of air pollution and physi-

48

cal properties in the atmosphere. The transport of aerosols close to highways and other streets is investigated with the LIDAR system. Moreover, a method for the indirect determination of emis-sion rates, wind profile and vertical diffusivity of aerosols has been developed.

In the field of ecotoxicology, the toxicity of or-ganophosphorus and neonicotinoid pesticides is investigated. The effects of pesticides on ter-restrial invertebrates (Isopoda) are studied on the base of the activities of different enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase and glutathion - S -transferase and energy reserves (lipids and glycogen) in organisms. In addition, changes in the concentrations and transformations of orga-nophosphorous and neonicotinoid pesticides are examined in the laboratory as well as in natural environment during a field experiment. The ap-plication of such organisms as indicators of envi-ronmental pollution represents the major inter-est of the laboratory. Beside the reseanch on ter-restrial organisms we perform the toxicological study addressing the effects of neonicotinoids and their main degradation products on the model eukaryotic organism – yeast Saccharomy-ces cerevisiae. Due to the extensive studies over the last years, yeast is one of the best understood organisms on the molecular level and presents an advantage for studying the influence of dif-ferent chemical substances on the evolutionarily conserved cellular processes.

The laboratory has also initiated several studies on ecological energetic properties of terrestrial ecosystems. This reflects in our endeavours for systems ecology to approach the evaluation of sustainable management, where the estimation of ecosystems’ integrity is of utmost importance. The core activities in this field are studies of eco-system growth and development processes, and self-organizing properties of ecosystem evolu-tion. Modern techniques are applied, ranging from thermal remote sensing of ecosystem’s surfaces to the estimation of information stored in genome size. Special attention is paid to non-linear thermodynamic parameters as systems indicators (e.g. specific exergy, exergy dissipa-tion, inclusive Kulback index, emergy). Relations between indicators and ecosystem’s growth and development processes are evaluated with different ecological modelling tools including Stella, Ecopath, etc.

Applied ResearchThe activities of the Laboratory in the field of applied research are oriented primarily towards the application of photothermal and bioana-lytical techniques for food quality control. In this regard, the newly developed analytical methods are applied to determine the characteristic caro-tenoids, which serve as indicators of quality and origin of olive and other vegetable oils, and fruit juices. AChE based photothermal biosensors are being presently tested for the application in fruit

49

juice production on a large scale, where they will be used as a rapid and low cost screening method for the presence of organophosphate pesticides.Another area of great application potential are self-cleaning surfaces. Recent efforts have been especially devoted to producing a stable colloidal solution for deposition of transparent TiO2-SiO2 thin films on glass or other inorganic substrates. After evaporation of solvents a thin nanolayer of self-cleaning ceramics is retained on the surface. Organic dirt, such as soot, is degraded to carbon dioxide and water by catalytic action of a cata-lyst film under sunlight, while the inorganic dirt (like sand) is easily washed away by rain. The layer is stable on the surface for years under en-vironmental conditions.

ExpertiseSince the establishment of the laboratory, its expertise in the area of Environmental Impact Assessment has been frequently requested by the public and private sectors in the Primorska region. This has recently resulted in the engage-ment of our experts in the assessment of the new facility for the reduction of flue gas emissions from the production of phtalic acid anhydride in the Kemiplas Koper plant. This included the evaluation and determination of the best avail-able technologies, the assessment of the present status of the environment near the plant and methods of monitoring pollution, and consult-

ing related to formalities demanded by national standards and regulations. In a similar way, we are involved in the activities related to the estab-lishment of new facilities for solid waste treat-ment, exploitation of landfill gas, and cleaning of leachate and wastewaters at the municipal waste disposal site in Nova Gorica.We collaborate in the international project deal-ing with the environmental impact assessment as well. Beside the experts from Italian side some experts from our laboratory are involved as members of the international commeettee, appointed Gorizia Province in the preparation of the risk assassment due to the pollution of north-east past of Gorizia with formaldehyde, zinc, copper and some other pollutants.


50

Head: Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Basic ResearchThe basic research of the laboratory is oriented to-wards the fields of experimental cosmic ray phys-ics, experimental particle physics and the interac-tion of electromagnetic waves with matter, and is to a large extent being pursued through large international scientific collaborations.Fundamental research in the field of cosmic ray physics is performed within the Pierre Au-ger collaboration. This collaboration has con-structed a vast high-en-ergy cosmic ray observa-tory in Argentina, featur-ing a hybrid (Čerenkov-fluorescence) detector sensitive to cosmic rays with energies above 1019 eV. The observatory has been taking data since 2004. In particular we are involved in the Monte Carlo studies of large air showers, in the develop-ment and deployment of the atmosphere moni-toring equipment of the fluorescence detector, in the on-line data acquisition system, and in the analysis of the gathered cosmic ray data and in the search for astronomic sources of extreme

energy cosmic rays (cosmic rays with energies exceeding 3 x 1019 eV). We have improved the air shower simulation algorithms for large arrays of ground Čerenkov detectors, providing substan-tially faster secondary particle generation in the acceptance range of the surface detector. These methods have been widely accepted and are now included in all important air-shower simulation packages developed worldwide. Our laboratory

now routinely analy-ses cosmic ray data, is involved in »offline« analysis software devel-opment and in studies of surface detector an-gular resolution.The lidar system at the P. Auger observatory was developed at our laboratory and is capa-

ble of measuring the vertical profile of the laser light absorption coefficient in the atmosphere up to altitudes of 25 km, thus providing time-changes in aerosol and water and vapour concentrations. In the years 2003-2006 four LIDAR systems have been installed at the Pierre Auger observatory in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Torino and the University of New Mexico. In 2005 another LIDAR station has been built at Ot-

LABORATORY FOR ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS

51

lica near Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and is used by the Centre of atmospheric research of the University of Nova Gorica.

Basic research in the field of elementary particle physics is conducted in the framework of the Belle collaboration. It focuses on the studies of the decays of B and anti-B mesons, unstable heavy particles which are pro-duced in the electron-positron collisions at the Y(4S) resonance en-ergy in the KEKB collider in Tsukuba, Japan. A dif-ference in the decays of B and anti-B mesons is related to the violation of the so called “CP sym-metry”, which is also manifested in the dominance of matter over anti-matter in nature. In 2001, Belle demonstrated the presence of CP violation in the B meson system through the measurement of the time dependant asymmetry in the decay process of the neutral B mesons into particles J/Ψ and K0

S. The experimental data indicated that the Koba-yashi-Maskawa mechanism, which is a part of the Standard model of elementary particles, is indeed the dominant source of CP violation in nature. The Belle experiment also proved its ability to make a number of first measurements of various decay

modes of the B mesons and to extract Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements. This led to the observation of several yet unseen decay processes. By collecting many such observations we may probe new physics, and once its existence is established, these measurements will help de-

termining its properties. This is only possible by upgrading the KEKB’s luminosity by a substan-tial amount, and also by upgrading the Belle detector, especially its silicon vertex detector (SVD) to be able to oper-ate in this high luminos-ity environment.The laboratory takes part in the development of the deep sub-micron

monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPS) based on CMOS technology, with the purpose of their use for the next generation of the Belle SVD. These devices are attractive for B-factory experiments due to the possibility of making them very thin (about 50 µm), an essential feature for improve-ment in multiple scattering limited vertexing in a low momentum B-factory environment. The most serious concerns which are being dealt with are their radiation hardness and their readout speed, both dictated by the 50 times higher projected lu-minosity of the new SuperKEKB collider.

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Research with synchrotron radiation, which is also a part of the laboratory’s activities, is mainly dedicated to the analysis of atomic and molecu-lar structure of new materials with x-ray absorp-tion methods EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) and XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure). Number and type of atoms at neighbouring sites, their distance from the select-ed atom and the thermal or structural disorder of their positions can be determined. The analy-sis can be applied to crystalline, nanostructural or amorphous materials, liquids and molecular gases. EXAFS is often the only convenient way to study the arrangement of atoms in materials without long-range order, where traditional dif-fraction techniques cannot be used. In parallel, the experimental study of multielectron photoexcita-tions in free and bound atoms is also performed, providing information on the collective motion of electrons in the atomic system. We have pro-vided a significant experimental and theoretical contribution to the interpretation of the exact atomic absorption background in EXAFS spectra and thereby have helped improve the accuracy of the structural analysis with this method. This research is performed in collaboration with sev-eral Slovene and foreign material science, phys-ics, chemistry, pharmacology, and environmen-tal research laboratories and institutes for the preservation of cultural heritage. Our laboratory performs measurements at the synchrotron ra-diation facilities of HASYLAB at DESY in Hamburg,

ESRF in Grenoble, ELETTRA Sincrotrone in Trieste and SRS Daresbury, UK.

Applied ResearchThe applied research activities of the laboratory are oriented partly towards the development of new detector techniques in astroparticle physics and environmental sciences, and partly towards the application of synchrotron radiation. The former focuses particularly on systems for the remote sensing of air pollution and atmospheric properties, while the latter provides access to the advanced technology for material characterisa-tion with synchrotron light. So far, the laboratory has contributed to the development of several technologically important materials, for example microporous catalysts, superconducting and fer-roelectric ceramics, surfactants, protective coat-ings, nanostructure materials and some mac-romolecules used in pharmacology. It is actively involved in the development of new solutions for environmental protection in cases of pollution with heavy metals and pesticides, and in a project for the preservation of ancient manuscripts.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 3315 223Fax: +386 5 3315 224E-mail: [email protected]://www.p-ng.si/en/research/astroparticle-physics/

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Head: Prof. Dr. Gvido Bratina

The research activities are carried out in two fields: in the field of organic electronics the main topic are electronic properties of materials that are in-teresting as components of organic solar cells and organic thin film transistors. In the field of biophysics the main topic is coupling between pro-teins and organic semiconduc-tors for biosensor applications. Within the framework of thin films of organic semiconductors we are using vacuum evapora-tion and spin coating of small-molecule semiconductors and semiconducting polymers, re-spectively. Morphology is stud-ied by an atomic force microscope VEECO CP II that allows us also to investigate electrical conductivity between the microscope tip and the sample. In ad-dition, through the use of lock-in amplifier we can probe the distribution of the electric field across the sample surface (Kelvin probe microscopy). The projects in the area of organic solar cells in-clude optimization and development of new methods for deposition of polymer blends for large area applications, research of alternative acceptor materials and studies of stability of the interface

between the metal and organic semiconductor. In the area of organic thin film transistors we are in-terested in evolution of electronic properties as a function of the layer thickness. For this purpose we have developed a dedicated sample holder that al-lows us to measure the electric current during the

growth of organic semicon-ductor in-between the two metallic contacts. A special attention is also devoted to the studies of initial stages of growth of pentacene on dif-ferent substrates.One of the goals of the bio-physical research is integra-tion of protein molecules and electronic elements that func-tion on the basis of organic

semiconductors. As the protein molecules are ex-posed to a target molecule, their electornic proper-ties change and we are aiming towards detection of such changes. Such hybrid electronic elements will act as biosensors.

Contact Information Phone: +386 5 365 35 00 Fax: +386 5 365 35 27 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ung.si/en/

Laboratory of Organic Matter Physics

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Head: Prof. Dr. Božidar Šarler

Basic ResearchThe Laboratory conducts fundamental research towards the development of advanced numeri-cal methods for multiphase systems and the development of physical models for solid-liquid processes. The focus is on meshless methods for transport phenom-ena in the presence of moving boundaries. The models are developed within the continuum mechanics concept for systems without phase change, like dispersions and porous media as well as systems with melting or solidifica-tion phenomena. The description of the proc-esses ranges from the microstructure evolution to the coupled mac-roscopic transfer of mass, energy, momentum and species. The laboratory is involved in the de-velopment of international test cases for Stefan problems and is involved in the comparisons be-tween numerical models and experiments. The

research is incorporated into the European COST, COPERNICUS and INSPIRE projects, as well as in the NATO and COBASE scientific programmes. Principal long-term research links are estab-lished with the University of Erlangen, Nurem-berg, Germany; the University Pierre and Marie Curie, France; the Silesian Technical University,

Poland; and the Univer-sity of Southern Missis-sippi, USA. The labora-tory constitutes a node of the EU Centre of ex-cellence OPTI_ENERGY.

Applied ResearchOur applied research is directed towards nu-merical modelling of a wide variety of proc-esses with metallic, polymer or ceramic ma-terials and their com-posites. The principal

interest is in simulation and optimisation of re-lations between the process parameters and the product properties. An intense collaboration has been established with the aluminium industry IMPOL Slovenska Bistrica for the simulation of temperatures, velocities, and concentrations in

Laboratory for multiphase processes

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DC cast aluminium alloy billets and slabs. The collaboration reflects in improved regulation al-gorithms and substantial enhancement of prod-uct quality and process yield. The computer aided automatic optimisation of process parameters in continuous casting of steel, related to domes-tic, Czech and Finnish steelworks is underway within the European Concerted Research Action,

designated as COST-526. A project on modelling of hollow-brick manufacturing and usage was started for the Goriške opekarne brickworks. All related industrial process modifications and up-grades are performed in close cooperation with industrial research teams.

ExpertiseThe laboratory is successfully working together with Slovene agencies and regulatory bodies in the computer simulation of the planned Slovene low and intermediate nuclear waste repository. In parallel, the enhancement of our own simula-tion capabilities for the assessment of the trans-port of radionuclides and other pollutants in different natural and technological systems is in progress.


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Head: Prof. Dr. Matjaž Valant

Materials Research Laboratory covers research top-ics from fields of electronic and environmental ma-terials. Both fields are complementary with respect to a type of materials (semiconducting oxides) and physical effects (electron transfer)

Electronic materials: past experi-ences of group members from the field of electronic materials are passed forward into new research projects from this wide research field. Currently we are running projects from area of multiferroics and magnetoelectric thin films, These are systems that exhibit a coupled magnetic and dielectric dipole ordering; i.e. at the same time they are (anti)ferromag-netics and ferroelectrics. These materials will enable develop-ment of a new generation of electronic systems from the fields of information technol-ogy, sensors, telecommunica-tion, medicine, transport etc. We are also very active in research of electrocaloric materials (that can also be considered as environ-

MATERIALS RESEARCH LABORATORY

mental materials). Using a theoretical as well as experimental approach we focus on development of systems with improved cooling powers this will enable a development of a solid state refrigerator without liquid refrigerant, which would be envi-ronmentally very friendly. The electronic materials research is from a stand-

point of fundamental research highly interesting and relevant topic. In addition, they carry a high applied value and represent a background knowledge for a re-search of environmental materials and. New electronic materials are strategic materials for advanced information and telecommuni-cation technologies. Our high in-ternational research reputation

opens doors for collaboration with the most prestigious inter-national academic and indus-trial laboratories. Environmental materials: Re-search of environmental ma-terials has world-wide gained an enormous momentum with an increasingly positive trend

in funding. Environmental topics are also a major research theme of our university. Hence, we are

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pleased to contribute to the sustainable growth. Currently, the research focuses on the area of photocatalytic materials for hydrogen generation by water splitting. The water splitting is an uphill reaction with a large positive change in Gibbs free energy (237 kJ/mol). A potentially attractive route to overcome a thermody-namic potential, required for the water splitting, is in use of photo-electrochemical cells with a photo-active catalyst immersed in water. The key for achieving a quantum ef-ficiency of visible light over 10 %, which is the limit for a commercial realization of such a system, is in fur-ther improvement of existing photocatalysts and/or development of new materials, which will effi-ciently exploit their unique functional properties to achieve the targeted catalytic activity. This involves application of the most recent progress in the sci-

ence of material interfaces. The main goal of our research work is a develop-ment of new photocatalysts, based on metal oxides, which would exhibit better quantum effi-ciency and photo-corrosion resistivity. We intend to study transition metal-oxide semiconductor

materials that based on their unique structural characteris-tics represent a novelty in the research of this type.An intensive collaboration with Slovenian and interna-tional laboratories is of a vital importance for an excellent research work. We cooper-

ate with a majority of relevant Slovenian research groups and, particularly closely, with University of Maribor, who is a partner in our Research pro-gram "Heterogeneous photocatalytic processes: hydrogen production, water and air purification". We have strong research links to Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, Queen Marry Uni-versity (all GB), University of Berkeley (USA), Kyoto Institute of Technology (Japan), National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science & Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (both India) and others.

Informationtel.: +386 5 365 35 02fax: +386 5 365 35 27e-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si

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Head: Prof. Dr. Samo Stanič

In recent decades global climate change has be-come a major environmental concern. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases and sulphate aerosols in the atmosphere alter the energy bal-ance of the surface the Earth. Altered energy bal-ance is an important factor that initiates changes

of climate. The necessity for a deeper understand-ing of these processes, especially the ones related to aerosols, led to the establishment of the Centre for Atmospheric Research (CRA) at the University of Nova Gorica in 2004. Lidar measurements of aerosol transport, as well as other environmental

and meteorological measurements are being per-formed at the Otlica observatory.

Basic ResearchBasic research at the CRA covers remote sensing of atmospheric properties and atmospheric im-pact on the performance of satellite navigation systems.

Remote sensing of atmospheric properties: Lidar development in collaboration with the Laboratory of Astroparticle Physics (LAPP) is a key to the ongoing study of aero-sol transport and its impact on climate. Aerosol lidar developed at LAPP was installed at the Otlica observatory near Ajdovščina (965 m above sea level) in June 2005. Collected data of vertical profiles of aerosol concentrations in trop-osphere and lower stratosphere is a basis for estimates of the

atmospheric optical properties and their impact on the energy balance of the Earth’s surface. The presence of aerosols in the atmosphere generally indicates atmospheric pollution. The Otlica lidar measurements can thus serve as early warnings for deteriorated air quality above the regions of

Centre for Atmospheric Research

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Trnovski gozd, Vipava valley, Karst plateau, the bay of Trieste and the Slovenian coast, covering altitudes from ground level up to a few tens of kil-ometres. Subsequent use of meteorological mod-els for aerosol trajectory backtracking can provide clues as to possible paths of air pollutants before they reach Slovenia and to their possible origins. This research is conducted in close cooperation with the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (EARS).In collaboration both with Slov-enian optics de-velopment com-panies Optotek and Fotona and with the Univer-sity of Iowa we developed a mo-bile fluorescence lidar capable of distinguishing biological from non-biological aerosols. This fluo-rescence lidar facilitates measurements of aerosol concentrations in the lower atmosphere (which are important indicators of air pollution from extraordinary events such as thermal inversion, appearance of Saharan dust, wildfire and releases of hazardous substances into the atmosphere), as well as studies of the spreading of biological aero-sols, such as pollen.Atmospheric impact on the performance of satel-

lite navigation systems: A part of the research ac-tivities of the Centre is focused on the study of the ionosphere (the ionised part of the atmosphere which extends from about 60 km to beyond 1000 km above the ground). Irregularities in the electron plasma density of the ionosphere move by diffusion and other transport mechanisms and have a strong influence on communications between satellites and ground receivers. A radio

wave propagating through drifting irregularities experiences irregular fluctuations in both am-plitude and phase. Important characteristics of these fluctuations, known as scintillations, de-pend on the wavelength, the current magnetic and solar activity, the time of day, the season of year and the magnetic latitude of the observa-tion point. Scintillations are responsible for signal degradation and also the disruption of satellite navigation services, such as GPS and Galileo. Re-

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mote sensing of electron density irregularities is a key to the understanding of the fundamental processes behind scintillations in navigation sig-nals and will provide important feedback for per-formance improvement of GPS ground receivers. Of particular interest are small-scale irregularities in the electron plasma density at high magnetic latitudes.

Applied ResearchLidar measurements at the Otlica observatory broaden the scope of environmental monitor-ing activities in Slovenia by providing data that is complementary to that obtained from other monitoring sites. In cooperation with EARS, the Otlica observatory is, since 2006, a part of the national network for environmental monitor-ing. Standard meteorological and environmental measurements are performed routinely and are presented on the EARS web pages. Environmental monitoring and regional climate change impact studies are a part of the development of strate-gies for adapting to climate change in Slovenia.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 53 40Fax: +386 5 331 52 40E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/research/atmosphericresearch/

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Head: Prof. Dr. Tanja Urbančič

The Centre was established in March 2007 in with the aim of integrating researchers in the fields of systems and information technologies. Activities concentrate mainly on:- information tech-

nologies for support of activities in medi-cine, public health system and environ-mental sciences,

- theory of systems and control,

- design and optimi-sation of systems and operations.

The Centre for Systems and Information Tech-nologies has six regu-larly employed and four associate workers. Most of the staff take part or closely cooper-ate in R&D projects at other institutions (Jozef Stefan Institute, Isk-raimpuls d.o.o.). Some of them have obtained

Centre for Systems and Information Technologies

substantial working experience from working at international research institutions, such as: the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Aus-tralia, the Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic, the University of Glasgow, Great Brit-

ain, the Hamilton In-stitute at the National University of Ireland, etc.

Currently, the Centre’s work is concentrated on analysing large textual databases to generate new hypoth-eses for explaining complex, not yet suf-ficiently understood phenomena in the field of biomedicine. A newly developed method that searches for connections among otherwise completely unrelated corpuses of professional docu-ments, the Centre is

discovering relations that could throw more light on autism.

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Research is conducted also in the field of sus-tainable development of protected areas and environmental education by multi-criteria mod-elling, and in the field of computer simulation of an air-pollution dispersion model for use over complex terrain.

Other research areas include:- integration of computer applications and

methods to support decision-making and da-ta-mining processes,

- applications of knowledge technologies in medicine and health care,

- data processing methodologies and tools for education and research in information soci-ety,

- mathematical modelling and use of automatic control of dynamic systems,

- research in algebra and applications and inter-actions with theoretical computer science

- optimisation of production procedures and processes,

- sustainable innovation systems and their per-formance in companies,

- knowledge management in networked organ-izations,

- human resource management and its role in the company’s organisation and operations.

Contact informationPhone: +386 5 331 52 31Fax: +386 5 331 52 40E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/research/systems-it/

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Head: Dr. Lorena Butinar

The Wine Research Centre at the University of Nova Gorica has been operating since November 2008. With the establishment of the Centre, re-searchers connected to the fields of viticulture, enology and wine marketing were united and common research activities were implemented. The Centre is located in the middle of the wine growing region and is therefore strongly con-nected with local winegrowers and winemak-ers. The experts of the Wine Research Centre are skilled in research as well as practical knowledge. One of the main goals of the new Centre is also the establishment of active cooperation with similar institutions abroad.

The research work and plans of the newly estab-lished Centre are mainly focused on applicative and expert activities in the following fields: Analy-ses of grape and wine secondary metabolites, Analyses of various plant origin samples, Optimi-zation of viticulture technologies in accordance with wine quality, Optimisation of wine-making technologies in correlation with wine composition and wine sensory characteristics, Microbiology of vines, grapes and wine, Grape and yeast metabo-lomics as well as Economics and wine marketing.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 365 35 50 Fax: +386 5 365 35 27 E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

WINE RESEARCH CENTRE

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In the last few decades culture has become the subject of research in a wide array of sciences and disciplines that are as diversified as ethnic studies, critical legal studies, critical theory, liter-ary studies, media, gender and race studies, post-colonial and postmodern studies, etc. Culture now occupies a central position in educational, academic and political-strategic discourses. Cul-tural studies explore the meaning and practices of everyday life. They constitute a broad and rapidly expanding field of research in which scholars address new questions and discours-es, continue discussing the old problems and rethink critical tradi-tions. Cultural studies offer a complex image of culture as a subject of intervention, dialogue and creativity, based on a given context within which it is produced and used, while at the same time illuminating cultural practices and experi-ences as essential factors in the construction of collective identity.On the basis of these theoretical principles, the Institute for Cultural Studies at the University of

Nova Gorica conducts interdisciplinary research at the meeting point of linguistics, cultural his-tory, anthropology and philosophy. Currently, the emphasis of its research efforts is placed on the issue of cultural interaction in border areas as well as the issues of memory and commemo-ration.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 1 470 64 15Fax: +386 1 425 52 53E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/research/cultural-studies/

Institute for Cultural Studies

Other Activities

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Head: Vanesa Valentinčič Murovec

The University Library of University of Nova Gor-ica was formally established in April 1998 and has hitherto been the only university library in the entire Northern Primorska region. It is open to all University’s students and members of the teaching staff, as well as other visitors who are interested in the library’s holdings.

The library’s col-lection primarily covers the fields of ecology, phys-ics, chemistry, mathematics, bi-ology, economy, Slovenian studies and viticulture. Currently, it cata-logues approxi-mately 10,000 monograph ti-tles, 80 periodical titles, 200 items of non-book materials (mainly CD-roms) and e-editions of scientific journals that are accessible via digital collections like Sci-enceDirect, Springer Link, APS Journals, EIFL Di-rect databases EBSCO-host. Our users also have

access to databases, such as Web of Science, GviN, etc.

The bulk of the library’s holdings is sorted by fields and is freely accessible. In the first place, the library provides literature required for edu-cational and research purposes. Apart from loan-ing books it enables online search from publicly accessible databases, and by inter-library loan, it also provides materials from other libraries.

Visitors are free to use the library’s reading room (28 seats) and a com-puter room (8 computers). An-other important task of the library is managing bib-liographies of researchers and teachers working at the University

of Nova Gorica. The library is a full member of the Slovenian Cooperative Online Bibliographic System and Services – COBISS, which contains all bibliographical data on the library’s holding. Library members are able to check, reserve and

Library

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renew the material online. The library catalogue (COBISS/OPAC) is available: http://www.ung.si/en/about-university/library/. The aforemen-tioned site also offers important information about the library and links to e-publications, da-tabases, new materials, etc. The library is open 7 to 10 hours per day and 47 hours per week, re-spectively.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 20Fax: +386 5 331 53 75E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/library/

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Head: Mirjana Frelih

The specific nature of the study and research programmes at the University of Nova Gorica has created the need for this institution to publish its own books. Because the existing lit-erature does not cover all the topics and views of scientific and educational work, the University of Nova Gorica has launched its own publishing activity with the aim of providing our stu-dents, teachers and researchers with high-quality scholarly and professional literature that will meet the requirements of individ-ual study courses and research activities by taking into account the latest scientific achievements.

Book publishing

Book publishing includes textbooks and other study materials, as well as professional and scientific works. The publishing activity is governed by the Rules of Publishing and con-trolled by the Publishing Commission. Pub-lished works can be purchased at the Uni-versity Library of University of Nova Gorica or online by visiting the University publisher’s web site: http://www.ung.si/en/about-univer-sity/publisher/, which also offers all information

about the available materials.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 20Fax: +386 5 331 53 75E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/publisher/

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President of the Managing Board: Črtomir Špacapan

The Edvard Rusjan Foundation is a non-profit in-stitution whose basic aim is to provide financial and other support to current activities and to the future de-velopment of the University of Nova Gorica.In accordance with the pur-pose of its establishment, the Foundation sees to the acquisition and upgrading of research equipment and infrastructure, to the provision of high-quality training of higher edu-cation teachers and mentors, as well as to the development of new study and scientific research programmes that are indispensable for the social, economic, technological, scientific and cultural progress.The Foundation builds and strengthens the links between the University of Nova Gorica and econ-omy. To this end, it provides the means necessary for the development of innovative activities and technological centres, as well as the transforma-tion of the acquired knowledge, experience and latest technologies into practice. Part of the Foun-dation’s funds are intended to support promising undergraduate and graduate students with schol-

arships and promote the University’s publishing activities that help students gain academic knowl-edge and the University workers perform their everyday work. Finally, the Foundation also sees to the promotion and international recognition of

the University of Nova Gorica both in Slovenia and abroad.To meet the set objectives, the Foundation collects financial and material funds, works of art, shares, property and ma-terial rights, and any other assessable assets that may be

of great value. The Foundation’s capital is not ex-pended; in accordance with its professional guide-lines and purposes, the scholarship, grant and in-vestment funds are allocated exclusively from the returns on the accumulated assets.Donations for the Edvard Rusjan Foundation may be deposited into account no. 0510-0801-0752-054 (IBAN: SI56-0510-0801-0752-054, SWIFT: ABAN-SI2X) at Abanka Vipa d.d., Slovenska cesta 58, 1517 Ljubljana.

Contact InformationPhone: + 386 5 331 52 23Fax: + 386 5 331 52 24E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/fer/en/

Edvard Rusjan foundation

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Director: Stojan Ščuka

The objective of the Primorska Technology Park is to provide support to small and medium sized technology-oriented enterprises and thus contrib-ute to their com-petitive edge at the forefront of new scientific discov-eries and techno-logical innovations. The Park’s support is intended to sat-isfy the needs of enterprises that feature state-of-the-art technology, innovation and market orien-tation of research projects, as well as the readiness to cooperate in R&D.

Members of the Primorska Technology Park are enabled to benefit from its services, which include: assistance in launching technologically innovative ideas, marketing development products, project planning and management, financial operations, information acquisition as well as business and technical training. Another crucial factor that con-tributes to successful research performance of enterprises is the development of the Primorska

Technology Park’s infrastructure.

The Primorska Technology Park builds network connections with other technology parks, technol-ogy-oriented enterprises, business support organi-

sations, knowledge sources, financial institutions, inde-pendent experts and industry. With-in the framework of cooperation at regional, national and international levels, the Primors-ka Technology Park

conducts innovation projects to promote and facili-tate the establishment of new technological enter-prises, employment of highly-qualified personnel, transfer of knowledge and technologies, as well as create a synergy among technologically-oriented enterprises in the entire Primorska region.

FOUNDERSElektro Primorska d.d.Iskra Avtoelektrika d.d.Municipality of Nova GoricaMunicipality Šempeter-VrtojbaUniversity of Nova Gorica

Primorska Technology Park

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University information day

Every year, the University of Nova Gorica organises an information day for high school students. The event is held on a day set by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology that applies to all higher education institutions in Slovenia. Its aim is to provide young candidates with information concerning admission requirements for individual study programmes at the University of Nova Gorica.

Scientific Evenings and Faculty Seminars

Throughout the academic year, University of Nova Gorica invites distinguished scientists from Slovenia and abroad to present their scientific achievements at Scientific Evenings and Faculty Seminars. The former are intended for a general audience, since their aim is to familiarize the audience with science and help them understand the scientific thought. The lecture, given by a prominent Slovene or foreign scientist or entrepreneur is followed by a guided discussion. To achieve more efficient promotion of science, Scientific Evenings take place at the Zemono Mansion near Vipava six to eight times a year and are also broadcast by a television company. Faculty Seminars take place at the University’s

premises throught the academic year. The lectures cover various themes in the fields of natural sciences, technology, environmental sciences, medicine, as well as humanities. They are intended for students and scholars of University of Nova Gorica, for professional and also general audience. Further information on the lectures can be found in the daily print media, or can be obtained from the following website: http:// www.ung.si/en/research/

Public events

Documents

University of Nova Gorica - ung.si › public › doc › splosna_brosura_2009_en.pdf · University of Nova Gorica The University of Nova Gorica is an institution of higher education