Meet Our Student: Alex James
Studying tourism brings many inspiring life stories. One of them is the story of Alex James, a student from India, who is completing his undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor.
Alex recently shared his personal story in the Land of Dreams show on Radio Si, a programme dedicated to true stories about foreigners living in Slovenia.
In the interview, Alex talked about his beginnings in Slovenia, his experiences, work, love, and more. He also reflected on how living and studying in Slovenia has influenced his personal and professional growth.
Alex is now preparing his final thesis and is looking forward to completing his studies and continuing his journey.
You can listen to his interview on Radio Si here: https://radiosi.rtvslo.si/podcast/land-of-dreams/157324464/175166920
Picture: Print screen Radio SI
At the Student Campus in Ljubljana, we hosted our autumn M&M Day – a traditional event of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, which we organise twice a year: in spring in Brežice and in autumn in Ljubljana.
With M&M Day, we bring together students from both of our study locations – those attending the Slovene-language programmes in Brežice and those studying in English in Ljubljana. The event is also joined by visiting Erasmus students. The aim of M&M Day is to connect students from both locations, encourage cooperation, idea exchange, creativity, and broadened horizons.
From Brežice to Ljubljana – in the spirit of artificial intelligence
Early in the morning, two buses filled with students departed from Brežice to Ljubljana, where they joined their colleagues at the Campus. We began the day with a welcome address by the Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, who highlighted the importance of such events for strengthening connections and building the FT community.
This was followed by joint lectures in English and the highlight of the day – the AI Challenge. Students competed in a quiz on artificial intelligence, and the top two teams then participated in a “pro et contra” debate, where the speakers presented different viewpoints on the opportunities and challenges of AI in everyday life. The audience voted for the team supporting the positive impact of AI, which proudly took home the M&M Challenge Trophy. The trophy will again be awarded at the spring edition of the event in Brežice.
This year’s theme focused on artificial intelligence, which profoundly influences all aspects of modern life and work. Through the quiz and debate, students demonstrated critical thinking, understanding of the topic, and teamwork skills.
Students as organisers
After the competitive part, students and staff – both academic and administrative – enjoyed a joint lunch and relaxed socialising. The event concluded in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, once again proving the importance of collaboration between our two study locations.
This year’s event was fully organised and carried out by our 3rd-year undergraduate students within the Event Management course. Over the past month, they carefully planned the logistics and successfully ensured a smooth execution on the day of the event.
We have been organising M&M Day for four years now, each time addressing relevant contemporary topics such as food waste reduction, tree planting, building cultural bridges, carbon footprint reduction, and storytelling. This time, our students explored the role and impact of artificial intelligence. The next, spring edition will once again take place in Brežice and will be combined with the Faculty’s Career Fair.
At the beginning of October, after months of preparation, we partnered in organizing the traditional 24th Annual Meeting of Slovenian Geographers, which this year, after several decades, once again took place in the Kozjansko region. This unique landscape – close to where we operate and to which we are bound by many professional and personal ties – has been at the center of geographical research in recent years, particularly by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana. The Association of Slovenian Geographers, as the main organizer, invited us to co-create the central part of the first day’s program of this two-day event. The co-organization of the gathering was supported by the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, while the local partnership was further strengthened by the Kozjansko Regional Park, which is also a regular destination for our fieldwork activities.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus took on the demanding role of moderating a round table discussion addressing the challenges of sustainable development and peripheral border areas (the main themes of the meeting), while Nejc Pozvek, as a member of the organizing committee, carried out numerous organizational tasks and coordination activities to ensure the event ran smoothly.
Although geographers are part of our team (in addition to Nejc, also Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marko Koščak, Assist. Prof. Dr. Jani Kozina, and Assistant Erik Logar), this was the first major event where we actually presented ourselves “in the geographical field.” And we believe it won’t be the last, as we were extremely pleased with the collaboration and connections we established.
On Friday, 17 October 2025, the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, held its traditional Autumn Quality Day, an event that takes place twice a year and is dedicated to an in-depth reflection on quality assurance processes at our faculty. For many years, Quality Days have served as an opportunity for joint analysis, exchange of ideas, and strengthening of cooperation among staff members.
The event took place in a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere. It began at 9:00 with informal networking over coffee, allowing colleagues from different departments to exchange impressions, experiences, and ideas in a friendly environment.
This was followed by a review of the Faculty of Tourism Action Plan, during which we examined the activities carried out, evaluated the goals achieved, and identified areas for further improvement. The discussion focused on aligning priorities and planning future steps to ensure even more effective quality management.
An important part of the programme was a guest lecture by Mr Jan Perša from the University of Maribor Press on the topic “Open Access as Part of Self-Evaluation Procedures at the University of Maribor.” The lecture emphasised the importance of open access to scientific publications, its impact on research transparency, and its integration into the university’s internal quality assurance processes.
In the final part of the event, attention was devoted to future directions and planned updates of the Faculty of Tourism study programmes, which follow updated quality guidelines, labour market needs, and feedback from students and employers. The discussion generated many ideas for further improvement and development of the study programmes.
The Autumn Quality Day once again confirmed that open dialogue, professional discussion, and collaboration among all staff members remain the foundation for continuous growth and quality development at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor.
On Monday, 6 October 2025, the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, hosted the closing event of the second cycle of short specialised training courses implemented within the project Flexible Forms of Education: Green Transition and Tourism 5.0 (NOO). The event combined the official certificate award ceremony for the participants and a professional lecture on risk management in outdoor tourism.
Short Training Programmes – A New Approach in Higher Education
At the Faculty of Tourism, we are developing flexible forms of education that respond to the needs of the modern labour market and the development of new competences in tourism. A collection of specific, focused knowledge delivered in a short and condensed format represents an innovation in the Slovenian higher education landscape. These training programmes complement existing study programmes and enable the acquisition of practical, up-to-date skills that directly enhance employability and innovation in tourism.
Within the Flexible Forms of Education: Green Transition and Tourism 5.0 project, which will conclude at the end of 2025, the Faculty developed seven short specialised training courses: Green Destination Manager, Tour Guide for Society 5.0, Strategic Planning and Reporting for Sustainable Wellness Tourism, Design of VR and AR Content with Gamification Elements, Sustainable Tourism Development in the Mountains, Green and Digital Revitalisation of Rural Areas, and Green Gastronomy.
In the second implementation cycle, 84 participants took part, among whom 26 successfully completed all requirements and received certificates of completion.
Project Achievements and Future Outlook
The event opened with a welcome address by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Head of the pilot NOO project at the Faculty. She presented the key milestones and achievements of the project and highlighted the importance of flexible education models for the future of the tourism industry.
The event was also honoured by Ms Dubravka Kalin, Director-General of the Tourism Directorate at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport, who presented the main strategic directions, policies, and current calls supporting the sustainable transformation and competence development in the tourism sector.
Special thanks were extended to the external experts who contributed their expertise and experience to the implementation and high quality of the training courses.
Expert Lecture on Risk Management in Outdoor Tourism
In the second part of the event, Assoc. Prof. Jon Heshka from Thompson Rivers University, Canada, delivered an engaging lecture on risk management and legal responsibility in extreme and adventure sports.
In his presentation, Professor Heshka introduced international approaches and best practices in risk management in outdoor tourism, emphasising the importance of responsible planning, proper training, and clear communication in outdoor activities.
The event concluded in a pleasant atmosphere in the new premises of the Faculty of Tourism, with discussions on the presented topics and reflections on the closing activities of the NOO project.
The Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, has officially started the new academic year 2025/26 with two Welcome Days – first in Ljubljana, and a day later in Brežice. Both events marked important milestones, as our students embarked on their study journey in international programmes in Ljubljana and in the newly renovated premises in Brežice.
On 30 September 2025, we welcomed the new generation of students in our Ljubljana unit, enrolled in the Contemporary Tourism Practices (BA) and Tourism Destinations and Experiences (MA) programmes, which are taught in English. The international group gathered at the ŠOU Kampus, with part of students attending in person, while others will gradually integrate throughout the year. Following the Dean’s address, students were introduced to their key responsibilities and the wide range of opportunities offered at FT UM. Student tutors prepared a hands-on workshop covering the use of the online classroom, digital identity, and other practical aspects to ensure a smooth start.
The next day, 1 October 2025, a Welcome Day took place in Brežice, where we greeted the new students of the Professional Bachelor’s Programme and the University Bachelor’s Programme in Tourism. After the opening reception at the faculty’s main building, the students moved to their newly renovated lecture halls at Trg izgnancev 1. As the first generation to study in these new premises, they symbolically opened an important chapter for our faculty. The programme continued with a welcome by the Dean, useful presentations about student life and opportunities, and a tutors’ workshop designed to help students connect and get familiar with their new environment.
Both Welcome Days were filled with enthusiasm, curiosity, and positive energy, which we hope will continue throughout the academic year. With new study spaces in Brežice and international programmes in Ljubljana, the Faculty of Tourism UM is strengthening its role as a hub of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration in tourism education.
On Saturday, 27 September, we celebrate World Tourism Day, which this year is held under the theme “Tourism and Green Transformation”, as declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The theme invites us to reflect on the importance of sustainability, responsible development, and innovation that bring new opportunities and strengthen the resilience of communities.
On this occasion, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, Assist. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus, emphasized the exceptional power of tourism to drive positive change:
“More than 11 million pairs of eyes and smiling faces in the EU alone greet and welcome guests in tourism every day. More than 11 million hands shape experiences, create memories, build connections, and make the world a better place. Tourism has the power to transform our world into a more sustainable, accessible, and inclusive future.”
At the Faculty of Tourism UM, we proudly join these efforts on World Tourism Day. Through our study programmes, we educate and inspire students to actively co-create a better tomorrow – for tourism, for communities, and for society as a whole.
Knowledge for a Sustainable Tomorrow!
We also invite you to explore the data prepared by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia (SURS) on this occasion. Among the highlights is the fact that Brežice ranks among the top destinations in terms of overnight stays by domestic tourists, further confirming the importance of Posavje on Slovenia’s tourism map.
At the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, we are proud to announce that our colleague Dr Jasna Potočnik Topler has been promoted to the title of Full Professor in Tourism. She is the first female Full Professor at our Faculty and the second in the field of tourism – after Dr. Mitja Gorenak. This marks an important milestone that confirms the excellent scientific, research, and pedagogical work at our young faculty. On 22 September 2025, with her inaugural lecture “Literary Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development”, she officially concluded the promotion process. We sincerely congratulate Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler on this remarkable academic achievement.
About Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler
Prof. Dr. Jasna Potočnik Topler received her doctorate at the University of Ljubljana and joined the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, in 2014. She is among the most successful researchers in the field of interdisciplinary studies, the author of numerous scientific articles, monographs, and book chapters published by renowned international publishers. Her research focuses primarily on sustainable and responsible tourism, with a special emphasis on literary tourism, where she brings together stakeholders from Slovenia and abroad.
She is actively involved in international research projects and networks, and her dedicated teaching work has earned her several awards for teaching excellence. At the Faculty of Tourism UM, she serves as Chair of the Quality Commission and as Head of the university-level study programme. She is also strongly committed to collaboration with the local community and the development of tourism in the Posavje region.
With her promotion to Full Professor, the Faculty of Tourism has gained an even stronger scientific and professional voice in the field of tourism, which will significantly contribute to the further development of the discipline both in Slovenia and internationally.
We would like to inform you that next week the application deadlines for still-available places at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for the 2025/26 academic year at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, will open.
- Postgraduate studies (Master’s and Doctoral): September 23 and 24, 2025, until 12:00 noon (more)
- Undergraduate studies (Professional and Academic): September 24 and 25, 2025, until 10:00 a.m.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the eVŠ online portal. All required documentation must be attached to the application.
For additional information, please contact the Student Affairs Office at referat.ft@um.si
We are sharing some key information at the beginning of the new academic year 2025/26.
Winter semester 2025/26 timetable
We would like to inform you that the timetable for the winter semester 2025/26 is now available at the following link: Wise Timetable. Please note that the timetable may change daily, so make sure to check it regularly. If any change occurs less than 48 hours before the class, you will receive a notification at your student email address. If the change is known more than 48 hours in advance, it will only be updated in the timetable (no additional email notification).
Orientation/Welcome Day for first-year English-programme students in Ljubljana
The Welcome Day for first-year students of the English study programmes (BA and MA) will take place on 30 September 2025 at 16:00 in the Green classroom at ŠOU Kampus, Pivovarniška ulica 6, Ljubljana.
We wish you a successful and fulfilling academic year 2025/26.