The Sežana College of Materials Design (VSOM) was accredited by a decision of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (NAKVIS) on 5 February to deliver the first professional higher education study program in Materials Design. The accreditation has been granted for an indefinite period. Following the institutional accreditation of VSOM on the 21st March 2024, the college is fully authorized to implement the accredited program. 3. Following its entry into the court register on 8 May 2024, 5. this achievement marks a major breakthrough in the fields of design and education and represents the Sežana College of Materials Design’s entry into the shared European academic community.
Reflecting on this important milestone in the development of higher education in Sežana, Dean Anton Marn emphasized the unique nature of the study program. The Materials Design program is a distinctive and interdisciplinary platform that combines a broad range of design knowledge and skills—from traditional craftsmanship to the most advanced expertise related to digital technologies. He added: “I am extremely pleased to be part of the team that has fulfilled its promise to establish higher education studies in Sežana. Enabling graduates of the higher vocational college to continue their education through the Materials Design higher education program, which introduces innovations into the Slovenian academic landscape, was one of the key objectives behind the establishment of the Sežana College of Materials Design. The Materials Design program will be followed by additional first- and second-cycle Bologna programs. We believe that this program not only creates new opportunities for students but also strengthens the regional and national economic and cultural environment. We are proud to contribute to Slovenia’s long-term educational and development vision.”
Students will be able to choose from various specializations that are interconnected and complement one another:
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- Stone Design – combining traditional and contemporary approaches to stone design for functional purposes and/or experimental and artistic exploration.
- 3D Design – encompassing digital visualization, 3D modeling, and advanced digital manufacturing techniques.
- Micro Design – an innovative intersection of materials design at the micro scale, opening the door to experimental and sustainable design of the future, including the smallest and most valuable objects.
The Sežana College of Materials Design (VSOM) was established through dedication and achievements, professional expertise, and creativity demonstrated both in higher vocational education and in direct practice, emphasizes Dr. Lucija Čok, Chair of the Expert Council of the Educational Development Center – IRS Inkubator Sežana.
“Its significance represents a qualitative step forward in the development of the region and the country’s border area. Higher education policy and the economy should recognize the advantages of its mission and support its operation. New trends in materials design and emerging materials on the market are engaging with the authenticity of Karst stone, which, through the visual expressions of future students, will present the cultural heritage of our region to the world.”
In the NAKVIS decision, the main strengths of the new program are highlighted as follows:
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- Integration of art and technology – the combination of traditional techniques with digital innovations enables the development of competencies for a dynamic labor market.
- Strong connection with industry – the study program is based on the real needs of the industry and the local environment, which increases graduates’ employment opportunities.
- Sustainability-oriented program – the content is designed in line with sustainability principles, and the lecturers have extensive experience in this field.
- Development of digital skills – 3D visualization, digital design, and advanced manufacturing processes are key to the future of design and creation.
The accreditation of the program is not merely a formal step; it confirms the quality of an educational model that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technologies. Slovenia now offers a higher education program comparable to the best European standards, enabling international cooperation and the development of innovative projects within Europe and beyond. The program directly responds to labor market needs, adds Dorijan Maršič, Director of Inkubator Sežana:
“With the establishment of the new college, we have taken a major step into the future in Sežana. As the initiator and founder of VSOM, Inkubator Sežana is proud to contribute to the development of a new generation of designers who will co-create the future of design in Slovenia and beyond by combining traditional knowledge with state-of-the-art technologies. Through international connections, an interdisciplinary approach, and a commitment to sustainability, we are laying the foundations for the breakthrough of Slovenian design into the European academic and economic space.”
With VSOM, Sežana is becoming an academic center for materials design, increasing the visibility of the Karst–Brkini and the wider Primorska region. In professional terms, it positions Slovenia within the European space and thereby opens new economic and educational opportunities.
Interdisciplinary innovation, which has been carefully integrated into the new higher education program in Materials Design in line with the needs of the economy, brings both VSOM and Sežana additional opportunities for international exchanges, cooperation with foreign universities, mobility of students and professors, and entry into the global market. Through Inkubator Sežana, it also provides unique access to numerous technology centers across Europe and participation in international research and experimental projects.
Thank you for shaping the future with us!
