Slovenia opens new public university

Slovenia's fourth public university has been established in Novo Mesto after parliament unanimously green-lit the move that aims to support the economic development of the Dolenjska region in the east of the country.

Following decades-long efforts to bring a public university to the capital of Dolenjska, the new institution is now expected to open its doors in the 2026-27 academic year, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The region is one of the country's strongest economy-wise, hosting many leading companies active in the automotive, pharmaceutical and engineering sectors. These need skilled labour to continue evolving, so the idea of establishing a public university there made sense.

The initiative came from the local community, civil society, and academic and business circles.

The region is bound to attract many students due to the job prospects they would have there, Higher Education Minister Igor Papič said in January, when the government gave the go-ahead for the new university.

There are currently eight higher-education institutions in Novo Mesto, including four that are part of the private University of Novo Mesto. They will now join forces with the Rudolfovo Science and Technology Centre, a public research institute, to form the new public university. Rudolfovo will become an associate member of the university.

The existing faculties are dedicated to different fields, including healthcare, engineering and management.

The university will be headquartered at the cultural centre Narodni Dom, which is currently undergoing renovation. The work is expected to be completed by summer. A new university campus is to be built on the eastern outskirts of the city.

The National Assembly's cross-partisan go-ahead for the university came after a letter of intent to establish it was signed in June 2025.

Slovenia's other public universities are based in Ljubljana, Maribor and Koper.

Photo: Rasto Božič/STA