Erasmus Day 2026 at CUC

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, CUC Erasmus Day 2026 was held at the Catholic University of Croatia, celebrating international cooperation and the wealth of opportunities that the Erasmus+ program offers to students as well as academic and administrative staff. This year’s milestone 10th edition of Erasmus Day was held under the motto "Learning and Growing: Skills for Tomorrow," emphasizing the importance of future-oriented skill development through international experience, lifelong learning, and intercultural collaboration. The event was moderated by Bernarda Krizmanić, Advisor in the Department for Mobility Programs.
 

The program was opened by Prof. Jasna Ćurković Nimac, PhD, Vice-Rector for International Relations at CUC, who expressed special gratitude to all university staff and students participating in international mobility programs. She highlighted that the University Management Board recognizes and deeply appreciates their dedication, commitment, and contribution to CUC’s development through acquiring new knowledge, sharing experiences, and strengthening international cooperation. She also emphasized that Erasmus mobility goes far beyond acquiring academic knowledge, as it enables students and staff to develop transversal skills, critical thinking, and intercultural competencies, equipping them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse European and global environment.
 

Antonija Gladović, Director of the Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes (AMEUP / AMPEU), also addressed the attendees, underlining the importance of continuously encouraging the academic community to engage in international mobilities. "Erasmus is not just an opportunity to travel, but to travel with a goal and a purpose—to experience something new, learn, and then return to Croatia, to CUC, and share that knowledge with colleagues and students. CUC embarked on its Erasmus journey as a young university—modestly and steadily—but it is my great pleasure to say that tremendous progress and results are evident, with its financial allocation and student numbers growing year after year. I believe CUC can take great pride in the fact that there are virtually no fund returns to the Agency, meaning that all awarded funds are fully utilized and financial projects are exceptionally well managed," Director Gladović emphasized. She encouraged students and staff to venture into mobility and step outside their comfort zones, highlighting that international experience can be invaluable for both personal and professional growth.
 

CUC academic and administrative staff shared their Erasmus+ mobility experiences, speaking about professional development, knowledge exchange, and collaboration with international peers. The panel discussion featured Prof. Hrvoje Kekez, PhD, from the University Department of History; Prof. Marta Čivljak, PhD, from the Faculty of Health Studies; Asst. Prof. Davor Trbušić, PhD, from the University Department of Communication Studies; Senior Assistant Anamaria Malešević, PhD, from the University Department of Sociology; and Andrea Krkač, Senior Advisor in the Public Relations and Event Management Department. The discussion was moderated by Senior Assistant Maja Žutić, PhD, from the University Department of Psychology. The panelists shared their experiences in international collaboration and professional development, highlighting the value of experiencing new academic environments and exchanging knowledge.
 

In the second part of the program, Assoc. Prof. Zoran Turza, PhD, University Erasmus+ Coordinator, presented diverse mobility opportunities and subsequently moderated a panel discussion with CUC students. Experiences, impressions, and challenges of studying abroad were shared by Ante Glasnović, sociology student; Maja Karolj, communication studies student; and Gabrijela Bajić, doctoral candidate and associate at the Laudato Si' University Center. Their firsthand accounts illustrated the advantages of international study as well as the personal and academic opportunities unlocked by embarking on mobility.

The event concluded with an interactive Erasmus Skills Challenge, where participants had the opportunity to apply and hone skills in teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.

CUC Erasmus Day 2026 once again recorded excellent attendance to the great satisfaction of the organizers, reaffirming the growing interest in international mobility. Especially encouraging is the noticeable shift in staff awareness regarding the opportunities offered by Erasmus+, reflected in the increasing number of colleagues deciding to participate in mobility. This trend demonstrates the commitment of the Catholic University of Croatia to continuously encourage its staff to engage in international exchange, gain new knowledge, and build vital competencies.