ASEF Scientific Symposium and Gala Evening 2026

The City Museum of Ljubljana hosted the ASEF Scientific Symposium entitled “When Data Speaks: Can the Future Be Calculated?”, which was followed by the annual ASEF Institute Gala Evening. The event brought together top scientists, mentors, fellows, alumni, as well as representatives from the business sector and the wider academic community from Slovenia and abroad.

Introduction to the Symposium: ASEF as a Bridge Between Slovenia and the World

The scientific symposium was opened by the Director of the ASEF Institute, Dr. Rok Sekirnik, who emphasized ASEF’s role as a global research network that connects Slovenian talents with leading international universities and promotes the transfer of knowledge back to Slovenia. Today, ASEF acts as a bridge between Slovenia and the world, and as a community that enables young talents to achieve holistic development – both in the academic field and in developing character and responsibility toward the wider community.

When Data Speaks: Can the Future Be Calculated?

This year’s symposium explored how artificial intelligence and data are transforming science. Prof. Marko Grobelnik presented the automation of scientific processes, Prof. Julija Zavadlav discussed the use of artificial intelligence in molecular modeling, and Prof. Jure Leskovec concluded the session with a lecture on AI systems that are already reshaping research work by generating hypotheses.

ASEF Tutoring: Connecting Science with Real-World Challenges

A special part of the symposium was dedicated to the ASEF Tutoring program, where student groups, in cooperation with Incom Leone and under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Sašo Grozdanov, Prof. Dr. Ivan Bratko, Dr. Alen Krajnc, Prof. Dr. Tomaž Deželan, and Prof. Dr. Janez Žibert, addressed challenges in the fields of biotechnology, AI agents, and health risk prediction. The round table discussion, featuring Maša Karčovnik, Duška Stopar, Marko Fišer, Tomaž Jurkovič, and Gal Gantar, highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence.

A Gala Evening Celebrating Community

The scientific program was followed by the ASEF Gala Evening, opened by Prof. Dr. Jure Leskovec, co-founder of the ASEF Foundation. In his address, he stressed the importance of a community that connects researchers, mentors, and students, facilitating the flow of knowledge between Slovenia and the world. The event was also attended by the Minister of Education, Science, and Youth, Prof. Dr. Borut Rončević, who highlighted the importance of cooperation between science, the economy, and the state in developing an innovation ecosystem. As part of the gala evening, the project “Analysis of the Entrepreneurial Diaspora and the Creation of a Support Ecosystem for Slovenian Entrepreneurs in the USA” was presented, which maps the Slovenian scientific and entrepreneurial community abroad and strengthens its ties with the homeland. Special emphasis was also placed on the new ASEF Map of Knowledge and Entrepreneurship.

ASEF Fellowship Programs: The Heart of Our Organization

The Research Abroad program connects fellows with Slovenian mentors at leading universities around the world. Insights were shared by Prof. Dr. Marinka Žitnik (Harvard University), Prof. Dr. Boštjan Kobe (University of Queensland), Prof. Dr. Jernej Ule (King’s College London), and Prof. Dr. Urška Velikonja (Georgetown University). The Visit Slovenia program, which helps young descendants of Slovenians reconnect with their Slovenian heritage, was presented by Prof. Dr. Urh Grošelj (UMC Ljubljana).

ASEF ZGLED 2026: Award Presented to Prof. Dr. Zdenko Časar

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the ASEF ZGLED 2026 award. This year’s recipient is Prof. Dr. Zdenko Časar, Head of Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development at Lek, a member of the Sandoz group, lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, and a long-time ASEF tutor who has been participating in the program since its inception in 2020. Dr. Časar is also a recipient of the Puh Award for outstanding achievements in industrial pharmacy, the highest national recognition for scientific and technological accomplishments. He received the award for introducing numerous new scientific concepts, technologies, and innovations in the fields of synthesis, analytics, polymorphism, and the stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines. Through his work, he significantly contributes to the development of industrial pharmacy, while as an ASEF mentor and tutor, he plays an important role in shaping mentoring practices, developing young talents, and spreading knowledge within the ASEF community.

The event concluded in a spirit of networking and socializing. Today, ASEF is not just a network of fellows and mentors, but a community based on cooperation, knowledge, and long-term connections among people worldwide.

The ASEF Institute extends its sincere thanks to all supporters of the event: the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth, ARIS – Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, Novartis, Lek, a member of the Sandoz group, Incom Leone, Nomago, Teads, and AmCham Slovenia.

Photo: Aleš Rosa