The Academia business system ceremonially marked its 30th anniversary on Thursday, 14 March 2024, with a ceremonial diploma award ceremony for a new generation of short-cycle degree graduates from the professional programmes Economist, Civil Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Security and Media Production. The Student of the Year 2024 became economist Urša Rakovič. In this academic year, 563 students from 17 countries worldwide are studying at Academia.
Slovenian short-cycle professional diplomas and British Higher National Diplomas received by 73 Academia graduates
The ceremonial event was attended not only by Academia graduates and lecturers but also by numerous stakeholders, representatives of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, the Ministry of Education, the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training, the Employment Service of Slovenia, the Community of Higher Vocational Colleges of the Republic of Slovenia, the Student Organisation of Slovenia and representatives of partner employers.
The Styrian Chamber of Commerce awarded the Academia business system with recognition for 30 years of successful operation. As the highlight of the event, Academia director Žan Dapčevič announced the establishment of a scholarship fund worth 30,000 EUR for young talents with fewer opportunities, with which Academia continues its tradition of socially responsible operation. This move reflects the institutional commitment to education and community support that was founded and nurtured by the founders of Academia.
The celebration of Academia's 30th anniversary is thus not only an opportunity to take pride in past achievements, but also a commitment to continue operating in the spirit of innovation, social responsibility and warmth that Academia has always advocated.
Blaž Cvar, President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business: Academia has understood and addressed the needs of the Slovenian export economy with quality for 30 years
The keynote speaker of the ceremonial evening, President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia Mr Blaž Cvar, highlighted the importance of short-cycle professional education for the export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises of Slovenia, as the latter enables not only upskilling but also reskilling, which is reflected in above-average employability and equal remuneration compared to graduates of other undergraduate studies. He pointed out that the highly internationalised Slovenian economy also requires internationalised education.
Blaž Cvar, President of the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia
Cvar highlighted Academia's 30 years of quality operation, which is confirmed by numerous awards and recognitions, including the Diploma of Excellence from the Community of Higher Vocational Colleges, awards from the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education, quality certificates from the Slovenian Institute for Quality and recognition from the British regulator as the 2nd best vocational college in 60 countries worldwide. With exceptional international integration through the implementation of international programmes and numerous partnerships with Slovenian employers and partner institutions in Europe and around the world, Academia opens a window to the world.
In his congratulations to Academia graduates, he expressed particular satisfaction with the fact that every fifth Academia graduate is an entrepreneur.
Recognition from the Styrian Chamber of Commerce to the Academia business system for 30 years of successful operation
mag. Aleksandra Podgornik, Director of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce and Žan Dapčevič, Director of Academia
Director of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce mag. Aleksandra Podgornik presented the Academia business system with recognition for 30 years of successful operation in the Podravje region at the ceremonial event.
Acting Director of the Centre for Vocational Education and Training and representative of the Ministry of Education praised Academia's quality
Acting Director of the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training and representative of the Ministry of Education Mr Aleksandar Sladojević conveyed greetings from the Minister of Education dr. Darjo Felda to the graduates at the beginning of his address.
Aleksandar Sladojević, Acting Director of the Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training
He emphasised Academia's active role in the development of publicly recognised and private short-cycle professional education in Slovenia as one of the first private short-cycle higher education institutions in Slovenia and its engagement within the Community of Higher Vocational Colleges of the Republic of Slovenia.
He praised Academia's quality operation, which is demonstrated through elements of excellence according to the quality standards of the National Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
Academia Director Žan Dapčevič emphasised the importance of trust and gratitude to graduates
Dapčevič pointed out the exceptional circumstances in which this generation of graduates completed their studies and praised them for their dedication and achievements. He particularly emphasised that trust and gratitude are key values that should be nurtured in both personal and professional life.
Žan Dapčevič, Director of Academia
On the occasion of Academia's 30th anniversary, Dapčevič shared the institution's impressive achievements, including numerous educational programmes at home and abroad, successful employment search training programmes and strong collaboration with industry. He also emphasised Academia's role in building trust between organisations and in society.
In addition to Slovenian short-cycle diplomas, Academia graduates also received Higher National Diplomas from Great Britain
Academia graduates
Academia graduates received British Higher National Diplomas in addition to the publicly recognised short-cycle diploma certificates of the Republic of Slovenia, which were presented by Mr Joe Ausenna-Patten, Senior Regional Development Manager for Europe at Pearson BTEC Education.
Joe Ausenna-Patten, Senior Regional Development Manager for Europe at Pearson BTEC Education
First four alumni of Jezeršek Academia – international Hospitality Management programme
At the event, the first four alumni of Jezeršek Academia also received certificates of completion of the programme. The international Hospitality Management programme Jezeršek Academia is an educational programme of the company Jezeršek gostinstvo, with which they boldly fulfil their commitment – to raise the reputation of the hospitality profession.
The programme is intended for young people completing studies in the field of hospitality and tourism who wish to acquire professional knowledge and rich experience ("Real skills for the real world") in the field of hospitality management and take on leadership positions.
Alumni of the first generation of Jezeršek Academia
Student of the Year 2024 became economist Urša Rakovič
Student of the Year 2024 became economist Urša Rakovič , also the digital marketing student of the year 2023, who completed her studies with the best result. During her studies, despite work commitments, she also actively participated in the extracurricular project for developing systems thinking skills "Map the system", which we implement at Academia in collaboration with the University of Oxford.
In her speech, she emphasised that "graduates from Academia leave not only equipped with knowledge but with skills and experience for real life."
economist Urša Rakovič, Student of the Year 2024
For students with fewer opportunities, Academia is dedicating a new scholarship fund worth 30,000 EUR
In three decades of successful operation, Academia has managed to share its successes with those in need. In 30 years, donations to various vulnerable groups have accumulated to more than 300,000 EUR. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Academia business system, director Žan Dapčevič also announced a new scholarship fund worth 30,000 EUR for future students with fewer opportunities. With the scholarship fund, we wish to expand access to studies for young talents who would otherwise not be able to afford them.
director Žan Dapčevič (left), headmistress mag. Vida Perko (centre) and president of the strategic council mag. Majda Kralj (right)
Tim Ribič, Špela and Leon Pokeržnik delighted with exceptional music, the ceremony was successfully hosted by graduate Natalija Bratkovič
Natalija Bratkovič, event host and Academia graduate
The evening was enriched with an inspiring musical programme by tenor Tim Ribič, soprano Špela Pokeržnik and academic musician trumpeter Leon Pokeržnik, and was again successfully hosted by Academia media production graduate Natalija Bratkovič.
The evening was musically enriched by academic musician trumpeter Leon Pokeržnik (left), tenor Tim Ribič (centre) and soprano Špela Pokeržnik (right)
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Source: Academia (14. 3. 2024). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
