The University of Maribor is the second biggest and the second oldest university in Slovenia. Around 13 000 students study at the University of Maribor. With its nineteen member institutions, the university is turning into a central development institution attracting talented students from all over the world and providing study programmes at all levels. The management is aware that close ties between the university as a central educational and research institution and its local environment and the industry are of the utmost importance. For this reason, various activities aimed at integrating knowledge and R&D with the industry are being implemented in order to initiate concrete projects contributing to new jobs and new products with high added value. The University of Maribor is thus bringing together knowledge, research findings and the industry. These are only a few examples indicating the direction of future development of the University of Maribor. However, various impressive accomplishments can already be celebrated. The development of the first Slovene nanosatellite going into space, the success of the students participating in the Student Formula project, permanent high scores in the Imagine Cup international student competition for innovativeness, technological solutions and development, the prestigious Reimagine Education award for the Demola project where students work on concrete solutions to problems found in companies – placing the University of Maribor alongside the most prestigious universities – are only a few examples of UM's most notable achievements.

The mission of the University of Maribor is based on honesty, curiosity, creativity, freedom of spirit, cooperation and knowledge transfer in the field of science, art and education. Concerned with mankind and sustainable development, the University of Maribor expands knowledge, raises awareness, and promotes humanistic values as well as the culture of dialogue, quality of life and global justice.