From UM FERI to Hong Kong: A Lecture at One of the World’s Top 50 Universities Opens the Door to New Opportunities
Publish date: 2026/09/02 | Expire date: 2026/09/12 | Author: Nina Planinšek
Prof. Jožef Ritonja, PhD, visited one of the world’s top 50 universities, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where he delivered a lecture on the modelling and control of fermentation processes in bioreactors and forged new avenues of collaboration with his colleagues there, creating new opportunities for students and staff of UM FERI.

The central part of the visit was a guest lecture entitled “Modelling and Control of Fermentation Processes in Batch Bioreactors,” during which Prof. Jožef Ritonja, PhD, presented his professional experience and insights into the modelling and control of fermentation processes. The lecture also provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange and discussion of current challenges and new approaches in the field of bioprocess control.
Alongside the professional activities, future collaboration between the University of Maribor and PolyU was also an important focus of the visit. Particular attention was given to opportunities for student and staff mobility, connecting research and academic communities, and exchanging knowledge and experience.
PolyU is renowned for its strong international research environment and its commitment to connecting academic knowledge with practical applications. Its quality is also reflected in international rankings – in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, as many as 24 subject areas are ranked among the top 100 in the world, with five of them placing in the top 30.

The visit was therefore not merely an opportunity to share professional expertise, but also an important step towards establishing new international connections. For UM FERI, such collaborations provide an opportunity to strengthen its international profile, open up new opportunities for students and staff, and build connections with leading research institutions around the world.
The journey between Maribor and Hong Kong has thus gained a new connection – and with it, new opportunities for future collaboration.




