Second Day of the General Assembly of the European Federation of Catholic Universities at CUC

Four panels on key challenges of contemporary higher education were held

The Catholic University of Croatia (CUC) from 20 to 22 May 2026 is hosting the General Assembly of the European Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE), under the title “Mission of Catholic Universities in Challenging Times” (eng. Inspiring Catholic Universities in Challenging Times), which gathers 67 rectors, vice-rectors and deans as well as experts from sixteen European countries in order to discuss the role of Catholic universities in contemporary society marked by social, cultural and technological changes.

After yesterday’s opening of the General Assembly of the Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE), the conference programme continued with full-day sessions dedicated to key challenges of contemporary higher education.

The programme in the Aula Magna of the Catholic University of Croatia gathered rectors, vice-rectors, deans and experts from numerous European countries who through panels, workshops and discussions opened questions of sustainability of Catholic universities, digital transformation, European university alliances and preservation of identity and social responsibility in a time of deep social and cultural changes.

The first panel under the title “Sustainability and lasting attractiveness of Catholic universities in conditions of decline in enrolment” was moderated by Prof. Hrvoje Štefančić from CUC, while the introductory lecture was held by the President of FUCE and Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan Prof. Elena Beccalli. Participants of the panel discussed possibilities of preserving the identity and mission of Catholic universities in circumstances of a reduced number of students and financial challenges. In the discussion participated the Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia Prof. Željko Tanjić, Prof. Isabel Capeloa Gil from the Catholic University of Portugal, Prof. Grégory Woimbée from the Catholic University of Lyon and Prof. Taras Dobko from the Ukrainian Catholic University.

The second panel was dedicated to the topic “Sustainability of universities in the era of digital transformation”, and it was moderated by Assist. Prof. Odilon Singbo from the Catholic University of Croatia. The introductory presentation was held by Prof. Zlatan Car, after which participants discussed challenges which digital transformation brings to higher education, especially in the context of artificial intelligence, technological changes and adaptation of teaching processes. In the panel participated representatives of Catholic universities from Spain, Hungary and Lebanon: Prof. Pablo Salvador Blesa Aledo, Prof. Kristóf Iván and Prof. Rony Darazi.

About European university alliances it was discussed at the third panel which was moderated by Dr. Branka Roščić from the Catholic University of Croatia. The introductory lecture was held by the President of the European University Association (EUA) Prof. Josep M. Garrell, who spoke about the future of the European area of higher education and the importance of international linking of universities. In the discussion participated representatives of universities from France, Spain, Portugal and Croatia: Patrick Scauflaire, Carlo Maria Gallucci, Peter Hanenberg and Prof. Anita Pavić Pintarić.

The afternoon part of the programme was dedicated to the topic “Catholic universities in challenging times”, within which questions of Catholic identity in a secularised society, sustainable transformation of university campuses and mental health and resilience of students in a time of conflict and anxiety were opened. Presentations were held by Prof. Andrzej Kielian from the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Poland, Barbara Schermaier-Stöckl and Bernward Robrecht from the Catholic University of Applied Sciences in Germany and Assist. Prof. Lana Batinić from the University Department of Psychology of the Catholic University of Croatia.

The programme was continued with parallel workshops and final conclusions of participants in the Aula Magna, and alongside the academic part participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with the cultural and spiritual heritage of Zagreb through an organised city tour and Holy Mass in the Church of St Mark.