Ceepus.RS0038

We wish you a New Year filled with good health, personal happiness, and professional achievements! May energy and inspiration be your ally in realizing all your academic ambitions. As members of a community that believes in the power of Geology, the science upon which the sustainable future of our world is based, we wish you much zeal in acquiring new knowledge. May the following accompany you in the coming year: successful fieldwork – full of unexpected discoveries and beautiful geo-localities, fruitful laboratory work -that yields precise results and opens up new scientific horizons, and inspiring exchange of experiences – through mobility and collaboration within our network.

May this year bring us even more opportunities for joint learning and contribution to science!

All the best in the New Year!

=Incoming activity to VIE: MSc student Bruno Šuvalić from Faculty of Mining, Geology and Civil Engineering, University of Tuzla=

During my stay at Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy – University of Vienna (from March 16 to April 15, 2025) I attended Geochronology lectures, Groundwater and Vadose Zone Systems lecture and The Anthropocene lectures. During Geochronology lectures I learned about various different ways to date minerals via specific isotopes, such as argon isotopes, inside of specific zones in crystals. During Groundwater and Vadose Zone Systems had opportunity to learn about the transmissibility, dangerousness and the rate of pollution of lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic in groundwater. During The Anthropocene I learned about the beginning of the Anthropocene and the impact of humans on the Earth as a system.
I very much enjoyed my student exchange in Vienna and appreciate the experience that I gathered there.
Master student Bruno Šuvalić

The Scientific Webinar: An invitation of University of Wroclaw (UWr) to all our CEEPUS units to a Scientific Webinar
Posted on October 29, 2025

We would like to invite you to the open lectures entitled “Last glacial in the Eastern Baltic region: towards a new paradigm” and “Geological evolution of the south-eastern Baltic Sea in the postglacial period“, given by Prof. Albertas Bitinas, Nature Research Centre, VilniusE

The lectures are organized as part of the Scientific Webinar of the Institute of Geological Sciences UWr on Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 at 10:15 a.m., online in TEAMS. The link can be found at:
https://ceepus.rgf.bg.ac.rs/?p=1509

Incoming activity to BRN: PhD student Pavel Hvožďara from Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
Posted on July 31, 2025

=Incoming activity to BRN: PhD student Pavel Hvožďara from Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia=
I had the opportunity to spend a study stay in Brno through the CEEPUS network, hosted by the Institute of Geological Sciences at Masaryk University. It was a truly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. During my time there, I had access to a wide range of analytical techniques and laboratories, including electron microprobe (EPMA), Raman spectroscopy, LA-ICP-MS, optical microscopy, and more — a truly impressive setup that allowed for in-depth mineralogical investigations. In addition to hands-on lab work, I also focused on deepening the theoretical background of my research by studying a broad range of scientific literature. A huge thank you to the whole team for their warm welcome and collaboration, especially Assoc. Prof. Ján Cempírek and Assoc. Prof. Radek Škoda for their expert guidance, valuable insights, and the engaging scientific discussions we had. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing the cooperation in the future!

PhD student Pavel Hvožďara

=Incoming activity to TIR: Prof. Bogusław Kołodziej from Jagiellonian University (Poland)=

Within the CEEPUS mobility framework, Professor Bogusław Kołodziej from Jagiellonian University (Poland) visited the Faculty of Geology and Mining at the Polytechnic University of Tirana from May 5 to May 15, 2025.

During his stay, Prof. Kołodziej delivered a specialised lecture titled “Biotic Response to Environmental Changes in Modern and Fossil Ecosystems”, offering valuable insights into paleoenvironments and their biological interactions. His visit also included collaborative fieldwork focused on Mathesia darderi in the Has region, contributing to ongoing biostratigraphic and sedimentological studies.

Additionally, discussions were held on the microscopic analysis of phosphatic horizons in thin section, promoting deeper academic exchange and fostering future collaboration in micropaleontology and phosphorite research.

-sci Geo-Sci

=Incoming activity to TIR: Prof. Dr. Sibila Borojević Šoštarić from Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Univeristy of Zagreb (Croatia)=

As part of CEEPUS network collaboration, Prof. Sibila Borojević Šoštarić spent a one week at the Faculty of Geology and Mining. During her visit, she delivered a short course on Analytical Methods in Ore Deposits for undergraduate students in geology and geoinformatics. The course, held over two days (Monday and Tuesday) in a 4+4 hours format, provided students with valuable insights into modern analytical techniques applied in ore deposit studies. In addition, Prof. Borojević Šoštarić delivered a 60-minute guest lecture on the Metallogeny of the Dinarides, which was well received by both students and academic staff.

=Incoming activity to LEO: PhD student Irina Savić from Faculty of Mining and Geology, Belgrade University (Serbia)=

Thanks to the CEEPUS EURO Geo-Sci student exchange program, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks at the Montanuniversität Leoben, where I completed scientific training in geochemical analysis. During my stay, not only did I work with modern instruments, but I also independently conducted analyses of various geochemical parameters on samples from Vojvodina. This experience significantly enhanced my practical skills, deepened my understanding of geochemical methodologies, and strengthened my confidence in conducting independent scientific research. One of the most valuable aspects of the exchange was the collaboration with international experts in geochemistry. Working alongside them provided me with a broader perspective on the field and enriched my academic and professional development through direct knowledge exchange. This program laid a solid foundation for the continuation of my doctoral research and contributed immensely to my scientific growth. I am sincerely grateful to the CEEPUS EURO Geo-Sci program for this exceptional opportunity, to Professor Reinhard F. Sachsenhofer and his research team for their guidance and support, and to Professor Kristina Šarić and Professor Dejan Radivojević, whose encouragement and assistance made this experience possible.

PhD student Irina Savić

=The Scientific Webinar: An invitation of University of Wroclaw (UWr) to all our CEEPUS units to a Scientific Webinar=

We would like to invite you to an open lecture entitled “Challenges and worldwide activity in exploration for geologic hydrogen and helium” given by Dr Dariusz Strąpoć, Principal SME – Interpretation Development Fluids and Geology, SLB, Clamart, FRANCE.
The lecture is organized as part of the Scientific Webinar of the Institute of Geological Sciences UWr on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 12:00, online in TEAMS: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/368346177975?p=CTHglbL6awZ9Cl79nw

=Incoming activity to LEO: PhD student Fatma Sinaj from Faculty of Geology and Mining, Tirana University (Albania)=
During my stay at Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria, supported by the CEEPUS EURO Geo-Sci mobility program, I had the opportunity to benefit from an enriching academic and research experience, for which I am truly grateful. Thanks to the support of this program and the warm welcome from the academic staff, I was actively involved in activities directly related to my PhD studies in Albania. My main research focused on the mineralogical and petrographic analysis of phosphorite samples from Albania, aiming to determine their formation conditions. I attended specialized courses such as Microfacies of Carbonates, Basin Evolution and Sedimentary Environments, and Laboratory Work in Carbonate Sedimentology, which deepened my understanding of carbonate depositional systems and sedimentary basin dynamics. Through hands-on work with carbonate thin sections, I gained valuable experience in on preparation process of thin sections—from cutting and polishing to mounting and photographing samples. A key milestone during my exchange was delivering my first presentation related to my PhD research, which allowed me to share my work, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful scientific discussions. This mobility experience not only enhanced my technical and scientific skills but also boosted my confidence and motivation as a young researcher, playing a significant role in shaping the future direction of my PhD journey.
Msc. Eng. Fatma Sinaj

=Farewell to Univ. Prof. Dr. Volker Hoeck - Founder of Our CEEPUS Network=

With deep sorrow, we bid farewell to Univ. Prof. Dr. Volker Höck, the founder of our CEEPUS network. We will never forget his enthusiasm and dedication to ensuring that our network achieved the best possible results, despite his illness taking its toll and making each trip to the annual meetings in Budapest a great effort for him.
We will remember Prof. Höck not only as a scientist and professor but also as a true gentleman with wonderful manners and character, as a friend, and as a person of gentle nature.

May he be eternally honored and find peace somewhere in the vast realms of extraterrestrial geology.

Prof. Volker Höck (20.06.1943 Innsbruck – 16.03.2025 Salzburg)

Do not miss this event!

We’re thrilled to have Tom Meuzelaar lead the Introduction to Machine Learning for Geoscientists course!
With:
✔️ A Ph.D. in Geology from the Colorado School of Mines
✔️ 25+ years of mining industry experience
✔️ Expertise in geochemistry & data science
✔️ Decades of teaching machine learning & environmental geochemistry
Dr. Meuzelaar brings unmatched insights to this course. Join today to learn from the best!

👉 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/efga-ml-sp

As the year comes to a close, we hope this season brings you joy, warmth, and meaningful moments with those you cherish. May the coming year be filled with health, happiness, and success in all that you do.
Thank you for being a part of this journey, and we look forward to many wonderful moments ahead. 🎉🎊🌲☃️❄️