Freshers’ welcome and the official start of the 2025/2026 academic year

Date of publication:

2. 10. 2025

Tag:

Press release
EUTOPIA
Study

On Wednesday, 1 October, the University of Ljubljana (UL) and its Student Council (ŠS UL) held their traditional event in Congress Square to welcome new students to the academic community. The attendees were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr Gregor Majdič, the President of the UL Student Council, Maksim Miklič, and the Mayor of the City of Ljubljana, Zoran Janković. They were joined by the deans of the 23 faculties and three academies of the University of Ljubljana – the oldest and most successful higher education and research institution in Slovenia. Jet Black Diamonds and Koala Voice provided the excellent musical atmosphere to the event.

You are at the very beginning of one of the most exciting periods of your life – your studies at the University of Ljubljana. I know this will be a time full of challenges, hard work and new responsibilities, but as I often like to stress: it is also a time for socialising, for creating unforgettable memories and for forming friendships that will last a lifetime.

Rector UL, Prof. Dr Gregor Majdič

At 50 stands set up in Congress Square, students had the opportunity to meet the student councils of the UL’s faculties and academies, as well as various specialist services of the Rector’s Office: the UL Office for Equality and Inclusion, the UL Alumni Club Network, the Centre for Extracurricular Activities, and the UL Project Office, which presented opportunities available through EUTOPIA, the alliance of ten European universities of which UL is a member.

Visitors to the event were able to experience the city’s vibrant cultural, artistic and sports scene. Among the participants were En-Knap Group – Španski borci Cultural Centre, the Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, Ljubljana City Theatre, the Slovenian Philharmonic, Glej Theatre, Center Rog, the Slovenian Youth Theatre, the France Marolt Academic Folklore Group, the Grex Symphoniacorum Orchestra, the Vinko Vodopivec Primorska Academic Choir, the Crystal Queer Choir, the Legebitra Association, the Central Technical Library (CTK), the National and University Library (NUK), and the University of Ljubljana Academic Choir Tone Tomšič, which welcomed first-year students from the stage with the academic anthem Gaudeamus Igitur. Also represented were student organisations and associations, including IAESTE LC Ljubljana, EUSA, and BEST Slovenia.

As part of the event, students could visit stalls hosted by various organisations – including the Gajst Institute, Študent magazine, Radio Študent, the Iskra Association and several student organisations – to learn how they can get involved in civil society activities and contribute to a more connected and engaged community.

First-year students, welcome among us!