Ajda Zavrtanik Drglin, a staff member of the National and University Library (NUK), is among the ten finalists of this year’s Engineer of the Year award, which highlights the importance and visibility of Slovenian women engineers and their contribution to societal progress. As an applications developer at NUK, head of the artificial intelligence working group, and leader of a citizen science project, she helps develop solutions that are shaping the library of the future. This achievement offers an opportunity to recognise how the future of access to knowledge and library use is being built collaboratively—by professionals of different generations, backgrounds, and skill sets, bringing together tradition, data, and new technologies.

The Engineer of the Year project highlights women whose work and personal commitment inspire younger generations of girls to pursue careers in engineering and the natural sciences. Ajda’s nomination thus confirms her professional contribution while also underscoring NUK’s commitment to developing modern technological solutions in support of its mission.

Ajda Zavrtanik Drglin: »I am happy and proud to be part of a project that inspires and broadens the horizons of girls at the beginning of their life paths. At the same time, it means a great deal to me to present NUK in a different light—as a guardian of Slovenia’s cultural heritage and an institution that respects tradition while being firmly oriented toward the future and the development of new ideas.«

NUK Director Dr. Jana Kolar commented on Ajda’s selection as a finalist:

»We are proud that our colleague is among this year’s finalists for the Engineer of the Year award. This achievement confirms that the National and University Library is not only a guardian of cultural heritage, but also a modern space for research, innovation, and advanced technologies, where women engineers play an important role. We believe that collaboration and diversity of generations, disciplines, and perspectives are key drivers of development and creativity—even in libraries.«

Ajda joined NUK as a mathematician and is now an indispensable member of the development department, where she leads the artificial intelligence working group.

She also develops her leadership skills outside of work—as the head of the Slovenian women’s curling national team, with which she regularly competes at European championships.

Ajda’s work represents an important foundation for the future of NUK. As a library with more than 250 years of tradition, we recognize our responsibility to ensure reliable, secure, and broad access to knowledge and cultural heritage for future generations—an endeavour that today is inseparably linked to advanced technologies, data science, and innovative digital solutions.

The Engineer of the Year selection is organized in Slovenia by IRT3000 Magazine and Mediade, in cooperation with partners.