Science Award ceremony of the University of Split for 2020 was held on Tuesday, March 16, in front of the Faculty of Science. The ceremony was attended by the University of Split’s Rector, Prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D. with vice-rectors, prof. Leandra Vranješ Markić Ph.D., prof. Tomislav Kilić Ph.D. and prof. Goran Kardum Ph.D., Deputy Prefect of the Split-Dalmatia County Luka Brčić, Mayor of Split Andro Krstulović Opara, members of the academic community and other distinguished guests.

Awards were given to the most productive scientists whose work significantly contributed to our University’s level of recognition in scientific excellence, the basic criterion being the authors’ scientific productivity expressed in the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases for 2019.
The list was made according to fields of science and last year's winners, regardless of their results in 2019, could not participate. Starting from a much wider list, smaller committees were formed for each field, consisting of vice-deans/department heads in charge of science at each component that has scientists in the respective fields.

Each committee applied additional criteria of scientific excellence and proposed a number of nominees for the Award, in accordance with the total number of scientists in each field, taking into account the contribution and specificity, as well as encouraging development of all scientific fields.
University of Split Senate adopted the list on December 17, 2020.
In his speech, Rector Ljutić commented on the Award’s importance, emphasizing/stressing how the University makes Split recognizable on the international scene, in both Europe and the world.
- Main indicators of our City’s value are precisely science, teaching and education. Scientists are the best ambassadors for our University, city, county and state. Our University is becoming more renown on a broader international level, and numerous invitations to hold lectures and symposia coming from, for example, China speak in favor of this. Precisely the scientists are those who, with their contribution, help to place our University high on international scales - said Rector Ljutić.

He also emphasized that everyone who comes to the Split Campus is surprised by what they see and announced a new building for university study divisions and departments, as well as a new student dormitory because there is a lot of interest for studying at the University of Split.
- There wouldn’t be such interest if it were not for you as the most important and significant representatives of our science - Rector Ljutić concluded, saying that he appreciates that the winners are scientists both really young and more mature, people who are at the top of world science and who publish papers in most prestigious journals.
- The basic criterion for receiving the award was scientific productivity that is number of papers published in WoS and Scopus international databases. In 2019, there were over 1,100 papers from the University of Split, and many scientists awarded here had more than 10 papers, thus contributing to the recognisability of the university. Number of papers was not the only criterion, but also author’s contribution, whether hi is the first author, the publication where these papers appeared and the like. We are fortunate that our scientists work in all fields: natural, technical, biotechnical and social sciences, humanities, arts and interdisciplinary. We are especially pleased that our young and senior scientists are all here. We see that our emeritus professors are still productive and contribute to our recognisability - said Vice-Rector Vranješ Markić.

Deputy Prefect Luka Brčić and Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara also offered their congratulations and assoc. prof. Vesna Boraska Perica Ph.D. thanked them on behalf of the winners.
- I would like to thank our University for continuously recognizing the importance of emphasizing scientific excellence and productivity. I believe that I am speaking on behalf of all the other winners, this recognition means a lot, primarily because it recognizes the effort and many years of work, that went into it and culminated in scientific publications, results and our visibility in 2019. I think these awards also serve as an incentive for other scientists, especially young ones just embarking on their scientific paths that can be difficult. This recognition can keep them steadfast and persistent on this scientific path, which is really fulfilling. Although epidemiological measures made us go outdoors, I see great symbolism here because we are in the heart of the Campus. This ambiance intertwining knowledge, ideas and ideals, the very things that make the world move and our society progress. I believe that we are living it, that our students and our scientists are living it - said Vena Boraska Perica.
In the music part of the program, award-winning guitarist Silvio Bilić, 4th year Academy of Arts in Split student, in the class of prof. Maroja Brčić, performed.

Winners of the Science Award are:
BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE
Associate Professor Vesna Boraska Perica Ph.D., Faculty of Medicine in Split
Assistant Professor Zenon Pogorelić Ph.D., Faculty of Medicine in Split
Professor Matko Marušić Ph.D., Faculty of Medicine in Split
BIOTECHNICAL SCIENCES
Associate Professor Ivana Generalić Mekinić Ph.D., Faculty of Chemistry and Technology in Split
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Associate Professor Daniela Garbin Praničević Ph.D., Faculty of Economics in Split
Associate Professor Darko Hren Ph.D., Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split
Associate Professor Igor Jelaska Ph.D., Faculty of Kinesiology in Split
HUMANITIES
Assistant Professor Ivan Matijević Ph.D., Faculty of Philosophy in Split
INTERDISCIPLINARY AREA
Associate Professor Željana Bašić Ph.D., University Department of Forensic Sciences in Split
NATURAL SCIENCES
Professor Igor Jerković Ph.D., Faculty of Chemistry and Technology in Split
Professor Vlasta Bonačić Koutecky Ph.D., STIM-REI
TECHNICAL SCIENCES
Assistant Professor Petar Šolić Ph.D., Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split
Professor Sandro Nižetić Ph.D., Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split
Professor Ognjen Bonacci, Ph.D. emer., Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy in Split
Professor Ante Munjiza Ph.D., Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Geodesy in Split
CATEGORY OF GREAT COLLABORATION
Assistant Professor Toni Šćulac Ph.D., Faculty of Science in Split
CATEGORY OF YOUNG SCIENTISTS
Željko Penga Ph.D., Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Split
Antonela Matana Ph.D., Faculty of Science in Split
Šime Veršić Ph.D., Faculty of Kinesiology in Split

Congratulations to all 2020 Science Awards winners!