FT became a member of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies

On 4 January 2022, the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor and the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) signed an agreement in which both institutions committed themselves to cooperate in the development of research and interdisciplinary studies related to the Cultural Routes of Council of Europe in Higher Education.

Now we are happy to pronounce we are also publicly recognised as members.

The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe programme, and more particularly the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA), which benefits from the support of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, the technical agency of the Programme, is involved since its creation in cooperation actions with different higher educational institutions. In 2012, a “University Network for Cultural Routes Studies” was set up to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between the Council of Europe Cultural Routes programme and the universities active in the field of preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and certified cultural routes.

The network aims to promote academic research on cultural routes, encourage students to research in this field, apply jointly European development funds, participate in the annual activity programme, and provide scientific advice where necessary. It is also a platform for the exchange and mobility of students and researchers. By joining, the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor joined many well-known institutions such as the University of Bologna and Sorbonne University.

During the international project Interreg Mediterranean BEST MED, University of Maribor established the BestMed Open Platform, an effective tool for collecting tourist data for cultural routes designed to monitor social, economic and environmental impacts. As a result, the faculty also joined the BEST MED Network of Tourism Observatories, which is intended to collect and systematise relevant information and knowledge related to the monitoring and managing data on sustainable tourism.

As part of the Network of Universities for the Study of Cultural Routes, the Faculty of Tourism will focus its efforts to explore the relationship between cultural routes and climate change. With their diversified network of destinations and untapped potential for green mobility, the routes can make an essential contribution to responsible tourism, which minimises the impact of the carbon footprint of tourism. Cultural routes are furthermore potential inspiration on how culture and cultural resources are used to mitigate and/or adapt to climate change, providing opportunities for slow tourism, landscape conservation and the development of alternative economic activities in rural areas.

Dear students,

On Friday, the Ordinance on Interim Measures for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases COVID-19 was published in the Official Gazette, which, among other things, abolishes the PCT condition for higher education.

The measure of wearing masks, disinfecting and maintaining distance from each other remains in force.

As part of a working visit to the Posavje region, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia visited the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor. They signed a letter of intent for the investment of the Faculty of Tourism, which means a big step towards the final realization of the project, a new building for the needs of the faculty.

On Wednesday, 26 January, as part of a working visit to the Posavje region, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia also visited our Faculty of Tourism. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Janez Janša, Minister from the Office of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenes Abroad dr. Helena Jaklitsch, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport Mr. Marjan Dolinšek and on behalf of the University of Maribor the rector dr. Zdravko Kačič, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure dr. Miralem Hadžiselimović and the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism dr. Boštjan Brumen.

At the meeting we presented our research and especially educational efforts in the field of tourism, because despite the current crisis we are increasing the number of students and at the same time successfully participating in many research and development projects both locally and internationally. Just a few examples of the latter were also presented to the Minister dr. Helena Jaklitsch, as the faculty also participated in projects in the area of ​​Gorski kotar, where the autochthonous Slovenian national minority lives. The main topic of the meeting was the spatial issues of the Faculty of Tourism, which, despite many efforts and efforts, is facing space constraints. The faculty does not have its own lecture halls and we are therefore forced to rent premises at various locations in Brežice.

With their visit, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia proved that they recognized the project of building the Faculty of Tourism as strategically important both for the University and for the development of the Posavje region. The faculty has also been preparing a valid building permit for a building for 4 years, which would be located in the area of ​​the former student dormitory on Jože Toporišič Square.

In the presence of the Prime Minister Mr. Janez Janša, Mayor of the Municipality of Brežice Mr. Ivan Molan and Vice-Rector for Infrastructure of the University of Maribor dr. Miralem Hadžiselimović, State Secretary Mr. Marjan Dolinšek, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism dr. Boštjan Brumen and the Rector of the University of Maribor dr. Zdravko Kačič signed a Letter of Intent for the needs of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor. The signed letter of intent represents an important breakthrough and a step closer to the realization of an important investment project, especially for the faculty and also the University and the Municipality of Brežice. This would provide the faculty with a more appropriate learning and working environment and wider promotion of the Slovenian economy and tourism.

Photo: Government of the Republic of Slovenia

We want to inform you that yesterday, 17.1.2022, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia issued an amendment to the Ordinance on exceptions to home quarantine after high-risk contact with the infectious disease COVID-19 and amending the Ordinance on temporary measures for the prevention and control of infections with the infectious disease COVID-19.

Exceptions to quarantine also include students, if high-risk contact occurs in the participation in the study process or activity (exams that are still conducted live). The mentioned students must self-test for the next seven days from the high-risk contact unless there have been more infections in each group.

Amendment of the Ordinance on temporary measures for the prevention and control of infections with the disease COVID-19 provides for an exception to the frequency of testing with a rapid antigen test for self-testing also for students, which must be tested daily for seven days from high-risk contact instead of being quarantined at home following an ordinance governing exceptions to home quarantine after high-risk contact.

 

The ordinance mentioned above gives students 20 rapid antigenic tests for self-testing per month.

The ordinance is valid from Wednesday, 19.1.2022.

Dear students.

In the next week, you will start the winter examination period. As we already informed you last week, the exams will be conducted live and online.

We will mark in the AIPS the type of each examination (live or online) at the end of the applications in due time (i.e., 7 days before the examination). Hence, the exam period will not be entirely online, so please plan to take some exams live on the Campus.

Thank you for understanding, and we wish you good luck with the exams!

Stay healthy!

Student Affairs Office FT UM

Dear students,

Given the current epidemiological situation, the pedagogical process will be held online from 17.1. to 21.1.2022. If any of the professors decide to take the lecture online this week (tomorrow or Friday), we will update the timetable and inform you by email.

The assistants will notify you about the implementation of fieldwork.

 

Monday, 24.1.2022, is the start of the examination period, which will be conducted online as much as possible. All oral examinations will be held online, whereas the written exams depend on the nature of the lectures. The professors will decide this, and it will also be marked in the AIPS in due time

 

Good luck, and we wish you well.

Stay healthy!

Our colleagues, Assist. prof.dr. Tanja Lešnik Štuhec and Assoc. prof. dr.Maja Turnšek are co-authors of several chapters in the publication Teaching Tourism; Innovative, Values-Based Learning Experiences for Transformative Practices, edited by Johan Edelheim, PhD, Marion Joppe, and Joan Flaherty, M.A. The handbook for teaching in tourism will be published by Edward Elgar Publising in February 2022and is already available for pre-order. 

You can find out more about the publication and the order at the link: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/teaching-tourism-9781800374553.html

Congratulations to the authors!

We want to inform you that the office hours on Thursday, January 6 2022, At Campus in Ljubljana are canceled. If you need anything, please write to Mrs. Klara (klara.pinteric@um.si).

Best regards!

Student Affairs Office

 

We want to inform you that the Faculty of Tourism of the University of Maribor building will be closed from 25 December 2022 to 2 January 2022 due to holidays.

Thank you for your understanding.

 

Dear students,

form for holiday giveaway - Awards of the Student Council of FT UM (bottle) and the Faculty of Tourism (pot)- is closed (21.12.2021 - mignight).

The winners of the prize game according to the time of entry in the form are:

1. Mihaela Franjic - bottle
6. Katja Fakin - cup
11. Ina Olup - bottle
16. Anja Shumrada - cup
21. Vera Stepanov - bottle
26. Ariane Vlahen - cup
30. Ema Barišić - bottle
36. Lara Praznik - cup

You can pick up your prize at Student affairs office at FT UM (Brežice) and on Thursdays during office hours in Ljubljana on the Student Campus (students of English programmes please contact Mrs. Klara Pinterič <klara.pinteric@um.si>).

Congratulations to all the winners.