The University of Maribor and the University of Maribor Library are pleased to announce the premiere edition of the University of Maribor Science Festival, which will be presented to the public in this format for the first time under the subtitle Festival of Open Education.

This year’s two-day event focuses on topics related to open education, learning and research, which connect and strengthen the flow of knowledge and data between the academic community and the general public, as well as individuals who, regardless of their formal educational background, wish to participate in research activities. All of this is aimed at establishing greater coherence and synergy between interdisciplinary scientific fields and between the academic, economic/non-economic sectors and the wider public, for the benefit of society as a whole.

The festival is organised as part of the pilot project RRP ODVIj With Open Access to Lifelong Learning, implemented by the Rectorate of the University of Maribor in cooperation with the University of Maribor Library. Within the framework of digital transition and lifelong learning, the project facilitates the systematic use of freely accessible e-content, its promotion, and increased access to high-quality education and learning in various forms and environments for target groups. These include dropouts, students wishing to acquire new knowledge during their studies, individuals/citizens who, regardless of their formal education, wish to participate in research, graduates seeking further qualifications, as well as broader cooperation with partner higher education institutions.

You are warmly invited to FestUM, which will take place on 24 and 25 October at the premises of the University of Maribor Library (UKM). With prior free registration, you may attend either in person or online. Registration is open until Thursday, 19 October 2023.

Among the many outstanding activities offered within the two-day programme, we would like to highlight the central festival event: a round table discussion entitled Fake News, Conspiracy Theories and Distrust in Science, featuring the following participants:

• Prof. dr. Dean Korošak (PhD) (Vice-Rector for Science and Research, UM, Moderator)
• dr. Špela Stres (PhD) (Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency)
• dr. Tomaž Boh (PhD) (Science and Innovation Directorate, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation)
• Mojca Štruc (Ministry of Digital Transformation)
• Assoc. Prof. dr. Sašo Karakatič (PhD) (University of Maribor)
• Assist. Nejc Plohl (University of Maribor)
• Darja Potočan (RTV SLO)
• Maja Ratej (Val 202)