I was very fortunate to be selected to represent RMU to participate in the EU’s flagship international cultural exchange program – Eramus+ staff mobility program visiting beautiful Slovenia in Fall 2025….Slovenia is such a lovely country that I didn’t know much about but will gladly visit again in the future!
Day 1 as a visitor
What an inspiring first day in Slovenia as part of the Erasmus+ mobility program! It was a privilege to join a delegation of academic colleagues from across Africa for their FOSTER project as an observer to immerse ourselves in the Slovenia’s vibrant innovation and research ecosystem.
Our day began with a deep dive into Slovenia’s open science projects, where we gained firsthand insights into how universities and research organizations are driving accessible and collaborative research. It sparked a crucial conversation on the importance of creating robust infrastructure and the right incentives to effectively share research data and results. This strategic approach is key to promoting scientific progress, fostering innovation, and strengthening trust within the global research community.
The highlight of the afternoon was the visit to a regional incubator center, where we witnessed the incredible journey of startups from concept to successful commercialization through acceleration and mentorship. Looking forward to the rest of the week and to fostering future collaborations!
Day 2 in Slovenia 🇸🇮
The day began with a visit to the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training (CPI), together with academic colleagues from Africa. CPI is a fascinating public–private partnership that bridges the supply and demand sides of the labor market, with a strong focus on vocational education and what the EU calls employability training and education.
One particularly insightful takeaway was learning about the Slovenian Qualifications Framework (SQF) and how it translates into the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). This alignment provides job seekers with a clear way to demonstrate their educational credentials and competencies across borders—an elegant example of how policy can empower mobility and opportunity.
Later in the day, I had the privilege of delivering my first lecture at Mednarodna fakulteta za družbene in poslovne študije (International School for Social and Business Studies (ISSBS)) to the Master of Knowledge Management students. My topic focuses on Risk Management as a Discipline and the Security Challenges of Adopting AI. To bring the issue to life, I used recent deepfake news stories as case studies—powerful reminders of the seriousness of the problem. The students engaged with energy and insight, which made the session especially rewarding.
To close the lecture, my gracious host professor added a lighthearted twist: assigning students a group project on the topic of which Slovenian presents I should buy before leaving. A perfect reminder that learning is not only about knowledge, but also about building connections and sharing culture.
Grateful for the warm hospitality, the stimulating exchanges, and the chance to keep learning alongside others.
Day 3 as an Erasmus+ Visiting Professor 🇸🇮
In addition to the warm welcome from the incredible ISSBS faculty and staff, we had the chance to discuss future collaborations between RMU and ISSBS. It’s inspiring to see how, with just over 500 students (not at all “small” by Slovenian standards), ISSBS meaningfully engages with local, European, and global communities and partners.
I also had the privilege of delivering lectures on risk management, AI, and cybersecurity for business to both undergraduate students in Economy and Society and master’s students in E-Business. One of the highlights was when the class burst into laughter as I shared my own decision-making heuristic for coming to Slovenia—before showing how criminals exploit similar heuristics through deepfakes. A fun way to make a serious point!
Many thanks to my fellow hosts and colleagues for making this such a memorable and impactful experience: Dean Kristijan Breznik, Prossors Dr. Andrej Koren, Dr. Vesna Skrbinjek, and Dr. Dusan Lesjak – and of course, Barbara Jurgec for amazing support!
Pentastic 