9
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
Članek prispel / Received
7. 11. 2023
Članek sprejet / Accepted
23. 11. 2023
Abstract 
The Faculty of Medicine of the Uni-
versity of Maribor (MF UM) was 
established on October 2nd, 2003. 
The Council of the Republic of Slo-
venia for Higher Education ratifi-
ed the university study programme 
“General Medicine” on December 
3rd, 2003, whereupon in autumn 
2004, the first 89 students enrol-
led in this programme. Since then, 
and until the end of the year 2023, 
1,090 students will have completed 
their studies with a degree. The Co-
uncil of the Republic of Slovenia for 
Higher Education gave consent, with 
an agreement, to the implementation 
of the new doctoral study programme 
“Biomedical Technology” at the MF 
UM on April 15th, 2005. In the 
academic year 2005/06, the first 
generation of postgraduate doctoral 
students was enrolled, specifically, 
29 students in the first and 16 stu-
dents in the second study year. From 
Izvleček
Medicinska fakulteta Univerze v 
Mariboru (MF UM) je bila ustanov-
ljena 2. 10. 2003. Svet RS za visoko 
šolstvo je 3. 12. 2003 potrdil univer-
zitetni študijski program »Splošna 
medicina«, nakar se je jeseni 2004 v 
ta program vpisalo prvih 89 študen-
tov. Od tedaj pa do konca leta 2023 
je študij z diplomo zaključilo 1090 
študentov. Svet RS za visoko šolstvo 
je 15. 4. 2005 s sklepom podal so-
glasje k izvajanju novega doktorskega 
študijskega programa »Biomedicin-
ska tehnologija MF UM«. V študij-
skem letu 2005/06 so vpisali prvo 
generacijo podiplomskih doktorskih 
študentov, od tega 29 v prvi in 16 
študentov v drugi letnik. Od tedaj 
pa do konca leta 2023 je bilo na MF 
UM promoviranih že 156 doktorjev 
znanosti. Nacionalna Agencija RS 
za kakovost v visokem šolstvu je MF 
UM 9. 1. 2020 podelila akreditacijo 
EMŠP »Dentalna medicina«. Prva 
Medicinska fakulteta Univerze v Mariboru 
je dopolnila 20 let
The Faculty of Medicine of the University 
of Maribor Celebrates 20 Years
Avtor / Author Iztok Takač
1,2
Ustanova / Institute 
1
 Univerza v Mariboru, Medicinska fakulteta, Maribor, Slovenija; ² Univerzitetni klinični center 
Maribor, Klinika za ginekologijo in perinatologijo, Maribor, Slovenija;
1 
University of Maribor, Faculty of Medicine, Maribor, Slovenia;
 2 
University Medical Centre 
Maribor, Division of Gynecology and Perinatology, Maribor, Slovenia;
Naslov za dopisovanje /  
Correspondence
Full Prof. Iztok Takač, MD, PhD
University of Maribor
Faculty of Medicine
Taborska ulica 8, SI-2000 Maribor, 
Slovenia
+386 2 234 58 21
iztok.takac@um.si
https:/ /doi.org/10.18690/actabiomed.258, CC BY 4.0
© 2023 Avtor(ji) / The Author(s)
Ključne besede:  
Medicinska fakulteta, Univerza v 
Mariboru, obletnica, 20 let, študij 
medicine
Key words: 
the Faculty of Medicine, the Uni-
versity of Maribor, anniversary, 20 
years, medical studies

10
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
FROM AN IDEA TO EST ABLISHMENT
The first more realistic discussions and endeavours 
for the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine of 
the University of Maribor (MF UM) began in the last 
decade of the 20th century. 
Professional successes and appointments of the first 
clinical wards in the Maribor General Hospital 
(MGH), upon the suggestion of the Medical Faculty 
of the University of Ljubljana, were the foundations for 
further professional growth of the Maribor Teaching 
Hospital and its transformation into the University 
Clinical Centre (UCC) Maribor.
Physicians of the MGH, and later the UCC Maribor, 
have strengthened their pedagogical abilities also 
when working with students of the Medical Faculty 
of the University of Ljubljana, who have been coming 
to the MGH for clinical practice in greater numbers 
already from 1990 onwards. Pedagogically, they have 
also cooperated with the former Graduate School of 
Nursing Studies and later the Higher School of Medical 
Sciences, which then developed into the Faculty of 
Health Sciences, as well as with the Medical Faculty 
of the University of Ljubljana.
The decision to establish a medical faculty in 
Maribor has been decisively supported by the 
university management. A special work group under 
the management of Acad. Prof. Emeritus Željko 
Knez has analysed the laboratory capacities for the 
implementation of pre-clinical subjects—during the first 
academic years, students attended them at numerous 
faculties of the University of Maribor.
At the then Maribor General Hospital, Assist. Prof. 
Gregor Pivec, Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc and Full Prof. 
Vojko Flis joined forces to lay the foundations for the 
later development of the faculty. In this process, a key 
role at the national level was played by the Mariborian 
member of Parliament, Prof. Rudolf Moge.   
In the preparation of the MF UM curriculum report, 
a group of experts cooperated: Acad. Full Prof. Ivan 
Krajnc, Assist. Prof. Vojko Flis, Full Prof. Eldar M. 
Gadžijev, Full Prof. Borut Gorišek, Full Prof. Elko 
generacija 20 študentov »Dentalne medicine« se je vpisa-
la v študijskem letu 2021/22. V začetku je MF UM delo -
vala na številnih lokacijah. 30. 9. 2004 ji je bila predana 
v uporabo obnovljena stavba na Ljubljanski ulici 5, 27. 
1. 2006 pa še stavba na Magdalenskem trgu 5. Temeljni 
kamen za novo stavbo na Taborski ulici 8 so položili 20. 
6. 2011. Gradnja je trajala dve leti in tri mesece, nakar je 
bila stavba predana v uporabo 18. 9. 2013. MF UM ob -
sega 36 kateder in 11 inštitutov. Strokovne službe so or-
ganizirane v tri centre: Center za študentske in študijske 
zadeve in mednarodno sodelovanje, Center za ekonomske 
in splošne zadeve in Center za pravne in kadrovske za-
deve.
then, and until the end of 2023, there will have been 156 
Doctors of Science promoted at the MF UM. The Slo-
venian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education 
bestowed the accreditation of the UMSP “Dental Medici-
ne” programme on the MF UM on January 9th, 2020. 
The first generation of 20 students of “Dental Medicine” 
enrolled in the academic year 2021/22. In the beginning, 
the MF UM operated in numerous locations. On April 
30th, 2004, the renewed building at Ljubljanska Ulica 
5 was handed over for use, and on January 27th, 2006, 
the building at Magdalena Trg 5 followed. The founda-
tion stone for the new building at Taborska Ulica 8 was 
laid on June 20th, 2011. The construction lasted for two 
years and three months, whereupon it was handed over 
for use on September 18th, 2013. The MF UM includes 
36 university departments and 11 institutes. Professional 
services are organized into three departments: the Student 
and Study Affairs and the International Cooperation De -
partment, the Economic and General Affairs Department 
and the Legal and General Affairs Department.

11
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
Borko, Full Prof. Alojz Gregorič, Full Prof. Dušanka 
Mičetić Turk, Assoc. Prof. Kazimir Miksić, Assist. Prof. 
Radovan Hojs, Assist. Prof. Erih Tetičkovič, Assist. Prof. 
Zmago Turk and Assist. Prof. Iztok Takač. The liable 
person of the programme was Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc.
The MF UM was established by the Ordinance on the 
Transformation of the University of Maribor, which 
was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly 
of the Republic of Slovenia on October 2nd, 2003. On 
December 3rd, 2003, the Higher Education Council 
approved the university study programme “General 
Medicine”, which is why we celebrate the Day of the 
Mariborian Faculty of Medicine on December 3rd 
each year.
The first dean of the MF UM was Acad. Prof. Emeritus 
Ivan Krajnc, who managed the faculty from its very 
emergence in the period of the launch of the study 
programmes “General Medicine” and “Biomedical 
Technology” until 2020, when  Full Prof. Iztok Takač 
took over the function of acting dean. 
Shortly after its establishment, the faculty bodies were 
formed: the Senate, the Academic Assembly (AA) and 
the Managerial Board.
The first president of the AA was Senior Doctor Prof. 
Emeritus Elko Borko (2003–2004), who was succeeded 
by Senior Doctor Assoc. Prof. Borut Gorišek (2004–
2007). After him, the function of the president of the 
AA was taken over by Full Prof. Iztok Takač (2007–
2022). After his election as dean, the function of the 
president of the AA was taken over by Full Prof. Mirt 
Kamenik (2022-present).   
The MF UM includes 36 university departments and 
11 institutes. Professional services are organised into 
three departments: the Student and Study Affairs and 
the International Cooperation Department, which is 
managed by MSc Milena Orož Črešnar, the Economic 
and General Affairs Department, which is run by Vesna 
Krajnc and the Legal and General Affairs Department, 
which is led by MSc Jelka Rakun.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 
PREMISES
In the beginning, the MF UM operated in numerous 
locations, on the premises of the rectorate of the UM, 
the University Clinical Centre Maribor and the Public 
Health Institute Maribor.
Important acquisitions in the first period of the faculty 
operation are restorations of the building at Ljubljanska 
Ulica 5 for the needs of anatomy and physiology 
(handed over for use on September 30th, 2004) and 
of the building at Magdalena Trg 5 (handed over for 
use on January 27th, 2006), which have laboratories 
for biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, pharmacology 
with toxicology and genetics.
With the understanding of the University Clinical 
Centre the MF UM, by adapting the premises in the 
basement of the new ENT (ear, nose, throat) ward, it 
became equipped as the most modern simulation centre 
in this part of  Europe (handed over for this purpose 
on November 3rd, 2009), and the former ENT ward 
also provided the premises for clinical skills training 
(OSCE–laboratory, handed over for use on June 11th, 
2010). On October 29th, 2010, the premises of the 
laboratory for multiphoton microscopy were also 
handed over for this purpose.
Immediately after the beginning of studies, the 
activities for the construction of our own building 
began, which would facilitate qualitative and modern 
medical studies. With the understanding of the 
Municipality of Maribor (MOM), we had the possibility 
to choose between three locations. We decided on the 
location at Taborska Ulica 8, primarily due to the 
vicinity of the Maribor T eaching Hospital, the UCC 
MB, although this location was the most demanding 
in terms of construction. From the very beginning 
of the formation and preparation of documents that 
were needed for the acquisition of European means 
and also when choosing the architect, Professor Boris 
Podrecca, we have been led by a central thought—the 
building should be constructed qualitatively and in the 
spirit of the latest achievements. The mastermind of the 
current building in this location was Engr. Igor Recer. 
The then-Ministry of Education and the Government 
of the RS classified the construction of the new MF 
UM among state projects for European means, which 
was of vital importance for assuring financial means. 
During the following two years, we chose a construction 
contractor. 
The faculty management has, after having obtained 
authorisation from the UM rectorate, chosen the 

12
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
contractor, in accordance with the decisions of the 
National Review Commission. For contractors, the 
companies Begrad and Granit were chosen, who 
performed the entrusted task perfectly. 
The construction has been completed without annexes 
or additional works and without additional funding, 
for which we would like to show our gratitude to the 
president of the construction committee, Full Prof. 
Zdravko Kačič, to the chief secretary of the UM, Assist. 
Prof. Mojca Tancer Verboten, as well as Ms. Petra Ujčič, 
Mr. Goran Nikolić, university architect Full Prof. Uroš 
Lobnik and the president of the tender commission and 
contract caretaker for the implementation of works, 
Assist. Prof. Bogdan Čižmarević. Besides the dean, Full 
Prof. Ivan Krajnc, along with colleagues from MF UM 
professional services, have done enormous and excellent 
work. All of them together had to simultaneously 
take care of ensuring undisturbed study activities at 
various locations, for which our gratitude also goes to 
the then-rector of the UM, Full Prof. Danijel Rebolj, 
who facilitated all of this. 
The foundation stone for the MF UM was laid on June 
20th, 2011, by the then-president of the Republic 
of Slovenia, Danilo Türk, PhD. The academic year 
2013/2014 already began on the new premises.
The new building of the MF UM, with 12,000 m2 
of usable area, was given for use on September 18th, 
2013, which means that it was built in a record time 
of just two years and three months.
The new MF UM consists of two parts. In the 
pedagogical part, students and professors have the most 
modern simulators, virtual patients, laboratories for 
classes in clinical skills, electronic tables for anatomy 
classes, contemporary equipment for diagnostics 
of digestive system diseases and gynaecological 
illnesses, contemporary ultrasound devices, devices 
for diagnostics and treatment of muscular system 
diseases, telemedicine technology, video conference 
equipment, 3D technology and more at their disposal. 
In the research laboratories, we have numerous 
new laboratory instruments for various disciplines, 
from pathology to physiology, molecular biology, 
pharmacology, microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry 
and genetics.
THE UNIFORM MASTER’S DEGREE 
STUDY PROGRAMME “GENERAL 
MEDICINE”
In October 2004, we enrolled the first 89 students 
of general medicine in the then-still university study 
programme “General Medicine”. On May 5th, 2008, 
the Higher Education Council of the Republic of 
Slovenia confirmed the renewed uniform master’s 
degree study programme (UMSP) “General Medicine”, 
with the Bologna Declaration adopted, whereupon we, 
in the academic year 2009/2010, enrolled 96 students 
in this programme. 
The UMSP “General Medicine” programme lasts for 
six years or 12 semesters, comprises 5,775 hours of 
theoretical and practical study and is evaluated with 
360 ECTS points. Students may, with 52 obligatory 
subjects, also choose between 35 optional subjects, 
allowing them to develop their knowledge and 
abilities in-depth. The principal characteristic of the 
UMSP “General Medicine” programme is the close 
intertwining of subjects within individual study 
years (horizontally), as well as between study years 
(vertically). The role of the connector is represented 
by the PBL modules (Engl. problem-based learning), 
which we started to implement in the Slovenian area 
at our faculty. On the basis of central problems in the 
form of a spiral, they cover all areas of medicine, from 
knowledge of the foundations of theory and practice 
to training in a clinical environment and the gradual 
achievement of independence, which leads students 
onto an independent professional path as a physician.
The internationally comparable UMSP “General 
Medicine” programme offers students, under the 
guidance and supervision of teachers, an abundance 
of practical work with the patient and facilitates, as well 
as an international exchange of students and professors 
between medical faculties within the European 
Union and even outside it. We provide students with 
appropriate basic and clinical knowledge and skills, 
and we also educate them in terms of high ethics and 
appropriate behaviour for a future physician. Our 
fundamental goal is to prepare students for independent 
work as physicians.
Full Prof. Radovan Hojs has served as the vice dean 
for educational activities and student affairs since the 

13
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
very beginning. By the end of 2023, 1,090 students 
will have graduated from the MF UM.
The numbers of enrolment posts and enrolled students 
and graduates in the period 2004-2023 are shown in 
Table 1.
THE UNIFORM MASTER’S DEGREE 
STUDY PROGRAMME “DENT AL 
MEDICINE” 
The Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher 
Education (SQAA) bestowed the accreditation of the 
UMSP “Dental Medicine” programme on the MF UM 
on January 9th, 2020, for an indefinite period of time. 
However, the “Dental Medicine” programme was 
postponed from the academic year 2020/21 to the 
academic year 2021/22 due to financial difficulties.
Thus, we enrolled the first generation of 21 students 
in the “Dental Medicine” programme in the academic 
year 2021/22.
In the academic year 2022/23, the number of enrolled 
students was 25, and in the academic year 2023/24, it 
was 28 students.
The implementation of pre-clinical and medical subjects 
in the first and second years proceeds without problems, 
as they are implemented by higher education teachers 
of our MF UM, whereas we turned to the Faculty 
Table 1: Enrolment posts, number of enrolled students and number of graduates of the MF UM in the period 2004–
2023.
UMSP  GENERAL MEDICINE
SPLOŠNA MEDICINA
UMSP DENT AL MEDICINE
DENT ALNA MEDICINA
YEAR POSTS ENROLMENT DEGREE    POSTS ENROL. DEGREE
2004–2005 80 89 –
2005–2006 80 94 –
2006–2007 86 98 –
2007–2008 86 96 –
2008–2009 86 95 –
2009–2010 86 96 –
2010–2011 86 98 33
2011–2012 96 112 44
2012–2013 86 103 64
2013–2014 86 101 82
2014–2015 86 101 88
2015–2016 86 97 93
2016–2017 86 97 86
2017–2018 86 94 105
2018–2019 86 89 86
2019–2020 86 104 92
2020–2021 106 124 78
2021–2022 106 120 102 20 21
2022–2023 106 119 73 20 25
2023–2024 110 115 64 24 28
TOTAL 1802 2042 1090 64 74

14
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
of Dental Medicine, University of Rijeka, Croatia 
for help and cooperation with the implementation 
of professional clinical subjects due to a lack of 
habilitated teachers from the area of dental medicine 
in northeastern Slovenia.
The function of acting vice dean for dental medicine is 
performed by Prof. Emeritus Dušanka Mičetić Turk.
THE POSTGRADUA TE STUDY 
PROGRAMME “BIOMEDICAL 
TECHNOLOGY”
On April 15th, 2005, the Council of the Republic of 
Slovenia for Higher Education gave consent to the 
implementation of the new doctoral study programme 
“Biomedical Technology” of the Faculty of Medicine 
of the University of Maribor. Thus, in the academic 
year 2005/06, we enrolled the first generation of 
postgraduate doctoral students, specifically, 29 students 
in the first year and 16 students in the second. The study 
content and literature have been regularly updated over 
the years, including additional optional subjects, and in 
2019, the study programme “Biomedical Technology” 
was coordinated with the guidelines of the Doctoral 
School of the University of Maribor. 
The goal of the doctoral study programme “Biomedical 
Technology” is to educate experts who will be able to 
independently use and develop research methodology 
in their chosen interdisciplinary area and who will 
be capable of independent interdisciplinary research 
and development in various areas of contemporary 
medicine and engineering. The aim of the programme 
is further to educate experts who will be able to transfer 
their knowledge even to the most demanding levels of 
pedagogical processes—at the university level. 
The doctoral study programme “Biomedical 
Technology” (3rd level) lasts for three years or six 
semesters and is evaluated with 180 ECTS points, 
which facilitates the inclusion in international exchange 
programmes with students in countries that use the 
ECTS system. In the first year, besides obligatory 
content, representing 33 ECTS points, students also 
earn 27 ECTS points of optional content, for which 
they can choose three basic elective subjects from a set 
of six basic elective subjects. In the second year, there 
are 48 ECTS points specified for obligatory content 
and 12 ECTS points specified for elective content, for 
which students can choose two elective subjects from a 
set of more than sixty elective courses. The third year 
is intended exclusively for the production of a doctoral 
dissertation.
The subjects in postgraduate studies in the 
“Biomedical Technology” programme are 
horizontally and vertically connected: the horizontal 
connection of subjects is assured so that a student in 
an individual year chooses logically related subjects 
that will provide the theoretical foundation for the 
production of the doctoral dissertation. Vertically, 
the subjects are upgraded so that the subjects of 
the first year serve as a base that the second-year 
subjects build upon, and together, they represent 
the theoretical foundation for the production of a 
doctoral dissertation. 
The conditions for the completion of doctoral studies 
are having completed all study obligations with a 
value of 180 ECTS points, having written a doctoral 
dissertation and having completed a successful 
public defence. A candidate gains the title “Doctor of 
Science” posterior to having successfully completed 
the postgraduate programme for the acquisition of a 
doctorate in biomedical technology.
The function of vice dean for postgraduate studies has 
been performed by Full Prof. Pavel Skok since the very 
beginning.
From the establishment up to now, 154 Doctors of 
Science (status as of November 6th, 2023, of which two 
are still awaiting promotion, expected on November 
21st, 2023) have been promoted at the MF UM.
The numbers of enrolment posts and enrolled students 
in postgraduate studies and PhD students in the period 
2004-2023 are shown in Table 2. 
INTERNA TIONAL COOPERA TION
We also need to emphasise the diverse international 
activity of our young faculty. We have signed 
agreements for the cooperation of students and teachers 
with Erasmus and Tempus programmes.
Currently, we have signed Erasmus+ bilateral 
agreements with 52 medical faculties in the EU, and 

15
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
Table 2: Enrolment posts, number of enrolled students in postgraduate studies and number of PhD students at the 
MF UM in the period 2004–2023.
   POSTGRADUA TE STUDY PROGRAMME »BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY«
YEAR
ENROL. POSTS 
(1st year + direct enrol. to 
2nd year)
ENROLMENT
DOCTORA TE OF SCIENCE 
(by calendar years)
2004–2005
30 –
0
2005–2006
30 45
0
2006–2007
45 44
1
2007–2008
45 37
3
2008–2009
45 29
2
2009–2010
55 25
2
2010–2011
55 43
6
2011–2012
55 37
7
2012–2013
37 18
6
2013–2014
37 19
9
2014–2015
37 8
9
2015–2016
37 11
12
2016–2017
45 28
12
2017–2018
45 30
16
2018–2019
46 29
12
2019–2020
46 30
17
2020–2021
46 20
5
2021–2022
51 29
15
2022–2023
51 31
7
2023–2024
51 20
13
TOTAL
889 533
154
six Erasmus+ bilateral agreements for the medical area 
outside of the EU.
The function of vice dean for international cooperation 
was at first performed by Assist. Prof. Bogdan 
Čizmarević, then by Prof. Emeritus Breda Pečovnik 
Balon, and now by Assoc. Prof. Faris Mujezinović. 
THE STUDENT COUNCIL OF THE 
MF UM
The highest representative body of the students 
of the MF UM is the Student Council (SC) of the 
Faculty of Medicine of the UM. It consists of student 
representatives for all study years. According to the 
Statute of the University of Maribor, the Student 
Council is the only representative body for the 
opinions and interests of all students. It consists of two 
members from each study year (a president of the study 
year and a representative), two students who have 
completed their studies but have not yet graduated, 
two postgraduate students and the president of the 
SC or the vice dean for student affairs, who manages 
the Council and is a member by function. Any student 
with an active status at the MF can become a member 
of the SC. In the period from the establishment of 

16
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
the MF UM up to now, the function of vice dean for 
student affairs has been performed by nine students. 
Currently, the function of vice dean for student affairs 
is performed by Enej Vidovič. 
THE JOURNAL ACT A MEDICO-
BIOTECHNICA
In 2008, the MF UM started publishing its own 
scientific research journal, Acta Medico-Biotechnica 
(AMB). Full Prof. Dušica Pahor was appointed as 
managing editor and she is also the vice dean for 
scientific research activities, the president of the 
commission for habilitations and the president of 
the commission for scientific research affairs at the 
MF UM.   
The journal has been published regularly twice a year 
for 15 years. By the end of 2023, 31 issues will have 
been published with a total of 260 articles. In the 
journal, numerous articles have been published whose 
authors were students of the MF UM. Thus, AMB also 
importantly contributed to the inclusion of students 
in the research work done at the MF UM. 
THE MIXED ACADEMIC CHOIR OF 
THE MF UM
The mixed academic choir of the Faculty of Medicine 
of the University of Maribor is one of the oldest 
organised extracurricular activities within the central 
faculty and provides the possibility of creative activity 
and socialising to students who wish to enrich their 
study years with their own cultural participation. 
The mixed academic choir of the Faculty of Medicine 
of the University of Maribor was established in 
2005 based on the initiative of the then-student of 
the Faculty of Medicine Jakob Zapušek, who was 
simultaneously the president of the choir, as well 
as its first conductor. In 2011, the guidance of the 
choir was taken over by the then-aspiring and today 
internationally renowned conductress and choirmaster 
Rahela Durič Barić. At the beginning of the new 
season in 2013, her place was filled by Polona Bončina, 
who prepared the choir for the opening of the new 
season. Then, in the same year, she was succeeded by 
Petra Beršnjak (now Gobec), who successfully led the 
choir for the following five seasons until 2018. That 
year, the choir began to operate under the baton of 
its current artistic director Viljem Babič.
The choir consists of regular students of the Faculty of 
Medicine of the UM and counts 31 active members. 
The mixed academic choir of the MF UM is part 
of the central organisation of the Maribor Medical 
Students’ Association and, as such, cooperates and 
co-creates the socio-cultural life of the organisation.
THE MOST IMPORT ANT 
PUBLICA TIONS ABOUT THE MF UM
So far, five important publications have been issued 
in which, from different perspectives, the history of 
the MF UM’s emergence, construction and operation 
is outlined.
In 2014, the book “Ten Years of the Faculty of 
Medicine of the University of Maribor” was published 
by the MF UM. The managing editor was Acad. Full 
Prof. Ivan Krajnc and the editorial board consisted 
of Acad. Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc, Milan Golob and 
Elvira Žibrat. The authors Full Prof. Breda Pečovnik 
Balon, Prof. Emeritus Elko Borko, Prof. Emeritus 
Viljem Brumec, Tone Brumen, Assist. Prof. Bogdan 
Čizmarević, Assoc. Prof. Vojko Flis, Full Prof. Radovan 
Hojs, Milan Golob, Kristijan Jejčič, Acad. Full Prof. 
Ivan Krajnc, Mr. Prof. Rudolf Moge, Full Prof. Dušica 
Pahor, Assist. Prof. Gregor Pivec, Full Prof. Danijel 
Rebolj, Full Prof. Ivan Rozman, Full Prof. Pavel 
Skok, Senior Doctor Aleksander Sterger, Assist. Prof. 
Andraž Stožer, Full Prof. Ludvik Toplak and Elvira 
Žibrat have accurately described the circumstances 
of the emergence and the first ten years of the MF 
UM operation on 199 richly illustrated pages in nine 
chapters with 39 subchapters. 
In 2019, the UM Publishing House published the 
monograph publication “Portraits of higher education 
teachers who take the credit for the emergence of the 
Faculty of Medicine in Maribor who were employed 
in the Maribor General Hospital and habilitated up 
to the year 2002”, issued by the MF UM. The chief 
and managing editor was Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc, and 

17
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
the editorial board consisted of Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc, 
Full Prof. Radovan Hojs, Full Prof. Pavel Skok, Full 
Prof. Dušica Pahor, Full Prof. Breda Pečovnik Balon, 
Assist. Prof. Bogdan Čizmarević and Elvira Žibrat. 
The material was prepared and collected by Elvira 
Žibrat. In the monograph, 41 biographies of the most 
deserving higher education teachers, who have made 
a mark from ideation to the establishment of the MF 
UM in 2003 and who were habilitated until the year 
2002, are represented. With their vision, they paved 
scientific and pedagogical paths in Maribor.    
In 2021, the Dr. Adolfa Drolca Maribor Health Centre 
issued the publication “Dental Medicine Studies in 
Maribor” with Senior Doctor Gorazd Sajko as the 
chief editor and author. In it, the author wanted to 
reliably argue the entire course of development of the 
uniform master’s degree study programme “Dental 
Medicine” at the MF UM. Chronologically extremely 
accurately arranged material in the form of formal 
documents, electronic messages and telephone screen 
recordings was collected by Maruša Fugger. The book 
contains 186 pages and is divided into annual periods 
from 2015–2021.   
In 2022, the monograph “The Faculty of Medicine 
of the University of  Maribor: Monograph on the 
Establishment”, edited by Full Prof. Ivan Krajnc 
and Senior Doctor Assist. Prof. Gregor Pivec, was 
published by the University Publishing House of 
the University of Maribor and issued by the Faculty 
of Medicine of the University of Maribor. On the 
editorial board were Full Prof. Vojko Flis, Full Prof. 
Ivan Krajnc, Full Prof. Dušanka Mičetić T urk and 
Full Prof. Iztok Takač. The review was performed 
by Assist. Prof. Martin Bele, Full Prof. Anton Crnjac 
and Full Prof. Stojan Potrč and the design is by Dušan 
Pogačar. In the monograph, 11 authors present the 
historical foundation, professional fundamentals 
and administrative and chronological course of the 
emergence of the MF UM and its programmes in 
seven chapters on 340 richly illustrated pages.    
In 2023, Aleksandra Kovač issued a dissertation 
with the title “Gateway to a new faculty of medicine” 
with the subtitle “An institutional analysis of 
the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine at 
the University of Maribor in Slovenia”, which 
she successfully defended on June 21st, 2023, at 
the University Twente in the Netherlands. The 
dissertation was published by the publishing house 
CHEPS/UT and printed by the company Ipskamp 
Printing, based in Enschede in the Netherlands. The 
dissertation minutely analyses the events connected to 
the establishment of the MF UM in the period 2001–
2004. The author was, at the time of the accreditation 
of the new faculty, employed at the UM rectorate, 
which is why she had access to key personalities 
and documents. The dissertation encompasses 350 
pages, the content is divided into 13 chapters, and 
it is written in English with the abstract provided 
in Dutch.   
A VISION OF THE MF UM AND A 
VIEW INTO THE FUTURE
Our mission, of which the essence is the education 
of physicians, dentists and doctors of science, 
among other things, also includes striving for an 
interdisciplinary and universal approach to solving 
the challenges with which we are faced in Slovenia, 
Europe and the world. Among them surely belongs 
an extremely negative demographic picture, the 
aging of the population, the consequences of the 
recent COVID-19 pandemic, wars in Ukraine and the 
Middle East, the consequences of the recent flooding, 
facing the waves of migrants, climate changes and 
the energy crisis. Last but not least, there is a crisis of 
values also present all over the world, new challenges 
related to artificial intelligence, various movements 
for equality, a decent life and family planning, and 
primarily health, which has never been or is no longer 
accessible to the majority of the world population. 
In light of these challenges, the MF UM is aware of 
its social responsibility and will also further strive to 
keep its fundamental mission—educating physicians, 
dentists and doctors of science who will take care of 
the physical and mental health of our population with 
pride and a full measure of knowledge, responsibility 
and empathy.  
In the short term, we plan for the accreditation of 
the study programme “Pharmacy”, which we intend 

18
PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW PREGLEDNI ČLANEK / REVIEW
ACTA MEDICO–BIOTECHNICA
2023; 16 (2): 9-18
to present to the SQAA in 2024. For this purpose, 
we appointed Assoc. Prof. Uroš Maver as the acting 
vice dean for pharmacy. Additionally, the short-term 
plan includes the implementation of all six study years 
of dental medicine, which presents a considerable 
challenge given the usual lack of habilitated teachers 
in this area in northeastern Slovenia. 
The medium-term plan encompasses the expansion of 
teaching activities to regional hospitals and healthcare 
institutions, wherein it is necessary to habilitate 
enough teachers who will be able to qualitatively 
implement primarily practical classes for students in 
their environment. In this way, more young physicians 
will be able to stay in the environment from which 
they originate. In the medium-term plan, we have also 
included the preparation of material foundations for 
the expansion of the MF UM to new grounds, where 
it will be necessary to create a municipal spatial plan 
and acquire a construction license with which we will 
perhaps be more successful with renewed appeals 
to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and 
Innovation for the financing of new buildings. 
For the long-term plan, we intend to prepare the 
foundations for the beginning of studies also in 
English, as all medical faculties in the region already 
offer such services, whereas, in Slovenia, we have 
fallen behind them for over a decade. Medical studies 
in English will attract numerous young people and 
talented secondary school graduates from all over the 
world, and many among them will be able to recognise 
the quality of residence in our environment, so we 
hope that they will also remain with us as a physician 
in their vocation.       
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
On the 20th anniversary of the operation of the MF 
UM, I would like to express my sincere gratitude 
to all who, whenever and however, cooperated in 
its establishment and operation: the initiators and 
promoters Acad. Prof. Emeritus Ivan Krajnc, Assist. 
Prof. Gregor Pivec, Full Prof. Vojko Flis and Mr. Prof. 
Rudolf Moge, the rectors and professional services 
staff of the UM, the directors and employees of the 
UCC, the HC (Health Centres) and the IPH (Institute 
of Public Health) Maribor, as well as the architects, 
engineers and construction workers, the first dean, 
vice deans, heads of departments and centres, subject 
holders, all teachers and professional services staff of 
the MF UM and primarily students, who patiently 
and with a great deal of enthusiasm worked together 
with us to overcame the childhood diseases of our 
faculty and proved that together, we can achieve 
almost anything that we set as our goal.