The Dean’s speech

Thinking makes you independent.

“I am honoured to take over the professional management of this young faculty, which is of exceptional importance in Slovenia and internationally. Primarily because it is the only faculty in the world that offers the Slovene studies, i.e. studies of Slovenianity, Slovene culture and the Slovene state. Not only are we the only ones, we are also excellent. Our academic assembly consists of top researchers, renowned scholars, who provide exceptional knowledge of historical, cultural, linguistic, philosophical and national issues related to Slovenia and Slovenianity. We are also open to new research in these areas and interdisciplinary aspects. We go back in time, we interpret to understand the present and try to understand the future, and we go beyond the humanities, which is our core field, to related fields such as political science, law, and economics. In doing so, we connect with other members of the New University. Strategically, all members come together in the interest of everything related to the Slovene state and Slovenianity. At the Faculty of Slovene and International Studies, we are particularly interested in historiography and the dedication to cultural and natural heritage, as well as current trends in the digital humanities and creative industries. As the Republic of Slovenia will celebrate its thirtieth birthday next year, we intend to mark this achievement of independence with appropriate reflection. This is also our mission.

This year, for the first time, we are opening the entire vertical study of Slovene studies, which enables a comprehensive study of Slovene studies from the first to the third cycle. You can also join us at the second or third cycle. If you have completed a diploma according to the pre-Bologna programme, check the possibilities for enrolment in the third-cycle study. Why not devote yourself to researching the question that arises, but you may not even know how to deal with it. Don’t worry, we will help you with that.

Some only promote targeted education for deficit professions. Some even urge for less education. I cannot agree with that at all! On the contrary, let’s educate ourselves even more! Let’s explore! If we do not educate ourselves, there will be others who believe in it and who will be able to think instead of us tomorrow. Thinking and research, however, are the main means of achieving independence.

Years ago, at a symposium on the future of education, I was impressed by a British colleague who believed that the employment value of an individual who was pursuing a doctorate was not in the research field or doctoral topic. It is essential for a person to conduct research, to be organized, and to be able to design and carry out such a project. By doing so, he showed that he can tackle tasks of at least such complexity. Therein lies his employability! By no means (only) in the topic of his doctorate. Therefore – accept the challenge. We are here to listen to you and guide you accordingly. We pay special attention to each student and strive to adapt the study to your personal interests, especially at higher levels of study. It applies here: study and research are a pleasure!

Despite its youth, our Faculty already boasts all the attributes of an excellent university institution. It offers a complete study vertical. It is also strong in horizontal connection with other study programmes of other members of the New University. We are proud of our excellent research activity and reference researchers of very different profiles. Therefore, we can offer the opportunity to develop your research potential. We are also proud of our international involvement, connection with related institutions around the world, and internationalization. We have an Eche Charter, which enables study and professor exchanges and the building of international strategic partnerships.

However, since we are the Faculty of Slovene and International Studies and we already represent Slovene Studies well, we plan to justify another part of our name shortly. Therefore, we do not see internationality in the near future only in terms of international cooperation, but in addition to the Slovene studies, we will soon offer study programmes dedicated to international aspects.

I look forward to the challenges ahead. ”

Prof. Polona Tratnik