Slovenian Academy of Engineering (IAS)

Mission

– To stimulate the acquisition of the top-level technical knowledge that provides the basis for technological progress and a balanced, sustainable development;
– To promote the role and influence of technical experts in society in general and when dealing with issues relating to the economy and development;
– To assess and give opinions on the conditions and development of technical sciences and disciplines, research and education;
– To discuss basic issues relating to innovations and the organisation of the economy with regard to technological development;
– To be involved in the formation of policies relating to research, technology and innovations;
– To propose measures for enhancing innovations, increasing the quality of research-and-development activities and fostering the transfer of research achievements and innovations to the economy;
– To be involved in forming the policy and the programmes of training technicians and engineers at all educational levels;
– To enhance international cooperation in its areas of operation;
– To promote the development and use of Slovenian terminology in the areas of technical sciences and disciplines;
– To produce regular and occasional publications;
– To organise and support national and international discussions, conferences, panels and other meetings in the areas of engineering and business;
– To present annual and occasional awards for exceptional achievements in the areas of engineering and business, promoting engineering activities;
– To carry out other tasks aimed at fostering the effectiveness of engineering activities and reinforcing the role of engineers in society.

Committees / Main working groups

The 2 main working groups of IAS are
– The Scientific – Research Group and,
– The Business – development Group.

The IAS has 3 boards
– Board of Higher Education and Research,
– Board of the Energy Sector and the Environment,
– Board of the Economy.

Highlights 2019

• “Promotion of engineering”: In June, IAS hosted a ceremony for new-elected member of IAS, among them the Nobel-prize winner Duncan Haldane and the former Nasa-astronaut Ronald M. Sega. IAS has also prepared other different activities for promotion of engineering and status of engineers in Slovenia.
• “Cooperation with SAPEA on the conference ”A Scientific Perspective on Microplastics in Nature and Society”, Including “Plastic Recycling” and “Bio Polymers in Advanced Technologies of the Future”: IAS together with the Faculty of Chemical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana hosted the conference in cooperation with SAPEA. A working group of experts has prepared contributions to review the current evidence on health, environmental and societal impacts of nano- and microplastic pollution.
• “Understanding the Innovation Process and Sustainable development”: IAS continued a long-term analysis of the educational system in Slovenia, the analysis of Slovenia’s research, development and innovative achievements. It includes recommendations for improvement on these topics.