Our Story
It all began in 2008
The Faculty of Information Studies is the first pillar of public higher education in the Southeast region of Slovenia, as it is the first faculty in Novo mesto. It is also the first public faculty not affiliated with any of the Slovenian universities. It was established pursuant to the Decree on the Establishment of the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto, which was adopted on 24 June 2008 by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.
We started implementing the first study programmes in the 2008/09 academic year, in which 122 students were enrolled.
We currently have the following Bologna study programmes of the first, second and third level accredited at FIS:
- Higher Professional study programme Computer Science and Web Technologies,
- Higher Professional study programme Informatics in Contemporary Society,
- Academic study programme Business Management in a Digital Society,
- Academic study programme Informatics in Contemporary Society,
- Master’s study programme Computer Science and Web Technologies
- Master’s study programme Informatics in Contemporary Society,
- Master’s study programme Data Sciences,
- Master’s study programme Cyber Security,
- Master’s study programme Business Informatics,
- Master’s study programme Law and Leadership in Digital Society,
- Doctoral study programme Information Society,
- Doctoral study programme Information Sciences.
High-quality pedagogical and research work
We have proven to be an exceptionally successful faculty in the field of scientific research. The focal point of our fundamental research is the faculty research programme Complex Networks, which is co-funded by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency, through which we have also obtained several fundamental research projects to date. In the field of development projects and applied research, we particularly highlight the successful implementation of international projects within the European Interreg Danube programme.
In the development of research infrastructure, the following play a central role:
- the acquisition of the Trdina supercomputer as part of the upgrade of national research infrastructures (HPC RIVR), which is the successor to the original Rudolf supercomputer,
- the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office (TTO), and
- the infrastructure programme for Online Support in Project Proposal Preparation.
We strive for excellence
FIS recognizes its mission in education and knowledge transfer, the quality of which is decisively based on the pursuit of excellence in all areas. To fulfil our mission and contribute to a knowledge-based society, we want to incorporate the principles of the modern paradigm of quality and excellence into our daily working ethic. The management system at FIS is therefore based on the following building blocks:
- focus on users — students in the educational process and costumers in research and development work,
- equal inclusion of all stakeholders,
- management based on processes and facts,
- development and engagement of academic and administrative staff,
- commitment to quality in all areas,
- continuous learning, innovation, and improvement,
- cooperation with the local environment,
- integration into global processes,
- the faculty’s responsibility towards the social and natural environment.
Operational plan for improving the quality of FIS
FIS will implement a quality improvement plan through self-evaluation based on the Criteria for Monitoring, Determining and Assuring Quality of Higher Education Institutions, Study Programmes and Scientific Research, Artistic and Professional Work. Students nominated by the Student Council to the Quality and Evaluation Commission will also be actively involved in the design and implementation of the FIS quality improvement operational plan. Cooperation with students will be established as part of the search for opportunities to improve the quality of all FIS activities. Self-evaluation procedures will be carried out every year in the following areas:
- Self-evaluation of the faculty as an institution;
- Self-evaluation of the implementation of study programmes;
- Self-evaluation of scientific research and professional work.
We invite you to join us as a student or lecturer to participate in our research or to use the expertise of our institutes.
Our vision and mission
As an academic institution and community, we create and disseminate interdisciplinary knowledge and skills for the responsible and creative use and development of information technologies in various social environments.
In fulfilling this mission, we aim to be a model for comparable institutions in Slovenia and internationally.
Our values
Truth:
A commitment to the truth is the guiding principle in our scientific and educational work, which means persistently seeking new insights into the phenomena under study, rigorously verifying the facts, and disseminating knowledge in a credible and intellectually honest way. It means being open to new knowledge and rejecting all dogmatism and prejudice. A commitment to the truth also includes respect for the intellectual work of other researchers and for the rules of citation.
Responsibility:
The development of new knowledge and skills, and above all their dissemination and application, requires responsibility for social, economic and environmental sustainability. At the social level, we are committed to equality, equal opportunities, inclusiveness, compassion for fellow human beings and the prevention of discrimination. At the economic level, we contribute to material well-being and are responsive to the needs of the economy. At the environmental level, we are committed to protecting all aspects of the natural environment. These principles are also applied in our daily activities and in our relations with all our specific stakeholders, based on mutual respect, understanding and commitment to common human and academic ideals. Our business is transparent and accountable.
Freedom:
The free discovery and dissemination of knowledge is an essential component of the Faculty’s scientific research, development and teaching work. It concerns both the academic autonomy of the Faculty as a whole and the academic autonomy of its teachers, researchers and other staff. It is limited solely by a fundamental commitment to truth and accountability, and any limitation of this autonomy by the influence or even pressure of political power centres, economic or other interests, or political, ideological, religious or other convictions is unacceptable. The Faculty is committed to protecting all its colleagues and students from such influences or pressures.
Excellence:
the Faculty is committed to the highest standards of quality in scientific research, development and teaching. Excellence is never a fully achieved state, but rather an ideal we continuously strive fora, and we are committed to continuous critical monitoring and further improvement of our performance. We are always proud of the results and achievements we have already attained, but we also constantly strive for even more successful and efficient performance in the future.