At the ceremony, held at Cankarjev dom, he congratulated the 15 prize and award winners for their outstanding achievements and presented two Zois Lifetime Achievement Awards.

He stressed that the beauty of science is that it is based on evidence. It is the main driver of progress and we need it urgently, because its findings improve the quality of life, society as a whole and solve many challenges. I believe in science and I trust it," said Dr Golob.

The recipients of the prizes and awards are determined by the Committee of the Republic of Slovenia for the Presentation of Prizes and Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Science, Research and Development, chaired by Prof. Dr Nataša Vaupetič.