On the 30th anniversary of short-cycle higher education in Slovenia, the exhibition space of short-cycle higher education and Academia at MOS in Celje was visited by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša. In conversation with the President of the Community of Higher Vocational Colleges of the Republic of Slovenia, mag. Gregor Rako, Vice-President Žan Dapčević and Secretary General Miha Zimšek, he familiarised himself in detail with the model of dual short-cycle degree study and emphasised the important role of short-cycle higher education in directly linking education with the needs of the economy and the labour market. Together with representatives of short-cycle higher education institutions, he symbolically marked the anniversary by cutting a cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary of short-cycle higher education in Slovenia.
Prime Minister Janez Janša officially opened this year's MOS – World of Business Opportunities in Celje on 16 September, one of the central events of Slovenian economy and entrepreneurship. A special place at this year's fair is also given to linking knowledge and the economy and presenting modern technologies, new professions and educational programmes.
Where education meets the economy
This has been the foundation of the way of education at Academia for more than three decades.
Our model of short-cycle professional education is based on close integration of theoretical knowledge, practical training and the economy. A significant part of the study is carried out by students directly in companies, where they gain work experience, participate in concrete projects and develop competences that employers actually need.
Today, Academia is connected with several hundred companies and organisations that participate in practical training, projects and employment of our graduates.
Direct connection with the working environment is one of the greatest advantages of short-cycle higher education. Its aim is not merely the transfer of knowledge, but above all the training of individuals so that they can immediately apply the acquired knowledge in a real working environment.
30 years of short-cycle higher education in Slovenia
This year's MOS also has a special symbolic significance for short-cycle higher education institutions, as we are marking 30 years of short-cycle higher education in Slovenia.
In the academic year 2025/2026, almost 10 thousand students were educated at short-cycle higher education institutions, representing a quarter of those enrolled in undergraduate tertiary education. In three decades, short-cycle higher education has become an important part of Slovenian tertiary education, primarily due to its distinctly practical orientation and close connection with employers.
We also symbolically marked the anniversary at the exhibition space together with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, who cut the cake to celebrate the 30th anniversary of short-cycle higher education in Slovenia.
During the visit, the Prime Minister also familiarised himself in detail with the method of study and the role of companies in educating future professionals.
We educate for the needs of the economy
At Academia, we develop study programmes in areas where the economy needs modern professional knowledge – from economics, accounting, human resources management and digital marketing to computer science and informatics, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, security and media production.
The common denominator of all programmes remains the same: to bring students as close as possible to the real working environment and enable them to develop competences that have direct value on the labour market.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and new technologies, and the shortage of appropriately trained personnel, mean that such linking of education and the economy will be even more important in the coming years.
The future of education is not only in knowledge. It is in the ability to use that knowledge in the real world.
To the next 30 years of knowledge, practice and connection with the economy
On the 30th anniversary of short-cycle higher education, we can look back on three decades of development, but at the same time, and above all, look forward.
At a time when the needs of the economy are changing faster than ever before, the ability of educational institutions to respond quickly to new professions, technologies and competences will be crucial for Slovenia's competitiveness.
At Academia, we will therefore continue to build on connecting students, lecturers and companies and on a model of education in which knowledge begins in the lecture hall, but shows its true value in practice.
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Source: Academia (16. 9. 2026). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
