Catholic University of Croatia and the Central State Office for Croats Abroad discuss strengthening cooperation with the Croatian diaspora

A meeting between members of the University leadership and faculty and representatives of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad was held at the Catholic University of Croatia on September 17, with the aim of discussing opportunities for stronger and more systematic cooperation between the Catholic University of Croatia and the Croatian diaspora.

The Catholic University of Croatia was represented by Vice-Rector for International Cooperation Professor Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, Vice-Rector Professor Roko Mišetić, PhD, Anamarija Čulo Bačarka, Head of the Office for International Cooperation, Karla Ressler, PhD, lecturer at the Faculty of Law, and Luka Poslon, PhD, lecturer at the Department of Theology. The Central State Office was represented by Croatiana Gregurić, Special Adviser for Croatian Diaspora Affairs, Ana Marija Frković, Head of the Sector for the Croatian Diaspora, Morana Erdelja, responsible for the Office’s programmes and projects for the diaspora, and Antonija Kovačec, responsible for the special admission quota for members of the Croatian diaspora.

Representatives of the Catholic University of Croatia presented the University’s development, study programmes, academic and professional capacities, and modern infrastructure, with particular emphasis on its potential to develop programmes and initiatives aimed at young Croats and descendants of Croatian emigrants. The discussion particularly highlighted opportunities to connect the University with the needs of Croatian communities outside the Republic of Croatia. Various models for involving young people of Croatian origin in the University’s educational programmes, student mobility, summer schools, academic and cultural programmes, and other forms of engagement with Croatian higher education were discussed.

In this context, the particular value of the Catholic University of Croatia lies in the combination of high-quality study programmes, modern educational and research infrastructure, an international outlook, and the University’s clear identity. The University can provide an educational environment in which academic quality is combined with the values-based dimension of education, as well as with topics related to the Croatian language, culture, identity, and the life of Croatian communities outside the Republic of Croatia. In this regard, cooperation with the Croatian diaspora also represents an important part of the University’s broader internationalization process.

Representatives of the Central State Office presented the programmes and measures through which the Office supports connections with Croats outside the Republic of Croatia, including programmes in the areas of education, scholarships, projects, and special admission opportunities at Croatian higher education institutions. Particular emphasis was placed on programmes aimed at younger generations of the Croatian diaspora, prominent scholars of Croatian origin abroad, and opportunities to strengthen their connections with educational and academic institutions in Croatia.

Following the meeting, representatives of the Central State Office toured the campus of the Catholic University of Croatia and learned more about its modern teaching and research facilities, University infrastructure, and student amenities. The tour provided an opportunity to present first-hand the study conditions and academic life at the University, as well as its potential for further development. The meeting confirmed a shared interest in developing more concrete forms of cooperation and opened the way for further discussions on programmes that would enable young Croats and descendants of Croatian emigrants to strengthen their ties with their homeland.