With the addition of two new, state-of-the-art facilities for the faculties of chemistry and chemical technology and computer and information science at Slovenia’s University of Ljubljana, this project helped the institution solidify its standing as a world-class research centre for the natural sciences and technology.
With more space, University of Ljubljana increases academic output
- 06 March 2019
The new centre increases Slovenia’s competitive position in the field of science, especially chemistry, chemical technology, computer and information science. This will have a positive impact in corresponding economic areas, especially exports, which are important contributors to the country’s economy.
Since its foundation in 1951, the University of Ljubljana’s faculty of chemistry and chemical technology has developed into one of its largest departments. In doing so, it has outgrown its original space. With the facilities having been long deemed insufficient and unsafe, the faculty’s 233 staff and more than 1 600 students have been forced to make do using 24 different locations spread across Ljubljana.
The study of computer science at the university started in 1973, becoming an independent study programme in 1982. With the explosive development of computer technologies, in 1996, the faculty of computer and information science split with the faculty of electrical engineering, but continued to share the same premises. Since then, the number of students and staff almost doubled, to 1 500 students and 180 staff. Clearly, the faculty was in need of its own facilities.
With EU-funding, the university was able to build the high-quality educational, scientific research and development centre it so desperately needed. The two new buildings, which are connected by a glass bridge, are located next to the university’s biotechnical faculty, the National Institute of Biology and Technological Park. As the new buildings host the comparable studies of chemistry, chemical technology, and computer and information sciences, their location is meant to foster collaboration in research and studies.
More space for more students
Perhaps the biggest advantage the new facilities bring is more space. The new centre offers more than 90 additional workplaces for teachers, assistants, researchers and technical-administrative staff. There are another 30 workplaces dedicated to support services. Already, this has resulted in an increase in the number of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students enrolled at the university.
According to a university forecast, the share of students enrolled in natural sciences – as a percentage of the total student population – is expected to rise from 6.8 % to 9 % by 2028. Likewise, the share of students enrolled in the university’s technology programmes is expected to increase from 13.5 % at present to 20 % by 2028.
More students means more results
With more students comes more academic output. According to the university, the number of articles and citations will increase from 190 to 475 and from 1 330 to 2 840 respectively. Furthermore, the university expects to generate two patents. Direct contractual cooperation in research with local businesses is set to double.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of new premises for the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology and the Faculty of Computer and Information Science of the University of Ljubljana” is EUR 88 547 031, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 75 264 976 through the “Strengthening Regional Development Potentials” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Jobs, Growth and Investment”.