Dr. Katja Kramberger, Assist. Prof. Ana Petelin and Assoc. Prof. Saša Kenig attended the International FoodTech Conference in Novi Sad on 16 and 17 November 2024. The conference, attended by almost 400 participants, presented innovations in the field of food and nutrition, with a particular focus on sustainable production and the health impacts of food. Participants gave two presentations, one on the action of extracts from the Cynara scolymus (Strunjan artichoke) and an invited lecture on the effects of Helichrysum italicum on health indicators.

At the beginning of October, Assist. Prof. Matej Voglar completed a three-month research fellowship at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Banja Luka. During the research visit, in collaboration with Prof. Aleksandar Kukric and Assist. Prof. Filip Kukic, the effects of mobilization of the jump joint on the parameters of jumping, dynamic balance and flexibility were investigated. The introductory period was mainly devoted to familiarisation with the new measurement system with which the laboratory was equipped during the visit. The main research was carried out on trained young athletes in cooperation with a football and basketball club. Assist. Rok Vatovec joined the team for a short period of time and new opportunities were identified to strengthen future cooperation between the two faculties.

Assoc. Prof. Mirko Prosen attended the 23rd Conference of Nurses and Technicians and the 9th Conference of Health Professions on Quality and Safety in Healthcare Practice, organised by the Zagreb University of Health Sciences in Poreč on 17 and 18 October. As an invited speaker, he presented the topic “Promoting social equality through cultural competence: ensuring safe and quality healthcare in a diverse world”. The conference was an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and to forge new partnerships.

In September, Asst. Rok Vatovec visited the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport (University of Banja Luka). During his visit, he joined assistant professor Assit. Prof. Matej Voglar, who is completing a three-month exchange. During his visit, he participated in a research study on young athletes.

Representatives of the Department of Nutritional Counseling – Dietetics of the UP Faculy of Health Sciences attended the congress from 5 to 10 September 2024. Asist. Špela Bužinel, asist. Tanja Črešnovar and asist. Bernarda Habe successfully completed several modules on different topics of clinical nutrition in the framework of the ESPEN diploma. They also presented their research at the conference, namely asist. Tanja Črešnovar’s research entitled “Effectiveness of time-restricted eating with caloric restriction vs. caloric restriction on anthropometric parameters in overweight and obese adults” and asist. Bernarda Habe’s research entitled “Effectiveness of time-restricted eating with caloric restriction vs. caloric restriction on biochemical parameters, insulin and metabolic indexes in overweight and obese adults”.

The International Congress of Physiology, organised under the auspices of the Association of Physiologists from different countries, was held in Rome from 11 to 13 September 2024. Senior lecturer Dr. Tadeja Jakus and Prof. Dr Mihaela Jurdana contributed to the event. The congress was divided into sections dealing with the latest research in the neurophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. The Metabolism section highlighted research on microplastics and their impact on the gut microbiota, the role of circadian rhythms on the functioning of the digestive system and the link between the microbiota and the brain. The Skeletal Musculature section dealt with genetic myopathies and sarcopenia. The programme included plenary lectures by top experts from different countries. During the congress we also had the opportunity to meet Prof. Dr. Marco Narici from the University of Padova, a renowned expert in the field of skeletal muscle, sarcopenia and microgravity.

The conference of HEPA Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Physical Activity (HEPA Europe), organised in cooperation with the World Health Organisation, took place in Dublin from 19 to 21 August. UP Faculty of Health Scineces participates as a member in various working groups of the association. Nastja Podrekar Loredan actively participated in the conference and presented a paper entitled Physical activity and sedentary behaviour among Slovenian police officers.

From July 4th to 6th, the conference of the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) took place in Basel, attended by Assist. Prof. Dr. Matej Voglar and faculty colleagues Barbara Pantar and Urban Ivanušič. At the conference, Assist. Prof. Dr. Matej Voglar presented a paper co-authored with Assist. Prof. Dr. Žiga Kozinc and Assist. Rok Vatovec on the topic of the applicability of shear wave elastography in studying the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions (Evaluating Physiotherapeutic Interventions: Insights from Shear Wave Elastography Studies).

The 29th ECSS (European College of Sport Science) Conference, one of the largest and most prestigious sport science conferences in the world, took place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 2 to 5 July 2024. The conference was also attended by representatives of UP Faculty of Health Sciences – prof. dr. Nejc Šarabon, assist. prof. Darjan Smajla, assist. prof. Žiga Kozinc, asist. Rok Vatovec, asist. Jan Marušič, asist. Matic Sašek and asist. Oskar Cvjetičanin. All of them presented their recent research work in papers with the following titles:

• prof. dr. Šarabon: SQUAT JUMP AND COUNTER-MOVEMENT JUMP CLUSTER ANALYSIS BASED ON SUBORDINATE GROUND REACTION FORCE VARIABLES
• assist. prof. Smajla: THE EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUALIZED FLYWHEEL INERTIAL VERSUS FREE-WEIGHT EXERCISE BASED ON MAXIMUM POWER LOAD IN OLDER ADULTS
• assist. prof. Kozinc: SHOULD ECCENTRIC UTILIZATION RATIO BE USED IN ASSESSMENT OF ATHLETES? A REPORT FROM A SERIES OF EXPLORATORY STUDIES
• asist. Vatovec: THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF FOAM ROLLING PRIOR TO INTENSE ECCENTRIC EXERCISE ON HAMSTRING STIFFNESS
• asist. Marušič: JOINT TORQUE AND MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING ECCENTRIC EXERCISE FOR HIP ADDUCTORS AT VARIED HIP FLEXION ANGLES
• asist. Sašek: THE FORCE-VELOCITY PROFILES OF 20-METER SPRINTS WITH HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE DEVICE: A THEORETICAL BACKGROUND FOR OPTIMAL RESISTANCE LOADS
• asist. Cvjetičanin: DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ISOKINETIC DEVICE FOR ECCENTRIC HIP ADDUCTION EXERCISES

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirko Prosen visited the Faculté de médecine Jacques Lisfranc at the Université Jean Monnet in France, which is a partner of the University of Primorska in the T4EU network. The aim of the mission was to strengthen international cooperation, exchange good practices and explore possibilities for future projects.

On the first day, he met with the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Philippe Berthelot, the Vice Dean for International Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Catherine Massoubre, and the Associate Prof. Dr. Maura Strigini, Mobility Coordinator. After an introduction and a tour of the Faculty, he was briefed on the organisation of the Master’s degree programme in Health Sciences. This programme provides training for different types of professionals, from natural sciences, nursing to social sciences. He presented the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Primorska and its activities.

He then met with Dr Elise Verot, coordinator of the nursing programmes at the Faculty. They discussed with all of them the possibilities of networking and cooperation.

The second day was devoted to a meeting with representatives of the PRESAGE Institute (Institut universitaire de Prévention et Santé Globale), which is made up of five departments, including the Department of Preventive Health. Constructive discussions on project cooperation were held in the framework of this meeting. They were particularly impressed by the our faculty’s focus on prevention for health, the third-level curriculum and the emphasis on integrating intercultural health care into the curriculum.

Manca Opara Zupančič (Department of Physiotherapy) presented a poster entitled: Effects of virtual reality training on pain intensity and disability in patients with chronic low back or neck pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis at the World Congress on Virtual Rehabilitation in Amsterdam.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sabina Ličen and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mirko Prosen attended the 9th International Conference on Transcultural Nursing, which took place from 12 to 15 June 2024 at Middlesex University in London, UK.

Conference theme: “Embracing the changes in transcultural nursing: From basics to cyborgs”.

We actively participated with three presentations: “Innovative Strategies for Teaching Cultural Competence in Nursing Education through Digital Technology: An Integrative Literature Review”, “The Role of Smart Technology in Enhancing Transcultural Care for Older Adults in Narrative Corrective Presentation Method”, and “Exploring Social (In)Justice: A Method Development through Narrative Corrective Presentation Method”. 

This was an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and experience and to network with experts from all over the world.

From 3 to 6 June 2024, Eva Lešnik Filipčič (Office for Scientific Research and International Cooperation) and Karin Vrtar (Office for Training and Events Organisation) participated in the Masaryk University International Staff Week (MUNI): Technology Transfer Office, in Brno, Czech Republic. The topics of the international week focused on technology and knowledge transfer in the Czech university environment, a presentation of the Technology Transfer Office at MUNI, current trends in technology and knowledge transfer, open science topics, legal issues in technology transfer and a presentation of the Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine Simulation Centre. Karin Vrtar also visited Tereza Pohlová from the Career Centre, Kateřina Baránková, who manages alumni relations at the Rector’s Office, and Andrea Pokorná, Michal Pospíšil and Natália Beharková from the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Health Sciences.

Programme intensive week MALTA – Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)

Antimicrobial Stewardship: Managing Antibiotic Resistance

26-31 May 2024, the University of Malta hosted the physical implementation of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) entitled “Antimicrobial Stewardship: Managing Antibiotic Resistance” in which, in addition to the University of Primorska Faculty of Health Sciences (project partner), the University of Malta (lead partner), Brunel University, England (project partner); Metropolia UAS, Finland (project partner); Haute Ecole de Namur-Liege-Luxembourg, Belgium (project partner) and Universita degli Studi di Milano, Italy (project partner) participated.

The first part of the BIP took place via Zoom starting in January 2024, during which individual lecturers presented a specific topic, followed by active work by students in groups. The students then developed projects in the physical delivery of the programme with ideas on how to address the issue of over- or misuse of antibiotics in clinical settings and in the general population. The KIP implementers consider that this knowledge is crucial and needs to be transferred to a wider audience, including students, health professionals and the general population, and the project will therefore continue.

Participants at UP FVZ: 7 students of postgraduate study programmes at UP FVZ, Sen. Lect. Helena Skočir and prof. dr. Darja Barlič – Maganja.

Additional information about the BIP is available at: https://fvz.upr.si/antimicrobial-stewardship-managing-antibiotic-resistance/ 

From 16 to 23 May 2024, Dr David Ravnik from the Department of Physiotherapy took part in an Erasmus exchange to teach at the Fernando Pessoa Canarias University in Santa Maria de Guia, Spain. He gave a series of lectures on the physiotherapy and occupational therapy courses, presented the home institution and its study programmes and the international module. He also visited some potential clinical settings for physiotherapy students, among which it is worth mentioning San Juan de Dios, where people with intellectual and physical disabilities of all ages are treated.

Between April 18th and 20th, 2024, the conference titled “Exercise and Quality of Life – EQOL 2024” took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, organized by the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education from Novi Sad, which has been organizing this conference for several years. This year’s conference was attended by Assist. Prof. Dr. Urška Čeklić, Assist. Prof. Dr. Milan Hosta, Assist. Irena Kleibencetl, and Assist. Prof. Dr. Matej Plevnik, who actively presented the results of their research.

The conference also provided an opportunity to strengthen contacts and collaborations with related organizations from the Southeastern part of Europe. Representatives from Shangdong University (China) also attended, with whom we recently signed an agreement, the Academic Network for Sports, at UP Faculty of Health Sciences. We also had the chance to personally congratulate Dr. Brigita Banjac, who spent six months at our faculty as part of a doctoral exchange, and recently completed her doctorate, securing a position as a researcher at the hosting conference faculty.

As part of the conference, there was also a remarkable ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education from Novi Sad, attended by numerous important guests from the worlds of politics, academia, and science. We sincerely congratulate the Faculty from Novi Sad and wish them continued success in fulfilling their mission!

Video the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the faculty.

Associate prof. dr. Mirko Prosen and associate prof. dr. Sabina Ličen took part in an international scientific conference organised by the Federation of European Educators in Nursing Science (FINE) and held at the UIC Barcelona, Spain, on 21 and 22 March.

The event, entitled “Nursing Education for a Sustainable Future: Challenges and Opportunities”, brought together key stakeholders from the nursing sector to share insights and discuss shaping a sustainable future for nursing education in Europe. With two contributions, they took part in the discussion on the crucial role of nursing education and its importance for the development of future generations in this field.

The conference represented a significant step forward in ensuring a sustainable future for nursing by promoting the exchange of knowledge and experiences that will shape the next generations of healthcare professionals.

Associate prof. dr. Sabina Ličen and associate prof. dr. Mirko Prosen took part in the 8th International Conference on Advanced Research in Education, Teaching, and Learning from 14 to 16 March, which was held in Berlin, Germany.

With three contributions, they actively participated in discussions about the needs in the field of education and the search for innovative solutions in a world facing rapid technological advances and multiple challenges at local, national and international levels.

The conference was an excellent opportunity to meet other experts in the field of education and create new connections and opportunities for project collaboration and research. This event has thus opened the doors to numerous opportunities for future international academic and research projects that will further contribute to progress in education.

Dr. Katja Kramberger attended the Nutraceuticals Europe Summit & Expo event on March 6th and 7th, which took place in Barcelona, Spain. At the event, she had the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations in prebiotic technology and dietary supplements made from natural ingredients, as well as other notable developments. She explored a wide range of products and services related to nutraceuticals and participated in an intensive program of discussions and roundtable sessions addressing the latest trends and products in the fields of nutrition and health.

An emerging trend is the production of nutraceuticals in the form of gummy candies, and there is also considerable development in the field of nutricosmetics, based on the concept of “beauty from the inside out.” She paid particular attention to the seminar presentations of leading manufacturers’ innovations, noting that they are aware of the importance of conducting clinical research, which is becoming a regular practice in the nutraceuticals industry as well.

At the CARE4 International Scientific Conference on Nursing and Midwifery, which took place on 5 and 6 February in Antwerp, Belgium, assoc. prof. dr. Mirko Prosen as a keynote speaker, highlighted the professionalisation process of nursing.

Focusing on interprofessional collaboration and the user’s perspective, he discussed achieving optimal outcomes for patients. Does true interprofessional collaboration, in which nursing is an equal partner, really exist? A consideration that paves the way for the further development and recognition of the role of nursing in the clinical setting.

Assoc. prof. dr. Sabina Ličen and Assoc. prof. dr. Mirko Prosen attended the CARE4 International Scientific Nursing and Midwifery Conference on 5 and 6 February in Antwerp, Belgium.

The topic “Navigating the Future of Healthcare: Nurses and Midwives as Drivers for Change” provided an opportunity to meet other experts and was an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and initiate new collaborations.
With four contributions, they actively contributed to the diverse scientific discussions that are shaping the future of nursing and midwifery.

Assoc. Prof. Sabina Ličen and Assoc. Prof. Mirko Prosen recently participated in the prestigious 16th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation held in Seville, Spain, from November 13 to 15, 2023.

At the conference, they presented two contributions:

1️. “Digital technology in nursing education: an in-depth look at students’ experiences”

2️. “Qualitative assessment of online learning experience: a protocol development”

Both contributions are the result of their work within the ARIS project (Development of a digital educational standard in higher education to ensure justice and accessibility in digital education – J5-4572) and were published in the conference proceedings.

The conference provided an exceptional opportunity to exchange knowledge and ideas with university teachers and experts from around the world. Sabina and Mirko gained valuable insights and established new project-research connections that will undoubtedly enrich their work and the broader field of digital education.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Matej Plevnik, Vice Dean for Quality Assurance in Kinesiology Department at UP Faculty of Health Sciences, and Andreja Brecelj, Head of the Office for Scientific and Research Work and International Cooperation at UP Faculty of Health Sciences, attended the Academic Network for Sports Inaugural Conference & International Conference on the Development of Sports Science in Jinan, China, from November 23 to 25, 2023. Their participation aimed to strengthen the exchange and collaboration between China and countries in Central and Eastern Europe in the field of sports science.

During the founding conference, Shandong University (China) and the University of Novi Sad (Serbia) established the Academic Network for Sports. The University of Primorska also became a member of the network. The inaugural conference also hosted an International Conference on the Development of Sports Science, with the aim of establishing an open and inclusive platform for the advancement of sport science.

Assist. Prof. Igor Karnjuš participated in the international conference of the European Resuscitation Council, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, from November 2 to 4, 2023.

He presented a paper entitled “Chest injuries associated with manual chest compressions in adult patients who have suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,” prepared in collaboration with his colleague Aljaž Božič from the Prehospital Unit of ZD Koper.

The conference provided an exceptional opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and ideas among experts in the fields of emergency medicine and resuscitation. Participants had the chance to share the latest insights related to the treatment of critically ill patients, and the conference also offered an excellent opportunity to establish future project connections.

Sen. Lect. Tadeja Jakus and Assistant Špela Bužinel met with dietitians and other nutritional experts from across Europe at the 14th EFAD Congress in Budapest. The theme for this year’s gathering was “Dietetic care, a human right: moving forward into a new era.” The event featured discussions on current issues in the field of dietetics, experiences in applying various knowledge to practice, and the potential use of new tools for research or preventive nutritional activities. There was a strong emphasis on the importance of dietitians working within healthcare teams and involving young professionals in the work process. Sen. Lect. Tadeja Jakus presented the topic “What shapes students’ interest in working in different health care settings? A case study of dietetics students in Slovenia” at the congress.

Nuša Brišar actively participated in the 17th Vaccine Congress, which took place from 24 to 27 September in Glasgow, Scotland. She presented a poster entitled “Development of a filamentous bacteriophage-based vaccine displaying the MAGE-A1 tumour peptide for the treatment of malignant melanoma cancer“, authored by Nuša Brišar, Dr. Katja Šuster, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Simona Kranjc Brezar and Prof. Dr. Andrej Cör.

The congress was organized into sections and covered various topics, including the socio-political consequences of vaccinations and vaccination policies, the use of vaccines in veterinary medicine, immunization during pregnancy, the development of vaccines for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted and meningococcal infections, as well as infections caused by other microbial agents such as Bordetella pertussis, Shigella, influenza virus, RSV, and black plague, among others. The plenary lectures were delivered by globally renowned researchers in their respective fields.

Assoc. Prof. Sabina Ličen and Assoc. Prof. Mirko Prosen participated in the international conference “5th Nordic Conference in Nursing Research,” which took place at the Hilton Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 2 to 4 October. They attended the conference with two papers, namely “Mixed methods research to identify factors influencing e-learning in nursing education – An integrative literature review” and “Evaluation of the use of the drawing method in nursing research among nursing students.” These papers were prepared as part of the ARIS project: ” Development of a digital education standard in higher education for ensuring equity and accessibility in digital education – J5-4572.”

The conference provided an exceptional opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and ideas among expert researchers in the field of healthcare. Participants had the chance to share and develop new concepts in research. Additionally, the conference served as an excellent opportunity to establish future project connections.

Tadeja Jakus, Ph.D. and Prof. Dr. Mihaela Jurdana actively participated in the Italian Congress of Physiologists with international attendance, the 73rd SIF National Congress – The Italian Society of Physiology, which took place from September 6th to September 9th, 2023, in Pisa. The congress was divided into sections based on the field of physiology: Neurobiology and Neuroscience, Cellular Physiology, Physiology of the Motor System, Sensory Physiology, and the Role of Nutrition in Systemic Physiology. Plenary lectures were given by world-renowned researchers in their respective fields, including Prof. Dr. Bente Klarlund Pedersen, MD, best known for her research group’s discovery that skeletal muscle is an endocrine organ that produces and releases molecules called myokines. The identification of myokines provides a conceptual basis for understanding how muscles communicate with other organ systems.

Assist. Prof. Ana Petelin, Assoc. Prof. Saša Kenig and Assoc. Prof. Zala Jenko Pražnikar participated in a meeting with partners from the Institute of Food Technology in Novi Sad (FINS) as part of the bilateral project “Sustainable Food for a Healthy Future”. They developed a plan for incorporating certain plants and their bioactive compounds into new functional foods. The aim of the project is to establish the development of new dietary products based on ‘green’ sustainability principles with potential practical value in the treatment of obesity. Members of the Serbian group will focus on the preparation of plant extracts and the design and production of a new functional food product, while we will be responsible for testing them on cell lines and later on humans.

Nela Panger (Secretary of the Faculty) and Mariza Bulič (Head of Office for Organizational and Development Affairs) visited the Universitat d’Alacant / Universidad de Alicante in Spain from 18 to 22 September 2023. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen cooperation with a foreign university that is a partner of the European university network T4EU. Discussions with university representatives focused on the activities of T4EU and the potential for new agreements in the field of student and professor mobility. During the visit they also met a representative of the leading T4EU partner at Universität des Saarlandes – Saarland Universit

Dr. Denisa Manojlović attended the 13th EFIC 2023 Congress – European Pain Federation in Budapest, Hungary, from September 20th to 22nd, 2023. She presented the poster titled “The Perception of Patellofemoral Pain Following a Targeted Exercise Program: a Qualitative Descriptive Study,” authored by Dr. Denisa Manojlović, Prof. Nejc Šarabon, and Mirko Prosen, PhD, Assoc. Prof.

Eva Lešnik Filipčič (Office for Scientific and Research Work and International Cooperation University of Primorska Faculty of Health Sciences) attended the 10th Conference on Scientific Communication in the Context of Open Science, PUBMET 2023 in Zadar, Croatia. Various sessions covered topics related to open science, the role of open science infrastructure, publishing, libraries in the era of open access, integrity and societal impact, and the use of artificial intelligence in the context of open science.

From September 11th to September 14th, 2023, representatives from UP FVZ participated in the 45th ESPEN Congress in Lyon. Assoc. Prof. Zala Jenko Pražnikar and Assist. Prof. Ana Petelin attended the conference with research presentations. Assoc. Prof. Zala Jenko Pražnikar presented the research titled “Could Gut Microbiota Composition Be a Useful Indicator of a Long-Term Dietary Pattern?” while Assist. Prof. Ana Petelin presented the research titled “Effects of Four Different Dietary Fiber Supplements on Weight Loss and Lipid and Glucose Serum Profiles during Energy Restriction in Patients with Traits of Metabolic Syndrome: A Comparative, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.”Furthermore, Assistant Špela Bužinel, Assistant Tanja Črešnovar and Assistnat Bernarda Habe successfully completed 4 modules in clinical dietetics as part of their pursuit of the ESPEN diploma.

Kristina Uršič Jakomin (head of Office for Quality and Educational Affairs) and Prof. Darja Barlić Maganja visited the institution AIIMS All India Institute of Medical Sciences in June 2023, located in 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐡𝐢, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚. They conducted discussions with Prof. M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, Chairman, SET Management Committee; Dr. (Prof.) Meenu Bajpai, Dean (Academic), Co-Chairman, SET Management Committee; Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa Professor, Professor & Head, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Dr. Achal Kumar Srivastava, Professor, Department of Neurology, Head, Unit III.

They presented them the functioning of AIIMS, which includes clinical services, education, and research. Established in 1956 as an autonomous institution through parliamentary legislation, AIIMS comprises 47 specialized departments and 7 centers. They offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs in medicine and health sciences. Their research achievements were also emphasized. They were given a tour of the laboratories and the microbiological research department.

During the week of June 26th to June 30th, 2023, Karmen Zazijal and Eva Lešnik Filipčič from the Office for Scientific and Research Work and International Cooperation UP FVZ, along with Samanta Kocjančič (UP Rectorate) and Valentina Tomažinčič (UP IAM), attended the 13th International Week organized by the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal in Portugal.

The International Week was held under the theme “Bring the future to Academia.” Over the course of five days, various lectures, workshops, and roundtable discussions took place. The main topics focused on European universities, the use of artificial intelligence and the future of higher education, science and society (including civic science and science communication), as well as innovations and intellectual property. During the visit, they also had the opportunity to visit the laboratories at campus in Setúbal and Barreiro campus.

At the end of June 2023, a staff exchange took place at the University of Montenegro as part of the Erasmus+ KA107 program. During the visit, the colleagues from the professional services of the University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences (Andreja Brecelj, Head of the Office for Scientific and Research Work and International Cooperation, Sanja Karas, Head of the Student Affairs Office; and Maja Šumanski Petrović, Head of the General Affairs Office) visited the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education at the University of Montenegro in Nikšić and familiarized themselves with their study programs and activities. They were welcomed by the Vice-Dean for International Cooperation, Assoc. Prof. Kosta Goranović, and his colleagues. As part of the exchange, they also visited the rectorate of the University of Montenegro in Podgorica and the surrounding faculties (hosted by the Head of the International Office, Nikolina Radulović).

On June 27, 2023, Jakob Renko, Assist. Prof. Igor Karnjuš, Assist. Prof. Patrik Pucer and Instr. Kristina Martinovič had a meeting with representatives of the Simulation Center at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka. They were hosted by Assist. Prof. Janja Tarčuković, MD, PhD, specialist in anasthesiology, Sandro Vidmanić, B.Sc. in Nursing, M.Sc. in Nursing, and Mario Dugonjić, B.Sc. in Nursing, M.Sc. in Clinical Dietetics.

They visited the facilities of the Simulation Centre and the equipment available for the education of medical, nursing, and midwifery students. They also discussed possible projects and content that could be developed collaboratively within the Simulation Center and the GDI UP project.

Jakob Renko and Assist. Prof. Igor Karnjuš attended the international conference SESAM 28th annual meeting of society for simulation in Europe, which took place from June 14th to 16th, 2023, in Lisbon. This event represents the largest and most important simulation event in Europe.

Consequently, it is also the event where the most renowed manufacturers of simulators and audiovisual systems, such as Laerdal Medical, Gaumard Scientific, SimX, CAE Healthcare, and others, present themselves.

They established collaboration with the simulation community SESAM and gained several interesting contacts, which represent potential partners for future collaboration and projects. They were also invited to a meeting organized with the purpose of revitalizing simulations in healthcare (Special interest group for nursing).

On May 5th, 2023, and June 9th, 2023, Jasna Hartman (Office for General Affairs, UP FVZ) and Urška Koler (Office for Quality and Educational Affairs, UP FVZ) visited the Faculty of Health Studies at the University of Sarajevo (Univerzitet u Sarajevu) as part of the Erasmus+ KA107 project.

In the international office, they presented the functioning of the university and the faculty. This was followed by individual discussions with representatives from the offices of general affairs, study affairs, public procurement, and library activities.

During the visit, Jasna and Urška also presented our vision, mission, and all study programs at all levels of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska.

Assist. Prof. Dorjana Zerbo Šporin, was a guest lecturer at the University of Alicante, Spain, a member of the T4EU European university, from 15 May to 18 May 2023, in the Physical Education and Sport programme (Faculty of Education). 

She gave lectures on physical activity in the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in different years of study. She presented the University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, focusing on the international module. Teachers and researchers informed her about their research and publications in the field of physical activity for health. She spent a lot of time with the students, comparing with them the differences in studies (theirs is 4+1) and in the functioning of the sport system in Spain and in our country.

During the week of 15 May – 19 May 2023, Karin Vrtar (Office for Organizational and Development Affairs, UP Faculty of Health Sciences), together with Petra Kolarič (Promotion Office, UP Faculty of Humanities) and Alejandra Ramos Rivera (Alumni Office), participated in the Erasmus+ Staff Week ”Porto Communication Staff Week 2023” at the University of Porto, Faculty of Engineering.

The main theme of the week was communication, with a focus on strengthening relations with alumni and international students.

Between 14 May and 19 May 2023, Assist. Prof. David Ravnik and Sen. Lect. Katarina Merše Lovrinčevič  participated in an Erasmus exchange at the University of West Attica in Athens.

They were hosted by the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy Assoc. Prof. Daphne Bakalidou, and during their visit they also met with two physiotherapy students from UP FVZ, who are on an exchange practical training in Athens.

University of West Attica was established in 2018 as a result of the merger of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens and the Technological Educational Institute of Piraeus. It has over 65,000 students. The majority of their visit took place at the Egaleo Park campus, where physiotherapy and nursing studies take place.

Assoc. Prof. Boštjan Žvanut presented an invited lecture at the First International Scientific and Professional Conference of the Croatian Association of Nurses and Health Care Technicians in Home Care and the First Symposium of the Association of Physiotherapists in the Community on 28 April 2023.

In his lecture entitled “Cyberthreats in older adults – a challenge in home nursing”, he presented the preliminary findings of the project “e@ser” – “The Safe Use of Smart Devices among the Elderly: Towards education-based cybercrime prevention”.

Prof. Nejc Šarabon visited the Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC Pirineus), where he met with Sílvia Puigarnau Coma and Marc Elmeua González, who defended his PhD thesis entitled Biomechanical analysis of equestrian sports on 1 February 2023 at the UP Faculty of Health Sciences, under the supervision of Prof. Nejc Šarabon.

During his visit, he visited the Faculty’s infrastructural facilities and the strong water sports infrastructure in the city – the Parc del Segre Olympic Centre, which was built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and is still used today for water sports, especially canoeing, open-kayak etc.