Astronaut Sunita Williams on Private Visit to Slovenia: Meeting with the Young Academic Community
ASEF and the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad Join Forces to Organize Expert Dialogue
Ljubljana, November 2025 – NASA astronaut of Slovenian descent, Sunita L. Williams, recently visited Slovenia as part of a private visit. During the visit, a special meeting with a group of gifted young individuals in the fields of physics and astrophysics took place, initiated by the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad and in collaboration with the American-Slovenian Educational Foundation (ASEF).
Dialogue on Space, Determination, and Identity
The central event of the visit was a conversation titled “Amidst the Cosmos”, led by State Secretary Vesna Humar at the Office’s premises. In a constructive dialogue, Sunita Williams openly discussed the professional life of an astronaut, including the demanding experiences of long missions and the personal impact of observing Earth from space.
Williams also highlighted the importance of her family story and the Slovenian heritage she carries as part of her identity. She emphasized the connection to Slovenia and the Slovenian determination, which she also sees in the achievements of Slovenian astronauts in the USA:
“Slovenia clearly has something special. Slovenians have the brains and the drive for great feats,” she stated, addressing the attendees about the importance of ambition and perseverance in science.
Young Experts and Global Connections
The meeting, organized by the Office and ASEF, was attended by a network of exceptionally talented individuals, underscoring the global reach and significance of the Slovenian educational network. Present were ASEF mentors Dr. Kaja Antlej, Dr. Jure Zupan, Dr. Andrej Prša, and Dr. Uroš Seljak, and ASEF fellows Domen Škerlep, Lara Jerman, Gal Gantar, Frenk Dragar, Nikiša Plešec and Jakob Robnik, as well as other young researchers, students, scientists, and founders of high-tech companies working in Slovenia, in neighboring countries with Slovenian minorities, and internationally (USA, Australia, Netherlands, Germany).
Astronaut Sunita Williams’ visit thus represented a valuable opportunity for inspiration and direct contact between the young Slovenian scientific community and one of the most prominent figures in global space science.
Sunita Williams received the ASEF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, but was unable to accept it in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic. On behalf of ASEF, Director Rok Sekirnik thanked Sunita Williams for her support and presented her with a ceramic mug featuring motifs by Ivana Kobilca.
Astronaut Sunita Williams was accompanied by her mother, and sister, which highlighted the importance of the Slovenian heritage passed down through generations. The hosts from the Office provided a surprise by creating a very special space-themed cake, emphasizing their welcome and gratitude for her visit.
Photo credits: Ana Šket Daneu