In recent decades, Professor Ludvik Toplak committed his work to the activities that were important for the nascent country and achieved successes that is still visible today. "He has a wonderful ability to identify the needs of the wider community in a particular moment with an outstanding clarity, and when he directs his work and energy in this direction, he succeeds," was written in the justification of the award, handed over to Professor Toplak, the founder and president of Alma Mater Europaea – ECM, by the president of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, on the National Day at the Presidential palace.

It was also emphasized that Professor Toplak was a rector of the University of Maribor, which he managed farsightedly for almost ten years, as well as a Slovenian ambassador to the Holy See, a honorary citizen of Maribor and Juršinci, a honorary knight of the Order of St. George for active work on intercultural cooperation in Central Europe, a receiver of the award the Ambassador of Science of the Republic of Slovenia and the award Paul Harris, Rotary International, recognized for his exceptional work in the humanitarian field and is the recipient of numerous university, community and business awards.