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 June 24 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 programs of the first, second and third level accredited at FIS:

  • Higher Professional study program Computer Sciencme and Web Technologies
  • Higher Professional study program Informatics in Contemporary Society,
  • Academic study program Informatics in Contemporary Society,
  • Master’s study program Computer Science and Web Technologies
  • Master’s study program Informatics in Contemporary society,
  • Master’s study program Data Sciences,
  • Doctoral study program Information Society.

Quality pedagogical and research work

Our lecturers and researchers have extensive knowledge in their fields of expertise, experience working on European projects and in business, and strive to constantly improve themselves. Through research, we enable students and lecturers to directly participate in the creative process, where they can develop new ideas, enrich the content of lectures or help solve problems of external clients. In our research work, we cooperate with the economy and other strategic partners, with whom we develop, modern, applied and development-oriented projects.

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 contribution 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 quality of the FIS management system is based on the basic building blocks of the new organizational paradigm:

  • Customer- or student-centric;
  • Result-oriented;
  • Leadership and steadfastness of purpose;
  • Management based on processes and facts;
  • Development and inclusiveness of employees;
  • Continuous learning, innovation and improvement;
  • Developing partnerships;
  • Social responsibility of the faculty.

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 or Higher Education Institutions, Study Programmes and Scientific Research, Artistic and Professional Work. Students who will be proposed to the Quality and Evaluation Commission by the Student Council 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

The vision guides our actions and shows us the way forward, the mission describes our qualities. Together they define the faculty of Information Studies:

We are an academic institution that synthesizes social science, information and computer knowledge. We are building the foundations and broadening the horizons of modern society, to which we contribute through upbringing, education and research at the highest level. We are committed to achieving excellence. We are aware of our role in sustainable development in the local Dolenjska and Slovenian environment. 

Our values

 

Truth

Commitment to the truth is the main guideline in scientific and pedagogical work. It signifies persistently searching for new knowledge about the studied phenomena, constant verification of facts and dissemination of knowledge in a credible and intellectually honest way. We strive for openness to new insights and rejection of any dogmatism and prejudice. Commitment to the truth also includes respect for the intellectual work of other researchers and citation rules.

 

Responsibility

The development of new knowledge and skills, and above all, their dissemination and application require responsibility for socially, economically and environmentally sustainable development. At the social level, we are committed to equality, equal opportunities, inclusion, compassion for others and 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. We also implement these principles in our daily activities and in relation to all concrete stakeholders, where mutual relations are based on mutual respect, understanding and belonging to common human and academic ideas. Our business is clear and transparent.
 

Freedom

Free discovery and dissemination of knowledge is an essential component of scientific research, development and pedagogical work at the faculty. It refers to both the academic autonomy of the faculty as a whole as well as the academic autonomy of its higher education lecturers, researchers and other collaborators. It is limited solely by a fundamental commitment to truth and responsibility. Any limitation due to the influence or even pressure of political centres of power, economic or other interests, and political, ideological, religious or other beliefs is unacceptable. The faculty is committed to protecting all of its associates and students from such influences or pressures.
 

Excellence

The faculty is committed to top-quality standards in scientific research, development and pedagogical work. Excellence is never a state achieved at the end but an ideal to which we constantly strive so that we are committed to unceasing critical monitoring and further improvement of our performance. We are always proud of the results and successes we have always achieved but at the same time, we continue striving for even more success and efficient operations in the future.