From Innovations to Heritage: ASEF Junior Fellows on a Professional Excursion
On August 6, ASEF Research Abroad and Visit Slovenia 2025 Junior Fellows embarked on an unforgettable trip to the Vipava Valley. The day was dedicated to exploring successful Slovenian companies, visiting cultural heritage sites, and tasting local delicacies.
Our first stop was Pipistrel d.o.o., where we delved into the world of aeronautics. Founded in 1989, the company is now a leading global producer of ultralight aircraft and motorized gliders. As the first private manufacturer and exporter of aircraft in the former Yugoslavia, Pipistrel was a pioneer in alternative aviation. We learned how they are pushing the boundaries of technology and creating mobility solutions, transforming the way we fly. We even got to try a flight simulator. Did you know that the company’s name comes from the scientific name for a genus of common bats (lat. Pipistrellus)?
Next, we visited Sartorius BIA Separations d.o.o., a leader in the development of monolithic technology and the production of chromatographic columns. Founded in 1998, the company is a key provider of innovative technologies for manufacturing biological drugs. Their technology enables the separation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient from potentially harmful impurities, which is crucial in the development of biologics. It’s especially impressive that, with their new analytical processes, they can detect impurities at significantly lower concentrations and purify them more effectively than was possible in the past. The company collaborates with all thirty of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, and its technology is even used in the development of gene therapy for treating infants with spinal muscular atrophy. We were impressed by their innovative approaches and vision for the future of medicine.
After a morning filled with new knowledge, we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch, where we recharged and chatted in preparation for our next adventures.
In the afternoon, we were welcomed by the family-owned company Incom Leone d.o.o., where we learned about their products and unique mindset. The management and employees are dedicated to inspiring people with their unique and excellent products, promoting creativity and good taste, and spreading optimism. Every day, they produce and ship more than 3.2 million ice cream bars. Their portfolio includes over 300 different kinds of ice cream and chocolate variations, which are exported to more than 39 countries worldwide. Of course, the trip wouldn’t have been complete without tasting their innovative and delicious creations, which were a special treat on a hot afternoon. Here’s a fun fact: the two employees who worked on developing their innovative rose-shaped cone fell in love during the project. They are now married with two children.
To conclude our business-oriented summer expedition, we stopped in the idyllic Vipavski Križ, once the smallest town in the entire Habsburg Monarchy. We took a walk through the town and visited the old and rich monastery library, which archives original works by Janez Svetokriški. For a perfect end to the day, we enjoyed a tasting of excellent Vipava wines and authentic local dishes at the Grajska klet wine cellar.
We returned home full of new insights, inspired by the achievements of Slovenian entrepreneurship, and connected by new experiences that we will surely cherish for a long time.
A sincere thank you to everyone who, with their hospitality, knowledge, and positive spirit, contributed to making our trip truly unforgettable: Martina Velikonja and Blaž Grmadnik from Pipistrel d.o.o., Dr. Rok Sekirnik, Maja Leskovec, and Dr. Matija Konig from Sartorius BIA Separations, Boštjan Jerončič and Petra Komel Gentilini from Incom Leone d.o.o., and Patrik Zgonik from Zavod Vipavski Križ.
Foto: Domen Škerlep
