On December 4, 2025, the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office of the University of Maribor celebrated 50 years of innovation at the University at the Rectorate – an event dedicated to half a century of creativity, collaboration, and progress. Gathered representatives from the academic sphere, the economy, research institutions, and the innovation support ecosystem discussed key development challenges and future opportunities.
The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office of the University of Maribor is a member of the Slovenian consortium of the Enterprise Europe Network. As a partner of the Enterprise Europe Network Slovenia, it enables companies to: access top-tier research knowledge and innovations, participate in international research and development projects, connect with researchers, students, and industry, and receive support in digitalization, sustainable development, and internationalization. The UM Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office provides professional support in identifying innovative solutions, protecting intellectual property, and connecting companies with researchers and research results. Through cooperation with European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), UM strengthens the technological readiness and digital maturity of Slovenian SMEs. With its knowledge and innovative solutions, the University of Maribor contributes to the growth of companies and the strengthening of economic competitiveness at home and abroad.
Following the opening remarks by the Rector of the University of Maribor, Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič, there was a presentation of the INNOV:UM platform, delivered by the Vice-Rector for Infrastructure of UM, Prof. Dr. Miralem Hadžiselimović.
At the first panel discussion titled »Innovations at the Intersection of Knowledge and the Economy«, the following participants took part: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr. Igor Papič, Rector of the University of Maribor Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič, Rector of the University of Ljubljana Prof. Dr. Gregor Majdič, Rector of the University of Primorska Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, Chief Executive Officer and President of Sandoz Slovenia Gregor Makuc, Assistant Director of ARIS Mito Žnidarko, Director of Talum d.d. Marko Drobnič, and Director of ICT Solutions at Pošta Slovenije Slavko Ovčina. The speakers emphasized that innovation is the foundation of development and can only be achieved through systematic cooperation between the economy, academia, and the research sector. Minister Dr. Igor Papič highlighted that cooperation between universities and the economy has been ongoing for decades but must be long-term rather than sporadic to achieve true results. Rector of the University of Maribor Prof. Dr. Zdravko Kačič pointed out the importance of maintaining ownership of knowledge in Slovenia and the necessity of establishing mechanisms that will prevent brain drain and allow the results of innovative work to remain at home. Rector of the University of Primorska Prof. Dr. Klavdija Kutnar emphasized the need to create an ecosystem for circulating investments and overcoming resistance to combining public and private funds.
The second panel discussion, »Research, Patents and Capital: From Scientific Breakthroughs to Market Success«, shed light on the path from the research laboratory to the market. Participants included M.Sc. Karin Žvokelj, Director of the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, Prof. Dr. Dean Korošak, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Maribor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Iztok Kramberger (Skylabs d.o.o.), Nina Dremelj (Vesna Fund), and M.Sc. Matej Rus (Tovarna podjemov).
Prof. Dr. Kramberger also presented the operations of the company Skylabs d.o.o., their technological achievements, and their close cooperation with the University of Maribor as an example of successful knowledge transfer into innovation practice.
Subsequently, representatives from the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Tovarna podjemov, SPIRIT Slovenia, DIH Slovenia, and the Jožef Stefan Institute presented the opportunities of the Slovenian innovation ecosystem for companies and the possibilities for involvement in support programs.
The program was enriched with artistic performances by students from the Faculty of Education of the University of Maribor under the mentorship of Assoc. Prof. Tadeja Vulc. With this ceremonial event, they celebrated five decades of innovation and opened a space for reflection on the future – on how we will continue to co-create development, opportunities, and breakthrough ideas in cooperation with the innovation environment.