Novo Mesto, September 11, 2026 – The Faculty of Information Studies (FIS) marked its 18th anniversary today with a ceremonial event. The ceremony also presented the FIS Awards for 2025, which were awarded to faculty members and students in recognition of their achievements, dedication, and contributions to the faculty’s development. The FIS dean, Prof. Dr. Matej Makarovič—who is also a candidate for the first rector of the new public University of Novo Mesto—addressed the gathering in his opening remarks.
This year’s anniversary is particularly significant for FIS. Over the past 18 years, the faculty has come a long way from its beginnings in the field of information studies to its current role as an important part of the academic and research community in Novo Mesto. The year 2026 also marks the beginning of a new chapter, as FIS has become a member of the University of Novo Mesto.
The ceremony also featured commemorative speeches by the acting rector of the University of Novo Mesto, Prof. Dr. Janez Povh—who was also the first dean of FIS—Tomaž Kordiš, director of the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina Chamber of Commerce, and Franci Bratkovič, director of the Novo Mesto Development Center. In their remarks, they reflected on the faculty’s 18-year journey, its development, and its significance for local and broader communities, while highlighting the new opportunities arising from the continued development of the University of Novo Mesto.
“Eighteen years is a period during which we can look back and see how much has been accomplished, but it is also a moment when we look ahead with a great sense of responsibility. FIS has built its path on knowledge, research, collaboration, and people.”
From Idea to University: 18 Years of FIS’s Development
Over the past 18 years, FIS has made a significant contribution to the development of education and research in information studies. Over the years, its organisational and physical structure has also evolved—from its first premises at the Novo Mesto University and Research Centre, through its facilities at the Secondary School of Hospitality and Tourism, to its current premises on Ljubljanska Street.
The faculty’s growth is also reflected in its student enrollment. In the 2025–2026 academic year, more than 650 students were enrolled at FIS, representing a growth of over 30 per cent compared to the previous academic year. The development of academic programs also remains a key part of the faculty’s growth. In the 2026/2027 academic year, a new academic program, Video Game and Augmented Reality Development, will be launched to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving field of digital technologies.
Awards for the People Who Help Shape FIS
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the FIS Awards for 2025. The awards were presented to faculty, staff, and students who, through their work, knowledge, achievements, and dedication, have made significant contributions to the successful operation and development of FIS.
These awards are, above all, an expression of gratitude to the people who help shape the faculty and its academic, research, and learning environment.
The anniversary was also an opportunity to look back on the path taken and reflect on the future. FIS’s 18 years of operation mark an important milestone, and its integration into the fourth public university opens a new chapter and brings new opportunities for the development of education, research, and community collaboration.
The faculty will continue to base its mission on integrating education, research, and the economy, and on creating an environment in which new knowledge, ideas, and solutions for the future can emerge.
