Prof. Nino Žganec Appointed as Chair of the UNIC Council

Prof. Nino Žganec has been appointed as the new Chair of the UNIC Council following a selection process conducted by the UNIC Council Selection Committee.  He will take over from Interim Chair Prof. dr. Ursula Kilkelly, ushering in a new phase of leadership for the Council as it continues to shape the strategic direction of the Alliance. The UNIC Council is an advisory body composed of a diverse group of stakeholders, including student representatives, academics, municipalities, and members of the UNIC Centres. The Council’s mission is to provide strategic advice to the other UNIC governance bodies and to ensure that UNIC’s initiatives are inclusive and responsive to the needs of various partners within the alliance.

Prof. Žganec, a distinguished academic in social work, has been an active participant in UNIC since its early phases, particularly through CityLabs. His appointment comes as a recognition of his extensive experience in fostering collaboration between universities, civil society, and local communities. He emerged as an ideal choice due to his strong leadership, vision, and commitment to UNIC’s mission.

Prof. Žganec outlined his priorities for his term as Council Chair, emphasizing three key areas for development:

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• • Strengthening University-City collaboration: Enhancing collaboration between universities and local communities to foster stronger connections and ensure cities co-create the alliance.
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• • Advancing Digital Tools and Coordination: Improving the efficiency of the UNIC Virtual Campus and aligning digital tools with the alliance's strategic needs.
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• • Enhancing Stakeholder Communication: Streamlining information flow between work packages (WPs) and governance bodies to promote transparency and collaboration.
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Recognizing the diversity within the Council, Prof. Žganec emphasized the crucial importance of small groups and teams collaboration with special attention to reaffirmation of student representation in all project activities. His leadership will be instrumental in guiding the Council over the next two years, ensuring it remains a driving force in co-creating UNIC’s vision and strategic initiatives. As Chair, he will represent the Council in Leadership Board meetings and play a key role in shaping the alliance’s trajectory.

The Selection Committee, comprising representatives from the Student Board, Cities, academics in the UNIC Thematic Lines, and the UNIC Centres, praised Prof. Žganec's thoughtful and strategic approach. Prof. dr. Ursula Kilkelly, the outgoing and inaugural Chair of the Council, warmly welcomed Professor Žganec's appointment. Highlighting Professor Žganec's commitment to ensuring that the Council work to foster dialogue and alignment among all UNIC’s stakeholders, Professor Kilkelly wished the new Chair well leading the Council through its next phase.