Majdič elected for second term as University of Ljubljana rector

Majdič, a 57-year-old researcher and professor at the Ljubljana Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Maribor Faculty of Medicine, has become only the second rector, after Jože Mencinger, to lead the country's biggest university for two terms.

"I believe this trust is a result of our good work ... during the previous term. We implemented numerous changes that have made the university better, more inclusive, and more welcoming, as well as enhancing its status both within Slovenia and internationally," Majdič commented on the outcome.

Among the priority tasks for the new term, he listed commencing the construction of student residences, introducing a system for the continuous updating of study programmes, and evaluating the research assessment system implemented during the previous term.

Construction work across individual faculties will continue as well. "The initial priority is to complete the construction projects already underway, namely at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. We hope construction for the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering will commence as soon as possible. Following that, the comprehensive spatial development of all other University of Ljubljana campuses is planned," he said.

Development plans are already being prepared for the other campuses, but according to Majdič, government support is necessary. "For this reason, we are also in intensive discussions with the Cohesion Ministry, aiming to include earthquake protection retrofitting, along with funding for further construction and renovations, in the next cohesion funding period," he explained.

Voting took place simultaneously across all 26 member faculties and the Rectorate of the University of Ljubljana. A total of 43,088 people were eligible to vote, with 5,848 casting their ballot, representing an overall turnout of 13.57%. The final figure is distorted somewhat by a very low turnout by students.

Within the voting groups, 2,188 (representing 51.71% turnout for their group) were higher education teachers, scientific workers, and research associates; 1,055 (43.56% turnout) were professional-administrative and technical staff; and 2,554 (7.01% turnout) were students. These groups' votes carry different weights in the final tally, applied according to a 60%, 20%, 20% ratio respectively.

Three candidates contested the position in the first round held on 2 April. Alongside Majdič, nominated by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Mlinarič-Raščan, the third candidate was Metka Tekavčič from the School of Economics and Business.

As no candidate secured an absolute majority of the weighted valid votes in the first round, Majdič, who received 46.91%, and Mlinarič-Raščan, 32.54%, proceeded to the second round.

Majdič, whose new term will run from 1 October this year until 30 September 2029, is a tenured professor of behavioural neurobiology and use of test animals in research at the Ljubljana Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, a professor of animal physiology at the Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty and physiology professor at the Maribor Faculty of Medicine.

The University of Ljubljana has more than 36,400 students and more than 6,000 teachers, researchers, assistants, lecturers and administrative staff in 23 faculties and three art academies.