Dear students. On Monday, 2 October, we are entering a new academic year. I would especially like to welcome the new generation of students to our university community.

This will be your very first academic year and for others the next step on their educational path. It is an important path for all of you. I would also like to welcome all international students. I wish you a pleasant stay during your studies at the University of Maribor.

The University of Maribor provides you conditions and support so that, through your studies, you will be able to create a foundation for a successful future and become responsible, independent, creative, enthusiastic, innovative and successful members of society. You are entering a new era with opportunities for improving your knowledge and gaining valuable experience, which is our common mission.

Don’t forget that your academic performance is predominately your responsibility. I encourage you to take an active role in your studies, to be self-initiative, to listen and open your eyes to the many opportunities. In doing so, you will receive the support of qualified teaching staff who will, through creating motivating learning situations and also based on your interests, help you steer the rails in the direction that will perfect and fulfil you. We will discover and nurture your talents, promote critical thinking, encourage you to think outside the box and accompany you on the way to achieving your goals. In that regard, we are aware that the goals we are pursuing together go beyond the mere formal objectives of the study programmes. We would like to equip you with key competences that will be useful to you in your personal and professional life, with transferable knowledge that will enable you to quickly respond to the demanding and fast changes we are already facing or are about to face in the future.

I encourage you to take advantage of the many extracurricular opportunities and activities available to you as part of the projects of the UM Student Council, services of the UM Career Centre, activities of the UM Student Hub, tutoring system, student associations and groups, international exchange opportunities and more. As a digitally and green oriented university, this year, we are offering you even more courses with regard to green and digital content, where you will be preparing yourself for the already recognized challenges of the future. I recommend you to engage through student projects and integrate through extracurricular activities. During your studies you will build close lifelong friendships. How many and of what kind mainly depends on you, your openness and curiosity.

Study actively. Don’t look for shortcuts. Your goal is to walk the path to knowledge. Reach for high quality knowledge. Become acquainted with various study strategies and good learning practices. Nurture your study curiosity. At the University of Maribor, we are committed to high quality teaching which we ensure through continuous training of the teaching staff towards successful approaches to teaching. We are also focusing on the requirements of the labour market with which we are establishing close connections. Through numerous projects of cooperation, we are creating opportunities for a successful career start already during your studies.

The University of Maribor is writing numerous successful scientific research stories and project successes in which we are also engaging our students. I believe that the new academic year will also bring new stories of this kind which we will proudly present.

Our main mission is education that is characterized by focus on the student. In doing so, we appreciate diversity and respect equality. Through support activities, we try to ensure that no potentially restrictive personal circumstance of our students becomes a real obstacle during their studies.

At the beginning of the academic year, I encourage you to fully engage in your studies and seize the opportunities that come your way. Be aware that there is power in knowledge and virtue in experience.

Open your mind. UM stands by you.

Have a successful academic year!

Prof. dr. Zdravko Kačič, Rector of the University of Maribor