On 11 June 2026, the University of Maribor Faculty of Health Sciences marked the 33rd anniversary of its establishment with a ceremonial event and presented awards, commendations, and recognitions to individuals and organisations whose contributions have significantly supported the development of the faculty, nursing, and health sciences.

The audience was addressed by the Dean, Prof. Dr Mateja Lorber, who emphasised that the Faculty is not only celebrating 33 years of existence, but above all the people who have shaped its story – generations of students, graduates, employees, and collaborators whose knowledge, professionalism, and dedication have contributed to its success. She highlighted that the strength of nursing lies not in being at the centre of attention, but in always being present where people need it most – at birth, during illness, throughout recovery, and in times of uncertainty. She also expressed special gratitude to the staff, students, and the University of Maribor for their support in the development, renovation, and expansion of the Faculty’s facilities.

During the ceremony, numerous awards and recognitions were presented.

Academic Excellence Awards were presented to Aneja Šurina, Belma Ahmetović, Zarja Steničnik, Ana Cveček, Tamara Trajbarič, Alen Šuta, Lars Somi, Sara Korošec, Tamara Lukman and Daniela Nemec. 

Outstanding Student Achievement Awards were presented to Lana Friš and Tiana Čeh.

The Dean’s Award for the Best Student Research Project was awarded to Maja Draganič for her research project Standard Procedure for Handling External Ventricular and Lumbar Drainage.

The title of Best Clinical Mentor was awarded to Bojan Kurnik from the University Medical Centre Maribor.

A Certificate of Appreciation for Successful Cooperation with UM FHS was presented to the Infectious Diseases Intensive Care Unit of the University Medical Centre Maribor, which plays an important role in the practical training of nursing students.

The UM FHS Best Researcher Award was presented to Assoc Prof Dominika Vrbnjak, PhD, who achieved the highest score according to the ARIS researcher evaluation methodology.

Awards for distinguished contributions were presented to:

• Marko Uršič for contributions to professional development and support services,
• Assist Prof Lucija Gosak, PhD for contributions to scientific research,
• Assist Prof Petra Klajnšek, PhD for contributions to education.

The highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of the honorary title “Honorary Visiting Professor of the Faculty of Health Sciences” upon Prof Andreas Charalambous, PhD, an internationally recognised expert in oncology and palliative nursing and a long-standing collaborator of the University of Maribor Faculty of Health Sciences.

The ceremony provided an opportunity to express gratitude to everyone who contributes to the Faculty’s development while also looking ahead to a future in which the Faculty of Health Sciences will continue to foster excellence, research, collaboration, and the advancement of nursing and health sciences.