Acad. Prof. Emeritus Dr Alojz Kralj has passed away

It is with deep sadness that we announce that on 18 March 2026, Acad. Prof. Emeritus Dr Alojz Kralj (1937–2026), Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana and former Rector of the University of Ljubljana, passed away.

Acad. Prof. Emeritus Dr Alojz Kralj, born on 12 March 1937 in Novi Sad, completed his secondary education at the II. State Gymnasium in Maribor and graduated in 1961 from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Ljubljana. After graduation, he pursued further professional training abroad and, upon returning, joined the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, where he worked as a full professor in the fields of electronic measurement systems, biomedical engineering and electronic components. As a lecturer, he taught at numerous universities abroad, particularly in the United States.

He was the founder of the Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering and the Laboratory for Robotics at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the pioneer of robotics studies in Slovenia. His research, development and teaching work significantly shaped the fields of electronic circuits and measurement systems, functional electrical stimulation, biomechanics and industrial robotics. Among his most notable achievements is the innovative use of electrical stimulation to enable standing and walking in paraplegic patients, which also gained international recognition.
In the field of industrial robotics, he initiated the development of the first industrial robotic cells in Slovenia, and between 1968 and 1993 he was highly successful in participating in numerous research projects in the United States. He was also active in international scientific communities and made an important contribution to strengthening cooperation between universities and research institutions.

Between 1995 and 1997, he served as the 39th Rector of the University of Ljubljana. During his term, the University carried out its first international external evaluation of study programmes in natural sciences and engineering for FEANI accreditation and strengthened international cooperation with many foreign universities. In 1996, he was elected President of the Rectors’ Conference and of the international advisory board of the Alps-Adriatic Rectors’ Conference.

For his work, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the title of Professor Emeritus of the University of Ljubljana (1998), the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia award (2005), the Zois Lifetime Achievement Award (2009), and the title of IEEE Fellow.

Through his scientific, pedagogical and leadership work, Acad. Prof. Emeritus Dr Alojz Kralj made an outstanding contribution to the development of the University of Ljubljana and to the advancement of modern research and study fields.

He will remain in our lasting and respectful memory as an outstanding expert, visionary and respected educator.

Employees will be informed about the date of the memorial session at the University of Ljubljana in the coming days.