The UNI.MINDS Festival is the largest Slovenian festival dedicated to building an innovation community and fostering partnerships between academia and industry. This year, the festival, which takes place in October, is organized by the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, SPIRIT Slovenia, and the University of Primorska. As part of this year’s event, faculties and companies will open their doors to showcase their innovative achievements, the latest technologies, and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
14. October
In addition to innovations in the industrial sector, a workshop was held on October 14, 2024, at the Faculty of Administration in Ljubljana. This workshop also included the project Archaeological Park Simonov Zaliv Izola – Building Paths to Heritage, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zrinka Mileusnić. The project focuses on improving accessibility for people with special needs, particularly for the blind and visually impaired, as well as strengthening the involvement of the local community in promoting heritage. The Archaeological Park Simonov Zaliv is particularly fascinating due to its rich historical findings, including the remains of a Roman villa with mosaics that offer insights into life in antiquity.
Participants were able to explore the accessibility of cultural heritage, with an emphasis on the physical and visual accessibility of the park and access to information. They contributed ideas and suggestions for the further development of the project, particularly in areas such as communication plans, sustainability, monument preservation, organized visits, and measuring social impact
15. October
On October 15, 2024, the University of Primorska, through CRPZ FM (Center for Knowledge Development and Transfer), organized the Innovation and Partnerships Day as part of the festival. This successful event brought together experts and researchers from various fields. The focus of the event was on innovations in automotive and industrial technology, as well as the food processing sector. Participants visited Hidria, a company known for its sustainable solutions and technologies for e-mobility, and Lisjak Olive Oil Mill, where they learned about the production process of premium olive oil and had the opportunity to
taste it.
The event was opened and warmly welcomed by the head of CRPZ UP FM, Prof. Dr. Simona Kustec, along with her colleagues Leon Pavlič and Hristina Stojanovikj. At the event, Prof. Dr. Tatjana Horvat, dean of the UP Faculty of Management, also joined, along with third-year students of the English program and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jana Hojnik.
Visitors were introduced to breakthrough innovations shaping the future and learned about development projects that are already transforming the industry today. The event provided opportunities to establish new partnerships between researchers and companies, as well as to exchange experiences and ideas that will lead to future breakthroughs in technology and innovation.
In addition to tours and engaging presentations, the day offered excellent networking opportunities. There were presentations of research projects and startups addressing specific challenges faced by companies. Innovators, academic experts, and renowned industry players participated, exchanging ideas and seeking solutions for sustainable development and improving efficiency across various sectors.
The successful event, organized by the University of Primorska through CRPZ, deepened collaboration between research institutions and industry and emphasized the commitment to global sustainable development. It also laid a strong foundation for the creation of new breakthrough ideas that will have a long-term impact on society and the economy in the future.
Festival UNI.MINDS 2024: Inovacije in partnerstva med akademskim okoljem in gospodarstvom
