Collaboration of the University of Nova Gorica and the Kayak Club of the Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica

Even though it may seem that higher education, science and sports do not have much in common, the collaboration between the University of Nova Gorica and the Kayak Club of the Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica attests to quite a few common areas of interest. Both institutions both share their concern for education and personal growth and development of young generations, moreover, they share their concern for clean environment, and last but not least, the Kayak Club of the Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica and the University of Nova Gorica are also joined by their desire to surpass the local mediocrity and to achieve top results on the international scale.

Regarding the last conjoining trait between the two institutions, we can point right away to the top results (medals) that the female and male kayakers from Nova Gorica have managed to achieve at international races and world championships. Similarly, the people who work at the University of Nova Gorica have been achieving top results with their scholarly work and research, especially in the fields of materials, nanotechnology and environmental studies, also through the publication of their findings in the prestigious, international peer-reviewed scholarly journals and, of course, though the transmission of their finding into the industry field. Scientific findings could also be transported into the area of sports and, by that, ensure greater competitiveness and even better results of our kayakers.

Environment protection (and sustainability) is one of the major and most established fields of research at the University of Nova Gorica. On another level, we can only imagine achieving the optimum quality of practice and general development of the kayaking sport in an unspoiled nature, such as that of the Soča valley. Hence our collaboration is targeted towards the research, preservation, and development of the environment in the Soča valley, which is also reflected in our proposals in the strategic regional development plan, incorporating a time span until 2020.

Last but not least, the University of Nova Gorica and the Kayak Club of the Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica can become actively involved in the education of younger generations. It is important to teach young people how to be persistent and not afraid of hard work and that can also be achieved though their engagement in sports. We have noticed that especially high school students lack these two characteristics that are crucial for successful studies at a university level. To those who decide to complement their top careers in sports with university studies, the University can offer them a possibility to study in the home region and, at the same time, have top quality practice conditions. In addition, together, we can ensure that the young generations will be exposed to careful planning of their careers and life goals, both in sports as well as in terms of their choosing of the right profession early enough in their lives.

For those reasons, the University of Nova Gorica and the Kayak Club of the Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica have decided to sign an agreement on long-term collaboration which will enable the fulfillment of the set goals by:

• promoting clean environment and sports, as well as educating the public,
• developing and using of high technology materials for tools and technical accessories in sports,
• developing of new measurement techniques for sports practice and for competitions,
• educating and hiring of top sportsmen and sportswomen,
• collaboration in preparing of the promotion materials (films, etc.),
• offering the services to the market (measurements, promotions in tourism, etc.),
• mutual promotion of the work of each individual institution.

Contact

Andreja Leban
Public Relations
T: +386 5 3315 397
E: andreja.leban@ung.si