As 2025 draws to a close, the ZRC SAZU Postgraduate School looks back on a year of intensive work and significant developmental progress. According to Dean Dr Jani Kozina, despite various challenges, the past year was marked by numerous achievements, both small and large, which clearly demonstrate the strength of collective efforts and the School’s commitment to long-term development.
Expansion of Doctoral Programmes with Three New Modules
In 2025, our doctoral programmes were expanded with three new modules developed in collaboration with various research institutions and institutes of the ZRC SAZU:
- 4D Earth → Geological Survey of Slovenia
- Migration Studies → Institute for Slovene Emigration and Migration (ISIM)
- Heritage and Heritage Processes in a Critical Perspective → Institute of Slovenian Ethnology (ISN), Institute of Ethnomusicology (GNI), Musicological Institute (MI)
These new modules enrich the study offer and open additional research and thematic perspectives within doctoral studies.
Comprehensive Renewal of Modules Across All Study Programmes
A major milestone in 2025 was the comprehensive content renewal of all study modules. The aim of this process was to ensure a systematic and holistic approach to analysing existing modules and to define steps for their improvement, aligning them with students’ needs, labour market requirements, and quality standards.
Through systematic analysis of the current state and the implementation of proposed measures, the School continues to develop modules that are relevant, innovative, and responsive to the challenges and needs of contemporary society.
Increased Student Enrolment
Joint efforts toward high-quality and inclusive programme development were also reflected in increased student enrolment. In the 2025/26 academic year, enrolment reached the highest level recorded to date. This confirms the ZRC SAZU Postgraduate School’s recognition as a research-oriented and supportive doctoral environment.
Strengthening Research Excellence
In 2025, the School successfully secured eight national and international research and development projects funded through programmes and calls of ARIS, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, KATIS, FFAI – Foundation for Arts Initiatives, and others. These projects strengthen research excellence, international cooperation, and the integration of doctoral studies into current research trends.
Building Foundations for the Future
A significant part of 2025 was also dedicated to strengthening the institutional environment and long-term planning. The Gender Equality Plan of the ZRC SAZU Postgraduate School 2025–2028 was adopted—a key strategic document that, through clearly defined objectives and measures, promotes an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for study, teaching, and research. The Plan addresses organisational culture, gender representation, recruitment and career development, research and teaching content, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
At the same time, the final draft of the Strategy for the Transfer of Research Knowledge and Results of ZRC SAZU into Higher Education was prepared. This strategy establishes a framework for systematically linking research and teaching activities. It encourages the integration of research achievements into study programmes, the strengthening of pedagogical competences of researchers, project-based and international collaboration, and the active involvement of students in research work.
Looking Ahead
The achievements of 2025 provide a solid foundation for the coming year, which will bring important new steps forward.
As the year concludes, we sincerely thank all colleagues, students, and partner institutions for their collaboration, dedication, and co-creation of a shared space for learning and research. With an awareness of diverse perspectives, yet united by the shared value of education, we enter 2026 with optimism and clear goals.