Cooperating institution: Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany.

The partners agree on the following modules which form an integral part of the joint study program’s common curriculum. These modules must be successfully completed by students in the joint study program in their 1st year, 2nd semester at the respective partner university and in their 2nd year, 2nd semester. These modules are taught in English language.

A graduate of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management possesses extensive expertise in the economics and management of tourism. Thanks to their specialization, they have interdisciplinary knowledge in management and marketing, destination management, cultural and urban tourism, and strategies and regional planning in tourism, which they apply during field exercises. Based on the acquired knowledge and mastered conceptual framework, they can identify, propose, and implement solutions at national, regional, and corporate levels, drawing conclusions based on acquired practical experience and current insights. A graduate of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management is an independent and responsible individual capable of finding solutions in innovative and sustainable ways, thereby contributing to address societal challenges in the 21st century. This profile aligns with the long-term development goals of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. The graduate is proficient in actively gathering information and analyzing micro- and macroeconomic issues in tourism, utilizes the latest technologies, proposes, and implements solutions, and evaluates the impact of economic and managerial decisions. They possess the skills and abilities to creatively apply acquired skills and interdisciplinary competencies, along with well-developed analytical and communication skills necessary for higher managerial and professional roles in the tourism sector. The acquired skills can be useful in addressing tourism issues within broader multidisciplinary contexts, particularly in an intercultural environment. They can identify and analyze new trends and leverage their innovative potential to advance tourism practice. The graduate demonstrates a high degree of independence in problem solving and managing projects aimed at the development of tourism. The graduate can work effectively as an individual or as a team leader at a higher management level in tourism enterprises with national and international participation, within regional and national authorities, tourism management organizations, foreign representations, consulting and project organizations, state administration and local government, as well as in education and research. The graduate can apply economic, social, legal, and ethical principles. They have a proactive approach and can present and defend their ideas before a professional audience, including in foreign language. They take responsibility for assigned tasks, processes, or projects. The graduate of the joint study program is prepared for work in the tourism industry in both national and international labor markets.

A graduate of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management possesses a systematic and comprehensive set of knowledge about the economics and management of tourism organizations, including understanding and insights into related fields.

The graduate:

• Possesses deep and comprehensive knowledge of tourism as a subject of economic research,
• Understands the methods and procedures used in planning sustainable tourism development at various levels,
• Has in-depth knowledge of tourism development planning in destinations and approaches to regional tourism planning,
• Possesses extensive knowledge of the principles and values of sustainable development and understands the relationship between planning and policy in tourism,
•  Understands the theories and methods applied in tourism destination strategies in Slovakia, Europe, Africa, and Asia,
• Understands the carrying capacities and standards of tourism,
• Possesses deep and comprehensive knowledge of tourism management and marketing theory at the macro level, including understanding the connections and relationships in tourism,
• Understands the organization of tourism as a function of management, the roles of tourism management organizations at national and international levels, the significance, and benefits of public-private partnerships in tourism, the support and financing of tourism development, and tax policies in tourism,
•  Is knowledgeable about the specifics of tourism marketing, customer purchasing behavior in tourism, tourism products and their distribution, the importance of marketing information systems and market research in tourism, the significance of branding, positioning, and the image of tourism destinations, and the management of key media and crisis management in tourism,
• Possesses extensive knowledge of the significance and nature of management organizations in tourism destinations, including the institutional and legal aspects of their functioning,
• Understands new trends in tourism destination management,
• Understands the specificities of supply and demand in urban and cultural tourism,
• Has extensive knowledge of the importance of sustainable development in urban and cultural tourism,
• Possesses deep and comprehensive knowledge of the management of tangible and intangible cultural heritage,
• Understands the effects of tourism on regional development,
• Has deep and comprehensive knowledge of tourism destination management development.

A graduate of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management also possesses several developed skills:

• Can analyze statistical data on domestic, foreign, and international tourism development from various approaches and the needs of both the public and private sectors,
• Is capable of actively acquiring new knowledge and information, integrating, and utilizing them for the strategic development of tourism in a destination at local, regional, national, and international levels,
• Can creatively solve both theoretical and practical tasks related to the creation of development strategies in tourism at the regional level and evaluate the economic and social impacts of tourism on the economy and society,
• Is capable of actively acquiring new information about destination management and marketing in domestic and international tourism, integrating, evaluating, and utilizing them for the further strategic development of destinations,
• Can contribute to the development of tourism destinations by acquiring new knowledge and creating recommendations to enhance the competitiveness of destinations in both domestic and international tourism markets.
• Can plan, mobilize private and seek public sources of financing in small and medium-sized enterprises and tourism destinations,
• Can critically evaluate the contribution of a management organization and its focus as a coordinator of tourism development interests in the area, considering the lifecycle of destination innovations,
• Can analyze the competitiveness of tourism destinations,
• Can creatively solve theoretical and practical tasks related to destination management in tourism,
• Can utilize processed outputs from information systems for the strategic management of tourism destinations,
• Can propose suitable destination management systems considering competitive advantage while adhering to the principles of sustainable development,
• Is capable of actively acquiring information about the current state of urban and cultural tourism development in specific spaces and times,
• Can analyze data on supply and demand in urban and cultural tourism,
• Can creatively solve theoretical and practical tasks related to the development of urban and cultural tourism,
• Can apply a creative approach, when creating a thematic product in cultural and urban tourism,
• Can analyze relevant data on tourism development in the destination from various perspectives and the needs of stakeholders,
• Is capable of actively acquiring new knowledge and information, integrating, and utilizing them for the development of tourism in the destination,
• Can creatively solve theoretical and practical tasks related to tourism development in the destination.

A graduate of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management has several competencies that are acquired and transferrable:

• Can actively and independently expand their knowledge of tourism quantification and evaluate its impacts on the economy and society,
• Can critically assess the effects of tourism on regional development in terms of the vision and goals of its development,
•  Can adopt a constructive evaluative stance towards existing strategic and development documents focused on tourism from the perspective of economic theory and practice in the international context,
• Can formulate information about the process and results of problem-solving tasks and communicate orally and in writing about professional opinions,
• Can think and act economically,
• Is able to identify and evaluate ethical, social, and other contexts of tourism development in a territory,
• Can apply critical thinking, when evaluating the organizational, financial, and legislative framework to support tourism development and addressing issues in destination management and marketing,
• Has a proactive approach,
• Can coordinate procedures within teams,
• Can independently make managerial decisions, evaluate their impact, and communicate them to both internal and external environments,
• Is prepared to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, considering broader societal implications,
• Can work in an intercultural/international environment,
• Can adopt a constructive evaluative stance towards proposed and implemented measures concerning the management and administration of tourism destinations in an international context,
• Is prepared to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, considering broader societal implications,
• Can independently make managerial decisions, evaluate their impact, and communicate them to both internal and external environments,
• Can independently critically assess the positive and negative aspects of urban and cultural tourism development in the destination,
• Can identify and evaluate ethical, social, and other contexts of tourism development in a territory.,
• Can formulate information about the process and results of problem-solving tasks and communicate orally and in writing about professional opinions.
• Can adopt a constructive evaluative attitude towards the current state of tourism development in the destination, as well as tourism development strategy in the area from the perspective of economic theory and practice in the international context,
• When creating itineraries and excursion programs, can assess and develop organizational competencies,
• Has a proactive approach,
• Can manage stressful situations and obstacles,
• Can adapt to changing circumstances, think economically, and make independent decisions,
• Can solve problems, coordinate procedures within teams, and make independent and responsible decisions in evolving environments,
• Can independently implement managerial decisions, evaluate their impact, and communicate them to both internal and external environments.

The learning objectives and the main learning outcomes according to the subject information sheets are provided in Appendix No. 13 of Directive MBU No. 1/2021 titled "Objectives and Outcomes of Education."

Graduates of the joint study program in  Tourism Economics and Management are prepared for the following professions, thanks to their knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired or strengthened during their studies:

Tourism Concept and Promotion Specialist

Qualification Code: C2422007-00760

SK ISCO-08: 242200

Strategy and Development Specialist in Local Government

Qualification Code: C2422999-01535

SK ISCO-08: 2422999

Marketing Manager

Qualification Code: C1221002-00711

SK ISCO-08: 1221002

Brand Specialist

Qualification Code: C2431006-00741

SK ISCO-08: 2431006

Market Research Manager

Qualification Code: U1221003-00758

SK ISCO-08: 1221003

Accommodation Facility Manager

Qualification Code: C1411004-00715

SK ISCO-08: 1411004

Tour Operator Manager

Qualification Code: U1439009-00728

SK ISCO-08: 1439009

These are not regulated professions, therefore there was no need to request approval opinions.

The employability of graduates is divided into three parts:

1. Theoretical employability of graduates based on professions for which the graduate is prepared:

  - Tourism Concept and Promotion Specialist

  - Strategy and Development Specialist in Local Government

  - Marketing Manager

  - Brand Specialist

  - Market Research Manager

  - Accommodation Facility Manager

  - Tour Operator Manager

2. General employment outcomes of graduates from publicly available sources.

No data available as it is a new study programme.

3. Assessment of graduates' employability

Joint study programme is parallel to the study programme Tourism Economics and Management. The graduates' employability of this study programme is assessed through obtaining relevant feedback from graduates in accordance with Directive MBU No. 2/2022.

Joint study programme is a new study programme. Graduates of the parallel study programme Tourism Economics and Management are being presented in the Description of this study programme.

pelicantravel.com s.r.o., Námestie SNP 6, 811 06 Bratislava; Mgr. Monika Strehárová – Branch Manager

The joint study program is subject to accreditation in two states, Slovakia and Germany. The development of the study plan results from an agreement between participating universities. The joint study program is shaped in accordance with the requirements of the Bologna Process, specifying mandatory and elective courses that complement each other among partner universities, thus creating a comprehensive program providing knowledge, skills, and competencies to graduates in the field of Tourism Economics and Management.

The rules for creating study plans in the joint study program of Tourism Economics and Management are defined in the Study Regulations of MBU https://www.ef.umb.sk/en/students/study-rules-and-other-documents/study-rules-of-the-faculty-of-economics-mbu-in-banska-bystrica/ . The joint study program adheres to the Standards of the Slovak Accreditation Agency for Higher Education for study programs (Article 6, Paragraph 3, Article 12, Paragraph 16).

The recommended study plan, including the number of hours of direct teaching, is available in acedemic information system AIS2 and publicly available at: https://www.ef.umb.sk/student/akreditovane-studijne-programy/inzinierske-studijne-programy-ing/ekonomika-a-riadenie-cestovneho-ruchu-spolocny-studijny-program/. The recommended study plan includes the names of compulsory subjects, compulsory elective subjects, credit allocation per subject, basic educational activities and their extent in hours, recommended semester, student workload in hours, and the lecturers of the subject. All Course information sheets contain educational objectives and outcomes, subject identification details, rules for intermediate and final assessment of the course, literature, and the distribution of workload among methods and educational activities. Information sheets are available in the academic information system AiS2 and publicly available at https://www.ef.umb.sk/student/akreditovane-studijne-programy/inzinierske-studijne-programy-ing/ekonomika-a-riadenie-cestovneho-ruchu-spolocny-studijny-program/.

Students are selecting courses in English language (compulsory courses Tourism Management and Marketing, Destination Management, Strategic and Regional Planning in Tourism, Cultural and Urban Tourism and the Field Trip). The aim is to enhance graduates' readiness in terms of language proficiency to communicate in the foreign language in economic practice. This option is available to regularly enrolled students in the program as well as incoming mobility students from partner universities abroad.

In the study plan of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management, there are no prerequisites or corequisites. For each subject within the recommended study plan, the used educational activities (lectures, seminars) are specified, including their hourly allocation. Educational activities are conducted using a combination of methods for all subjects, as stated in the information sheets of individual courses in the recommended study plan. The course outline is a mandatory part of the information sheets for all subjects in the recommended study plan.

In the individual information sheets of subjects, the student's workload, and the share of various activities (such as participation in direct teaching, work on seminar projects, self-study, etc.) are specified, contributing to the overall student workload. The credit allocation for subjects reflects their level of difficulty and the intensity/extent of student workload and is indicated for each subject in the recommended study plan. The information sheet for each subject lists the course teachers involved in delivering that subject. Information about individuals, including their contact details, is published on the website of the Faculty of Economics at MBU.

For successful completion of studies, a student needs to attain 120 credits. Both participating universities offer compulsory and compulsory elective courses such that in each semester, the student can acquire a minimum of 30 credits.To complete the study properly, it is necessary to successfully pass the state examination. The state examination consists of defense of the diploma thesis. The topic of the diploma thesis must be related to the graduate's profile. By defending the diploma thesis, the student earns 20 credits.

The diploma thesis and the discussion on the diploma thesis are subject of evaluation, through which the student demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the study program in Tourism Economics and Management and the ability to creatively apply knowledge in tourism organizations.

Admission to the state examination is conditioned by successful completion of all compulsory subjects and the specified number of compulsory elective subjects and elective subjects.

The conditions for the proper completion of the study and other rules governing study interruptions, individual study plans, and changes to the study program are defined in the Study Regulations of the MBU https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/

Number of credits for compulsory courses required for proper completion of studies/completion of a part of studies - 74 (of which 20 are for diploma thesis defense)/50 credits to be taken at EF UMB (of which 20 are for diploma thesis defense)

Number of credits for compulsory optional courses required for the proper completion of studies/completion of a part of studies - 30

Number of credits for optional courses required for the proper completion of studies/completion of a part of studies - 16

Number of credits for the final thesis and the defense of the final thesis required for the proper completion of studies - 20

The joint study program Tourism Economics and Management has established and publicly disclosed rules, criteria, and methods for assessing study outcomes.

The rules for the verification of learning outcomes and student assessment, as well as the possibilities of corrective procedures are defined in the Study Rules of MBU  https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/.

Methods of verification of the achievement of the learning outcomes, criteria and conditions for completing the subject are listed in the course information sheets of the study program and communicated to students at the beginning of the semester. The results of verification and student assessment are published for the student in the academic information system. At the student's request, the teacher is obliged to provide the student with feedback on the assessment.

The possibilities of corrective actions against the evaluation are defined: in the Study Rules of MBU  https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/.

In addition, students can contact the study advisor, the head of the department or the vice-dean for studies, who are obliged to deal with each complaint.

The conditions for the recognition of a study or part of a study are defined in the UMB Study Rules https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/.

Potential master thesis topics include:

• Historical Hotels and Their Sustainable Development
• The Impact of Climate Change on the Entrepreneurship in Mountain Tourism Destinations
• Let’s go on Workation: Examining the motivations for Workation from the perspective of entrepreneurs

Rules for the assignment, processing, opposition, defense and evaluation of final theses in the study programme - The rules concerning the final theses are defined in Directive no. S-03-23 Formating Seminar Papers, Final Theses and Habilitation Theses https://www.ef.umb.sk/en/students/state-exam-and-final-thesis.html and in the Study Regulations of the MBU https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/. Information about the selection of theses and the defense of theses is available on the department's website in section Annoncements. The topics for final theses are assigned in accordance with the defined goals and educational outcomes of the joint study program in Tourism Economics and Management.

Opportunities and procedures for participation in student mobility - Support for individual student mobility is one of UMB's strategic priorities in the field of internationalization. This priority is detailed in the document Strategy of Internationalization available at https://www.umb.sk/en/international/strategy-principles-and-goals/  and in Directive no. 4/2025 on Erasmus + mobilities at MBU https://www.umb.sk/medzinarodne-vztahy/referat-medzinarodnej-spoluprace-14927/erasmus/erasmus/.

Rules for adherence to academic ethics and rules for drawing consequences - Throughout the duration of the study program, emphasis is placed on adhering to academic ethics . At UMB, there is an established Ethics Committee tasked with addressing questions and issues related to the observance of academic ethics by both staff and students. Relevant information regarding the Ethics Committee and its scope of authority is available on the university's websitehttps://www.umb.sk/univerzita/univerzita/o-univerzite/akademicka-etika-umb/eticka-komisia/. In the event of a breach of academic ethics, UMB has established procedures for resolution outlined in the Study Regulations of UMB and in the Disciplinary Regulations of UMB https://www.umb.sk/student/know-how-pre-studenta/studijne-predpisy/disciplinarny-poriadok. According to the Study Regulations of UMB, Article 2, paragraphs 10 and 11, in the case of failure to comply with academic ethics and cheating when fulfilling a study obligation, a motion to initiate disciplinary proceedings may be submitted https://www.umb.sk/en/study/degree-studies-full-time-student/study-regulations/.

Procedures applicable to students with special needs - The university and its components provide applicants and students with special needs with appropriate adaptations and support services and create an environment for equalizing opportunities to study at UMB. Procedures for applicants and students with special needs are given in the Study guide for students with special needs at UMB and other published instructions on the university webpage https://www.ef.umb.sk/en/students/students-with-special-needs.html. EF UMB has established the function of coordinator for work with students with special needs, who provides support to these students in their adaptation to the university environment as well as in solving various situations related to study  https://bit.ly/3X0ydDL.

Procedures for filing complaints and appeals by students - Procedures for filing complaints and appeals by students are defined in Directive on handling complaintshttps://www.umb.sk/univerzita/verejnost-a-media/podnety-peticie-a-staznosti/staznosti/.

The list of subjects and information sheets are attached to the application for accreditation of the study program. Information sheets are available in the academic information system AIS2 and are publicly accessible on the faculty’s website https://www.ef.umb.sk/student/akreditovane-studijne-programy/inzinierske-studijne-programy-ing/ekonomika-a-riadenie-cestovneho-ruchu-spolocny-studijny-program/.

The schedule of the academic year is available at the faculty webpage https://www.ef.umb.sk/student/harmonogram-akademickeho-roka.html.

The current schedule is available via the academic information system AiS2.

prof. Ing. Kristína Pompurová, PhD.

professor

[email protected],

048/446 2211

prof. Ing. Kristína Pompurová, PhD. | Ekonomická fakulta, Univerzita Mateja Bela

prof. Ing. Kristína Pompurová, PhD.

Department of Tourism

[email protected], 048/446 2211

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/11599

Profile course: Cultural and Urban Tourism

doc. Ing. Tomáš Gajdošík, PhD.

Department of Tourism

[email protected], 048/446 2215

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/25053

Profile course: Strategies and Regional Tourism Planning

prof. Ing. Vanda Maráková, PhD.

Department of Tourism

[email protected], 048/446 2216

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/11230

Profile course: Tourism Management and Marketing

doc. Ing. Andrej Malachovský, PhD.

Department of Tourism

[email protected], 048/446 2218

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/11214

Profile course: Field Trip

doc. Ing. Rardka Marčeková, PhD.

Department of Tourism

[email protected], 048/446 2217

https://www.portalvs.sk/regzam/detail/18487

Profile course: Destination Management

In addition to the internal accreditation file, the scientific and pedagogical characteristics are also published on the individual websites of the teachers and in the academic information system (AIS).

Maráková Vanda, prof. Ing., PhD. - https://www.ef.umb.sk/vmarakova/

Malachovský Andrej, doc. Ing., PhD. - https://www.ef.umb.sk/malachov/

Gajdošík, Tomáš, doc. Ing. PhD. - https://www.ef.umb.sk/tgajdosik/

Pompurová Kristína, prof. Ing., PhD. - https://www.ef.umb.sk/kpompurova/

Marčeková Radka, doc. Ing., PhD. - https://www.ef.umb.sk/rmarcekova/

The list of teachers in the study program includes all those involved in teaching mandatory and elective subjects in accordance with the recommended study plan and subject information sheets. The list of teachers with links to the central staff register and contacts is attached to the accreditation dossier.

The allocation of teachers' workload in accordance with the number of hours and seminars in the study program is provided in Appendix 3 of Directive MBU No. 1/2021 titled "Capacity and Allocation of Teachers' Workload in the Study Program". This document provides an isolated view of the distribution of taught hours to individual instructors and does not reflect their participation in other study programs.

As joint study programe is a new study programme we can only list potential supervisors of final thesis as  followes:prof. Ing. Vanda Maráková, PhD., prof. Ing. Kristína Pompurová, PhD., doc. Ing. Andrej Malachovský, PhD., doc. Ing. Tomáš Gajdošík, PhD., doc. Ing. Radka Marčeková, PhD. ., Dr. h. c.. prof.Dr. Harald Pechlaner.

The scientific-artistic-pedagogical profile of potential final thesis supervisors is an attachment to the application for accreditation of the study program.

Ing. Branislav Očkaik, M.Sc. https://www.ef.umb.sk/bockaik/

At the Faculty of Economics MBU, a network of academic advisors for studies has been established, responsible for providing advisory services. Information about academic advisors for individual academic years is available on the website: https://www.ef.umb.sk/katedry/katedra-cestovneho-ruchu/studium/rocnikovi-vyucujuci.html .The academic advisor for the joint study program Tourism Economics and Tourism is the person responsible for the quality of the study program: Prof. Ing. Vanda Maráková, PhD. Additionally, students have access to the academic year instructor: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Radka Marčeková, PhD. https://www.ef.umb.sk/rmarcekova/

Study officer - Ing. Lucia Horvátová, [email protected], 048 446 6127

Study office - Ing. Alena Dobrotová, [email protected], 048 446 6125

Social Affairs Officer- Jana Lobbová, [email protected], 048 446 1152

Coordinator for applicants and students with special needs - doc. Ing. Radoslav Kožiak, PhD., [email protected], 048 446 2014

International Relations Officer - Mgr. Jana Prašovská [email protected] , 048/446 2123

Other administration personnel :

Mgr. Terézia Peťková - referent oddelenia prevádzky a vývoja IS - [email protected]; [email protected]; tel. č.: +421-48 4466514

Ivana Kapustíková - vedúci, referentka správy AIS, helpdesk, [email protected]; tel. č.: +421-48 4466213

Ing. Pavol Lupták - oddelenie výpočtovej a didaktickej techniky (e-mailové kontá, LMS Moodle, helpdesk), [email protected]; tel. č.: +421-48 4462165

Milan Lichý - správca IKT, helpdesk, [email protected]; tel. č.: +421-48 4462169

Michal Kindl - správca IKT, helpdesk, [email protected]; tel. č.: +421-48 4462166

EF UMB is constantly striving to innovate and modernize the technical equipment in classrooms and auditoriums, as well as the equipment of employees.

It currently has a total of 410 desktop computers. Classrooms, lecture halls or seminar rooms and meeting rooms, which are used by teachers in their teaching, are equipped with 50 desktop computers. Students use 92 RDS clients in classrooms through which they connect to school servers and 87 computers in computer rooms. The rest of the desktops are used by employees in their offices.

The faculty also has approximately 200 laptops, which are primarily used by employees for work at home or during business trips, or some meeting rooms are equipped with laptops.

All lecture halls, classrooms and meeting rooms are equipped with video projection technology in the form of projectors (45 pcs.), TV (12 pcs.), 55 "and 65" touch screens (3 pcs.), interactive boards (3 pcs.), touch monitors for PCs in classrooms and lecture halls (15 pcs).

The classrooms, lecture halls, meeting rooms and special seminar rooms are also equipped with video and audio devices that enable smooth online or hybrid teaching – video conference sets (7 in total), webcams (50 pcs), omnidirectional microphones (50 pcs).

At the same time, employees also have webcams, omnidirectional microphones or sets of headphones and a microphone in their offices, as well as graphics tablets with a stylus or tablets with pens.

The faculty has 8 computer rooms (7 in Banská Bystrica and 1 at IMS in Poprad), of which 3 are equipped with so-called RDS clients (a total of 92), through which students connect to the RDP Server and 5 computer rooms that are equipped with desktop computers (a total of 87 computers).

The students and staff of the faculty can also use remote access to UMB servers from their private desktops or laptops using an encrypted VPN (via RDP client on their PC they connect to the faculty RDS server) and thus have the opportunity to use the necessary software for distance learning unlimited.

The employees of the faculty have at their disposal 10 multifunctional large centrally managed printers with scanner and copier - in addition, they have a total of another 106 printers and multifunction devices (printer, scanner and copier).

All computers and laptops are connected to the Internet by cable. There are a total of 77 WiFi AP devices deployed at the faculty – 32 CISCO and 45 Ubiquiti, which are used by the staff and students in the process of education.

On the premises of the faculty, students can use branch of the university library with a study room, which is supplemented by 2 other study rooms.

All information about the study program, including information sheets of individual subjects, is available in the Academic Information System (AiS2). Basic information and the recommended study plans of individual study programs are available on the faculty's website and in the study guide. Course syllabi, criteria for obtaining credits and qualitative evaluation are part of the courses created for each subject within the e-learning portal LMS Moodle (LMS). LMS is on the Moodle platform, and is intended as the primary tool for managing distance learning (materials, lectures, scripta, tasks, tests, deadlines, evaluations, etc.). Within the courses for individual subjects in LMS, students get all study materials necessary for successful completion and mastery of the subject.

In addition to the traditional print study materials available in the university library, students also have access to electronic book resources, scientific articles and other publications through the university library. From each school PC, it is possible to access 20 licensed databases of publications (e.g. ProQuest eBook Central, Emerald, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library or HST and other). Students also have access to the above-mentioned online databases from the comfort of their home via a VPN connection. Scientific monographs, textbooks and scripta of the faculty teachers are gradually digitized and available to students through the Virtual Study Room and the UMB Repository within the open access policy of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica. UMB University Library has 5 study rooms, a department of absence lending and the Matej Bel training center. The Economic library provides students with absence and presence lending, user registration, counseling and bibliographic information, reprographic services, the possibility of returning the book through the bibliobox, 32 292 book documents and 37 titles of periodicals in the form of scientific and professional journals, daily press, weekly and monthly magazines.

The Faculty of Economics students have a rich and very flexible access to information technology. In case of technical problems with information systems, students and staff can contact the technical support page helpdesk.umb.sk (https://helpdesk.umb.sk/en) where they can find general information, instructions and procedures for user accounts, accounts Office 365, AiS2, LMS Moodle, internet connection and WiFi in the faculty and dormitories and student ID cards.

Schedules are available in AiS2, through which students  apply for final and mid-term exams, receive mid-term and final assessments. Teachers communicate with students through student mailboxes, or through bulk e-mails via AiS2 or the respective course in LMS Moodle.

Each student and teacher has access to five Office 365 licenses via their student or employee university account (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerBI, Teams, Whteboard, and more).

Each department operates departmental sections on the faculty website, in which they inform students about important information, news, etc.

In addition to the applications available in Office 365 or MS Office 2016/2019, R and R-Studio, IBM SPSS 28 statistical software, SAP, Power BI, SQL, Inkscape are part of the software available to students in the educational process. CorelDRAW, 7Zip, WinRAR, JAVA, Adobe Reader (in some cases Adobe Acrobat Pro), QGIS, Notepad ++, Windows Explorer or Edge web browsers, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, IrfanView, VLC player, Total Commander, PC Translator, Abbyy Fine Reader or video recording software (in some classrooms it is Camtasia, in most cases Open Broadcaster Software). Additionally, there are specialized software tools for tourism, such as the global distribution system Amadeus, the hotel information systems Fidelio and Hores, the information system in hospitality facilities BlueGastro, and the information system in the tour operator CK 9.0.

Distance education is primarily conducted through regular online video conferencing meetings according to the schedule for each semester using the MS Teams application, which allows for audio lectures, document sharing, chatting, and creating independent study groups. Each taught subject has a separate team created for the semester, consisting of teachers and students of that subject. Alongside MS Teams, the Moodle LMS is used as a tool for providing study materials in the form of textbooks, lectures, assignments, data files, solutions, and video presentations. Moodle LMS also serves for ongoing and final submission of student assignments and providing assessment through tests and feedback to students. In addition to the MS Teams application, educators use applications such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Cisco Webex in some cases. Teachers also have the option to use an education license from Slido for increased student interaction during online teaching or obtaining feedback. In case of needing special software installed in computer classrooms, students have remote access to these computers via encrypted VPN, allowing them to use the necessary software during distance learning without restrictions.

In the case of distance (or hybrid) learning, online teaching takes place through the MS Teams application all students will be gradually added to the subject team, to whom the teacher then gives online lectures, exercises, seminars, consultations, etc.

Instructions for distance learning, including guides, are available to both students and educators on Helpdesk.umb.sk (both Slovak and English versions of support are available) (https://helpdesk.umb.sk/sk/23/zakladne-informacie-ms-teams.html). The instructions include videos, which are partially available to educators and students in the IT Services course in the LMS (https://lms.umb.sk/course/index.php?categoryid=182) and also on YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzjGZonsfzV7RTjvqlUizBMq8WeORF_N). Students and staff alike can also contact ICT administrators at the faculty (https://helpdesk.umb.sk/user/local_admins ), who can assist them remotely.

The transition from presence to distance learning can be done immediately thanks to the classrooms and lecture halls equipment with the necessary technology to enable the transmission of audio and video via the Internet.

LMS Moodle courses are created for all subjects of the study program. The use of the portal by students and staff is governed by Directive No. 3/2016 on the use of e-learning at UMB, which is available at the beginning of the environment (https://lms.umb.sk/). Each student gets detailed instruction at the beginning of the study (1st year of study) in the use of e-learning support and other necessary tools and systems at the introductory meeting (https://youtu.be/Po6youDiKj4). In case of problems and questions, he/she can use additional consultation hours given by teachers. At the beginning of the semester, each teacher updates the course and sends students information about accesses (passwords). In addition to the syllabi and conditions for completing the course, the courses also include links to online lessons via MS Teams or ZOOM, videos of lectures with explanations, various assignments, support forums and discussions, surveys, study materials and other activities.

Students can also be evaluated through the courses. If necessary it is possible to move smoothly to the distance form of learning in all subjects of the study program, even in the case of presence teaching.

The university's partners in ensuring the educational activities of the study program primarily include a foreign partner who participates in the implementation of the program. This partner is primarily Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany. Internationally renowned academic figure Prof. Harald Pechlaner has been a long-standing partner in providing educational activities for the program (https://www.ef.umb.sk/katedry/katedra-cestovneho-ruchu/doctor-honoris-causa.html).

Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica offers its students rich opportunities for social, sports, cultural, spiritual, and social activities (https://www.umb.sk/studium/student/volny-cas/ ). In the field of sports activities, students have the opportunity to participate in various sports clubs (athletic club, women's basketball team, gymnastics club, university hockey team, mountain club, karate club, judo club). The sports club for all offers students the following activities: swimming pool, sports games - floorball, football, volleyball, fitness - gym, Power Zumba, Country dances, jumping, classical and sports massage.

In the area of ​​artistic activities directly at the University, there are three artistic ensembles: the University Choir Mladosť, the University Folk Ensemble Mladosť, and the Chamber Orchestra Mladosť. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the activities of the UNIS student theater ensemble; the ensemble is open to students who have an affinity for theater and want to be part of it. The University Dance Center offers various dance courses for students.

MBU students can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award program (https://youtu.be/BSy4TKWuD1I). It is a comprehensive development program that gives young people aged 14 to 24 the opportunity to develop their abilities and character traits for real life, fulfill their potential, and help them succeed in life. University students can not only participate in the DofE, but they can also be educated in the methodology of this program and become program leaders.

For leisure activities, the Faculty of Economics offers several suitable spaces for students in its outdoor area (seating areas on benches, in good weather directly on the grass). In the faculty buildings, there are 2 cafes, a chill-out relaxation zone, 2 respiration zones where students have access to PCs and the internet and use them for project meetings, studying, etc. Furthermore, there is the Economic Study Room and Self-Educational Center. Students and staff have a canteen and buffet directly at the faculty, in addition to several vending machines.

Students regularly organize fun quizzes for students or "Beánie" (faculty student ball). In addition to activities offered directly by the faculty and university, the city of Banska Bystrica also provides rich opportunities for leisure, with which the university actively cooperates and regularly informs students through social networks, the web, emails, and notice boards in faculty premises.

Students of the Tourism Economics and Management program have the opportunity to participate in various short-term and long-term international study stays, exchanges, and internships. Among the most popular forms of mobility programs are:

- Erasmus+ study in EU countries

- Erasmus+ study in non-EU countries

- Central Europe Connect (CEC)

- CEEPUS

- National Scholarship Program.

The largest share of outgoing mobilities among the total number of departing students from the Faculty of Economics at UMB belongs to students of the Tourism Economics and Management program.

The opportunities and conditions for the participation of students in the Tourism Economics and Management program in mobilities and internships are governed by Directive No. 4/2025 on Erasmus+ mobilities at UMB https://www.umb.sk/medzinarodne-vztahy/referat-medzinarodnej-spoluprace-14927/erasmus/erasmus/ and are published in a separate section of the EF UMB website https://www.ef.umb.sk/en/students/student-mobilities/. The call for applications for mobilities is published every year in the first half of the winter semester. Mobility applicants submit an application, a motivation letter, a CV, and proof of foreign language proficiency. Subsequently, a pre-selection of participants takes place, consisting of the evaluation of submitted documents and a personal interview (in-person or online). The results of the pre-selection are communicated to students after the allocation of the Erasmus+ grant by the National Erasmus+ Agency. After completing the mobility, the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs confirms the recognition of ECTS credits obtained during the mobility based on a confirmed transcript of records.

In addition to study opportunities, students of the Tourism Economics and Management program also have the opportunity to participate in internships in Slovakia or abroad. Within the Erasmus+ internship program, in which Matej Bel University is involved, students have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of organizations on the Faculty of Economics website or approach a selected company or organization within EU countries. The current offer of internships is published on the https://www.umb.sk/medzinarodne-vztahy/som-student-umb/chcem-ist-na-staz.html. In recent years, an increasingly popular form of mobility for internships has been post-graduate mobility, which can be completed within 12 months after completing studies at EF UMB and often serves as a significant milestone for international career opportunities, as indicated by feedback from students.

To apply for admission to the second-degree program at EF UMB, applicants must meet the basic personality and knowledge requirements according to the Slovak Qualifications Framework - SKKR at level 5. By completing a bachelor's degree, applicants should have knowledge and understanding in the field of economics and management that builds upon their general secondary education and is typically at the level of advanced textbooks supplemented with selected aspects of the latest knowledge in the field of economics and management. They should be able to use their knowledge and understanding in a manner indicative of a professional approach to work and/or profession, and have competencies usually demonstrated by presenting and defending arguments and solving problems in the field of economics and management. They should have the ability to acquire and interpret relevant data typically in the field of economics and management and make ethically and socially responsible decisions based on them. They should be able to communicate information, concepts, problems, and solutions to both professional and lay audiences and have developed skills necessary for continuing further studies with a high degree of independence.

An applicant for the Tourism Economics and Management program is a cultured individual with good social behavior and conduct, accepting ethical norms and principles. They possess a grasp of basic general economic and managerial concepts. They can actively obtain information about the internal and external environment of the tourism enterprise, analyze and evaluate it using qualitative and quantitative methods. They are independent and responsible individuals capable of finding solutions in an innovative and sustainable manner, thus contributing to addressing societal challenges in the 21st century. They exhibit independent analytical and critical thinking. They can adapt to changing circumstances, acquire new knowledge, actively expand their knowledge, think economically, and make independent decisions using a creative approach. They have adequate computer skills. They can communicate coherently in both Slovak and a world language, orally and in writing, convey information in a work collective and external environment, defend their positions and proposals. They can coordinate procedures in teams and take responsibility for the results of the work team. They can identify and evaluate ethical, social, and other implications of the problems being solved in the economic context.

The basic requirement for admission to the Master program (Ing.) is the completion of at least the first level of higher education studies. Another requirement is the successful completion of an entrance examination. The procedure for the admission process is regulated in the Agreement for a joint degree program in Tourism and sustainable regional development – management and geography and Tourism economics and management between Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (Germany) and Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia).

New study programme

Procedures for monitoring and evaluating students' opinions on the quality of the study program are defined in Directive 2/2022 Rules for evaluating the quality of education at the UMB in Banská Bystrica Vnútorné predpisy súvisiace so zabezpečovaním kvality | Vnútorný systém kvality | Centrum pre zabezpečenie kvality a akreditáciu).

The assessment of the quality of higher education at UMB is usually carried out as follows:

• Evaluation of the quality of teaching and teachers of the study program by students after completing a compulsory or elective subject,

Evaluation of the quality of provision of the study program and other support activities by students no later than the day of passing the state examination,

• Evaluation of the quality of the study program by graduates, at least one year after the regular completion of their studies,
• Evaluation of the quality of the study program by other stakeholders.

The assessment of the quality of teaching and teachers of the study program includes all compulsory and elective subjects that the student enrolled in during the academic year and completed in the respective semester of the academic year. The quality of teaching and teachers of the study program may also be assessed for elective subjects if such assessment is appropriate and can contribute to the improvement of the quality of education provided. The assessment of the quality of teaching and teachers of the study program is carried out in physical or electronic form, with the rating scale ranging from 1 as the best rating to 5 as the worst rating. The minimum scope of assessed areas of questions includes:

• Clearly formulates criteria for completing the subject at the beginning of the semester and adheres to them.
• Respects the established schedule of teaching hours.
• Periodically assesses the level of students' knowledge.
• Guides students to independent work, creative and critical thinking.
• Motivates students to deepen their knowledge of the subject.
• Stimulates interest in the subject, e.g., with current practical information.
• Encourages professional and open discussion during the teaching process.
• Objectively evaluates students.
• Convinced me that studying his/her subject makes sense.

The subject of assessment is the level of teaching quality and the level of pedagogical competence of the teacher.

The assessment of the quality of provision of the study program and support activities is carried out no later than the day of passing the state examination, with the minimum scope of assessed areas including:

• Suitability (composition) of subjects forming the study program in relation to the declared profile of the graduate.
• Logical sequence and continuity of subjects.
• The content of the study program responds to current knowledge.
• Possibility of choosing elective subjects developing professional specialization.
• Opportunities for studying professional subjects in a foreign language.
• Quality of services of the study department in providing information and assistance to students through advisory activities.
• Accessibility and use of the Internet and computer technology.
• Availability of recommended study literature in the university library.
• Material and technical background for study: classrooms, study rooms, material and technical background for students with specific needs.
• Possibility to study part of the program abroad.
• Awareness of the conditions and course of study of the study program.

Gathering feedback by evaluating the quality of the joint study program by graduates is usually carried out in electronic form, at least once for the standard length of study of the respective study program, and it is recommended to conduct the evaluation of the quality of the study program by such graduates who have completed their studies regularly for at least one year. The subject of assessment is the respective study program and the level of achievement of the goals of education of the respective study program from the perspective of graduates.

An employer is represented on the study programme board and regularly participates in informal meetings with the person responsible for the study programme, as well as with the persons responsible for delivering the core (profile) courses. Feedback from employers was also part of the international Erasmus+ project SMARTBUS, the results of which are available at: https://www.smartbuss.eu/sk/dashboard/

The person responsible for the study programme ensures the evaluation of feedback, which mainly includes the analysis of data, identification of problem areas, and the formulation of conclusions and recommendations. The conclusions from the evaluation of the obtained feedback are discussed by the study programme board if the conclusions include proposals for measures to modify the study programme or any of its comprehensive parts. The conclusions of the feedback evaluation in the study programme board may also be discussed with the participation of additional students from the study programme. If it is relevant for improving the quality of the study programme, the person responsible for the study programme may also propose additional measures to enhance quality.

The results of the questionnaire survey are discussed at meetings of the Dean’s advisory board and are also published in a shortened form in the report on teaching activities. At the university level, the results of the questionnaire survey are published on the university’s website. The results of surveys aimed at collecting feedback are archived in the academic information system. Each teacher has access to the survey results concerning their own performance, while the person responsible for the study programme and the head of department have access to the results of the questionnaire survey for all teachers involved in the study programme and for the department’s teachers.

The results of the student surveys are published at:Výsledky študentských ankiet na EF UMB | Študentské ankety | Ekonomická fakulta, Univerzita Mateja Bela

Based on the evaluation of the quality of education by graduates, a survey was conducted among a sample of graduates from 7 November 2023 to 14 December 2023, in which four graduates participated. The survey was anonymous. The results according to the four mandatory questions of the survey were as follows:

• The graduate performs a job related to the completed study programme: 75% yes
• Completion of the study programme is worth recommending to other applicants: 100% definitely yes
• Teachers of the study programme show interest in cooperation with graduates: 25% yes
• The faculty also provides follow-up educational activities that expand knowledge in the given study programme: 25% yes

In the open-ended question, where respondents had the opportunity to provide suggestions and observations that could lead to the improvement of the study programme, 75% of them used this option. The graduates proposed the following:

1. Introduce the requirement to select at least one compulsory course taught in a world language.
2. Introduce the obligation for students to participate in evaluating their classmates’ presentations.
3. Foster competitiveness among students and develop the ability to “sell oneself” (self-presentation skills).
4. The study of tourism is at a very good level. The study programme provides practice-oriented courses related to real-world practice.
5. The study programme is currently at a very good level, however, most potential employers are more interested in the number of years of work experience.