Education and Development Center of Inkubator d.o.o., Sežana

Education and Development Center of Inkubator d.o.o., Sežana

The Education and Development Center (IRS) is an internal organizational unit of Inkubator d.o.o. Sežana, established in the second half of 2018. Prior to that, educational and development activities were carried out within the framework of the public institution VIVISS. The IRS specializes in supporting and developing tertiary education and training, with a focus on the fields of material design, photography, and stonework.

IRS Tasks and Objectives:

In the field of higher education:

  • Efforts to raise the profile of the Sežana Higher Vocational College (VSŠ Sežana) and the Sežana Higher Vocational College for Materials Design (VSOM), involving the colleges in the local community’s promotional activities, and collaborating with stakeholders at the regional, national, and international levels.
  • The ongoing involvement of schools in the presentation, promotional, and media activities of the Municipality of Sežana and its institutions, as well as the Karst region in general, with the aim of raising awareness about the existence of these schools and the educational opportunities they offer, and of publicizing their results.
  • Promoting academic projects and theses on the topic of Sežana.
  • Organization of an exhibition and sales space for graduates and students of various schools, as well as external exhibition spaces.
  • Ensuring the quality and promotion of an exclusive stone design program, which is carried out in a region where stone holds a special place and has a long tradition. Through their work, participation in local and broader communities, and involvement in international projects, graduates and faculty members serve as effective ambassadors for the Higher Vocational College and for stone.
  • Ensuring the continued professional delivery of higher education programs and applying for public tenders with the aim of raising awareness of stone, stone design, and photography.
  • The desire to upgrade the post-secondary program to a higher education program, provided that enrollment increases.

Basic responsibilities of the IRS:

  • Providing the necessary infrastructure for study programs offered in Sežana.
  • Supporting and assisting the Srečko Kosovel Higher Vocational College in Sežana and the Sežana Higher Vocational College for Material Design (VSOM), which offer the study programs in Material Design and Photography.
  • Organizing professional internships and providing mentoring for students.
  • Leading the development of new study programs.
  • Establishing conditions for students’ work and accommodation.
  • Identifying enterprising students who are potential future entrepreneurs and incubatees.

Specific tasks:

The Educational and Development Center also serves as a center for Karst stone, dedicated to preserving and disseminating knowledge and awareness of the region’s stone cultural heritage. Through its development activities and innovative approaches, it makes a significant contribution to strengthening the traditional stoneworking and stone carving industry in the Karst region. It is a member of the Karst Drystone Construction Partnership and thus helps preserve the cultural heritage in this field.

Kras Handicraft Center (RokCEKras):

At the end of 2023, the Kras Handicrafts Center (RokCEKras) was established within the IRS, where we promote the development and preservation of handicraft activities that are crucial to the Kras region and the entire Coastal-Kras Development Region.

IRS Services:

  • Educational Programs: Organizing and implementing higher education programs, with a special focus on design, photography, and stonework.
  • Facilities and Equipment: Providing state-of-the-art facilities, workshops, and laboratories for students’ practical work.
  • Networking: Connecting students with companies and organizations to better prepare them for the job market.
  • Development of new programs: Continuous improvement and enhancement of existing educational programs.
  • Training: Conducting modules or workshops in which participants learn to use traditional stoneworking and craft techniques, design products, and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of the Karst region.

IRS Vision:

Our vision is to become a leading educational and research institution in the fields of materials design, photography, and stone, contributing to the sustainable development of the local community and the preservation of cultural heritage in the Karst region. We strive to create the conditions for excellence in education and research, and to strengthen ties between the academic community, the business sector, and society at large.

Contact:

  • Phone: +386 05 731 35 00
  • Email: info@inkubator.si

More information:

The Municipality of Sežana provides funding for students enrolled in the Materials Design (Stone module) and Photography programs at the Srečko Kosovel Higher Vocational College in Sežana, and co-funds the Materials Design program at the Sežana College of Materials Design (VSOM Sežana). In doing so, it significantly supports the development of higher vocational and higher education, as well as the preservation and development of local knowledge, crafts, and creative activities in the Sežana municipality.