Prof. Dr. Ludvik Toplak, president of Alma Mater Europaea — ECM, addressed them. He said: “I want to welcome our first-year students and juniors to Alma Mater Europaea. Congratulations on your decision. We assure you that Alma Mater gives you the key to your future. I am convinced that you can use the knowledge and practical experience that you will gain here, and the respectful relationships with each other and with others, throughout your lives.

“As a higher education institution, Alma Mater Europaea does what others do not do. It develops interdisciplinary programs that Slovenia and Europe need. We have been working in this way for a decade, and are proud that graduates of this institution have found themselves to be highly employable throughout that period. Our graduates are offered jobs at home and abroad, and all doors are open to them. I believe that you will follow them, and will find happiness at work and in your personal lives.

“You are the 14th generation of Alma Mater! We started with physiotherapy and nursing health programs. We are not the oldest, but we are the most advanced in the content of our work, which is why we believe we are also the most successful! It’s because of our students, graduates, and professors!

“We then developed social gerontology, and were the first to do so in this part of Central Europe. It is said that this is a profession of the future, due to demographic changes. The study of management at all three levels is unique, mainly because of the business informatics skills that students acquire, and the many modern contents we develop; for example, family business. We pay special attention to the humanities programs: contemporary archival and documentology, art at the Academy of Dance, and philosophy at the ISH in Ljubljana.

“Undoubtedly, the most relevant and prospective matter for young people today is the study of information technologies at all three levels, including the most current knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence and computer security. First-cycle students can progress to a doctorate, with the possibility of ERASMUS exchanges with many European universities.

“The dimensions of Alma Mater at the international level are confirmed at the annual international conference, where thousands of students from all continents participate. This year we are preparing a special section for students in collaboration with Oxford University.

“We are also developing special pedagogical and didactic studies. To illustrate, we recently had a conference where over 1,000 experts, especially pedagogical workers, plus interested parents, participated in new educational approaches.

“The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has recognized the success of our work in the last two years. It granted a concession for the study of social gerontology and nursing, thus enabling free studies. Other countries recognized the quality of our work years ago, which is why we also run a program for foreigners; in Koper for Italian students and in Maribor for Austrians.

“Dear students, congratulations once again on your decision! We thank you and your parents for trusting us. We give special thanks to the teachers, professors from other universities, and above all, the many experts from private practice for their cooperation and help. We wish everyone successful work, starting tomorrow!”

Including our international students, this 14th generation is the largest ever. We are seeing significant increases in numbers of students of Web and Information Technologies, Nursing, and Social Gerontology. Dear first-year students, we wish you success in your work in the new academic year.

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