A ceremonial opening of the exhibition titled “The world is safe and sound when standards are around” took place at the Central Technical Library of the University of Ljubljana (CTK), co-organized by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST) and CTK. The exhibition highlights the crucial role of standards in ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability in everyday life, as well as their impact on society, industry, and technology.
Ceremonial Opening and Distinguished Guests
The opening event attracted numerous visitors and distinguished guests from the academic, business, and diplomatic communities. The Director of CTK, Mr Miro Pušnik, MSc, opened the event by highlighting the library’s role as a hub of knowledge and innovation where standards play a key role in providing high-quality information for students, researchers, and professionals.
The Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Professor Gregor Majdič, PhD, also addressed the audience, underlining the university’s commitment to promoting knowledge and standardization.
The Director of SIST, Ms Marjetka Strle Vidali, MSc, underscored the importance of the institute’s work and the pivotal role that standardization plays in enhancing safety, quality, and technological development.
Ms Ljupka Vrteva from Petrol d. d., Slovenia’s “Engineer of the Year 2023”, spoke about the relevance of standards in the economy and their contribution to sustainable and innovative industrial solutions.
Presentation of the Standard Collection and Interactive Exhibition
The central part of the event was the presentation of CTK’s Standard Collection, delivered by its coordinator, Petra Durini. The collection provides access to key standards from various fields, supporting students, researchers, and companies in their work and fostering quality solutions.
One of the highlights of the event was the interactive exhibition, which offered a hands-on look at standardization and portrayed standards as essential building blocks of everyday life. Visitors explored a variety of exhibits, including fire hoses and equipment provided by the Hrušica Volunteer Fire Department, along with photo panels illustrating the role of standards in ensuring safety.
Accessibility, Empathy, and Inclusion
The event was further enriched by the presence of members from the organizations Tačke pomagačke, the PET Institute, and the SLO-CANIS Association, who brought along guide dogs, assistance dogs, and therapy dogs. Their participation was a highlight for visitors and emphasized the crucial role that standards play in the fields of accessibility, empathy, and inclusion.
Among the guests was the British Ambassador to Slovenia, Her Excellency Victoria Jane Harrison, who, in her speech, highlighted the importance of accessibility, equality, and international cooperation in building a safer world. She was accompanied by her assistance dog Otto, who received much attention and affection from attendees.
Young Standardization Ambassadors and Cultural Finale
The concept and purpose of the exhibition were presented by Hana Knez, a young ambassador of standardization and the exhibition’s initiator. She was joined in the organization by three fellow young ambassadors – Erik, Eva, and Aleksander – whose energy and innovative approach contributed significantly to the event’s success.
The event concluded with a performance by the Tone Tomšič Academic Choir of the University of Ljubljana, whose music added a ceremonial touch and created a pleasant atmosphere, perfectly rounding off the occasion.
Exhibition on Display at CTK
The exhibition “The world is safe and sound when standards are around” will be on display at CTK until 26 September 2025. It offers visitors an insightful look into the importance of standardization in creating a safer, higher-quality, and more inclusive world.
Visitors will also have the chance to explore tangible examples of how standards influence daily life, from technology to environmental sustainability.
A special experience was also provided by the Selfiebot, which allowed guests to capture unforgettable moments in an interactive format.
The exhibition not only emphasizes the importance of standardization but also brings together diverse stakeholders – from academia and industry to organizations promoting accessibility and inclusion. Its message is clear: standards are the foundation of a safe, high-quality, and equitable world.
