Inauguration of the New Dean of the Faculty of Tourism
On Tuesday, October 3rd, at 11 a.m., the new dean of the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor, Assoc Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus was inaugurated. Event took place in the Knight's Hall of the Posavje Museum in Brežice. The elected dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus received the dean's insignia from the rector of the University of Maribor, Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič, marking the official transition of leadership at the Faculty. The dean had already assumed her role in July.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus is now the third dean of the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor, succeeding Dr. Božidar Veljković and Prof. Dr Boštjan Brumen, who led the Faculty for two terms starting in 2015.
The event commenced with a welcoming address from the rector of the University of Maribor, Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič, who emphasized the significance of tourism and tourism research, mainly due to its interdisciplinary nature. The Mayor of the Municipality of Brežice, Mr. Ivan Molan, also welcomed the attendees, underscoring the importance of the Faculty of Tourism for the local community. Former dean Prof. Dr. Boštjan Brumen addressed the guests before passing the baton to his successor.
Following the inauguration, which involved the rector transferring the academic insignia to the newly elected dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus addressed the gathered audience. In her speech, she highlighted the numerous achievements of the Faculty, which is less than 15 years old, and the meaningfulness of its integration into the community. She expressed gratitude to all colleagues, students, and her family.
The Faculty of Tourism has become a successful educational and research institution in a relatively short time, achieving top research results in the field of tourism in Slovenia and establishing an international community comprising students from at least 10 countries. With the help of visiting students, lecturers, and research partners, the Faculty has built a strong and vibrant network from Japan to the USA and Finland to New Zealand. In the last four years alone, our researchers have secured 30 European, national, and market projects with a total value of over 2 million euros. We believe that these achievements validate the decision to establish an independent faculty in the field of tourism within the University of Maribor. While science and knowledge are global and critically evaluated, their work is still locally embedded. The town of Brežice has offered the Faculty hospitality and invaluable support, without which our operations would not be possible.
The event was hosted by Assist. Prof. Dr. Tomi Špindler, with musical performances by Alja and Gregor Deželan. The academic hymn "Gaudeamus Igitur" was performed by the Mixed Youth Choir of Gimnazija Brežice, conducted by choir director Simona Strnad Rožman, at the beginning of the event.
We wish the newly elected dean success and wise leadership at the Faculty of Tourism in the next four years.
About Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Marjetka Rangus:
Dr. Marjetka Rangus graduated in 2006 and obtained her doctorate in political science in 2011 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, where she worked as a young researcher and assistant. She has been employed at the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, since its inception in 2011, serving as a university teacher since 2015. At that time, she was entrusted with the position of Vice Dean for Educational Activities, which she successfully held until her election and appointment as the dean of the Faculty of Tourism, University of Maribor, in July 2023. She has participated in various bodies and commissions of the Faculty and the University of Maribor. On the 10th anniversary of the Faculty of Tourism, she received recognition for her significant contribution to the faculty's initial steps, growth, and development. In the field of tourism, her research focuses on tourism theory, various sociological aspects of tourism, sustainability in tourism, and culinary tourism.