On September 4, 2025, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana hosted the Student Technical Conference ŠTeKam for the eleventh consecutive year, once again proving that young researchers from Slovenia and abroad, with their creativity, knowledge, and courage, are pushing the boundaries of scientific research.
The event, intended for students of all three study cycles as well as final-year high school students, offered participants a unique opportunity to present research ideas, innovative solutions, and technical projects. ŠTeKam encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and independent research work – all of which represent an important step on the path to academic and professional excellence.
Among the participants were students from Gimnazija Bežigrad, Gimnazija Jesenice, and thirteen faculties of the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor. These included the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (UL and UM), Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics (UM), Faculty of Electrical Engineering (UL), Faculty of Computer and Information Science (UL), Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (UL), Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (UL), Biotechnical Faculty (UL), Faculty of Medicine (UL), Faculty of Education (UL), Faculty of Arts (UL), and the School of Economics and Business (UL). The event’s international dimension was further enriched by the participation of the Technical University of Munich and the Jožef Stefan Institute.
This year’s ŠTeKam received a record-breaking 42 submissions, of which 31 were publicly presented across two sections. After the presentations, participants voted for the best contribution in each section. The awarded contributions are:
Best Contribution in Section A: Julija Genorio – Alginate Hydrogel Substrate: A Potential Solution to the Shortage of Suitable Agricultural Land
Best Contribution in Section B: Filip Umer – Solving the Bending of a Fishing Rod Using Elliptic Integrals
All contributions will be published in the conference proceedings and indexed in the COBISS system under the typology Published Scientific Contribution at a Conference (1.08). This will provide authors with an official reference to their scientific work, representing a significant credential for further studies or entering the labor market. In addition, both high school and university students may claim their participation in the event as an outstanding achievement when applying for a Zois Scholarship.
Since its inception, the editorial board has been responsible for organizing ŠTeKam, consisting of Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Berlec, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miha Brojan, and Assist. Dr. Boštjan Drobnič.
“ŠTeKam is not just a conference, but a place where many young researchers take their first steps into the world of science as authors, presenters, and critical thinkers. It serves as a meeting point for researchers from different disciplines and fosters high-quality discussions and the exchange of perspectives from various angles, which is especially reflected in the lively debates following the presentations. Their energy, curiosity, and freshness inspire us every year anew,” said Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomaž Berlec, member of the editorial board, at the close of the event.
We sincerely congratulate all participants for their outstanding contributions, professional presentations, and active engagement!
