The first promotion of PhDs at the Catholic University of Croatia

The Catholic University of Croatia's Doctor of Science (PhD) promotion ceremony was held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in the UNiversity's Great Hall (Aula magna). Six Doctors of Science from the doctoral study program History and eleven Doctors of Science from the doctoral study program "Sociology: Values, Identity and Social Changes in Croatian Society" were proclaimed.

At the beginning of the ceremonial academic ceremony, the prayer introduction was led by the university chaplain, Rev. Branimir Jagodić, and the Croatian national anthem was performed by the folklore ensemble Ivan Goran Kovačić.
 

On behalf of the Grand Chancellor, Msgr. Dražen Kutleša, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Zagreb, the gathering was addressed by Msgr. Ivan Šaško, who in his congratulatory message pointed out that twenty years had passed since the formal start of work on the establishment of the Catholic University of Croatia and that the doctorate of science from the perspective of a young university was only a distant dream that was fulfilled on the day of the doctorate of science promotion because “we are aware that a study is truly a study when it can show its fruits at the last stage of education.” Msgr. Šaško continued by saying that the word doctor contains the meaning of the Greek verb deíknymi, which speaks of: showing, of getting to know, of making known, of interpreting, teaching and proving. “Therefore, you remain witnesses of your time for present and future generations. Here we should place emphasis: on caring for the young, for children who – as St. John Bosco convincingly summarized – “are not vessels to be filled, but torches to be lit.” The small abbreviation for the doctorate of science also points out the fact that, although behind us and ahead of us is technological development that takes on the characteristics of an attributed sacredness: fascinans et tremendum; although the way of behaving, access to sources of knowledge, and the focus of interests have greatly changed, man remains man, with his longings and fears, with his achievements and ignorance. Be, therefore, teachers who, by researching and telling others about what you have acquired, will transmit your own life longing and passion for that which one never ceases to study, that is, what one never ceases to love," - emphasized Msgr. Šaško. At the end of his speech, Msgr. Šaško told the graduates: "I conclude: love for wisdom leads to humility; love always needs the one it loves and what it loves. Plato already noticed that love is neither poor nor rich and is between wisdom and ignorance, and the cross of Christ teaches us best that wisdom knows its limits and keeps far from omniscience and omnipotence. And right now, when you are receiving your doctoral degrees, you are called to feel and warn about the mystery of limitation. This is where a wonderful encounter with the truth begins that does not sadden but rejoices. Let us all not forget that we are talking about history and sociology, two branches that are very important for the Croatian homeland in the context of the current European turmoil, colored in gray. Others will not deal with these disciplines, if "We, Croats, will not deal with them."
 

The welcoming speech on behalf of the academic community of our University was delivered by Prof. Željko Tanjić, Rector of the Catholic University of Croatia. The Rector pointed out that the date of March 29th is inscribed in golden letters in the history of our university because the vertical of our study programs in history and sociology was closed, with the hope that doctoral studies will soon open in other university departments. Rector Tanjić expressed his sincere congratulations for all the effort, dedication and self-sacrifice of the doctoral candidates who will soon receive their diplomas. "We are aware that you have often been lonely on your journey, because the path of doctoral studies is marked by solitude in thoughts, reflections, combinations and research. But you were not alone on that journey. Just as they are here with us today, many were accompanied by mentors and co-authors, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for their effort, commitment and hard work in getting you to today's promotion together and who work diligently to make our doctoral studies recognizable and excellent. I also thank your families, parents, children, and friends who have been your support and help. This is a great day for all of you!"
 

In his speech, Rector Tanjić referred to the medal of doctors of science of the Catholic University of Croatia. "It will be a memorial to our new doctors of science of the achievement of the highest academic title, but, we believe, it will also be a reminder with its obverse and reverse sides that beneath the crowning of the joy of the title achieved, there inevitably lie research efforts, sacrifices, courage and perseverance in scientific work. For us, it is a reminder of the development and growth of our University, but it is also a sign of the lasting connection between the University and you, esteemed doctors of science. Although for many our University was not a place of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels, through this diploma and medal we remain permanently connected. I hope that this connection will continue in the time that has been given to us and that you will become recognized scientists and researchers in your fields, which is an honor for us. We sincerely thank the academic sculptor Jeronim Tišljar for his effort and skill in designing the medal of doctors of science of the CUC." 

The President of the University Council for Doctoral Studies, Prof. Stjepan Kušar, greeted the celebrants on behalf of the Head of Doctoral Studies, Prof. Gordan Črpić, and Assoc. Prof. Ines Sabotič, teachers, mentors and commentators, and gave a brief reflection on the doctoral study process. Professor Kušar said: "The promotion of a doctor of science is a ceremonial promotion of knowledge. Knowledge is a good, and we know that good is shared and that good is valuable. What we call value has its price. The price is determined by assessment. When good is shared, some decrease, and some increase. When you share the good called money, it decreases by sharing. When you share the good called knowledge, it increases by sharing. ... The good that is shared is the good that finds its second step in what is done from knowledge. So, first we have to know, and then we have to know how to do. Knowledge is not only a value, knowledge is a value. It leads us to the third level of what I would like to convey to you, dear doctors of science. So, along with knowing and knowing how to do, there is also the third thing, knowing or being able to be. Usually, universities pay little attention to this third level: being human, knowing how to be. I would like from the bottom of my heart that all the effort invested, all the hardships of doctoral students would not just be something you remember, but that it would be an occasion for reflection on the experience you have gained. My wish, dear doctors of science, is that what you have acquired at our University and what your diploma is a witness to would also be a prism through which not only your knowledge and ability radiates, but also the quality of your humanity, your being a human being, being a woman, being a man. This should radiate into our society and thus show that the good of knowledge grows by being shared, and never be stingy in that. Thank you.”

After the awarding of doctoral degrees, Matea Dadić, PhD, addressed the audience on behalf of the doctors of history and sociology, congratulating all the graduates and thanking the Board of the Catholic University of Croatia, mentors, co-mentors, teachers, colleagues, family and friends for their support during their doctoral studies. "Sociologically speaking, we are a historical generation - these are the words of Vice-Rector Črpić, which aptly describe today's academic ceremony. Indeed, we are inscribed in the history of this university, but I dare say also in the history of Croatian science, because in the field of sociology as a social science and history as a humanities, we have been given the opportunity to research insufficiently researched topics and, in search of the truth, offer scientific analyses using contemporary theoretical and methodological research approaches. There is no doubt that this should be the calling of every scientist and that this is the fundamental idea of ​​science. However, I would like to emphasize that we have received much more than that here, we have received the integrity that this world lacks, just as scientists who do not reduce reality only to the scientific-research dimension are lacking," emphasized dr. Dadić. She concluded her speech with the words: "We must not forget, each of us, to thank ourselves because, by opening ourselves to God's providence and action, we have managed to persevere on the path of perseverance, self-sacrifice, diligence and truthfulness. The education that is now woven into our habitus was achieved by a few of us throughout the entire vertical precisely at this university, and all of us present at the highest level of education, and I am sure that we will carry the Catholic University of Croatia, our Alma Mater, in our hearts always and everywhere."
 

Among other things, the uniqueness of this first PhD promotion is that the first PhD at the Catholic University of Croatia was defended by Metod Šuligoj, PhD, in the doctoral study of sociology as his second PhD, and that five PhDs were promoted at this doctoral promotion, all of whom were students of the first generation of sociology students enrolled at our University in 2013.
 

The ceremonial promotion was enhanced with beautiful and harmonious singing by members of the Ivan Goran Kovačić folklore ensemble, and the program was moderated by Paula Zujić, an assistant from the University Department of Sociology.