Message from Prime Minister Janez Janša on the occasion of the start of the academic year
A new academic year is beginning. For some of you, it marks a new start; for others, it is a continuation of the path you have already chosen. For everyone, however, it is an opportunity to gain new knowledge, meet new people and take another step forward on your personal and professional journey.
There is a Slovenian saying - knowledge is your greatest asset. In today’s rapidly changing world, the ability to learn, adapt and develop new solutions is what sets successful people apart. So stay curious. Keep learning. Do not always settle for the first answer. Alongside the questions you will encounter in your exams, ask questions of your own. Your most important idea may well begin with a question that has yet to appear in any textbook. Have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, while also being willing to listen to different points of view.
When things get difficult, do not give up. Mistakes are not the end of the road; more often than not, they are an important part of the journey. Every success requires hard work and perseverance, even when the results are not immediately visible. Above all, it requires the belief that success is possible and that things can be changed for the better.
Many of you will also use this academic year to gain practical experience or spend time studying abroad. As you do so, remember where you come from. Slovenia is your home. It is where you grew up, as did generations before you. We need young people who will bring the knowledge, experience and talents they have gained back home and put them to good use here. You are the future of Slovenia.
I wish you a successful and rewarding academic year.
Janez Janša
Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia