On 13 February 2025, a ceremony was held at the Jožef Stefan Institute Reactor Centre to award the licence as TRIGA Reactor Shift Supervisor. The licence was presented to Andraž Verdir by Igor Sirc, Director of the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration. Receiving the licence represents an important professional milestone, both for the individual and for the operation of the TRIGA research reactor, as qualified and experienced personnel are essential for the safe, reliable and high-quality operation of nuclear research infrastructure.
At the ceremony, representatives of the Jožef Stefan Institute and the Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration also highlighted the importance of the long-term development of nuclear expertise in Slovenia. The TRIGA reactor has recently successfully completed its second periodic safety review, fulfilling a key requirement for continued operation until 2034. The use of the TRIGA reactor in research and training is currently increasing, largely due to strong international cooperation between researchers at the Jožef Stefan Institute and partners abroad.